StephenHunter
Established Member
One big issue with Mark 1s is the lack of air con; unless you retrofit it (as VSOE did with their carriages) you're going to have increasing problems doing tours.
Is that because you are expecting the windows to be sealed up or because of issues related to a warmer climate?One big issue with Mark 1s is the lack of air con; unless you retrofit it (as VSOE did with their carriages) you're going to have increasing problems doing tours.
There's almost always a diesel in the consist. Or you can use a generator van.Please can someone explain where the power to run the air conditioning comes from on a steam hauled train? Do all main line steam workings now include a diesel in the consist?
Either an ETS-equipped diesel or a generator van in the formationPlease can someone explain where the power to run the air conditioning comes from on a steam hauled train? Do all main line steam workings now include a diesel in the consist?
Many tours have long stops at signals or sidings. And open windows work best with a moving train.Lack of air conditioning is only a problem if the train is stuck somewhere. I expect most people who use such services would risk the opening window.
Thanks for this clarification. And 61653 HTAFC as well.Either an ETS-equipped diesel or a generator van in the formation
Many tours have long stops at signals or sidings. And open windows work best with a moving train.
Don’t know about the others but the Royal vehicles have had retention tanks since 1977. There are no mk1 vehicles in the current Royal fleet anyway.How does the Queen of the Scots set (mix of GNR, LNWR etc coaches), Royal train and Belmond rakes fit this ?
Yes - see https://www.nymr.co.uk/News/nymr-on-track-with-retention-tank-project Not dated but I recall it was May last year They have fitted thirteen coaches with CETs.Fairly certain the NYMR are working on fitting CETs.
Excellent I will update the opening post, so just WCRC still unknown.Yes - see https://www.nymr.co.uk/News/nymr-on-track-with-retention-tank-project Not dated but I recall it was May last year They have fitted thirteen coaches with CETs.
The Southern region ran early Mark 2 vac-braked carriages in rakes of otherwise Mark 1 makeup, behind steam, in the 1960s. usually just one per train I think though, side corridor firsts.I agree Mk2's look odd behind a steam locomotive.
I’ll throw the Manchester and Merseyside Pullmans into the equation at this point, as kitchen cars were included in the build.No catering vehicles were built new to any Mk2 design for British Rail
True, but still Pullman Cars - they weren't marshalled as catering vehicles in normal sets only as vehicles with a kitchen in fixed Pullman formations.I’ll throw the Manchester and Merseyside Pullmans into the equation at this point, as kitchen cars were included in the build.
Agreed! I probably missed adding a or two to my post.True, but still Pullman Cars - they weren't marshalled as catering vehicles in normal sets only as vehicles with a kitchen in fixed Pullman formations.
Perhaps a touch of semantics but I wouldn't count them as catering vehicles per se, not in the ordinary way.
No problem, I understood you were just making the point that there were new-build Mk2 drsign coaches with catering equipment installed shall we say.Agreed! I probably missed adding a or two to my post.
On the Mk2 front, I'm surprised no-one has so far converted any of the D/E/F Family to become a Mk2 Kitchen - For this I'm thinking the liked of Northern Belle, Riviera or LSL.No problem, I understood you were just making the point that there were new-build Mk2 drsign coaches with catering equipment installed shall we say.
Perhaps it's simply easier to use existing Mk1s?On the Mk2 front, I'm surprised no-one has so far converted any of the D/E/F Family to become a Mk2 Kitchen - For this I'm thinking the liked of Northern Belle, Riviera or LSL.
RFBs rather than RFOs, same type as the vehicles used in XC Mk2E/F sets.There was the Mark 2fs converted to Restaurant First Opens
Not just the traction, the rail joints, points and crossings, etc. Modern carriages sound dead sound-wise to me. My last Mk 1 ride was a spirited run from London Bridge to Redhill in a 4-CIG.The attraction of Mark 1s to passengers appears to be that they have opening windows and no air conditioning. They are actually a selling point to some passengers who want the hear the traction.
The attraction of Mark 1s to passengers appears to be that they have opening windows and no air conditioning. They are actually a selling point to some passengers who want the hear the traction.
This post comes with a health warning. I do not intend to offend anyone, but speak from my own personal view point:Not just the traction, the rail joints, points and crossings, etc. Modern carriages sound dead sound-wise to me.
You're far from alone there, sadly.... some of these individuals demonstrated their enthusiasm in a far more extrovert way (hanging out every available window, shouting - bellowing!), which for me personally, ruined the experience, which in the event marked my departure from any further interest in same .
Didn't one 'flailer' suffer a tragic end on a railtour? North Wales?You're far from alone there, sadly.
That was 2016, on a 442. To the family’s credit they didn’t indulge in the blame game with the railway and accepted that they died doing something they loved.Don't know about that one, but a Bluebell Railway volunteer sustained a fatal head injury leaning out of the guard's window on an SWT service some years back.