First Open

Updated on Dec 12, 2023

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In service 1951–

Manufacturer BR Derby (C&W), Doncaster, Swindon, Wolverton, York, BRCW & Metro Cammell Family name British Railways Mark 1, Mark 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F, Mark 3, 3A and 3B and Mark 4 Constructed Mk1 1951–1963 Mk2 1970-74 Mk3 1976-85 Mk4 1989-92 Fleet numbers Mk1 3000-3151 Mk2c 3152-3169 Mk2d 3170-3216 Mk2e 3221-3275 Mk2f 3276-3439 Mk3 11000-11003/41003-41169 Mk3a 11004-11063 Mk3a 11064-11101 Mk4 11200-11263 Capacity Mk1 42 Mk2c/d/e/f Mk3/a/b 48 Mk4 46

A First Open or FO, is a type of railway carriage used by British Rail and subsequent operators since privatisation. They were first produced as British Railways Mark 1, and subsequently Mark 2, Mark 3, and Mark 4 variants were produced. This type of carriage is an "Open coach" because of the arrangement of the seats inside - other types of carriage may be corridor based variants (FK) or have a brake compartment (BFO or BFK).

Mark 1

First Open where introduced from 1951 with the first 3 for the midland region being the only Mk1 FO having no centre door seating 42 in 2+1 a format. Second batch 3003-19 built from 1954 had a centre door in with the centre seating bay. This split the middle window into two thin panes with the door in between. From 3020 have a separate centre vestibule with the and having a reduced width bays along with a centre vestibule and doors while still seating 42 in 2+1 format. BR1 type bogies were fitted as standard except 3076-3080 were a test bach built with Commonwealth bogies to improve ride quality. In 1961 changes were made to improve ride quality by replacing the BR1 bogie which quality which became bad after some use, 3101 - 3151 being built with commonwealth type bogie which became standard for a time, with the weight increasing by 5 tons. BR1 and commonwealth bogies usually run at a maximum of 90 mph (140 km/h). Later B4 bogies were fitted to further improve ride quality with a maximum of 100 mph (160 km/h). Fitted with Pullman gangways on standard 64 ft frames and fitted with buck-eye couplers as standard. Buck-eye couplers can be dropped and buffers extended to allow use of screw coupling fitted locomotives. Vacuum brakes and steam heating were fitted as standard with a number of Mk1 FO where later fitted with air brakes in the late 60's to 70's with some still retaining vacuum brakes and a number being dual braked (air and vacuum).

Livery

The livery initially for Mk1 coaches for British Railways in 1951 was crimson lake and cream with black and gold lining, all new Mk1 FO coaches were delivered in this livery up until 1956. In 1956 the standard livery changed to maroon with black and gold lining except for the Southern region stock which adopted an unlined dark malachite green. Western Region on the other hand adopted chocolate and cream to sufficient stock to operate its named trains like "Cornish Rivia Ltd" and "Torbay Express" being two examples. Southern region introduced the yellow UIC cantrail stripe denoting first class in 1960 for boat train coaches. Yellow UIC cantrail stripe was later introduced on other regions from 1963. In 1965 Manastral Blue & Grey livery was introduced as trailed on XP64 stock the year before and lasted for another 20 years.

Mark 1 FO conversions

In 1976, 13 First Open where converted to Restaurant Second Open No Kitchen 1058-1070 RSO, 12 were later converted to Second Open 3600-3610 SO in 1981-82, 5 of the remining SO in 1987 where converted back to First Open 31xx FO.

Mark 2

The first Mk2 First Open were built to Mk2c design in 1970 flowed by Mk2d from 1971 complete with air conditioning, with the ETH supply becoming standard along with a motor-alternator to provide the lighting, heating and air conditioning. The Mk2e was introduced in 1972-73 with introduction of fluorescent tubes for lighting with the major change being the more compact toilet. The final development was the Mk2f being introduced in 1973-75 which the interior design from the prototype Mk3s with improved seating and air conditioning through body side heaters. All the Mk2 veterans are fitted with B4 bogies with a maximum of 100 mph (160 km/h).

