Passenger Carriage

Miscellany

This carriage was the sole example of a Mk.2F catering car designated Restaurant Self Service. It was converted in 1974 from a production series Mk.2F Tourist Second Open. Photographs illustrate each side of the carriage.

The first photograph illustrates the carriage being moved empty stock from Polmadie Depot to Glasgow Central. The second photograph, taken on a different day, shows the carriage passing Larkfield Junction on a southbound service.

Both photographs were taken during January 1978.

Although many Mk.1 Composite Corridor carriages were constructed, no carriages of this type were constructed from new in the Mk.2 series. However in the early 1980's five Mk.2C Corridor First carriages were converted to Corridor Composites by the downgrading of four first class compartments to second class. This resulted in a seating capacity of 18 first and 24 second class seats, differing from their Mk.1 counterparts which had 24 first and 18 second class seats.

These vehicles were used on ScotRail services between Inverness to Glasgow and Edinburgh and two are seen just south of Blair Atholl Station in July 1985.

Three 1962 built Mk.1 Corridor Firsts were the subject of a conversion program in 1971 when the Lounge First Corridor carriages were created. Two pairs of compartments were merged and along with the three seats on both bulkheads, four additional rotating seats were provided at the centre of the merged compartments. Compartment windows were replaced with smaller double glazed units with slatted blinds in between. The other three compartments were unmodified. The resulting seating capacity was 38 first class seats.

The first two photographs show Sc14901 in April 1978 and then in 1979, still in revenue service at Turkey Yard, Springburn, Glasgow. The third shows the corridor side of Sc14900 at Turkey Yard in April 1978, after withdrawal from revenue service.

(Centre photo: Alexander Clark)

The final vehicle in the RMB series of catering cars differs from the others in that it has a central pantry and separate bar and buffet areas. The car is seen at York in 1978.
(Photo: Alexander Clark)

These photographs from April 1978 illustrate one of two still surviving in revenue service 1948 built Restaurant Buffet cars. Note that the E suffix normally found on pre nationalisation type stock is not in this case carried.

Seating capacity is 24 seats, the vehicle is steam heated and vacuum braked and cooking is by gas.

Photographs show the carriage at Turkey Yard, Springburn, Glasgow in April 1978.

In April 1979, the unique Metro Cammel Pullman Car designated "Nightcap Bar" could be found providing catering facilities on overnight service between Glasgow Central and London Euston.

The first photograph shows the carriage at Glasgow Central in the consist of the "Night Caledonian" ready to depart south. The second photograph shows the opposite side of the carriage after arrival at London Euston the following morning. Seating capacity was 24. Although this carriage was built in 1961 and converted to a bar car in 1970, all well after railway nationalisation, the vehicle carries the suffix E.

For transportation of valuable cargo, 14 bullion vans were converted from BSK coaches. End gangways were removed, two double doors installed on each side and one compartment was retained for accompanying staff. This is December 1977 at Clapham Junction.

These vehicles were used on Anglo-Scottish Motorail services and provided enclosed transportation for six cars, two of which were carried on the lower deck between the bogies. Access was by hydraulic lift. Once again the E suffix indicates a false origin of the vehicle. This is June 1979 at Edinburgh Waverley.

This view, taken at Inverness in April 1968 illustrates a couple of variations from a standard Mk.1 RU in that the ends are maroon instead of black and the vehicle is riding on Gresley type bogies instead of the more usual B1 or Commonwealth ones.

Many 64 seat TSO vehicles were built but a few of the early ones had no central vestibule and had only 4 doors instead of 6. This scene shows one such vehicle in an excursion train along with the more numerous type. This is Largs in June 1977.

Although of LMS design, both these vehicles were built during the nationalised era in 1951 & 1952. The vehicle has 11 compartments, 22 berths and an attendant's compartment.

The first image shows M609 abandoned in the sidings opposite Carlisle Kingmoor depot in July 1977 and the other shows a similar carriage M603M in May 1979 stored at an operating museum.

A particularly popular source of sustenance and refreshment to passengers on Glasgow Aberdeen services were the Griddle Cars. There were only six Griddle cars built but this small build did included three variations. The first image shows Sc1104 at Turkey Yard in Springburn, Glasgow in July 1978 and the other shows the opposite side of the vehicle as it arrives at Glasgow Queen Street in May 1979.

This Tourist Second Open was one of three constructed. Seating capacity was 64 second. This is at Westbury in June 1980.

This Corridor First was one of three constructed and the interior was unusual in that the corridor changed sides near the centre of the vehicle. Seating capacity was 42 first. This is at Westbury in June 1980.

The Manchester London Pullman train was normally made up with Mk.2 Pullman cars but in this instance the only RF in service at this time is substituting for a regular Pullman Parlour First with Kitchen car to provide catering service. This is Manchester Piccadilly in May 1980.

All 4CEP electric units on Southern Region had a regular 64 seat, 8 compartment Corridor Second in the set except 7189 which had a downgraded Composite Corridor instead resulting in 8 less second class seats. This is Dover Western Docks in June 1980.