? -> Mk1 Buffet-car in Night Ferry

[class 89]

Hello all together!

I hope, I've chosen the right section about the former famous Night Ferry from London to Paris.

At the moment, I'm onto to form the Night Ferry in HO/OO using a Hornby class 71 (BR-blue) and the especially dedicated CIWL-rollling stock manufactured by LS Models. At a few pictures taken at London Victoria (found on the internet), I've spotted, that a Mk1 Buffet-car was attached (at least one end of the coach was visible). Was this a regular attachment to the train at least for the UK-section? As I've seen, Bachmann Branchline is announcing a Mk 1-Buffet car, item #: 39-264B(PF) for soon delivery. Will this model be the suitable addition to the train (unconsidered about differences in size between H0 and 00) to be as realistic as possible (livery, Pre-TOP/TOP etc.)?

Thanks a lot in advance for every information.

Regards from Germany
Phil

 

[30907]

You might be better posting this in the History section.

Meanwhile, yes the NF served breakfast and supper (sleeper passengers only!) so needed a pair of vehicles (one saloon, one Kitchen Buffet, and BR Mk1s replaced older cars in the mid 60s. They were withdrawn when a new ferry berth opened at Dunkerque-Ouest, shortening the crossing by 90min and allowing the inward train to reach Victoria at 0745 instead of 0910.

However, the Bachmann model you reference is a Miniature Buffet which would definitely not have been used as it had no kitchen. They do a RB which would be a better match, though I can't confirm that that is the exact type.

 

[hexagon789]

In the later years, the catering vehicles were RBs, two of, with the formation being: BCK-RB-2 TSO-RB-Sleepers etc.

In the early 60s, when Mk1s appeared, the train had an RKB-RSO pairing for sleeper passengers as well as an RB for seated passengers.

 

[Falcon1200]

My 1974 RCTS Coaching Stock book shows several RBs on the Southern Region; S1755 to S1766, S1768 and S1772 (although S1759 was at the time part of an EMU, the 8-VAB unit 8001).

 

[30907]

In the later years, the catering vehicles were RBs, two of, with the formation being: BCK-RB-2 TSO-RB-Sleepers etc.

In the early 60s, when Mk1s appeared, the train had an RKB-RSO pairing for sleeper passengers as well as an RB for seated passengers.

Were they not still Maunsell vehicles, or am I misremembering?

The seated passengers in 1957 (the only info I have to hand) didn't get any catering - nice of the SR to think of them eventually

 

[hexagon789]

Were they not still Maunsell vehicles, or am I misremembering?

The seated passengers in 1957 (the only info I have to hand) didn't get any catering - nice of the SR to think of them eventually

RKB was definitely not Mk1 at that point, probably also the BSO? Not sure on the RSO.

 

[Gloster]

Were they not still Maunsell vehicles, or am I misremembering?

The seated passengers in 1957 (the only info I have to hand) didn't get any catering - nice of the SR to think of them eventually

A bit of searching about suggests that they were still Maunsell vehicles in 1958. I presume that the change to Mark 1s came with electrification.