Hornby announced as part of their new 2021 range their intention to produce new tooling for the Maunsell Dining Saloons to Diagram 2652 as introduced in 1927.
In my Talking Stock#39 post about the complexities of the Southern Catering vehicles I advised that in 1930 the six Diagram 2652 Saloons were reclassified as Open Thirds and renumbered 1363 to 1368.
A Diagram Diagram 2652 Dining Saloon Third
Hornby have now replicated this in model form by amending their proposed R40030 Number 7864 and R40030A Number 7867 in SR lined olive green to be Open Thirds and now numbered 1363 and 1366 respectively. This gives those modelling the Southern Railway in the 1930s great flexibility in their accurate use.
During the war all except No. 1367 were converted for Ambulance Train use during WWII. Four of six, were converted in July 1947 to Third / Composite Dining Saloons branded as ‘Restaurant Car’ to Diagram 2658 and numbered 7841-4 . These conversions have also been announced by Hornby as R40031 Maunsell Dining Saloon Third / Composite to diagram 2658 Number S7841S and R40031A Number S7843S in BR(s) Green. The other two were now fitted with 48 loose 2 +1 chairs and classified as First Class diners and numbered 7846/7 were were paired with newly converted Diagram 2661 Buffet cars for use on the reinstated ‘Night Ferry” service.