Bachmann Branchline release first Mark 2 coaches
Date: 24 March 2006
Source: Bachmann
Bachmann Branchline has released the first Mark 2 coaches today in BR blue / grey livery.
Work began at Swindon on designing the second generation of British Railways standard coaches in 1958. By 1961 a Swindon built prototype was in existence which entered traffic in May 1963 for evaluation.
An order placed in 1962 for 46 Mark 2 Corridor Firsts (FK) which was followed by another 24 in August 1963. The 70 production vehicles were delivered in 1964, 20 vehicles were painted in Southern Region green livery and were air-braked for use on Boat Trains, the remainder being vacuum braked and finished in the then standard BR maroon livery.
For the London Midland Region electrification scheme, orders were placed with Derby Works in October 1964 for 133 Tourist Open Seconds (TSO). These incorporated a number of internal features developed for the XP64 train, mainly the removal of compartments and the adoption of open plan seating to accommodate 64 passengers. 26 vehicles to this design were then built for the Western Region. These were the first new vehicles to be turned out in the new BR corporate blue / grey livery.
Also ordered in October 1964 were 28 Open Second (SO) vehicles which were designed for use as Dining vehicles and had the number of seats reduced to 48 (2 + 1 seating).
April 1965 saw orders placed for 28 Corridor Brake Firsts (BFK) and 36 Open Brake Seconds (BSO) the last of these vehicles being introduced in 1967, almost a year after the commencement of electrified services on the West Coast Main Line in and out of London Euston.
The original Mark 2 coaches were designated MK2Z under the British Rail TOPS (Total Operating Processing System) introduced in 1971. Most continued in front line service until the introduction of Mark 3 coaches on principal trains rendered many of them surplus to requirements because of their vacuum brakes. 36 vehicles were allocated in 1971 to Scottish Region Edinburgh – Glasgow push/pull services which required the fitting of air brakes.
A few did pass to InterCity after sectorisation for use on Special Trains. The remainder passed to Network SouthEast and Regional Railways. CIE (Irish Railways) purchased 3 SO vehicles and 1 TSO vehicle in 1990. The last vehicles were withdrawn in 1994. A number of vehicles have been preserved.
Bachmann have released 2 versions of the TSO. Catalogue No. 39-350 is in blue / grey livery (running number M5082) and 39-351 (running number E5311) which also carries the early Inter-City branding. Both coaches retail at £22.45.
BE 2006-14
