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Hornby R40342

BR Departmental, ex-Mk1 First Open, 3068/975606 - Era 8

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Era
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

The first standardised railway carriage design built by British Railways, the Mk 1 Coach introduced in 1951 could be found across Britain's railway network and continued to be produced until 1963, and even later in the form of multiple units and non-passenger stock. Along with being widely deployed, Mk1 Coaches were built in various places including Derby, Doncaster, Eastleigh, Swindon, Wolverton and York.

Most Mk1 Coaches had 63ft 5in long underframes with 64ft 6in long bodies, although some were built shorter to be used on tighter curves where large overhangs would otherwise have prohibited running. In 1977 a reduction in the number of fatalities on British railways since 1955 was attributed to the introduction of the Mk1 Coaches due to their steel build, strong underframe, and buckeye couplings making them far safer in the event of an accident.

Mk1 Coaches started to be withdrawn from widescale service in the 1990s, although in some regions, particularly in the south, Mk1 base multiple units continued to be used well into the 2000s. Network Rail continue to use modified Mk1 Coaches for various departmental duties and rail tour operators continue to use Mk1 Coaches on specially organised services.

The Mk1 BCK is a Mk1 Brake Composite Corridor coach meaning seating is split into compartments connected by a corridor on one side. The coach provided both first- and second-class compartments. Along with passenger seating this coach also houses a compartment containing equipment used to help brake the train.

Catalogue listing

Brand
Hornby
Product Code
R40342
GTIN
5055286704239
RRP
£47.99
Catalogue
2022 range
Release date
July 2023

Model details

Tooling date
2013
Colour
Red
Finish
Painted
Minimum radius curve
2nd Radius (438mm)
Livery
BR research department
Coupling
NEM / Tension lock
Passenger figures
No
Interior lighting
No
Directional lighting
No
DCC status
No
Gauge
OO
Scale
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
Chassis construction
Plastic & metal
Coupling mount
NEM pockets
Coupling type
Tension lock
Minimum radius
Radius 2
Running number
3068/9756

Prototype information

Type of vehicle
Coach
Builder
BR Workshops
Cravens
Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Company
Build dates
1951 to 1963
Total built
1000s
Passenger capacity
Varies by coach type
Wheel configuration
Bogies
(BR1, BR2, Commonwealth or B4 types used)
Operated by
British Railways
Network Rail
Royal Mail
Regional Railways
First Great Western
West Coast Railway Co
Various heritage & mainline charter operators
Main duties
Passenger services
Mail & Parcels
Departmental
In service until
Present
(Charter trains & departmental only)
Coach type
British Railways Mark 1
Operator
BR Departmental
TOPS classification
(FO) First Open
Wheel arrangement
Bogies (BR1, BR2, Commonwealth or B4 types used)
Designer
BR
Built
1951 to 1963
Built by
BR Workshops Cravens Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Company

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