ANOTHER Mk 2 VARIANT TO COME

Having already announced a run of British Rail Mk 2b coaches, Accurascale will also offer a variety of Mk 2c vehicles in BR liveries, in addition to Irish versions.

Like the Mk 2b, the Mk 2c was a stop-gap design, pending the procurement of air-conditioning equipment for later Mk 2 variants. Initially, the plan had been to retro-fit ‘air-con’ gear to the Mk 2c fleet, but this never happened. Five different vehicle types were turned out from Derby Litchurch Lane between 1969-70, consisting of TSO, FK, FO, BFK and BSO and they initially supplemented (or replaced) rakes of Mk 1 stock.

Operated by both the London Midland and Western Regions, they were the first coaches to wear Intercity branding from new. As air-conditioned stock came on stream in the 1970s, the Mk 2c fleet was dispersed onto regional and secondary services across the BR network, while 30 TSOS were converted to mini Buffet cars with a small counter at one end, and First class cars were de-classified to Standard accommodation in the 1980s.

Examples lasted in regular main line use well into the privatisation era, while both Northern Ireland Railways and Irish Rail acquired Mk 2c vehicles, which were operated into the early 2000s.

The Accurascale models promise a high level of detail, plus interior lighting with ‘stay alive’ circuitry. Several BR and postprivatisation liveries are on offer, from blue/grey, Network South East, Intercity and Regional Railways to West Coast Railways maroon. Production will follow the Mk 2b run and delivery is expected in Q4 2023, with all coaches priced at £59.95 each.