From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| British Rail Brake Gangwayed |
A BG pictured at the Midland Railway Centre on 9th June 2006 without lettering |
|
| In service |
1951- |
| Manufacturer |
BR Wolverton & York |
| Operator |
British Rail |
| Specifications |
| Car length |
56ft 11in |
| Width |
9ft 3in |
| Height |
12ft 9in |
| Maximum speed |
90-100-110mph |
| Weight |
30-32 tons |
The Brake Gangwayed or BG coach (also known as a Full Brake) is a type of British Railways Mark 1 coach. It has a guard's compartment in the centre and two large areas either side for storing luggage. They were a very versatile type of coach and could be found all over the British Railways network and some are still in use today - although not in conventional use. Interestingly the British Railways Mark 1 BG was shorter than most other types of Mark 1 coach - the BGs being 57' whereas most other designs were 63'. This was so the BG could go everywhere unlike their other Mark 1 counterparts which were banned from some station platforms because of their length.
A few BGs on preserved railways have been converted - such as into a disabled coach on the Severn Valley Railway and a disco coach and Santa's Grotto at the Midland Railway, Butterley due to the large space either side of the guards comparment and relative 'ease' of conversion.
