Potential Power Door Mk2s?

[route:oxford]

In the GWR Thread, a new method of power-dooring the Mk3 HST stock was raised:-

The coach ends will effectively be chopped off and a new design modular door area will be fitted hence cost saving on measuring each coach on an individual basis.

If this can be done with the Mk3 stock, is there a physical reason why it cannot be done with the Mk2 stock?

Cost is an important aspect, of course.

 

[Haig paxton]

Well the mk2 doors are narrower and there are far fewer mk2s left in service so a whole new design would have to be used. Given the cost it's not likely but still possible of course. I'd love to see it if it keeps them in service.

 

[ld0595]

Fitting power doors onto Mk2 coaches can be done - I don't know the full story but many Mk2 coaches were exported to New Zealand and underwent a large overhaul which included fitting power doors.

I suspect nowadays the cost would hardly be worth it.

 

[N228PF]

Fitting power doors onto Mk2 coaches can be done - I don't know the full story but many Mk2 coaches were exported to New Zealand and underwent a large overhaul which included fitting power doors.

I suspect nowadays the cost would hardly be worth it.

Fantastic video!

 

[turntablist]

recorded for posterity, if anybody else wants to know how to save these vids pm me and i will walk you through it

 

[edwin_m]

No reason why not in principle, but as the newest Mk2 is older than the oldest Mk3 it's difficult to see why anyone would want to.

 

[TheEdge]

Yea, it could probably be done (see NZ) but it could also probably be done to a Mk1 but I see no reason why you would do it.

 

[DarloRich]

Yea, it could probably be done (see NZ) but it could also probably be done to a Mk1 but I see no reason why you would do it.

this - what would be the point?

 

[TheEdge]

this - what would be the point?

Probably so you could run with a 442 cab vehicle, Mk2 stock with a 68 powering.

Obviously...

 

[DarloRich]

Probably so you could run with a 442 cab vehicle, Mk2 stock with a 68 powering.

Obviously...

obvs - but why not just run the whole 442 powered by the 68 - would it not be easier?

 

[CosherB]

I think an investment in CET equipment maybe more important than power doors, thanks to Network Rail!

 

[Philip Phlopp]

There was a BR Mark 2 so fitted during the ooh, 1980s, I think, or actually, early 1990s. I think ABB were involved, pre AdTranz, so would have been around the time the Class 325 postal units were being built as they're ABB rather than AdTranz (I know, semantics) stock.

The old coaching stock fotopic site had a couple of images of it, it was, from memory, which is failing badly at the moment, in an ABB promotional livery or something which was a cream/light grey colour. Memory tells me it wasn't too unlike an old German ICE1 unit in colour but I can't swear that's accurate.

 

[TheEdge]

obvs - but why not just run the whole 442 powered by the 68 - would it not be easier?

Because that is nowhere near complex and convoluted enough for a serious 442 suggestion.

 

[The Ham]

obvs - but why not just run the whole 442 powered by the 68 - would it not be easier?

...because this saves both the 442's and mark 2's in one project, which means everyone is happy when the train pulls up as those that want a mark 2 coach to sit in can whilst those who want to sit in a 442 can do so.

All we need to do is work out how we can make it so that they could be double headed with a seam loco (possibly with the inclusion of a few Mark 1's) and it would be the perfect train.

 

[Fincra5]

Seeing as NZ seem to like our own stock... there's gonna be a load of 442's that can be hauled and 315s for the wires

NZ seem to do a very good refurb!

 

[headshot119]

There was a BR Mark 2 so fitted during the ooh, 1980s, I think, or actually, early 1990s. I think ABB were involved, pre AdTranz, so would have been around the time the Class 325 postal units were being built as they're ABB rather than AdTranz (I know, semantics) stock.

The old coaching stock fotopic site had a couple of images of it, it was, from memory, which is failing badly at the moment, in an ABB promotional livery or something which was a cream/light grey colour. Memory tells me it wasn't too unlike an old German ICE1 unit in colour but I can't swear that's accurate.

Early 1990s as part of a deal to try and secure a contract to refurbish the Cross Country MK2s. It was indeed ABB who where involved.

The whole body is painted white, with a red stripe and "ABB" on it.

Only one of the four doors has been converted to a power door (plug).

Inside there's a demonstration of how the toilet and luggage area would be laid out, first class, then the buffet area, then standard class, and the last section was left as MK2s where originally.

An interesting little coach, now in use as the HQ of the Llangollen Railcars group.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Early 1990s as part of a deal to try and secure a contract to refurbish the Cross Country MK2s. It was indeed ABB who where involved.

The whole body is painted white, with a red stripe and "ABB" on it.

Only one of the four doors has been converted to a power door (plug).

Inside there's a demonstration of how the toilet and luggage area would be laid out, first class, then the buffet area, then standard class, and the last section was left as MK2s where originally.

An interesting little coach, now in use as the HQ of the Llangollen Railcars group.

That's the one. https://www.flickr.com/photos/penmorfas/7081589579

BR 5809 Mk.2e TSO.

Many thanks.

 

[headshot119]

That's the one. https://www.flickr.com/photos/penmorfas/7081589579

BR 5809 Mk.2e TSO.

Many thanks.

Was a TSO, I'm not quite sure what you'd classify it as these days!

 

[507 001]

Given how much material was replaced by the NZ railways, you have to wonder if they actually saved anything compared to new builds?

 

[47802]

At the moment there is going to be plenty of HST's and MK3 HST trailers going spare, Mk4 Stock, probably we will hear an announcement soon that the Anglia MK3 stock will be replaced so really what's the point.

 

[jopsuk]

The mark 2 sets currently in use- in Scotland, in the north west and on the Broads- are being used purely because of a DMU shortage that is soon to be sorted by a combination of central Scotland electrification and Northern electrification & new DMU orders. For East Anglia there either be cascaded stock or (who knows?) new stock under the new franchise.

So much as it's attractive idea to have a load of sets refurbed to a modern standard, with power doors, power sockets, wifi etc, all with DBSOs and lightweight locos, it makes no financial sense

 

[edwin_m]

There can't be that many Mk2s left that haven't been scrapped or shipped to NZ or are too far gone to be restored - some have even gone to heritage railways. And the charter operators who run some of the remaining ones probably wouldn't want to give them up.

 

[CosherB]

There can't be that many Mk2s left that haven't been scrapped or shipped to NZ or are too far gone to be restored - some have even gone to heritage railways. And the charter operators who run some of the remaining ones probably wouldn't want to give them up.

There are probably more air-con Mk2s left than you think - a quick peruse of Abrail http://www.abrail.co.uk/lhspassenge...ttp://www.abrail.co.uk/lhspassengerdetail.htm shows there are many dozens of them left.