John Dedman and His Photography

John Dedman first started to take photos of coaches in the late 1970s, mainly as references for modelling purposes. In British Coaching Stock, he delves into his superb archive of unpublished images and shares a wide variety of Mark 1, Mark 2 and Mark 3 stock.

Focus on BR Mark 1 Stock

Beginning with BR Mark 1 stock, John Dedman features the regular day-to-day vehicles alongside photos of various types of restaurant, kitchen and buffet cars. Mark 1 sleeping cars are also included; so too are the XP64 prototypes that were still in service in the period covered.

Mark 2 and Mark 3 Coaches

Also featured are Mark 2 and Mark 3 coaches, as well as the Caledonian Sleeper with its distinctive liveried Mark 3 sleeping cars and day coaches.

Pullman Coaches and Other Vehicles

Pullman coaches from the traditional older vehicles to the Mark 2s, as used on the Manchester Pullman service, also appear here, as do Royal Mail Travelling Post Office sorting and stowage vans and parcels vehicles – some of which are from the pre-1948 era railway companies.

Older Coaches in Operation Today

In addition to this, John Dedman includes photographs of older coaches still running on the main line today, usually in private charter and excursion trains.