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Cost of MK3 Buffet

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snakeeyes

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Hi, who would be the best contact regarding buying a MK3 Buffet, presumably a few will be out of use now.
 
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edwin_m

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About 15 years ago someone from one of the ROSCOs was quoted as saying you could have one for £1 as long as you removed it promptly at your own cost.
 

43096

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A Heritage railway, as a cafe.
What sort of vehicle are you wanting: HST or loco-hauled; small buffet (which would have more seats) or full kitchen facilities (which have fewer seats)?

Depending what you want some are more available than others.
 

randyrippley

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you would be better off converting a Pacer
better views out the window, better door access especially disabled, and far easier to mount "off the rails" jacked on a plinth if required. Take the wheels off and drop the frame on concrete piers. Hard to do with the underfloor equipment on a mk3
 

43096

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you would be better off converting a Pacer
better views out the window, better door access especially disabled, and far easier to mount "off the rails" jacked on a plinth if required. Take the wheels off and drop the frame on concrete piers. Hard to do with the underfloor equipment on a mk3
Oh you are joking aren't you?

Too many issues:
- can you actually fit kitchen equipment in without causing major structural issues?
- cost of conversion assuming it is feasible
- single glazed windows for that nice condensation (which means you can't see out!)
- hopper windows that mean it'll be stinking hot in summer as there will be no air flow (and you have the heat from the kitchen)
- short body length means either you need two vehicles or compromise on either seating or kitchen space

In contrast, an HST vehicle would offer:
- slam doors are actually easier to deal with for a static vehicle, and probably more secure than a Pacer's doors
- access for wheelchairs is perfectly possible and some simple internal mods will make access even better
- full air conditioning
- kitchen/buffet already in place
- better quality of seating, with tables
- HST vehicles run off 415V three-phase AC, which enables standard industrial supply to be used
 

Master29

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About 15 years ago someone from one of the ROSCOs was quoted as saying you could have one for £1 as long as you removed it promptly at your own cost.
There you go. A bargain for gwr in their ongoing iet buffet fiasco.
 

47271

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- full air conditioning
- HST vehicles run off 415V three-phase AC, which enables standard industrial supply to be used
Just out of curiosity on these two points, I think I asked it in relation to mk3 sleepers used as accommodation on heritage railways, but didn't get an informed answer from those on the thread at the time?

How do you run aircon on a static mk3, do you provide power to the existing units (which will become increasingly difficult to source parts for) or do you fit modern technology which pumps through the existing ducts?

And an idea for the OP - are there any buffets still around more or less in original condition (IC70 seats for example) that could be brought back to full on 1970s look and feel? Then the railway could run it exactly as a Travellers Fare time capsule, original menus, blue and red uniforms, the lot, something that could attract quite a bit of interest?
 

aleggatta

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How do you run aircon on a static mk3, do you provide power to the existing units (which will become increasingly difficult to source parts for) or do you fit modern technology which pumps through the existing ducts?

Initially I imagine you would just run the existing units, however i think you would be surprised how long an air con unit can be made to last by the right air con engineer (without railway Red tape also if its not required to ever go near the mainline again). Modifications can be made relatively straightforwards for a reasonable cost if it hasn't got to match identically to another module
 

themiller

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How do you run aircon on a static mk3, do you provide power to the existing units (which will become increasingly difficult to source parts for) or do you fit modern technology which pumps through the existing ducts?
Once it's yours, you can do what you want with it! If it's going to run on the main-line, it may have to be authorised again as a modified vehicle.
 

43096

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Initially I imagine you would just run the existing units, however i think you would be surprised how long an air con unit can be made to last by the right air con engineer (without railway Red tape also if its not required to ever go near the mainline again). Modifications can be made relatively straightforwards for a reasonable cost if it hasn't got to match identically to another module
The biggest issue with reactivating them is not the actual aircon units themselves, but the electrics that control them.
 

Mitchell Hurd

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A Heritage railway, as a cafe.

Brilliant idea. I like it :)! Keep the seats that were in the buffet area like on HST's now and that's perfect.

If for any reason you're not able to get a Mark 3 buffet, there is a competition on winning a Pacer for conversion into a village hall (possibly a cafe)!
 

InTheEastMids

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Then the railway could run it exactly as a Travellers Fare time capsule, original menus,

This is the funniest thing I've read all day, and not sure if it's intentional or not. If this is sarcasm, I salute you! You created a concept that combines a notoriously bad time for British cuisine, and an organisation whose attempts at food were a national joke.

Well played, you should have received a lot more credit for this.
 

cjmillsnun

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This is the funniest thing I've read all day, and not sure if it's intentional or not. If this is sarcasm, I salute you! You created a concept that combines a notoriously bad time for British cuisine, and an organisation whose attempts at food were a national joke.

Well played, you should have received a lot more credit for this.

Depends whether they want to do before or after Pru Leith.
 

47271

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Depends whether they want to do before or after Pru Leith.
He he, absolutely before Pru. My vision is to recreate the onboard experience of 1977 or so.

I wasn't trying to be sarcastic, but for sure I was trying to be humorous...
 

47271

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This is the funniest thing I've read all day, and not sure if it's intentional or not. If this is sarcasm, I salute you! You created a concept that combines a notoriously bad time for British cuisine, and an organisation whose attempts at food were a national joke.

Well played, you should have received a lot more credit for this.
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/caledonian-sleeper-discussion.118802/page-108#post-2978843
Happy to oblige, and if you like the idea of this type of thing then a while back I suggested a retro approach to the manufacture and operation of new scenic stock for the West Highland Line.

My brilliant idea for Stadler-built reproduction 27s, 37s and mk1s and mk2s for new WHL stock. I had a repro mk1 Griddle Car selling Sweetheart Stout, an actor playing a drunk 1970s Mallaig fisherman to abuse the tourists in the summer months, the lot.
 
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