A First Open or FO, is a type of railway carriage used by British Rail and subsequent operators since privatisation. They were first produced as British Railways Mark 1, and subsequently Mark 2, Mark 3, and Mark 4 variants were produced. This type of carriage is an "open coach" because of the arrangement of the seats inside – other types of carriage may be corridor based variants (FK) or have a brake compartment (BFO or BFK).
Mark 1 First Open carriages were introduced from 1951. The first three, for the London Midland Region, were the only Mk1 FO with no centre door, seating 42 in a 2+1 format. The second batch (3003–19), built from 1954, had a centre door in the centre seating bay, splitting the middle window into two thin panes. Carriages from 3020 had a separate centre vestibule with doors and reduced-width bays, still seating 42 in 2+1 format. BR1 type bogies were fitted as standard except on 3076–3080, a test batch built with Commonwealth bogies to improve ride quality. The ride quality of the BR1 bogie became poor after some use and, in 1961, changes were made. 3101–3151 were built with Commonwealth type bogies which became standard for a time, with the weight increasing by 5 tons.
BR1 and Commonwealth bogies usually run at a maximum of . Later, B4 bogies were fitted to further improve ride quality with a maximum of . These carriages were fitted with Pullman gangways on standard frames and fitted with buck-eye couplers as standard. Buck-eye couplers can be dropped and buffers extended to allow use of screw coupling fitted locomotives. Vacuum brakes and steam heating were fitted as standard. A number of Mk1 FO were later fitted with air brakes in the late 1960s and 1970s, some retaining vacuum brakes and being dual braked.
Orders Fleet numbers Built Diagram Builder Lot No. 3000-3002 1951 71 York 30010 3003-3019 1954 72 BRCW 30008 3020-3039 1954 73/AD103 Doncaster 30042 3040-3057 1954 73/AD103 Doncaster 30091 3058-3070 1955 73/AD103 Doncaster 30169 3071-3080 1956 73/AD103 Doncaster 30242 3081 1957 77 BRCW 30359 3082 1957 76 Cravens 30361 3083 1957 74 Doncaster 30372 3084 1957 75 Doncaster 30373 3085-3094 1959 73/AD103 BRCW 30472 3095-3100 1959 73/AD103 BRCW 30576 3101-3103 1961 73/AD103 Wolverton 30648 3104-3129 1963 73/AD103 Swindon 30697 3130-3151 1963 73/AD103 Swindon 30717
Livery The livery initially for Mk1 coaches for British Railways in 1951 was crimson lake and cream with black and gold lining, all new Mk1 FO coaches were delivered in this livery up until 1956. In 1956 the standard livery changed to maroon with black and gold lining except for the Southern Region stock which adopted an unlined dark malachite green. The Western Region on the other hand adopted chocolate and cream to sufficient stock to operate its named trains like the Cornish Riviera Express and Torbay Express being two examples. The Southern Region introduced the yellow UIC cantrail stripe denoting first class in 1960 for boat train coaches. Yellow UIC cantrail stripe was later introduced on other regions from 1963. In 1965 Rail Blue was introduced as trailed on XP64 stock the year before and lasted for another 20 years.
Mark 1 FO conversions In 1976, 13 First Open were converted to Restaurant Second Open No Kitchen 1058-1070 RSO, 12 were later converted to Second Open 3600-3610 SO in 1981–82, 5 of the remaining SO in 1987 were converted back to First Open 31xx FO.
FO RSO SO FO FO RSO SO FO 3128 1058 3600 3143 1065 3609 3143 3135 1059 3601 3135 3144 1066 3602 3144 3136 1060 3605 3145 1067 3610 3145 3138 1061 3607 3146 1068 3606 3139 1062 3147 1069 3604 3147 3141 1063 3608 3148 1070 3611 3142 1064 3603
Departmental use FO Departmental Notes 3009 ADB975631 CM&EE Test Car 9 3011 ADB975630 CM&EE Test Car 8 3012 DB975862 CCE Staff Coach, Carlisle Upperby 3013 ADB975653 HST Barrier Coach ER/ScR 3014 ADB975658 HST Barrier Coach ER/ScR 3015 ADB975649 HST Barrier Coach ER/ScR 3016 ADB975650 HST Barrier Coach ER/ScR 3049 DB977389 Barrier coach for DW139 RCE Track Recording Coach later Glasgow Works Test Train coach 3050 TDB977435 ECML Electrification driver training train coach 3052 TDB977431 ECML Electrification driver training train coach 3054 ADB975999 Barrier Coach for trial running with Mk3a Sleepers 3055 TDB977433 ECML Electrification driver training train coach 3058 TDB975313 HST Instruction Coach 3060 TDB975314 TOPS HR4 Mobile Training Classroom 3062 TDB975312 TOPS HR1 Mobile Training Classroom 3064 ADB975607 CM&EE Test Car 7 3068 RDB975606 Laboratory Coach 2 'Electra' 3071 DB977388 Barrier Coach for DB977144 RCE Track Recording coach later Glasgow Works Test Train coach 3072 TDB977399 ECML Electrification driver training train coach 3079 TDB975315 TOPS HR3 Mobile Training Classroom 3082 ADB975278 Laboratory Coach 15, APT Kitchen Mock up 3085 ADB977491 Test Train, Electric Locos SF 3086 ADB977449 Crewe Works Test Train coach, Electric Locos 3087 ADB977450 Crewe Works Test Train coach, Electric Locos 3088 TDB977434 ECML Electrification driver training train coach 3089 ADB977351 Barrier Coach WR later MTA Brake Force Runner 3091 ADB977352 Brake force coach for DW139 RCE Track Recording Coach later MTA Brake Force Runner 3093 ADB977594 Mobile office & stores then Springburn test train coach 3136 DB977970 Brake Force Runner 3145 DB977192 Use with Track Testing Vehicles
Mark 2 The first Mk2 First Open were built to Mk2c design in 1970, followed by Mk2d from 1971 complete with air conditioning, with the ETH supply becoming standard along with a motor-alternator to provide the lighting, heating and air conditioning. The Mk2e was introduced in 1972–73 with introduction of fluorescent tubes for lighting with the major change being the more compact toilet. The final development was the Mk2f being introduced in 1973-75 which the interior design from the prototype Mk3s with improved seating and air conditioning through body side heaters. All the Mk2 veterans are fitted with B4 bogies with a maximum of .
