BR MK1 No. SC14901
The LFK Coach
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SC14901 was one of three MK1 coaches converted into lounge cars. The original idea was to gauge public reaction to see if there was scope for a supplement-paying 'luxury class'.
INFORMATION
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LFK in storage at Spring Village Yard |
HISTORY
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Prototype Pullmans
BR's ’s first lounge car prototype made its belated debut in late April, offered simply as a new form of first-class accommodation without any supplemental fare. In the three converted BR standard compartment firsts, four of the orthodox compartments have been taken out and replaced by two 10-seater lounges.
The vehicles’ existing Commonwealth bogies have been retained, keeping the cost of the modifications (carried out at Eastleigh works) down to £5000 per car. The first vehicle went into service on the WR from April 24. One view is that lounge cars are successors to Pullmans, which are to be gradually phased out of BR services. |
SC14901 at Glasgow in 1978 ©Eastbank Model Railway |
SC14901 interior 1st class compartment © Ian Royston |
Journey to ScotlandWhen first introduced into traffic, it is believed that 14900 went to the North East region, 14901 to the Western Region and 14902 to the Midland region. When new 14902 was used on the Nottinghman - St Pancras business trains.
All three coaches eventiually migrated to Scotland to work the Stirling to Inverness Motorail which was introduced in the mid seventies. SK14902 was withdrawn in 1974 and SK14900 in 1978. Both were subsequently scrapped.SK14901 survived in service until 1981. |
Preservation JourneyIt went to the Severn Valley Railway where the Commonwealth bogies were replaced with the bogies that the carriage sits on today.
SK14901 arrived at Telford Steam Railway between 1982 and 1986 and after restoration, was the mainstay of our loco hauled stock till the 2010's. Unfortunately during a renovation, the coach suffered damage from repeated vandalism, with most of the windows being broken and interiors damaged. It is hoped that the coach will be the next in the restoration line once all the MK2's required for The Polar Express are finished. |
LFK during renovation before vandalism |
CURRENT STATUSThe LFK was initially vandalised during renovation works in the 2010's. This is when the expensive double glazing was broken and the interior damaged. After this the coach was put into storage while funds were raised for its repair.
Unfortunately further windows have been shot out in the years since, leading to the inside beginning to show signs of weather damage. It the past few years we have put perspex over many of the broken windows to prevent further interior damage. The carriage has been surveyed by our own teams and external contractors who believe it to be in good operational condition, with just the interior cosmetics and the windows required for a return to service. |
LFK interior after vandalism |
LFK interior diagram |
Interior LayoutCompared to a normal MK1 coach, four of the normal compartments have been replaced. These new first class lounges have swivel seats in the centre.
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SUPPORT THE COACHTSR is dedicated to one day restoring the LFK to operational condition. Initial assessments have been made on the coach to judge the scope of work, along with the removal of certain parts.
To restore the coach would be a very costly and time consuming process, with the final figure in the tens of thousands. If you can help with by either volunteering or donating, it will help bring this Telford icon back to life. |
