BR “Britannia” Standards

[MidlandRed]

The trains were almost entirely composed of new Mk 2 stock from 1966-7. In all 225 new Mk2 coaches were provided for the WCML electrified services and all had entered service by 1967.

 

There were around 20 sets of 12 coach trains (2 Mk1s - a first open second and kitchen/restaurant in each set), some diagrammed for up to 750 miles per day operation.  Additionally some of the original Mk2 build were repainted from maroon to the new corporate livery to match the new build (rail blue and rail grey with no varnish coat; white scotchcal lining tape between blue and grey; burnt umber underframes). 

Edited July 28, 2020 by MidlandRed

[Bomag]

11 hours ago, The Johnster said:

The Birmingham/Liverpool/Manchester electrification was indeed a serious presage of the future, and it's completion in 1966 coincided with the introduction of the new corporate image liveries and lettering. which sort of matched that used on the new motorway signs and airport directions; the feeling was of modernity and efficiency.  The trains were impressive, 100mph on B4 bogies in 'flights' with short headways between them, but the WCML traffic remained as mk1 stock, admittedly on new B4 or Commonwealth bogies, for quite a while after, well into the 70s and the Weaver Jc-Polmadie opening.

 

By the end of 1970 all the LMR Mk2c stock had been delivered, cascading the vb Mk2z onto secondary WCML services. While there were Mk1s on cross country and Barrow/N Wales services all core day WCML services would have been Mk2 stock except for catering cars and BGs . By the end of 1971 the principle services would have a/c first class stock as well.