West Coast Railway Company's spare Mk1s

[Iskra]

I passed through both Hellifield and Carnforth today at a slow enough speed to get a decent look at both sites. I saw something that I haven't noticed before.

At Hellifield there was absolutely nothing there except for 5/6 RES MK1 BG's, some of which were the driving trailer versions.

Later at Carnforth, amongst all the other decaying rolling-stock and engines (Carnforth is truly where trains go to die...) I noticed at least one more rake of RES MK1 BG's, with some driving trailer versions.

So my question is, what could WCRC possibly want with them? Anyone in the know? They just seem a bit out of place for a passenger TOC...

 

[theblackwatch]

Spares for their Mk.1 fleet, wheelsets etc. The SRPS took a load too, as have Locomotive Services.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

There is even more round the back at Carnforth including several 37s and 47s perhaps optimistically still listed as "stored".

Some shots of mine from June.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/r-t-c/sets/72157645273357565/

 

[DarloRich]

they will break them for spares - mainly wheel sets, bearings and bogies i should think but anything of value will come off them

 

[Iskra]

Thanks for the answers guys. It's certainly an interesting collection!

 

[Masbroughlad]

Have WCRC now got mark 3s too (ex pretendolino). Heard direct from Virgin.

Will they be WC 'marooned' livery?

 

[theblackwatch]

Have WCRC now got mark 3s too (ex pretendolino). Heard direct from Virgin.

Will they be WC 'marooned' livery?

Just one coach at Carnforth, a former Cargo-D spares vehicle. Providing parts for the Royal Scotsman coaches I believe.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Interesting this should come up, a mate did the Jacabite recently and commented on what a mess the interiors were! Hope there planning an upgrade if so

 

[87019Chris]

47768 Appears to be in not too bad of a state are they resurrecting it from the dead?

 

[BestWestern]

There is even more round the back at Carnforth including several 37s and 47s perhaps optimistically still listed as "stored".

Some shots of mine from June.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/r-t-c/sets/72157645273357565/

Some great shots there. What are they doing with ancient royal train vehicles?

 

[Boothby97]

47768 Appears to be in not too bad of a state are they resurrecting it from the dead?

Don't think their planning to, they bought it from the Barry Tourist Railway (IIRC) where it had been attacked by metal thieves. 47772 had been talked about having work done (along with 47787, which is definitely more likely to return).
I'm certain, judging by the state they're in, 47194/236/368/492/526 won't return. 47500 is fire damaged, it's likely to be a parts donor. Don't know what state 47355 is, looks can be deceiving, but it doesn't look in a bad state.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Some great shots there. What are they doing with ancient royal train vehicles?

Just what I was thinking. It seems a crying shame that historic vehicles are being left to rot away. Not only that but the vehicles dating from the 1960's would surely find work on preserved railways.

 

[GatwickDepress]

There is even more round the back at Carnforth including several 37s and 47s perhaps optimistically still listed as "stored".

Some shots of mine from June.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/r-t-c/sets/72157645273357565/

Thanks for the pictures Tim. That Mark 2 Pullman "City of Manchester" looks absolutely wonderful in that livery; travesty WCRC didn't decide to use that scheme rather than it's current rather drab colours.

 

[Boothby97]

Thanks for the pictures Tim. That Mark 2 Pullman "City of Manchester" looks absolutely wonderful in that livery; travesty WCRC didn't decide to use that scheme rather than it's current rather drab colours.

To be fair, the other Manchester Pullman coaches are in Pullman livery (which are all WCRC owned), which does look good http://flic.kr/p/n1WQzx

 

[GatwickDepress]

To be fair, the other Manchester Pullman coaches are in Pullman livery (which are all WCRC owned), which does look good http://flic.kr/p/n1WQzx

Oooh, I wasn't aware of them - all I've ridden on are a few dusty WCRC Mark Is! Those Pullmans look like they're kept immaculate as well.

I still prefer the livery of the City of Manchester though.