Orders Fleet numbers Mark Built Diagram Builder Lot No. 3152-3169 2c 1970 80/AD104 Derby 30810 3170-3216 2d 1972 81/AD105 Derby 30821 3221-3275 2e 1973 82/AD106 Derby 30843 3276-3320 2f 1973 83/AD107 Derby 30845 3321-3428 2f 1974 83/AD107 Derby 30859 3429-3439 2f 1975 83/AD107 Derby 30873
Mark 2 FO conversions In 1982–84, 17 Mk2c coaches were converted to Second Open 6400-6416 SO. In 1983–84, 10 Mk2f coaches were converted to Class 488 EMU trailers 72500-72509 TFOH In 1985–86, 45 Mk2f coaches were converted to Second Open 6418-6465 SO later 6800-6829 TSO. In 1988, 9 Mk2f coaches were converted to Restaurant Lounge First Buffet later Sleeper reception car 6700-6708 RLO with 3 converted from Second Open 64xx. In 1988-89 / 1991, 33 Mk2f coaches were converted to Buffet Open First 1200-1221/1250-1260 RFB with 11 converted from Second Open 64xx. In 1989, 36 Mk2d coaches were converted to Second Open 6200-6235 TSO In 1990, 30 Mk2f coaches were converted to high-density Second Open 6800-6829 TSO with 72 seats were converted from Second Open 64xx. In 1992, 6 Mk2e coaches were converted to First Open (Pantry) 3520-3525 FOT.
Mk2c Number Type 2nd Number Departmental Irish Rail 3152 SO 6411 DB977547 West Ruislip (LUL) Brake Force Runner 3153 SO 6404 DB977551 Mobile Track Assessment Brake Force Runner Old Oak Common 3154 SO 6405 IR 4104 3155 SO 6415 3156 SO 6406 IR 4103 3157 SO 6413 IR 4106 3158 SO 6403 DB977597 Doncaster Works Test Train IR 4107 3159 SO 6407 DB977548 Brake Force Runner 3160 SO 6402 DB977589 Brake Force Runner 3161 SO 6414 3162 SO 6408 DB977549 Mobile track assessment Brake Force Runner Old Oak Common 3163 SO 6401 IR 4105 3164 SO 6410 DB977390 Barrier coach for DW139 Track Recording Coach later Crewe Works Test Train coach 3165 SO 6416 DB977546 Springburn Works Test Train coach 3166 NIR 903 3167 SO 6400 3168 SO 6412 3169 SO 6409 DB977550 Mobile Track Assessment Brake Force Runner Old Oak Common
Mk2d Number Type 2nd Number Notes Number Type 2nd Number Notes 3170 TSO 6215 Exported to New Zealand 3197 TSO 6227 Exported to New Zealand 3171 TSO 6222 Exported to New Zealand 3198 TSO 6200 3173 TSO 6221 3199 TSO 6232 Exported to New Zealand 3175 TSO 6220 3200 TSO 6225 Exported to New Zealand 3176 TSO 6212 3201 TSO 6228 Exported to New Zealand 3177 TSO 6209 3203 TSO 6226 3179 TSO 6216 3204 TSO 6207 3180 TSO 6203 3205 TSO 6208 Exported to New Zealand 3183 TSO 6206 3206 TSO 6233 3184 TSO 6217 Exported to New Zealand 3207 TSO 6234 Exported to New Zealand 3185 TSO 6230 Exported to New Zealand 3208 TSO 6213 3189 TSO 6231 Exported to New Zealand 3209 TSO 6218 3190 TSO 6235 Exported to New Zealand 3210 TSO 6201 3191 TSO 6202 3211 TSO 6214 Exported to New Zealand 3193 TSO 6205 Exported to New Zealand 3212 TSO 6229 Exported to New Zealand 3194 TSO 6223 3213 TSO 6219 3195 TSO 6224 Exported to New Zealand 3215 TSO 6211 3196 TSO 6210 3216 TSO 6204
