Brake Standard Open (Micro-Buffet) Explained

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British Rail Brake Standard Open (Micro-Buffet)
Service:1952–
Manufacturer:Mark 1: BR Doncaster & Wolverton,
Mark 2: BR Derby
Numberbuilt:Mark 1: 18,
Mark 2: 8
Fleetnumbers:Mark 1: 9000-9017,
Mark 2: 9100-9107
Capacity:Mark 1: 31 seats,
Mark 2: 23 seats
Operator:British Rail
Carlength:64feet
Width:9feet
Height:12feet
Maxspeed:90or
Weight:34LT
Hvac:Steam, electric, or dual heating, ETH index (Mk1 3, Mk2 4)
Bogies:Mark 1: BR1 or Commonwealth,
Mark 2: B4
Brakes:Vacuum, air, or both
Coupling:Drop-head knuckle coupler on draw-hook (dual)

A Brake Standard Open (Micro-Buffet), often abbreviated to BSOT or BSO(T), is a type of railway carriage used by British Rail.

These coaches were converted from a Brake Standard Open (BSO), by replacing one passenger seating bay with a counter for serving food, and space for a trolley for light refreshments. The toilet was removed and the space converted to a steward's prep-room and store.

Two batches of coaches were converted, as shown below.

Number rangeType
9000-9017Mark 1
9100-9107Mark 2

These coaches are no longer in scheduled main-line services, the last being withdrawn in the mid-1990s. However, several coaches from both Mk1 and Mk2 types have been preserved on heritage railways, or are used by charter companies. These are detailed below:

NumbersBuiltLocationCondition
BSOTBSO
900092761956 DoncasterGloucestershire Warwickshire RailwayIn service
900192751956 DoncasterPaignton and Dartmouth Steam RailwayIn service
900293721963 WolvertonScrapped
900393771963 WolvertonDean Forest RailwayIn service
900493791963 WolvertonScrapped
900593731963 WolvertonScrapped
900693651963 WolvertonScrapped
900793741963 WolvertonScrapped
900893671963 WolvertonScrapped
900993781963 WolvertonScrapped
901093691963 WolvertonMid Norfolk RailwayIn service
901193701963 WolvertonEmbsay and Bolton Abbey Steam RailwayIn service
901293711963 WolvertonScrapped
901393681963 WolvertonScrapped
901493801963 WolvertonWest Somerset RailwayIn service
901592291955 DoncasterSwanage RailwayIn service
901692371956 DoncasterBo'ness and Kinneil RailwayIn service
901793751963 WolvertonScrapped
910094051966 DerbyRoyal Deeside RailwayStatic use as a visitor centre
910193981966 DerbyVintage TrainsMainline charter service
910293831966 DerbyNorthampton & Lamport RailwayIn service
910393891966 DerbyNottingham Heritage CentreIn service
910494011966 DerbyWest Coast RailwaysMainline charter service
910594041966 DerbyPeak RailIn service
910694061966 DerbyTelford Steam RailwayUnder Restoration
910794071966 DerbyScrapped

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