GWR coach livery 1934–1942

Comet Models 61' large-windowed Corridor Brake Composite diagram E152/3 (adjacent) and (below) a Corridor Brake 3rd diagram D121, both built in 1936. Images courtesy Comet Models

Al Reynolds has given this venerable Airfix/Hornby E140 B-set brake composite a refurb with a late-1930s style repaint, laser-glaze windows, reworked underframe detail, new headstocks, and the erroneous window in the brake compartment area filled in. A probably livery error is the doubtful application of shirtbuttons to doors.

During the 1934–1942 period, the new, modernized livery was augmented by the GWR 'shirtbutton' roundel. The logo was placed centrally on coach sides, while railcars carried it under the driving windows.

No other major livery changes took place during this period, although Great Western Way notes the black line reduced in thickness to 9/16" in 1934. (The next official painting spec, in 1947, shows the black line reverting to 3/4" thickness.) One minor exception was the all-brown, no-lining livery applied to some workmen's trains during the 1930s, which had 'G W R' applied at the waist, and did not carry the roundel. A July 1934 painting specification clarified that the edges of droplight surrounds were to be painted in mahogany.

In 1938, 'Third' labelling on 3rd class compartments was re-instated.

The all-brown livery was also applied to some bogie full brakes from c 1934 onward.

At an early stage in WWII, thought to be 1941, roofs were painted grey instead of white, as a means of making them less visible from the air.