Thompson Coaches - a Question of grain

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

I wonder if the difference is the fact that on Gresley stock, the window tops are higher than they are on Thompson, which are nearer to the Mk1 placement? It may explain what is clearly an optical illusion, given the measurements quoted above.

[Green Nigel]

It won't be any better than when it was new! No criticism taken, I'm defending the design.

Sawdust.

Then I would say that Mr Bulleid had a better design.

[sawdust]

I can't comment on Bullied coaches as I'm not familiar with them.

Sawdust.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

I've only ever travelled in an open Bullied coach (on the Worth Valley again!) but I have noticed that the LMS and GWR also designed coaches with this "cross vestibule."

This suggests to me that it may have been a Board of Trade reaquirement?

[60044]

Did the Bullied coaches have any unhappy working life?

[65447]

Did the Bullied coaches have any unhappy working life?

I don't think so. The main line stock was the design basis for the BR Standard coaches (later Mk1s when the Mk2s were developed), the principal difference being that the Bulleid coaches had both a droplight and toplight in the doors, and they lasted well in both main line and suburban uses. By their very nature, the suburban electric sets were never replaced by BR Standard non-corridor coaches and so lasted very well. I'm sure that many Southern commuters probably mourned the eventual passing of their 'slam door' stock.

[60044]

Cross purposes here, I was joking about Bullied coaches, you were talking about Bulleid ones. If this was a Southern forum you'd have been pilloried by now!

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Glad its an LNER one then!

[Green Nigel]

Mr Bulleid had a fine LNER pedigree, particularly as far as the carriage and wagon department was concerned.

[strang steel]

I have travelled in some of the Bulleid coaches on the Bluebell Railway and they seemed noticeably more comfortable than more modern Mk3 and Mk4 equivalents.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

I always reckon that the ORIGINAL Mk3s, rather than the refurbs, were the best coaches ever built in this country. The Mk4s I always found cramped and dark and had that rare ability to jiggle like a tap dancer's thighs even on good, straight and level track.

The refurbs are as bad as the Mk4s inside!

[strang steel]

While we are heading way O/T, I would like to say that my all time favourite is the Mk2a seating. Seats in line with windows, tables with each set of four, winged headrests for dozing off, and the height of the seat backs was enough to provide a bit of privacy.

The compartment firsts were even better, but I had very little chance of paying for the privilege.

Ah, the nostalgia - http://www.flickr.com/photos/fray_bentos/175346809/

[CVR1865]

Hi Mr BB,
The MK3 refurbs depend greatly on which company you get, the One Anglia are very firm in standard, lovely on first (cheap at the weekend). East coast were good last time I went on them in October 2010 to Newcastle but the best has to be Midland Mainline, really nice seats and very comfy. There is a great difference in the quality, I understand the Virgin pretendalino is a good one as well.

Can't beat a compatment for me though, Gresley, BR, Bulleid or older, suburban or Corridor they are the most comfortable and grandest way to travel.

Thanks
Simon

[Trestrol]

Ay up!

The Mk4s I always found cramped and dark and had that rare ability to jiggle like a tap dancer's thighs even on good, straight and level track.

The refurbs are as bad as the Mk4s inside!

You have to remember that a MK4 is an APT design and we know how sucessful they were!

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

The Mk4s I always found cramped and dark and had that rare ability to jiggle like a tap dancer's thighs even on good, straight and level track.

The refurbs are as bad as the Mk4s inside!

You have to remember that a MK4 is an APT design and we know how sucessful they were!

Good point, Trestrol! And as for those SIG bogies, the less said the better! BR1s would be an improvement when they were knackered!