I am having some trouble figuring out a typical rake of Intercity mk1 coaches, I have 4x FK, 2x BG, and 2x BSK, I can obtain some TSOs and at least 1 RMB.

What other coaches would typically be in various rakes? I know some would be "kick outs" that got put together with whatever they had.

I am looking to recreate one or two of the 10-12coach rakes.

What would the positioning of the coaches be? Ie would the BG be at the end or in the middle next to the RMB, was first class like the Mk2s and 3s and placed at the end of the rake or in the middle with standards either side?

And with regard to the coaches were there first opens as well as first compartments? And for standard class we're the only compartment coaches with the brake? Ie the BSK.

Any help appreciated.

I know "anything goes" on a layout, but want it to look at least believable.

There is no right or wrong or set formation mk 1 coaches were marshalled in different formations, depends if you have a route or an area you wish to model eg london, birmingham. I am happy to dig out sone formations. Some services had no catering, brake coach in the middle, at the rear.

This is one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions as formations could vary depending on the destinations they operated between.
A standard set could consist of one or two BGs at the end, followed by the four FKs, the RMB next, then 4 TSOs and a BSK at the end. The first class was usually located at the London end of the train.
A formation that was dividing during its journey might have a BSK in the middle of the formation.
Some trains could have the RMB at the end of the train if the Catering Car only operated on part of the journey and was detached at some point.

Like I said there are many possibilities other than what I have mentioned.

The Standard class coaches did have SK compartment coaches, and there were First Opens as well as BFK compartment Brakes, some of the First Opens were laid out as a Restaurant Car next to the RMB.
Then of course there were the CKs Four first class compartments and three second class compartments. The Mark 1 range had a lot of variations and types down the years they were in service.
Some passenger services had a TPO at the end of the train as well. The overnight London to Barrow-in-Furness being an example.

Andy has nailed it. Ive seen shorter formations eg crewe cardiff, bristol portsmouth 5 mk 1s. Birmingham euston 5 mk1s, glasgow euston 6 no catering ouch

Slight correction to my post on the First Opens used as Restaurant Cars, they wouldn't normally be next to an RMB as that was primarily a Buffet car. The Restaurant First would normally supplement some of the other Catering vehicles like the RU or RK and RKBs.

The long distance services back in 70s / 80s andy pointed out useful information to bear in mind.

Hi @Intercity a footex rarely had catering, an additional service had the rmb . Your looking at a 70s / 80s rake and taking into account andy 's  comments the combined glasgow/ edinburgh to the sw which ran via new street would have had a brake at each end of the portion, the glasgow 8 coaches would have contained the restaurant car, the edinburgh / aberdeen the buffet    which would have been split at carstairs.

A couple of links http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/MostynCoachFormations.html         and     https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/passenger-train-formations-in-the-loco-hauled-era.215238/    worth a read

As has been said, it's a 'piece of string'; where and when being the main drivers.

Though you are based on the WCML, the GER Society sells online-for a very modest price-the 1983 Anglia area coaching stock diagrams.

Some of these are mk2 formations, but could probably backdate to Mk1s; and the workings also include inter regional trains, eg Birmingham-Norwich, Manchester-Parkeston, Great Yarmouth-Derby.

I'd think that inspiration could come from this.

I've found that the earlier 1956 formations also available have given me what I need for my own layout, set circa 1960.

There are threads already on the forum dealing with coaching stock formations.

Martyn

What period are you looking at? A rake of Mk1s running in the 1980s would be look very different to one from the 1960s.

Certainly by the late 1980s, rakes of Mk1 featuring the train set standard of first-class, buffet, second-class, brake were virtually non existent.

There were a number of rakes running with 6 FK and a Mk2 BFK which were used on Motorail trains. There were also charter/specials whose formation was around 8 SO with a BSK and RMB in the middle.

Where the longer distance cross-country trains did still run with 100% Mk1s, you wouldn't find any buffet cars. Trains were typically a BSK at either end, somewhere between four and six TSO and a pair of CK. Depending on the owning region the train would either:
BSK CK SO...SO CK BSK
or
BSK SO..SO CK CK SO..SO BSK

There were also plenty of trains with no or minimal first class accommodation - usually a rake of SO with a either a BCK at one end, or BSK at one/both ends.

Many of the secondary trains would run with BSK, CK and three SK. BSK and CK would normally run together, with the BSK either in the middle or at the end, again depending on owning region.

Steven B.

A lot of FKs were declassified if there was demand. I like the idea of 80s theme.

Most of the 1980s sets reserved for charter work (e.g. SAGA holidays), FootEx's and the like were TSO based (some with CK included).

FK's were more limited in number - the bulk were to be found on Motorail services (roughly one FK to two Carflats/GUV).

If you want to do something a bit out of the ordinary (but still plausible), then the "Land Cruises" run by BR towards the end of the 1980s are worth a look. They used FO (rather than FK) and ran with RMB and Mk3 sleepers - all in Intercity colours with white roof (as per the current BCK 374-088).
See this RMWeb thread for some formations.

I don't need another rake of coaches but such a set is quite tempting with the Dapol Mk3s due sometime...

Steven B

Given the minefield that is coaching stock if I were the OP I think I'd be looking to buy a Platform 5 Coaching Stock book published sometime between the mid to late 80s in order to see exactly what Mk1 coaches were running, in what livery and where they were based.

Having trawled through such a publication I would then draw up a shopping list.

To digress slightly I've thumbed through my 1989 coaching book and it paints a rather bleak picture of Mk1s in InterCity livery i.e. few and far between.

A safer bet for a couple of late 80s rakes might be blue/grey with a smattering of InterCity?

Platform 5's are a great starting  point  but they don't help with formations.

The best resource I've found is the BR Coaching Stock group
https://brcoachingstock.groups.io/g/main/messages

By the 1980s Mk1s were on their way out. Mixed livery rakes of Mk2 and Mk3s were more common. Mixed Mk1s in blue/grey, NSE and Regional Railways made for colourful but tatty secondary services.

Steven B