X-Nico

4 unusual facts about British Rail Mark 3


British Rail Mark 3

The introduction of Virgin Trains' Pendolino electric multiple units on the WCML caused a large surplus of Mark 3 vehicles, which ended up in storage at Long Marston.

Complaints from train guards about engine noise in the guards' compartments in the power cars led to an additional variant, the Trailer Guard Second (TGS) in 1980, based on the TS but with the end vestibule and one seating bay replaced by a guard's compartment.

However, in the 2000s both the RMT trade union and politicians were concerned at the environmental impact of this legacy issue.

The original Mk3 coaches delivered as part of HST sets for Western Region (Class 253) contained Trailer First (TF), Trailer Second (TS), and Trailer Buffet Second (TRSB) variants in formation TF-TF-TRUK-TS-TRSB-TS-TS.


IE 22000 Class

As part of this, large-scale replacement of rolling stock was planned, then made up entirely of locomotive-hauled coaching stock, the most based on the British Rail Mark 2 and British Rail Mark 3.

Shrewsbury railway station

All of the services above are operated by Class 150s, Class 153s, Class 158s or Class 175s, except the "Premier" service which is operated by a Class 67 and Mark 3 coaching stock.


see also