Mark 2 FO conversions

In 1982-84, 17 Mk2c coaches were converted to Second Open 6400-6416 SO.

In 1983-84, 10 Mk2f coaches were converted to Class 488 EMU trailers 72500-72509 TFOH

In 1985-86, 45 Mk2f coaches were converted to Second Open 6418-6465 SO later 6800-6829 TSO.

In 1988, 9 Mk2f coaches were converted to Restaurant Lounge First Buffet later Sleeper reception car 6700-6708 RLO with 3 converted from Second Open 64xx.

In 1988-89 / 1991, 33 Mk2f coaches were converted to Buffet Open First 1200-1221/1250-1260 RFB with 11 converted from Second Open 64xx.

In 1989, 36 Mk2d coaches were converted to Second Open 6200-6235 TSO

In 1990, 30 Mk2f coaches were converted to high-density Second Open 6800-6829 TSO with 72 seats were converted from Second Open 64xx.

In 1992, 6 Mk2e coaches were converted to First Open (Pantry) 3520-3525 FOT.

Mark 3

First Mk3 prototypes were built at Derby Litchurch Lane in 1972 for the new high speed train Class 252 and were built to 75 ft 0 in (22.86 m) with BT5 bogies with a maximum of 125 mph (201 km/h). Production built Mk3 stock for class 253 and 254 InterCity 125 were built by BR at Derby Litchurch Lane in 1975-82 with BT10 bogies with a maximum of 125 mph (201 km/h) seat 48 and referred to as a trailer First. Mk3a is the production built loco-hauled Mk3 built by BR at Derby Litchurch Lane introduced on the West Coast Main line in from 1975.

From 1979, seven First Open were used on the Glaggow to Edinburgh push pull service 11004-11010 with 11022 added later as 11004 was involved in the Polmont rail accident in 1984. ScotRail later down graded its First Open in 1986 to Open Composite were renumbered 119xx. Two First Open 11021 and 11032 were fitted with BT15 bogies along with 11058 fitted with BTS bogies in the mid-1980s.

With a further order for 38 Mk3b built by BR at Derby Litchurch Lane in 1985 and were delivered new in InterCity livery with a number receiving names and being used on services on the West Coast main line offering a first class Pullman service.

Mark 3 FO conversions

In 1975, 3 Mk3 First Open coaches were reclassified as Trailer First 41000-002 TF.

In 1977, Mk3 First Open 11001 coach converted to The Queens Saloon and Consists of a lounge, bedroom & barthroom, along with a bedroom & barthroom for the Queens dresser.

In 1981, Mk3 Trailer First 41000 TF converted to M&EE Test Car 10 ADB975814 QXA.

In 1982, 2 Mk3 Trailer First 41001-41002 TF coaches were converted to production HST Trailer First 4117x TF specification.

In 1986, 7 Mk3a coaches were converted to Open Composite 119xx CO.

In 1986-87, 18 Mk3a coaches were converted to Restaurant First Modular 10212-10229 RFM.

In 1990, 4 Mk3a Open Composite coaches were converted to Standard Open 12169-12170 TSO.

In 1990, 3 Mk3a Open Composite coaches were converted back to First Open regaining there former numbers.

In 1992, Mk3 Trailer First 41174 TF were converted to Trailer Standard 42357 TS.

In 2007-08, 6 Mk3a coaches were converted to Trailer First 41201-41206 TF

In 2008, 3 Mk3a coaches were converted to Trailer First 41193-41195 TF.

In 2011-13, 5 Mk3a First Open coaches were converted to Standard Open 126xx TSO

In 2012, 6 Mk3a coaches First Open were converted to Standard Open 12176-12181 TSO.

In 2015, 4 Mk3a coaches, First Open 11034 FO and 3 Restaurant First Modular 102xx RFM were converted to Standard Open Miniature Buffet 10413-416 TSOB

Mark 4

Built in 1988 by Metro Cammell at their Washwood Heath plant in Birmingham, the coaches are 23 m (75 ft 5 ¹⁄₂ in) long with power-operated sliding plug doors, are fitted with SIG bogies and are capable of running at up to 140 mph (225 km/h), but usually run at a maximum of 125 mph (201 km/h).