British Railways Mk.I BCK No.21246
(built in 1962)

Tom Waghorn's photo taken from the window of the LMS BGZ shows the newly arrived BCK prior to its painting into green.

Corridor Brake Composite 21246 was part of BR Lot 30669 (comprising Nos. 21236-21251), built for the London Midland Region. It was one of the very last carriages to be built at Swindon before the closure of the Carriage Works in 1962*. It was built to diagram 171 with 12 first class seats and 18 second (the LMR seated three-a-side in second class; the SR ones were diagram 172 with four-a-side in second class).

It was purchased in July 2011 to enable Bluebell to offer first class accommodation when operating a 'core' four-coach set (which has to include a buffet car, a 64-seat SO, a brake vehicle and wheel-chair accommodation). It is a currently serviceable vehicle, until recently in main-line charter use, and will be painted green before entering Bluebell service. At present 21246 is not envisaged as part of our heritage fleet. It remains a long-term aspiration to restore ex-BR(S) Mk.I BCK No.21271, which is designated as a Bluebell 'heritage' vehicle and presently in storage at Kingscote.

Further details are available on the Vintage Carriage Trust's carriage survey page for 21246.

Type: BCK (Brake Composite Corridor), Diagram 171
Built: 1962, at BR Swindon Carriage Works (Lot 30669)
Seating: 12 1st class, 18 2nd class
Original No: M21246
Other No: 21246
Body Length: 64' 6"
Weight: 37 tons
Preserved: ?
To Bluebell: 7 July 2011

*The part of Swindon Carriage Works where 21246 was constructed was located on the down side, south of the GW main line, opposite the site of the Locomotive Works. This part of the works was closed in 1962, but its main buildings, at least one of which is Grade 2 listed, survive in non-railway use.