BR Mk;1 Auto-Buffet

1st of all apologies if this is in the wrong forum.

Having just bought a Bachmann Cambrian Coast Express pack, I was looking at the auto-buffet coach and wondered what it was like. Does anyone know what the coach was like? I assume it was a vending machine on wheels.

 

It was a normal (third?) compartment coach with one compartment turned into a vending machine i believe...

 

The original coach 25189 is privately owned and is currently in use on the North Norfolk Railway - see attached. I've thoroughly inspected the compartment that had the Auto-buffet in and there's absolutely no sign that it was ever anything other than an ordinary compartment.

Steve

 

To quote from Parkin's Mark 1 Coaches:

Auto-Buffet
A GWR idea for low cost catering was brought to fruition by the conversion of corridor second W25189 into the Auto-Buffet in early 1962. The seating was removed from one compartment and, fitted in its place, 9 slot machines dispensed a variety of wares. (2 for soft drinks, 1 for cigarettes, and 6 for foodstuffs). The coach was graced with chocolate and cream livery, complete with crest, and assigned to the Cambrian Coast Express acting as the sole catering vehicle to points west of Shrewsbury.

The accompanying interior photo just shows the machines, one of which has a price of 2 old pence on it.

Cheers
dave

 

Thanks for the info guys, its a shame that the coach is now a normal Mk1. Would be nice for them to put it back into Auto-buffet mode.

 

I can’t remember see an auto buffet in front line service. Can anyone remember when BR stopped using them or converted them back to standard coaching stock?

Thanks