The 26 coaches were converted between 1986 & 1988 by removing 3 of the compartments in a Mk1 BSK and replacing one of them with Roller Shutter doors. I believe these were converted to replace the Bullion Coaches and actually ran within Parcel Trains. As the name suggests there was a Compartment retained for Security to travel.

They were based across the network including Heaton (in Newcastle), Cambridge, Longsight (Manchester), Derby and Bristol. 

Many of the coaches still exist today, Primarily as Support Coaches to either Mainline registered Preserved Loco's or on Preserved Railways.

My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis, 4x Oval Buffers and a pair of B5 Bogies.

Following the Great Train Robbery in '63, a review was undertaken by British Rail to establish a safer way to transport High Value Items, primarily Gold Bullion and New & Used Banknotes, across the network. It was decided to convert 5 Mk1 BSK's for this role. In 1966 the conversions were undertaken including the removal of Gangways and reinforcing the floor. At one end, one compartment remained to allow space for Security to travel to protect the cargo. One coach was for the Western Region, two for the Midland and 2 for the Eastern Region. The whole train usually comprised of Loco - BFB (Bullion) - 1 or 2 Converted Container vehicles, the latter having their Bogies replaced with B5's. This service was subsequently replaced around the mid '80's by NNX Courier Coaches.

All 5 coaches still exist today as either Internal Users or 1 even became a Support Coach for a Ballast Cleaner and was painted into Civil Engineers Yellow and Grey.

My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis, 4x Oval Buffers and a pair of B5 Bogies.

This was the 3rd incarnation of Test Car 2. It was adapted for use by the Department of Mechanical & Electrical Engineers (DM&EE) as a test car in 1974, and renumbered ADB975397. This was after the previous Test Car 2, DE320041 was irreparably damaged after a failed slip/brake test. The new Test Car 2 received further modifications in 1976 including changes to the interior layout and installation of a generator.

The coach was martialled behind a Locomotive and would have literally any Rolling Stock attached behind it, new coaches and wagons as part of their acceptance for the mainline had to undergo Slip/Brake Tests, this was usually done on a Mainline on a Sunday.

Test Car 2 still exists today on the Great Central Railway.

My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis, 4x Oval Buffers and a pair of Commonwealth Bogies.

In 1973 a new overhead line test coach was introduced which bore the name 'Mentor'.

ADB975091 was operated by the LMR CM&EE and based oddly enough at Nelson Street at Derby, a long way from 25kV overhead line. It was converted at Swindon from a BSK 34615 built in 1955. Around the mid-1980's it carried the logo 'Test Car 3' and was transferred to the DM&EE at the RTC when a re-organisation did away with the Regional CM&EE's. The coach is still going strong today with Network Rail, although I do not currently produce the latest incarnation, I may if enough people are interested.

After the electrification between Weaver Junction and Glasgow was completed in early 1974 the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh had a ride on the vehicle  which was marshalled into a small version of the Royal Train on 7th May 1974

My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis, pair of Ladders, 4x Oval Buffers and a pair of B5 Bogies.

Converted in 1972, it was used in the APT-P Power Car Test Train operating out of Derby, as such it had one end modified to couple directly to the Power Car, as did all of the Test Service Cars.

My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis,4x Oval Buffers and a pair of B5 Bogies. Transfers are available from RailTec Transfers (2745).

Lab 3 was converted from a BR Mk1 RSO and was used as a support coach in the APT PoP Test Train.

My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis, 4x Oval Buffers and a pair of B5 Bogies. Transfers are available from RailTec Transfers (2713).

Continue reading: RDB975002 - Laboratory 3 - APT PoP Train Support Coach

In 1975 a Mk1 BSK coach W34875 was converted into an electrical systems test car at Swindon for the R&DD.  Known as Lab Coach 6 and numbered RDB975422, it was utilised for main line OHLE tests by the R&DD Electrical Engineers Section and originally based at Rugby but was eventually transferred to RTC Derby.

My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis, 4x Oval Buffers and a pair of BT10 Bogies. Transfers are available from RailTec Transfers (2716).