First Corridor

Last updated

British Rail Corridor First
BR Mk1 FK.jpg
A Mk1 FK in Blue and grey livery pictured at Bristol Temple Meads on 5 May 1984
In service1951–
ManufacturerBritish Railways
Built at Ashford Works, Swindon Works, Derby Carriage and Wagon Works
Family name Mark 1 and Mark 2, 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D
Constructed1951–1972
Number builtFK: 611,
BFK: 173
Fleet numbersFK: 13000–13610,
BFK: 14000–14172
CapacityFK: 42 (7 compartments of 6 seats);
BFK: 24 (4 compartments of 6 seats)
Operators British Rail
Specifications
Car length64 ft 6 in (19.66 m)
Width9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Height12 ft 9+12 in (3.90 m)
Maximum speed90–100 mph (145–161 km/h)
Weight31 to 36 long tons (31 to 37 t; 35 to 40 short tons)
Bogies BR1, Commonwealth or B4
Braking system(s) Vacuum, Air or both
Track gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The Corridor First [1] type of railway coach was one of the standard mid-20th century designs; coded 'FK' by the LNER and BR, and 'CL' by the LMS. The layout of the coach was a number of compartments, all of which were first class, linked by a side corridor. The British Railways produced versions (of Mark 1 and Mark 2 variations up to Mark 2D inclusive) were numbered in the 13xxx series. The prototype Mark 2 carriage, number 13252, was of FK design. It is now preserved at the Mid-Norfolk Railway, having been preserved by (now formerly part of) the National Collection.

Contents

A number of the Mark 2A/2B/2C carriages were declassified in 1985 to become Standard Corridors (coded SK). They were renumbered from 13xxx to 19xxx, putting them after the end of the 'Mark 1' range (19452–19560).

No carriages of this type are still in daily use on the main line network, since open saloon carriages are now preferred by operating companies. However, some electric multiple units based on British Rail coaches have first class compartments. As of 22 May 2010 there are no more Mark 1-based class units in use (the last journey was on the train which left Lymington Pier on Saturday 22 May 2010 at 22:14 BST). Hastings Diesels Limited has some such coaches forming part of their preserved main line Class 201/202 and many FKs still operate in charter trains, and they remain popular on preserved railway lines.

Orders

Lot No.DiagramMarkBuiltBuilderQtyFleet numbersNotes
30019-11951 Swindon 3313000–13032BR1 bogies
30052-11952 Eastleigh 313033–13035BR1 bogies
30019-11952 Swindon 2413036–13059BR1 bogies
30027-11952 Swindon 513060-13064BR1 bogies
30065-11953 Swindon 1213065–13076BR1 bogies
30089-11954 Swindon 2213085–13107BR1 bogies
30107-11954 Swindon 1813108–13125BR1 bogies
30147-11955 Swindon 5913126–13184BR1 bogies
30217-11957-9 Ashford / Swindon 3513185–13219BR1 bogies
30357-11957 GRCW 113221BR1 bogies
30381-11959 Ashford / Swindon 1613223-13238B4 bogies
30432-11959 Ashford / Swindon 1313239-13251BR1 bogies
30550-21963 Swindon 113252B4 bogies
30578-11960 Metro Cammell 5013253-13302B4 bogies
30667-11962 Swindon 5813303-13360CW bogies
30733-21964 Derby 1813361-13378B4 bogies
30734-21964 Derby 2813379-13406B4 bogies
30738-XP641964 Derby 313407-13409B4 bogies
30749-21964-65 Derby 2213410-13431B4 bogies
30750-21964 Derby 213432-13433B4 bogies
30774-2a1968 Derby 3013434-13463B4 bogies
30785-2a1968 Derby 2213464-13475B4 bogies
30789-2b1969 Derby 3813476-13513B4 bogies
30797-2c1969-70 Derby 4813514-13561B4 bogies
30825-2d1971-72 Derby 4913562-13610B4 bogies

See also

References

  1. "1142 Corridor First". steamtrainsireland.com. Retrieved 3 October 2025.