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Hornby R4973A BR(M), Mk1 RB(R), M1657 - Era 7
BA4573

£42.49
£42.49
Out of stock

Description

R4973A BR(M), Mk1 RB(R), M1657 - Era 7

Description

The first phase of building British Railways' Mark 1 catering vehicles followed the traditional pattern of dining that had been catered for since Edwardian times, with large Kitchen Cars preparing multiple course dining for consumption in both First and Third Class Dining Cars. However during the early 1950s it became apparent that social patterns regarding rail travel catering were changing, a direct consequence of WWII attitudes towards dining.

The catering department of British Railways was experiencing a demand from travellers for cheaper and lighter meals and was seeing an increase in social drinking that was not related to dining. This change in dining patterns meant that the use of a Buffet vehicle, rather than a full Kitchen Car/Dining Car combination, was sometimes a better option and the third phase 1957-62 Mk.1 building programme provided many of BR's vehicles with buffet facilities, not just in addition to full meal provision, but also replacing it.

Three prototype catering vehicles were built by Eastleigh to basic requirements set out by the Hotels and Catering Services Department of British Railways, with each stage of construction incorporating feedback from restaurant car staff, these being M1546 Kitchen-Buffet (RKB), W1900 Unclassed Restaurant (RU) and E1700 Buffet-Restaurant (RB). The RB kept the same kitchen, staff area and seating type as the other two vehicles, but by sacrificing ten seats, the pantry was extended, and a new service counter was introduced for the serving of light refreshments. Propane gas units were introduced for gas cooking, reducing the reliance on electric power which, in turn, allowed for a smaller dynamo and battery.

Access to the water tanks was also improved, along with door access for the catering staff; the single 24Ó doors being replaced with a 'door and a third' arrangement that offered a second 9Ó wide door alongside the main door. The prototypes were a success and 128 vehicles were ordered, built in four lots between 1960 and 1962 by Pressed Steel and Birmingham RC&W, but in a change from the prototype, some of the window sizes were altered and the serving area was rotated through 90 degrees to become longitudinal.

By 1977, British Rail had come to realise that existing Mk.1 catering stock would have to be retained for a longer period on long haul services than originally anticipated, especially as the APT and HST programmes were behind schedule. The catering fleet was suffering as vehicle availability decreased and services increased, leading to a lack of morale among catering staff and an increase in public dissatisfaction with on-train catering; in 1960, 850 catering vehicles covered 794 daily booked services but by 1977 this had dropped to 460 vehicles covering over a thousand daily services.

Following a high profile public opinion survey, BR realised that catering needed to become part of the corporate InterCity image and an accelerated programme of refurbishment ensued. The onboard equipment needed to be standardised to ensure that spares were readily available to keep the vehicles in service, while at the same time interior layouts needed to become standardised so that serving patterns were consistent across the fleet to improve working conditions for staff.

The resulting fleet refurbishment of all catering vehicles was based on alterations to the diagram 24 vehicles and was grouped under diagram 33 RB(R). Doors were installed between bars, pantries and kitchens which allowed for manning by fewer staff and interiors were improved by raising illumination levels through fluorescent lighting and removing bulkheads, using brighter colours and having 'wipe-clean' surfaces and seating.

With no Mk.2 catering cars being built from new, Mk.1 restaurants and buffet vehicles were included in Mk.3 rakes on the major main lines until the Mk.3 catering coaches became available. Certain services continued to use them into the early 1990s; The Clansman and the Holyhead trains had RBRs in 1990/1991 and Norwich services still had them in 1993 according to the coaching stock book. Once the Mk.2f RFBs were fully in service, especially on Intercity cross country services, there was no further need for Mk.1 stock and the vehicles were relegated to charter stock.

Delivery

Delivery is charged as priced on each order. Once you have placed an order it will be dispatched the same day or the next day depending on the time the order was placed. If you wish to cancel your order after it has been dispatched, you will be charged for both delivery and collection cost.

