GREAT Scottish & Western Railway Co, operator of The Royal Scotsman land cruise, has taken delivery of two ex-British Rail MkIII sleeping cars purchased from Porterbrook Leasing and converted by EMC (International) Ltd at Carnforth. Each 41·5 tonne vehicle now houses a 160 kW Volvo diesel generator set to meet the train’s particular electrical requirements, located in a sound-insulated compartment at one end of the car. Fuel tanks are mounted on the underframe, and one generator set is usually in use with the other in reserve.
One car has seven crew cabins, formerly used by paying passengers in BR service, and a crew dining area. Its partner has a crew shower, four crew cabins and two passenger state rooms, each with two berths (one longitudinal) and an en-suite shower and toilet. State room decor features marquetry and polished mahogany. To bring the MkIIIs in line with other Royal Scotsman vehicles, air-conditioning equipment was removed and opening hopper windows installed. o
