Heritage lines using something other than BR Mark 1s

While the Mark 1 is a very nice coach, where would you suggest for something that's a bit different?

 

The SVR have full rakes from LNER, LMS, GWR and BR...


Oh, and the TR have some nice ones made by Brown, Marshall & Co. dating from the late 1860's if you want something a little different with some age to them.

 

Isle of Wight steam railway. Has absolutely no mk1 or mk2s. All it's trains are formed of beautifully restored LBSCR, SECR and even older coaches.

 

Tanfield & Middleton are Mk.1 free zones if you want something a bit diferent on the standard gauge.

 

On the Bluebell, the "B" service on a two-train day (every weekend and mid-week during school holidays) will be non Mark 1: it could be anything from 1880s four wheelers to 1930s Maunsell Corridor stock. The "A" service fairly often has a Bulleid or two in the consist, and will sometimes have the LNWR Obo on the back for a small supplement.

Tom

 

I agree with you that the Mk1 is a very nice coach - those who belittle them should remember that the Mk1 is a heritage vehicle in it's own right. The newest of them are 50+ years old and a considerable proportion of heritage railway passengers will have never travelled in them on the main line.

 

There is also the LNERCA train on the NYMR. I can throughly recommend riding in BTK 3669.

Sawdust.

 

I agree with your sentiment but find it rather saddening that they are usually being refurbished as cheaply as possible and are losing much of their period ambience.

Sawdust.

 

Examples of where the heritage feel of Mk1s are being lost? The only thing that springs to mind is the replacement of bulbs with LEDs, and this has more to do with practicality of running at a max 25mph so less battery charging than anything else. It also doesn't show either.

 

All too many Railways have Mk 1s that are to all intents and purposes are empty shells. EG luggage racks missing, side lights in opens and compartments missing, seat number missing, anti-Macassar clips missing, bus moquette, none period light fittings etc. etc. and that's is without mentioning thread bare seats, rotten bodywork but that is a different subject Leds are fine by me by the way, good use of new technology provided the shape and intensity is in keeping.

 

Easy the NYMR BR carriages don't use authentic designs of moquette and when the internal woodwork is cleaned back to the bare wood no attempt is made to maintain the original colouring.

Sawdust.

 

Is it a coincidence that I was Deputy C&W manager at the SVR

 

You'll need to be widening the entrance doors at Havenstreet to fit through soon Gary!

Tom

 

Actually I meant it more in the vain that the SVRs high standards have rubbed off on me! but then I did help in a small way to set that standard

 

The SRPS do pretty well in my opinion...

- The only two operational Caledonian Railways coaches in the world, whilst they own the remains of the third.
- LNER Teak set consisting of Thomson Brake, Thomson third class open and Gresley buffet. Also undergoing a painstaking overhaul is a Gresley third class vehicle.
- Two LMS Stanier period three vehicles undergoing comprehensive overhauls – body work recently re-skinned and awaiting painting/interior overhaul prior to entry into service. Several more LMS vehicles waiting to be started.
- North British Saloon amongst other historic vehicles.
- Several mark ones – including what is frequently described as one of the best condition mainline certified sets!

Not bad for a group which currently only employs one member of carriage and wagon staff!

 

Ah yes, now you say it you can read it that way. Whatever it was, it seems to have worked...

Tom

 

Nene Valley Railway for a ride on their continental set? They're a bit different from the standard Mk1....

 

The North Norfolk Railway has its GE "Quad-art" set which I haven't yet had a ride in, although I rode in similar coaches in the 1950s when they were still in service.
The Keighley and Worth Valley railway has a couple of L&Y coaches and also sometimes runs trains with coaches from the Vintage Carriage Trust at Ingrow.
The Embsay and Bolton Abbey railway runs trains with vintage coaches in conjunction with Steve Middleton, who does a lot of carriage restoration.