Mk2e Number Type 2nd Number Notes 3236 FOT 3522 3238 FOT 3523 3253 FOT 3520 3254 FOT 3524 3255 FOT 3525 3271 FOT 3521
Mk2f Number Type 2nd Number Type 3rd Number Notes Number Type 2nd Number Type 3rd Number Notes 3276 SO 6418 RLO 6707 3349 SO 6442 TSO 6801 3279 SO 6419 FO 3279 Conversion to SO 6419 not carried out 3355 SO 6443 TSO 6803 3280 RFO 1252 3357 SO 6444 RFO 1217 3281 SO 6458 TSO 6821 3361 SO 6445 RFO 1201 3282 SO 6420 TSO 6815 3365 SO 6446 TSO 6819 3283 SO 6421 RLO 6706 3367 NIR 904 3284 RFO 1255 3370 RLO 6708 3287 SO 6459 RFO 1200 3371 RFO 1221 3288 SO 6423 TSO 6829 3372 RFO 1250 3289 SO 6424 TSO 6823 3376 SO 6447 TSO 6822 3291 RFO 1203 3377 RFO 1215 3294 SO 6425 TSO 6826 3378 RFO 1260 3296 RFO 1256 3380 SO 6464 TSO 6828 3297 SO 6426 3382 TFH 72501 3298 SO 6427 TSO 6827 3383 RFO 1251 3301 SO 6460 TSO 6825 3391 RFO 1254 3302 RFO 1216 3393 RFO 1208 3305 RFO 1211 3394 SO 6448 TSO 6812 3306 SO 6428 TSO 6827 3396 SO 6449 TSO 6804 3307 SO 6429 TSO 6824 3398 TFH 72509 3308 RLO 6703 3401 RFO 1204 3310 SO 6430 RLO 6705 3403 SO 6450 FO 3403 3311 SO 6431 TSO 6817 3404 SO 6451 TSO 6810 3315 SO 6432 RFO 1220 3405 SO 6462 RFO 1210 3316 SO 6461 TSO 6816 3406 TFH 72504 3317 SO 6433 RFO 1214 3407 TFH 72503 977983 3319 RFO 1206 3409 TFH 72508 3320 SO 6434 TSO 6820 3410 SO 6463 TSO 6813 3321 TFH 72502 3412 TFH 72507 3322 RFO 1258 3413 TFH 72500 3323 SO 6435 TSO 6800 3415 TFH 72505 3324 SO 6436 TSO 6805 3418 RFO 1219 3327 SO 6437 TSO 6811 3419 RFO 1213 3328 SO 6422 RFO 1207 3421 RLO 6702 3329 SO 6438 RFO 1205 3422 SO 6465 TSO 6814 3332 RFO 1218 3423 SO 6452 TSO 6807 3335 TFH 72506 3427 SO 6453 RFO 1212 3339 SO 6439 TSO 6802 3430 SO 6454 TSO 6808 3341 RLO 6704 3432 RFO 1253 3342 SO 6440 TSO 6806 3435 SO 6455 TSO 6809 3343 SO 6441 3436 SO 6456 RFO 1202 3346 RLO 6701 3437 SO 6457 RFO 1209 3347 RLO 6700 3439 RFO 1259
Departmental use
FO Departmental Notes 3152 Mk2c DB977547 Brake Force Runner 3153 Mk2c DB977551 Mobile Track Assessment Brake Force Runner 3160 Mk2c DB977589 Brake Force Runner 3162 Mk2c DB977549 Mobile Track Assessment Brake Force Runner 3164 Mk2c DB977390 REC Barrier coach later Crewe Works Test Train coach 3165 Mk2c DB977546 Brake Force Runner 3169 Mk2c DB977550 Mobile Track Assessment Brake Force Runner 3189 Mk2d DB977986 Track Recording Train Coach later Structure Gauging train coach 3250 Mk2e 99666 Ultrasonic Test Coach 3407 Mk2f DB977983 Hot Box Detection Coach later Electrification Measurement Coach
Mark 3 First Mk3 prototypes were built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works in 1972 for the new Class 252 and were built to with BT5 bogies with a maximum of . Production built Mark 3 stock for class 253 and 254 InterCity 125 were built at Derby Litchurch Lane in 1975–82 with BT10 bogies with a maximum of seat 48 and referred to as a trailer First. Mark 3a is the production built loco-hauled Mk3 built by BR at Derby Litchurch Lane introduced on the West Coast Main Line from 1975.