Current and Proposed New-Builds

Get a set of new build Period 3's in Coronation Maroon, and get Duchess of Hamilton in steam, you'll have a reborn Coronation set!

 

I take it you realise that steam railways in the UK are limited to 25m.p.h. and building this sort or stuff would only be of any point if built for use on the mainline.

PH

 

My point was that lots of stock was designed for mainline use initially and then cascaded down. How much corridor stock was designed new for branchlines? (Going on the basis that corridor stock is much more convenient when considering new builds)

 

About forty years ago there were a couple of departmental ex-Gresley coaches to be seen around Peterborough.

 

Out of interest while you personally are very interested in older coach's (I'll also add in here that I agree with you on this as I prefer to travel in these older ones as they are far more interesting) what about the Joe public who turn up to the railway and look at the MK1s and see the compartments and immediately shout "ohh it's just like Harry potter isn't it"

 

Don't get me thinking of more crazy ideas.... I already have more wishes than the length of my lifespan.

 

1 wish would cover everything - just a time machine please!

 

It was just a dream....

 

Possibly Foxfield's one, which was on loan there at one point I think.

I'm not sure how much Joe Public will distinguish between something like a Period 3 and a MK1 to be honest (lets be blunt, they aren't that dissimilar to look at, even if they are built in a totally different way) - on the other hand, I think more distinctively heritage coaches (e.g. various Teak paneled rakes, or quant Victorian 4 wheelers) definitely have some extra appeal to at least a reasonable subset of punters who can see that they are something special beyond "typical" preserved railway offerings.

 

It's an odd thing, but some time ago I had business to attend to in Norfolk, so combined it with a ride on the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway. It was a beautifully sunny day, so I opted for the open carriages for two reasons: one, because it was sunny and two, because it gave me an insight into what it must have been like to travel in those open third class carriages of the early railway era. Just close your eyes and imagine...

 

I'd also point out that the NNR and WWLR are reasonably close to each other so much railway enjoyment can be had in a day, never mind a lovely part of the country

 

Might I also draw attention to the Wells Harbour Railway (precursor to the WWLR), which is still very much operational during the season.

 

Oooh - didn't know about that one!

Oh dear - I can see me saving up for a week's holiday in Norfolk!

For our friendly American, Aron - http://wwlr.co.uk/times.html There are some nice photos via Google of the railway.

 

Ooh... me likey!

 

And yes, I do realize that. Still, would be cool to see again.

 

A high proportion of steam railways have educational charities in their structures and I wonder how well this is served if (alleged) operational convenience is allowed to trump everything else. The G.W.R. produced a quantity of compartment stock in the Collett era. As far as I am aware, only the Southern Railway produced no non-corridor steam stock.

You would be surprised how perceptive some people can be without any specialist knowledge. The passenger, I have already mentioned, who was reminded of a celebrated artwork by a carriage interior is an example. The same late L.S.W.R./early S.R. pattern seat covering in third class was described as "sumptuous" by another who could not believe it was not first class!

Paul H

 

Don't forget the partially completed tram engine conversion that is in the shed at Wansford on the NVR.......

 

That was what my, then 8 year old, son said upon turning up for the Churnet Valley’s Santa train a few years ago. I expect kids like Mark 1s because they associate them with Harry Potter

(I’ve liked them ever since getting three maroon Triang ones for Christmas when I was about 8! Which are still, incidentally running round my loft behind my Hornby Dublo Duchess of Montrose!)

 

There is nothing "alleged" about the operational convenience of corridor stock, however I take your point that there was plenty of branch line stock designed as such. I'm afraid I couldn't get GWR B sets out of mind!

You like to talk about "the passenger who noticed" well, last spring I spent a large amount of time in a Mk1 SO doing my A-level revision (I would highly recommend by the way, it made the activity so much more pleasant) and the number of comments and compliments I overheard from passengers just talking amongst themselves, not even aimed at staff, was very gratifying. I accept that I doubt I'd hear so many in a later build with Formica panelling and 90s upholstery, (I don't really like those either!) but a Mk1 when done right can garner just as many compliments from average passengers.

 

As a non british railway enthusiast , could someone please tell me what the classification "Mk1" or "Mk2" stands for?

Knut