AMONG the coaches recently scrapped at Carnforth was Mk.1 Sleeper First (SLF) No. 2110, one of a small number of surviving Mk.1 sleeping cars.
Withdrawn from BR service, it last saw use in the Queen of Scots private charter set back in 1992, and prior to that was part of the Royal Scotsman rake which now operates with Mk.3 sleeping cars.
The decline of existing Mk.1 sleepers was highlighted in back in 2008, when, following a number of scrappings, the number of survivors was reduced to 12 vehicles. The demise of No. 2110, and others over the past 15 years, has reduced this to six, of which four are located at West Coast Railways’ Carnforth depot – these are SLF Nos. 2108 (State Car 83), 2127 (99887) and 2131, along with Sleeper Second Twin with Pantry (SLSTP) No. 2500, latter Royal Train coach No. 2909. All are in poor condition and could also be considered for disposal.
