The British Railways Mk1 was the first standard design of main line coaches by BR, built from 1951 to the early 1960s. It combined the best features of earlier designs for improved strength and safety. Thousands were made, including standard seating coaches, catering vehicles, sleeping cars, luggage vans, and Travelling Post Office (TPO) vans. These coaches became iconic and many remain in heritage use or on mainline charters.
A notable example is the Post Office Tender (POT), part of TPO formations where mail was carried and sorted in transit until 2004.
Graham Farish has released a detailed N scale model of the Mk1 POT coach in BR Blue & Grey Royal Mail livery, replicating features like engraved grilles, flush-glazed windows, underframe equipment, B5 bogies with metal wheels, and close coupling mechanisms. It captures the Mk1's design with high fidelity and authentic detailing.
