British Rail Mark 3
British Rail's third design of carriages was designated Mark 3. There were three sub-divisions; Mark 3, Mark 3A and Mark 3B. Mark 3 refers solely to carriages used as part of InterCity 125 sets, while Mark 3A and 3B carriages are both locomotive-hauled, originally used on the West Coast Main Line route from London Euston. An InterCity 125 train consists of a rake of Mark 3 carriages sandwiched between a Class 43 power car on each end. Locomotive-hauled trains are now being replaced on the WCML by new Class 390 electric multiple units, with the exception of Caledonian Sleeper services which continue to use Mark 3 sleeper carriages.
The Mark 3 looks very similar to the later versions (2D/2E/2F) of the Mark 2 design, but was developed separately - specifically for use with the High Speed Train, and the WCML electrification. The bodyshell was slightly longer and now of fully integral construction, and has gained a strong reputation within the railway industry for its exceptional crashworthiness. Another important advance over its predecessor was the adoption of air suspension on the wheel bogies. The bogies themselves were improved over the Mark 2 coach in order to accommodate sustained running at over 110mph, with a 125mph maximum speed.
Ancillaries such as electrical and air conditioning systems were grouped together in discrete modules housed behind a skirting between the wheel bogies - on the Mark 2 these were randomly mounted above and below the passenger seating area. The lighting and air conditioning fittings were for the first time integrated into the ceiling panels. Other new features were the automatic gangway doors which were triggered by pressure pads under the floor, and the coaches were later fitted with central door locking after a number of fatal accidents and suicides in which passengers had fallen out of the manually operated slam doors.
Following the introduction of Virgin Trains' new fleet, a huge surplus of Mark 3 vehicles now exists across the network. Some Mark 3 carriages are being transferred to 'One' Anglia to replace their current Mark 2E/2F fleet. They also continue to be used by First Great Western on the Great Western Main Line, and GNER on the East Coast Main Line franchise. Whilst most of the vehicles are still in mainstream revenue service, some have been released to charter operators - a good example being West Coast Railways, who own several Mark 3 sleeper coaches.
The Mark 3 design proved to be highly adaptable for use in BR's multiple unit stock of the 1980s - EMU Classes Class 317 - 322, and DMU Classes 150 & 156 all use a Mark 3 derived bodyshell.
Since 1977 the Royal Train used to transport the British Monarch and other members of the Royal Family has used nine specially equipped Mark 3 coaches.
The Mark 3 in Ireland
Ireland's national rail operator, Iarnród Éireann, has a fleet of these Mark 3 carriages with 1600 mm (5 ft 3 in) gauge bogies. The fleet is 123 Mark 3s and 9 Mark3As. As of 2004 they form the main body of the intercity rolling stock on the Irish railway network. They were built in 1980, 1986 and 1989. They are air-conditioned with automatic doors - the doors caused some concern at the time as additional time and resources were required to perfect them. Some currently run in push-pull configuration and some have windows that open. A number of coaches are first class, and there are several dining carriages and some driving van trailers (DVTs include passenger seating). An accompanying generator van supplies power. Iarnród Éireann intend to replace these carriages within the next few years with new carriages built by CAF of Spain, and "regional railcars" (DMUs).
| Mark | Built | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mark 3 | 1972-85 | The basic model, for use in High Speed Train sets |
| Mark 3A | 1975-84 | The basic model, for use in locomotive-hauled rakes |
| Mark 3B | 1985-88 | Improvement of the Mark 3A with new styles of seating and lighting |
References
- British Rail 1948-78: A Journey Through Design, Brian Haresnape (1979).
See also
External links
