It is often said that the British Railway Mk1 has many of the characteristics of each of the ‘Big Four’ railway companies' coach designs. The BR Mk1, initially at least, was the concept from a coach committee comprising of the LNER, LMS, GWR & SR in a bid to create a standard coach across Britain's railways, which would save time and cost in what would be a difficult post-war period for production, running and maintenance of Britain's railways.
Although the idea was drafted out by the big four, it wasn't until the formation of BR that the plan would be put into operation, nor until 1951 that the first of the iconic Mk1 coaches would be seen on the railways. The nature and simplicity of these coaches meant that they were built and used year after year, with a much improved bogie, the Commonwealth, being present on most vehicles built from 1961 onwards.
It wasn't until 2005 that the final Mk1s were withdrawn from use, with many still existing in preservation today.
It is often said that the British Railway Mk1 has many of the characteristics of each of the ‘Big Four’ railway companies' coach designs. The BR Mk1, initially at least, was the concept from a coach committee comprising of the LNER, LMS, GWR & SR in a bid to create a standard coach across Britain's railways, which would save time and cost in what would be a difficult post-war period for production, running and maintenance of Britain's railways.
Although the idea was drafted out by the big four, it wasn't until the formation of BR that the plan would be put into operation, nor until 1951 that the first of the iconic Mk1 coaches would be seen on the railways. The nature and simplicity of these coaches meant that they were built and used year after year, with a much improved bogie, the Commonwealth, being present on most vehicles built from 1961 onwards.
It wasn't until 2005 that the final Mk1s were withdrawn from use, with many still existing in preservation today.
