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Mk2 coach air conditioning

Drsatan

Drsatan

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Hello everyone,

I've noticed quite a few railtours this year are being run with "1970s Mk2 carriages".

Does anyone know if the air conditioning has been replaced on these? I've been on a few air-conditioned Mk2s with broken air-conditioning in the summer and it's unpleasant. I'd rather not travel on these if it's going to be hot and stuffy inside

I've heard Mk3s have the same problem as their air conditioning units struggle to cope with temperatures above 30 degrees celcius?
 
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JonathanH

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Drsatan said:
Does anyone know if the air conditioning has been replaced on these?
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It hasn't.
Drsatan said:
I've been on a few air-conditioned Mk2s with broken air-conditioning in the summer and it's unpleasant.
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Indeed it is.

I would however note that the air conditioning may be fine in some coaches and not others. All depends on whether something happens from which the air conditioning can't respond. Obviously 64 bodies adding to the heat need the system to work better than when there are 42 bodies in the coach.
Drsatan said:
I've heard Mk3s have the same problem as their air conditioning units struggle to cope with temperatures above 30 degrees celcius?
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Such expectations were rare in the 1970s, so it is not surprising.
Drsatan said:
I've noticed quite a few railtours this year are being run with "1970s Mk2 carriages".
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Not much choice if you have to run coaches with Central Door Locking systems.
 
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Iskra

Iskra

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While it can be warm on board these carriages if the temperature is in the 20's, it is just about tolerable providing the train isn't spending lots of time stood still. I think not travelling due to lack of aircon is a bit of an over-reaction as the number of days in a year where the temperature exceeds 30 degrees can be counted on one hand, and the odds of the tour falling on those days are slim.
 
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renegademaster

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It's more tolerable if you have vestibule doors you can keep open and not automatic ones, if so you can get the breeze from the drop lights coming in
 
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Bletchleyite

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Drsatan said:
I've heard Mk3s have the same problem as their air conditioning units struggle to cope with temperatures above 30 degrees celcius?
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It was more that the aircon systems were designed for CFCs, the replacements aren't as effective. The only cases where pre-2000s aircon has been made acceptably good is complete replacement, e.g. Chiltern.
 
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bleeder4

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In the latest Trackside magazine, David Smith owner of WCR says that WCR aren't planning to run any tours in the Summer due to the unreliability of the aircon in the Mk2 coaches WCR are having to use at the moment. The magazine then quotes the boss of RTC who says that they are working on re-scheduling their Summer tours.
 
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renegademaster

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UK railtours sell out enough summer tours despite the same unreliable air con. The west coast set has vestibule doors you can leave open to.
 
12LDA28C

12LDA28C

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bleeder4 said:
In the latest Trackside magazine, David Smith owner of WCR says that WCR aren't planning to run any tours in the Summer due to the unreliability of the aircon in the Mk2 coaches WCR are having to use at the moment. The magazine then quotes the boss of RTC who says that they are working on re-scheduling their Summer tours.
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Does that relate to the WCRC rake of Mk2s or the Riviera stock they have to hire in every now and again (which has certainly had some well-publicised aircon issues)? Seems a bit of a strange decision if it's their own rake given that that's all they can use on the main line currently....
 
Spaceship323

Spaceship323

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12LDA28C said:
Does that relate to the WCRC rake of Mk2s or the Riviera stock they have to hire in every now and again (which has certainly had some well-publicised aircon issues)? Seems a bit of a strange decision if it's their own rake given that that's all they can use on the main line currently....
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Unless WCRC are going to use their MK2's on the Jacobite and not provide coaching stock for anyone else this year?
 
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Bertie the bus

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bleeder4 said:
In the latest Trackside magazine, David Smith owner of WCR says that WCR aren't planning to run any tours in the Summer due to the unreliability of the aircon in the Mk2 coaches WCR are having to use at the moment. The magazine then quotes the boss of RTC who says that they are working on re-scheduling their Summer tours.
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Does he claim the unreliability of the aircon on their stock is outside of their control as well as all the other stuff that is within their control?

If he is being honest here, and it is a big if, then why are they still selling tickets for the Dalesman and Scarborough Spa Express? Selling tickets for a service you know you won't provide is fraud.
 
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Magdalia

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Iskra said:
as the number of days in a year where the temperature exceeds 30 degrees can be counted on one hand
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That depends on where you are talking about. Here in the Fens we have had more than 5 days above 30C in 4 of the last 5 years. In the 2022 heatwave we hit 39.9C and in 2019 38.1C.

Iskra said:
I think not travelling due to lack of aircon is a bit of an over-reaction
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Some people have health issues that make it a significant risk.

bleeder4 said:
In the latest Trackside magazine, David Smith owner of WCR says that WCR aren't planning to run any tours in the Summer due to the unreliability of the aircon in the Mk2 coaches WCR are having to use at the moment. The magazine then quotes the boss of RTC who says that they are working on re-scheduling their Summer tours.
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This seems a sensible precaution in the South and East of England.

Bertie the bus said:
why are they still selling tickets for the Dalesman and Scarborough Spa Express?
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But it will be less of an issue in the High Pennines or near the Yorkshire North Sea coast. Altitude and proximity to the sea usually mean lower maximum temperatures, though the North Kent and North Norfolk coasts can get very hot in the right conditions.
 
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