Although introduced onto the GWR by Collett from 1925, many of these modern-for-their-time coaches lasted in service until the 1960s, with many examples passing into departmental use. Some retained their chocolate and cream livery after nationalisation of Britain’s railways in 1948 and others were painted in the new owner’s crimson and cream. 

These wooden-framed, but steel-panelled ‘bow-ended’ coaches were also ‘handed’ in a throw-back to the days they were introduced, when coach sets were marshalled with the compartments to the south (sunny) side and the corridors alongside London Paddington’s Platform 1 for ease of loading/unloading. For example, a left-hand brake coach would have its corridor on the opposite side to a right-hand brake.