R40537 - Hornby - OO - BR Kitchen and Buttery car & Composite Restaurant twin pack At the Sign of the Dolphin

BR Kitchen/Buttery & Composite Restaurant Pack (2) Dolphin

Details

Bring a distinctive slice of Southern Region character to your OO Scale model railway with this expertly detailed Southern Region Tavern Car Twin Pack, featuring two highly atmospheric restaurant coaches finished in classic BR Crimson & Cream livery. This striking release captures the charm of British Rail’s experimental and novelty dining stock, complete with finely applied printing, detailed interiors, and factory-fitted lighting for added realism on your layout.

This twin pack includes Tavern Car No. S7894 and Composite Saloon No. S7835, both presented in the eye-catching themed branding ‘At the Sign of the Dolphin’, evoking the distinctive “pub car” style that made these coaches a talking point in railway history.

Perfect for OO gauge modellers seeking standout coaching stock, Southern Region interest, or Era 4 authenticity, these vehicles combine prototype fidelity with modern model railway engineering.

The tooling faithfully represents the original condition of both coach types, including the Tavern Car without side beading and the Composite Saloon with high windows and no side beading, ensuring accurate prototype representation. Both models feature finely moulded bodywork, detailed roof profiles, and realistic bogie construction, while the interiors are fully modelled to reflect the layout and ambience of the prototype vehicles.

Features:

• 1:76 Scale Model
• This model is decorated in BR company markings
• Best suited to 438mm radius curves
• Highly detailed OO Scale models of Southern Region KB and RCO Tavern Cars
• Authentic BR Crimson & Cream Era 4 livery with accurate colours and fonts
• Finely printed “At the Sign of the Dolphin” themed pub-style branding
• Factory-fitted interior lighting for enhanced realism
• Kinematic NEM coupling system for close and reliable operation
• Separately fitted underframe, gangway details, and accessory pack included

Historical Background

The Southern Region Tavern Cars were introduced as part of British Rail’s mid-century efforts to modernise passenger services and enhance onboard experience. These unusual coaches, often referred to as “pub cars,” were designed to create a more informal, social dining environment compared to traditional restaurant stock.

Developed during a period of experimentation and service innovation, the Tavern Cars were typically formed from modified or specially adapted coaching stock and operated on selected Southern Region services. Their distinctive appearance, combined with themed branding such as ‘At the Sign of the Dolphin’, made them instantly recognisable within standard passenger formations.

Finished in the striking Crimson & Cream livery, these coaches stood out visually and symbolised British Rail’s attempt to add personality and variety to its services during Era 4. Although produced in limited numbers, they remain a memorable and sought-after prototype for OO Scale modellers interested in Southern Region coaching stock and railway social history.

Contents

• 2 x Hornby Coaches