A Brake Standard Open or BSO, is a type of railway carriage used by British Rail. Both Mark 1 and Mark 2 types were built. Each consists of a standard class open passenger saloon with a centre aisle, a guard's compartment with hand brake and a lockable luggage compartment.

British Rail Brake Standard Open
In service1955–
ManufacturerMark 1: BR Doncaster, Wolverton and Gloucester RCW
Mark 2: BR Derby
Family nameBritish Railways Mark 1,
British Rail Mark 2
ConstructedMark 1: 1955–1963
Mark 2: 1966–1974
Number built340
Fleet numbers9200–9539
CapacityMark 1: 39
Mark 2/A–D: 31
Mark 2E/F: 32
OperatorsBritish Rail
Specifications
Car length66 ft 0 in (20.12 m)
Width9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Height12 ft 9+12 in (3.90 m)
Maximum speed90–100 mph (145–161 km/h)
Weight33 long tons (34 t; 37 short tons)
HVACSteam, Electric or both
BogiesBR1, Commonwealth, or B4
Braking system(s)Vacuum, Air, or both
Coupling systemDrop-head knuckle coupler on draw-hook
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

A number of Mark 1 and Mark 2 BSOs were converted to Brake Standard Open (Micro-Buffet) (BSOT), and fourteen Mark 2 BSOs were converted to Driving Brake Standard Open (DBSO). A number of BSO and BSOT coaches have been preserved, and some are still in use on main line charters. One significant survivor is No. 9267, the last surviving coach in the final excursion train on the Somerset & Dorset line on 6 March 1966, which is appropriately located at Midsomer Norton.[1]

Orders

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Lot No. Diagram Mark Built Builder Qty Fleet numbers Notes
30170 183 1 1955–1956 Doncaster 77 9200–9276 BR1 bogies
30244 183 1 1956 Doncaster 45 9277–9321 BR1 bogies
30443 183 1 1959 Gloucester 41 9322–9362 BR1 bogies
30698 184 1 1963 Wolverton 18 9363–9380 Commonwealth bogies, fluorescent lighting
30757 185 2 1966 Derby 36 9381–9416 B4 bogies
30777 180 2A 1967 Derby 9 9417–9425 B4 bogies
30788 180 2A 1968 Derby 13 9426–9438 B4 bogies
30798 186 2C 1970 Derby 10 9439–9448 B4 bogies
30820 186 2C 1970 Derby 30 9449–9478 B4 bogies
30824 187 2D 1971 Derby 17 9479–9495 B4 bogies
30383 188 2E 1972 Derby 14 9496–9509 B4 bogies
30861 189 2F 1974 Derby 30 9510–9539 B4 bogies

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "BR 9267 Mk 1 Brake Second Open built 1956".