British Railways Coaching Stock.

Some less common examples.

This vehicle was one of only two Mk.2 catering cars at the time. It was adapted from regular MK.2f Tourist Second Open M5970. It had a self service counter display with a pay point at the end. Three of the original seating bays were retained, giving a seating capacity of 24S at six tables. The other vehicle, Mk.2f Galley Car M5962 which retained six of the original seating bays with a capacity for 48S soon reverted back to its original format of TSO. The first photograph shows M1800 being moved empty stock from Polmadie Depot to Glasgow Central. The second photograph, showing the other side and taken on a different day, shows the carriage passing Larkfield Junction on a southbound service. Both photographs were taken during January 1978.

This unique vehicle has a central kitchen buffet area (20S) separating a buffet saloon table seating section and a bar lounge area with inward facing seats (16S) and small tables. Total seating is 36 second.

Photo: Alexander Clark.

This vehicle had been refurbished and had loose unclassified seating for 23 diners. It is seen at Glasgow Central in January 1978.

On Glasgow London services a higher quality of catering was required, able to provide multi course meals served in the adjacent Mk.3 Open First. It is seen at Glasgow Central in January 1978.

Mk.1 Tourist Second Open (TSO), E3712.

Many 64 seat TSO vehicles were built but a few of the early ones had no central vestibule and had only four doors instead of six. This scene shows one such vehicle along with the more numerous type. This is Largs in June 1977. The two excursion trains were brought in by Class 40 locomotives.

Although of LMS design, both these vehicles were built during the nationalised era in 1951 and 1952. The vehicle has 11 compartments, 22 berths and an attendant's pantry compartment. The first image shows M609M abandoned in the sidings at Carlisle Kingmoor depot in July 1977 and the second shows M603M stored at the Midland Railway operating museum at Butterley in May 1979.

Three 1962 built Mk.1 Corridor Firsts were the subject of a conversion program in 1971 when the three Lounge First Carriages were created. Two pairs of compartments were merged and along with the three fixed 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 first image shows Sc14901 still in service and the second shows Sc14900 after withdrawal. Both images were taken at Turkey Yard, Springburn in April 1978.

A particular source of sustenance and refreshment on the Glasgow Aberdeen trains were the Griddle Cars. There were only six of them but this small build had varying variations in internal layout. The first image shows Sc1104 at Turkey Yard in Springburn and the other shows the opposite side of the vehicle as it arrives at Glasgow Queen Street Station in May 1979. The data panel on the coach states it is an RB and not an RG.

These images from April 1978 illustrate one of two then 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 loose chairs, the vehicle is steam heated and vacuum braked and cooking is by gas. The images were taken at Turkey Yard, Springburn in April 1978.

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

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 elevator. Again the E suffix indicated a false origin of the vehicle as they were built during 1961-2. This is June 1979 at Edinburgh Waverley.

For the transportation of valuable cargo, five Bullion Vans were converted from BSK coaches. End gangways were removed, two double door installed on each side and one compartment and the toilet retained for accompanying staff. This is December 1977 at Clapham Junction.

Externally looking like other BCK coaches, two vehicles (the other was S21270) were adapted to work with both BR or UIC types of electric train heating. It is seen here at Dover Western Docks in the consist of the early morning London bound "Night Ferry". This is June 1980, the final year of operation of this train.

This scene, taken at Inverness in April 1968 illustrates a couple of variations from the standard 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 type.

In April 1979 this unique Metro Cammel Pullman Car designated "Nightcap Bar" could be found providing catering facilities on an overnight service between Glasgow Central and London Euston. The first image shows the carriage at Glasgow in the consist of the "Night Caledonian" ready to depart. The second image shows the other side of the vehicle after arrival at London Euston the following morning. Seating capacity is 24. Although built in 1961 and converted to a bar car in 1970, all well after nationalisation, the vehicle carries the suffix E.

This vehicle spent most of its days as part of the Royal Train. After the updating of this train, car 325 is now continuing in service as one of the catering vehicles in the Northern Belle, see below. Corkerhill Depot, April 1977.

After retirement from the Royal Train this carriage became one of the catering vehicles in the Northern Belle train. Now named Duart, it is seen here at Bristol Temple Meads with a day excursion from Liverpool Lime Street. June 2017.

Mk.1 Post Office Sorting Van (POS), M80329.

This vehicle is a POS or NSX Sorting Van. It was fitted with drop off arms and collection nets but these have now been removed. Carstairs, June 1977.

Mk.1 Post Office Sorting Van (POS), M80377.

This vehicle is a POS or NSX Sorting Van. It has no provision for either drop off arms or collection nets. Carstairs, June 1977.

Mk.1 Post Office Sorting Van (POS), M80382, Interior.

An interior view of a POS or NSX Sorting Van. This van had no provision for drop off arms or pick up nets. This vehicle is now on public display at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway at Bo'ness, (Borrowstounness). 2nd October 2016.

Mk.1 Post Office Stowage Van (POT), M80405.

This vehicle is a POT or NTX Stowage Van. It has no provision for either drop off arms or collection nets. Carstairs, June 1977.

Mk.1 Post Office Brake Stowage Van (BPOT), M80456.

This vehicle is a BPOT or NUX Brake Stowage Van. Basically and empty van but with a Guard's compartment provided for the convenience of the train guard. It has no provision for either drop off arms or collection nets. Carstairs, June 1977.

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

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

The London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly Pullman train arrives at Manchester with a Mk.2 Pullman Parlour Brake First behind a Class 86 electric locomotive. May 1980.

On this occasion the Manchester Pullman is formed of a Mk.2 Pullman Brake First, Mk.2 Parlour First, Mk.1 Restaurant First substituting of a Pullman Kitchen Parlour First, three Mk.2 Parlour Firsts and a Mk.2 Pullman Parlour Brake First. May 1980.

The Manchester London Pullman train was normally made up exclusively of Mk.2 Pullman Cars but in this instance an RF is substituting for a Pullman Parlour Kitchen First to provide meals. This is Manchester Piccadilly in May 1980.

Although many Mk.1 Corridor Composite carriages were constructed, no Mk.2 carriages of this classification were constructed new for British Railways. However in the 1980's five Mk.2c Corridor Firsts were converted to Corridor Composites by the downgrading of four first class compartments to second class. Beware, many publications incorrectly describe this conversion as having four first and three second class compartments. As you can see, the camera does not lie, you need Photoshop for that! This resulted in a seating capacity of 18 first and 24 second, 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. The first image shows a Mk.2c CK behind a Mk.2c TSO(T). The locomotive is 47578. The second image shows a Mk.2c CK which is the first vehicle behind 47614. Both images were taken in July 1985 just south of Blair Atholl.

Before the infestation of Sprinters on Britain's railway, there was a great variety of passenger coaching stock to be observed. Here 47593 leads a Mk.1 BG, Mk.2f TSO, Mk.2f TSO, Mk.2c TSO, Mk.1 RU(B), Mk.3 FO, Mk.2a TSO and a Mk.2f TSO passing Faskally, just north of Pitlochry.