How we chose the rolling stock

MkIIIs

The British Rail Corporate 1970s image is captured perfectly here at Crewe

The MkIII vehicle has the advantage of not only being a great vehicle, but is also still in use on time-tabled services by various Train Operating Companies. Therefore it is still familiar to operators and passengers alike.  The MkIII vehicle is also probably sub-consciously familiar to many people as it is the carriage used in the popular High Speed Trains (HST) sets or 'Inter-City 125's' as they were introduced.

We chose MkIII vehicles for our charter trains for the following reasons:

• They have a proven record as some of the most successful British rolling stock ever built - meeting high standards in passenger comfort
• Extremely versatile and well-built from an electrical and structural point of view
• Disc-braked with air suspension
• This type of vehicle is still in front line use on long distance services and will be for years to come
• Speed ability of 110-125 mph which offers the opportunity to literally run faster on routes with the appropriate line speeds
• The MkIII can be hauled by virtually any appropriate diesel or electric locomotive, new or old.
• And finally - the ride quality is unsurpassed.  A MkIII vehicle simply glides silently at high speed.

MkIIs

The MkIIs are a sturdy workhorse and are still capable of offering a spacious, comforable ride at their design speed of 100mph. For 30 years the air-conditioned 'd', 'e' and 'f' variants formed the backbone of long haul Intercity passenger services across the UK. Their versatility and robustness has proved its worth and they now form the air-conditioned vehicle of choice in the charter market, large numbers of 'e' and 'f' variants having been snapped up by numerous charter operators.

Although they are not as streamlined or sleek as the MkIII vehicles (or as fast!), they are less complex and suit the charter market well.

They offer 64 seats across standard class, 16 bays of 4 around tables, so make the ideal charter/leisure vehicle. 42 seats are offered around 14 tables, 7 bays of 4 and 7 bays of 2.