Mk 3 BFO - Formations

[nightstar.train]

I was wandering if anyone knows the formations that the Mk3 BFOs ran in during their Intercity and virgin days. And why were only three built? Did BR decide that DVTs were more useful?

[Bomag]

There has been a number of threads on the beloved BFO.

 

They was a need for a 125mph break vehicle to run with the Mk111b FOs; from the electric HST project there was a proposal for a BFO but by the time they were designed and built the exact need is a bit uncertain. At some point there was an idea was to run the Manchester Pullman as a first class only service - this would require a 110mph first break (although a NHA would probably sufficed). In the end they were used as part of the Clansmen in 1986/87 and after that they were normally used as FOs marshalled next to the DVT. After virgin they went to FGW.

[giz]

You may find what you are looking for here:

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/40855-loco-hauled-mk3s/page__fromsearch__1

['CHARD]

I love the BFOs. Once, when travelling back on a staff pass from Glasgow to the Midlands in early Virgin days, I was joined by Melvyn Bragg and his other half at Oxenholme, who settled themselves beyond the swing-door in the kipper box (small smoking saloon). A little way into their journey, Melvyn emerged complaining that she was lighting-up and he couldn't stand the fug, and asked if I minded him joining me - the coach was otherwise empty - at my four-seater table. What a genuinely witty and warm raconteur - the trip passed in what seemed like moments. He even bought a bottle of wine to share - evidently, travelling as I was on company business, I politely declined. Of course

 

Modellers note, the BFO was immediately inside the DVT at the London end of the set.

[Flood]

Taken from the Clansman thread :http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/2556-coaching-stock-the-clansman-1986/

 

"Edit: I've had a look on the B.R. Coaching Stock forum and Nat has written a pretty in depth piece on the BFOs.

 

To summarise they should have been the 125mph brakes for the HST-E trains but this was cancelled in 1984. They ran in the Glasgow section of the Clansman when delivered in 1986 (over 13 months late) but Robert Carroll could find no booked workings for them in the 1987-8 LMR marshalling book. In the late 1980s they spent most of their time on test trains including those with the BREL International coaches and the converted modular catering vehicles. By the Virgin era they were being used on the Manchester Pullman and they are now in use with FGW."

[298]

One of the coaches was in the formation hauled by 87027 that mounted a Pacer at Winsford in 1999.

[swhite01]

Sorry for the late reply to this item but have had no access to my note books until now. Below a couple of sightings of the BFO's on WCML services.... hope of interest.

 

Euston 6.2.90 LHCS 7.25 Manchester Pullman 90001 12146 12107 12159 12060 10226 11064 11069 11065 10227 17175 82117 Crewe 20.3.90 LHCS 87007 12090 12146 12107 12060 12180 10226 11084 10227 11110 17174 82135 Euston 4.6.90 LHCS 3pm 87005 12120 12110 12157 12125 12109 10224 11070 11091 10223 11078 17175 82148 Crewe 7.11.91 LHCS 10.09 Platform 6 87001 12143 12077 12093 12037 12042 10210 11062 11077 17173 82114 Crewe 7.11.91 LHCS 10.25 Plat 11 to Edinburgh 86224 96178 96164 96185 12063 12135 12050 12131 12168 10259 11079 17174 92032 Crewe 7.11.91 LHCS 22.20? Platform 6 86224 92032 17174 11079 10259 12168 12131 12050 12135 12063 96156 96158 96104 Crewe 25.11.91 LHCS 10.20am Plat 6 to Edinburgh 86220 96179 96167 96150 12063 12135 12131 12050 12168 10259 11079 17174 92102