MK1 COACH FORMATION?

[BROADTRAIN1979]

Hi   Just out of interest ,what is the real formation of mk1 bluegrey coaches? as thats something i have never gone in to. I know there is buffet coach but, thats normally in the middle isnt it? does
anyone know?

[matt-b]

hmmm interesting. not to sure, but i`ll do abit of digging and see what i can find on google etc. youtube is also good for research  what sort of rake you thinking? like 4 coach local or more like a 8 coacher crosscountry 

[tadpole]

Practice varied, but some general aims:
Typically the buffet would be in the middle so no-one has to walk too far to reach it.
There would normally be a first class coach next to the buffet (or restaurant) so they can dine at their seats.
First class might be marshalled at the London end so the they don't have to walk so far (might be further at the country end, though)
The van (BG) would be at whichever end makes most sense at the main loading/unloading point.

If a train divides en route, each section would need a brake compartment, and its own first/second class (maybe a BCK).

One formation I do remember off by heart, was the Mk2s out of Euston to Birmingham (and probably Liverpool. Manchester, too), which were (starting at the country end):
class 86/87 loco, then
BSO
SO
SO
SO
SO
Buffet
FO
SO
FO
FO
BG

This suited the rebuilt Euston station, as the first class was right there at the bottom of the ramp for the posh folks, while the BG was in the gloomy bowels out of sight. Whether the formations were similar in Mk1 days, I can't say.

[matt-b]

try this link....lot of blue and grey going on, need to look throu the different places etc

www.2d53.co.uk/holyhead/Shed.htm

[Sailor Charon]

Oh well... I guess my passengers will have to slum it, because there won't be any first class. Well, not in Mk1s anyway. And only those on the Gresleys will have a buffet. Well, till I get the kitchen car built to go with the Staniers.

[tadpole]

Go shopping and buy three seconds, a first, and a brake second or full brake.
5-car rake - done.

A 5-car train would be unlikely to have a buffet car.

But don't forget, it's your railway company and you make the rules.

[tadpole]

Trolley dolly - I wasn't sure a trolley would fit in a side corridor, but they have one on the Hogwart's express, so it must be possible.

[scruff]

If you are modelling the 1980's you could always include a BSOT. I saw these running in 4 car mk1 rakes. Then all your passengers won't go hungry.

Mark

[d-a-n]

I've got a rake of 3 BR blue/grey mk1 coaches and I'd like to add a 4th (ideally the second open which is coming out if I can't find one).
I currently have:

CK (374-258B)
SK (374-062B)
BCK (374-085)

Did corridor carriages run with open carriages? I want to slip a SO between the CK and the SK.

[tadpole]

Nothing wrong with that.
I remember travelling on lots of trains which contained both K and O carriages. As a passenger, it was nice to have a choice between the two formats.