If you are unavailable when our delivery partner tries to deliver your order, they will usually try to deliver again the next working day or they will drop a card in to offer you a collection from a local collection point. If you should refuse delivery of goods, or are not available to accept the delivery on both delivery attempts, you will be required to cover any extra costs incurred. Royal Mail staff sometimes leave parcels with a neighbour or in an outbuilding or at the rear of the property. If a parcel is too large to go through the letter box they may return it to the local sorting office and may not leave a card advising you. First Class may take up to 4 days, Second class may take up to 10 days delivery time. Please check there first before reporting non delivery.

All quoted delivery prices are for most UK Mainland addresses. Northern Ireland (BT), Isle of Wight (PO30-37), Isle of Man (IM), Scottish Highlands and Orkney Isles (PA, ML, EH, KA, G, KY, PH, DD, AB, IV, KW), Outer Hebrides and the Shetland Isles (HS, ZE), Channel Islands (JE and GY) will incur additional charges and may also experience delivery delays; morning, Saturday and "next working day" deliveries are optional and will also incur additional charges.

We will only deliver goods to the address on the order.

Due to postal restrictions we are unable to send liquids and aerosol products by Royal Mail . Some Couriers also refuse to take such products.

Returns

In accordance with your statutory rights as a consumer, claims for refunds, replacements or repairs will be offered, provided proof of purchase is produced, as applicable if goods are found to:

  • Not be of satisfactory quality
  • Not be fit for the purpose for which they were sold
  • Not correspond with their description
  • Not correspond with a sample on display , and/or
  • Be sold without good title

The cost of returning goods under the rights above will be borne by us if any of these situations is found to apply. No refunds can be made until the goods have been returned and assessed.

Goods returned to us as faulty which are found not to be faulty will incur a handling charge and return postage costs.

In addition, under the Distance Selling Regulations 2000, when you buy goods over the internet (or other distance medium) you have the right to cancel your contract at any time up to 7 working days after the receipt. You must notify us of your intention to cancel the contract under these provisions, within the cancellation period and preferably in writing. You must take reasonable care of the goods whilst in your possession, and they must be returned promptly and as far as is practicable in their original condition and packaging. You are entitled to remove the goods from their packaging for reasonable examination but you may be liable for any loss of value resulting from any damage or alteration to the goods or packaging caused whilst in your possession.

Goods supplied in kit form must be returned with all component bags unopened. If the kit has been started or any of the component bags have been opened we are unable to make a refund as we can not check that all parts are present.

The cost of returning goods under these provisions is to be borne by you and we strongly advise you to return goods valued at under £39.00 (The Post Office's standard compensation) by Recorded Delivery and retain the proof of posting. For higher value items we advise that you insure the goods for their full value during return transit.

Please note that certain goods are exempt from the cancellation rights detailed above, such as goods made specifically to order and perishable goods. Items such as magazines, catalogues and CD/DVDs are also excluded.

We ask that you examine all goods delivered as soon as reasonably practicable after delivery and notify us of any problem with the goods as soon as possible.

We will have a claim against our Couriers for any items they damage in transit to you and therefore we request that you keep all packaging with the goods in order to ensure such a claim is not invalidated. The Courier will require a signature on delivery, and the package should be examined for signs of external damage at that point and the Courier advised on the delivery sheet. Items despatched by Courier should arrive within 4 days. All claims for non delivery of Courier despatched parcels must be notified promptly so the Courier can investigate. You will normally be sent a tracking number for courier delivered items.

Goods sent by First Class Royal mail can take up to 5 days to arrive. Goods sent by Second class mail can take up to 10 days to arrive. Goods sent overseas including Northern Ireland may take longer. Postmen sometimes leave parcels with a neighbour, or in an outbuilding or at the rear of the property or even in a dustbin.. Parcels too large to go through the letter box may be returned to the local sorting office (and the Postman does not always leave a card) Please check with your local sorting office first before contacting us about a non delivery.

The above statements are not intended to be a full indication of all your rights as a consumer. Details of your rights when buying goods over the internet, and otherwise, are available from your local Trading Standards Dept and/or Consumer Direct.

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