BR 16267 Composite Corridor

BR 16267 Composite Corridor
BR 16267 20150426.jpg
BR Corridor Composite 16267
Built By BR Derby
Status In service
Number SC16267
Other numbers 7267, SC16267
History
Built 1966
Diagram 126
Lot 30730
Type CK
Seats 24 first, 18 standard
1983 Preserved on SVR
1999 Fully refurbished

Carriages

16267 is a BR Mark 1 Corridor Composite (CK) carriage. The term 'composite' refers to the use of more than one class of seating, in this case four first class compartments and three second class compartments. The practice of using mixed class carriages could be traced back to the days of stagecoaches, where passengers would pay different prices to sit inside or outside the stagecoach. After railway companies did away with second class in the late 1800s, composite carriages included both first and third class accommodation,[note 1] but by the time 16267 was built BR had rebranded the latter as second class, later to become standard class.

The Mk1 CK had a weight of 34 tons and was fitted with Commonwealth bogies. Features provided in the first class compartments included additional leg room, deeper cushions, curtains, extra reading lamps, carpets, magazine racks and more expensive veneers. The second class compartments were decorated with formica panels and had simpler bench seats with shallower upholstery, fewer lights, and plain linoleum flooring. BR also followed the seating plans used by the pre-nationalisation companies in each region, with LMR and ER carriages generally having seats with arm rests allowing six passengers per compartment while WR and SR carriages had no arm rests permitting 8 passengers per compartment. One toilet was provided in each end vestibule.[1].

The middle second class compartment included an additional feature. The main window had hinges at the top of the frame and could be opened almost totally inwards, with hooks on the luggage racks to hold it in place while fully open. The compartment door was located directly opposite an external door on the other side of the corridor, with this arrangement enabling patients on stretchers to be loaded into the compartment easily from either side. At the time the Mk 1 stock was designed, rail was considered faster that road for long-distance journeys. One example of this type of use, a weekly booking from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads where patients were sent to convalesce near Yatton, continued until the CK stock was withdrawn in 1977, after which the journeys were made vial the M4 motorway[2].

Contents

16267 in service

16267 was built in 1963 at Derby to Diagram 126 (AA301), Lot 30730. It was the last Mk 1 CK of that Lot to be completed, thereby also becoming the last locomotive-hauled dual-class carriage to be built in the UK as BR did not build any further Mk II or Mk III examples. It entered service in the Scottish region in BR's maroon livery as used from 1958 onwards. It was later reallocated to the Eastern region in July 1966[3].

16267 in preservation

16267 was withdrawn from service at Neville Hill, Leeds in 1983, having become surplus to requirements following the introduction of new High Speed Train stock. It was selected for preservation by the L.M.S. & B.R. Coach Fund as being in excellent condition at the time as well as for its historical 'last one built' significance. However when the Fund's representatives arrived to examine it, it transpired that the Sales Department at Derby had failed to notify the depot and it was still in a train formation.

Having been inspected on its return, 16267 eventually arrived by rail on the SVR on 14 March 1983. It initially ran in its final Inter City blue and grey livery for some 18 months before being repainted at Bridgnorth in BR crimson and cream livery, notwithstanding that it was actually built too late to have carried it in service.[4] In 1989 it received some minor welding below the 'stretcher window' and replacement of a number of the formica panels, followed by a full repaint.[5]

The moquette seating was replaced during the mid-1990s. The carriage then received a full refurbishment including a repaint at Kidderminster paint shop in 1999. Two of the double-glazed window units had 'steamed up'; one was replaced by a single glazed example from BR Mk 1 Buffet Restaurant (RBR) 1678 which had been acquired in 1996 and dismantled for spares, while the other, the 'stretcher window', was taken apart as the two panes were fortunately not sealed. Several stepboards were removed and the chassis behind them needle-gunned to remove scale. A complex roof/end/corner repair was also needed on one corner before 16267 received a rub down and repaint. Internally, all the veneered surfaces were rubbed down and revarnished.[6] Other 'steamed up' double-glazed units were singled while 16267 and other carriages were stored out of use following the 2007 storm damage.[7]

In 2007 the L.M.S. & B.R. Coach Fund transferred ownership of its carriages including 16267 to the SVR Rolling Stock Trust (since renamed the SVR Charitable Trust), following which it became a department within the Trust.

In spring 2011 the buckeye couplings were replaced,[8] and over the winter of 2013-14 seven door locks were also replaced. The following winter the luggage racks were re-netted.[9]

During 2015 16267 was in use in the BR Maroon set, its appearance described in SVR News as "sunburnt red and cream, being some 4 years overdue for painting".[10] In 2016 the first class seats were replaced by those from stored sister vehicle 16169 to allow 16267 to stay in service for "two more seasons at most".[11] At the time the intention was to return 16169 to service before 16267 was withdrawn, SVR News noting that "It is important for us to keep the first class complement of our trains up, as we have an obligation to shareholders who are entitled to such provision in recognition of their considerable financial input".[12]

In 2017 16267 returned to Kidderminster for a broken coil spring to be changed, and hornguide liner replacement, while in 2018 it required a 'quick repair' to a holed roof and rotten door pillar.[13] However continued delays to work on 16169 meant that by summer 2019 16267 was still in use, although ten years overdue for a repaint, and becoming 'tatty'.[14] Although the carriage required welding repairs and re-upholstery, the "Kidderminster Carriage Notes" for winter 2021 suggested that 16267 was "not likely to be in the to do list for 2022" as other vehicles including LMS 24617 and LNER 43612 had been waiting longer for attention.[15]

16267 normally forms part of the BR Crimson & Cream set and is owned by the SVR Charitable Trust.

See also

Notes

  1. The law specified that third class accommodation should be provided, hence second class was no longer used.

References

  1. SVR Stock Book 9th Edition
  2. SVR Charitable Trust
  3. Longworth (2013) pp.113-114.
  4. SVR News 78
  5. SVR News 92
  6. SVR News 152
  7. SVR News 160
  8. SVR News 173
  9. SVR News 186, 188
  10. SVR News 193
  11. SVR News 194
  12. SVR News 199
  13. SVR News 200, 202, 203
  14. SVR News 206
  15. SVR News 216

Links

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Welcome to the Severn Valley Railway Wiki

From this week's featured article
Trimpley Reservoir can be seen to the west of the line between Bewdley and Arley. The reservoir, which is managed by Severn Trent Water, was opened in 1968 and covers 29 acres. It is open to the public and is used by the Trimpley Sailing Club, while other activities include angling, wildlife watching and walking. (Full article...)
Schematic Map of the SVRSevern Valley Railway
BridgnorthEardingtonHampton LoadeCountry Park HaltHighleyThe Engine HouseArleyVictoria BridgeNorthwood HaltWyre Forest LineBewdleyStourport BranchBewdley TunnelConnection to Network RailKidderminsterMaps#Schematic maps of the pre-closure SVRMapandlinks.png
Click on the map for a
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For 101 years between 1862 and 1963, the Severn Valley Railway formed part of the national railway network, running for 40 miles between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. Established as a separate company, it was mainly operated by the Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) and later by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways).

The present day Severn Valley Railway (SVRSevern Valley Railway) was established in 1965 to preserve part of the line as a heritage railway. Today it has six stations and two halts and runs for 16 miles along the Severn Valley between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Operations involve a mixture of steam and heritage diesel-hauled services.

This unofficial website is a project aimed to collect information and record events relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both past and present.

For timetables, fare information, and news about special events, please visit the SVR Official Website. Other news and information of interest to members, shareholders and enthusiasts can be found on SVRLive.

In April 2023 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Survival Fund page.

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