Interesting,
we've loads of mk3s lying around the country for sale, power doors come as standard but needs a change of bogies to fit the UK gauge plus could also do with an internal refurb.
Where are Chiltern getting the mk3s, I was always under the impression all serviceable ones are accounted for?
Yes they are, and dont forget some mark 3 trailers were taken over to Ireland and converted to power doors.
Well we have loads of spare bogies underneath the mark 3 sleepers and buffets that are stored.
Chiltern already have the MK3 Set - comprising of ex virgin mk3s, and was mooved from Eastleigh to Crewe sometime 2008/2009...
As for the Ex Irish Mk3s - that would be the logical idea, to bring those over here and make use of already power fitted coaches, rather than DIY-ing it, but there is one main problem with them. The only way anyone could use the Ex IE Mk3s would be if they rebogied them and used them with the generator coach becasue they are wired differently - BR Mk3s are wired through to take head end power, whilst IE Mk3s are wired to take power from the generator van because of the lack of locos with head end power provision, as a result of this, they run off a different power voltage: 220/380V , Whereas our loco hauled Mk3s run off head end power via ETH : 1000V DC
The bogies - im not sure about this, but couldnt they be chopped and rebuilt ? afterall, unless you wanted them for spares - all bogies have to be checked and refurbished sometime in there life - the idea came to me after reading about the GNER Power Car refurbishment that had said that the bogies were to be taken apart and rebuilt, So would this be possible with the Mk3s?
But anythings possbile - afterall, look at all the Ex Loco Hauled Mk3s running around in HST rakes with FGW/XC/GC, And all the ex HST Trailers and catering cars running around in Loco Hauled rakes...
