Inverness 24/26 combos

[delt1c]

In the early 1970's when IS had an allocation of 24's and 26's the Edinburgh ? Glasgow to Inverness service was usually powered by double headed 24 +26 which worked through to the destination together. Always worndered why the mixed double header nand not 2x26 or 2x24? Also was there any othere services in the UK that utilised mixed double headers from departure to desination

 

[D6975]

They weren't. Pairs of 24s, pairs of 26s and mixed pairs were all used. In particularly bad weather conditions they sometimes used 3 locos.

 

[Whistler40145]

The Royal Highlander was regularly booked for 3 locos, 26+2x24.

 

[Ash Bridge]

21:50 York - Aberystwyth in the early 70s could produce a 31+45/46/47 between Leeds and Stalybridge.

Edit: Apologies just re-read your question, so err... obviously not end to end

 

[30907]

In the early 1970's when IS had an allocation of 24's and 26's the Edinburgh ? Glasgow to Inverness service was usually powered by double headed 24 +26 which worked through to the destination together. Always worndered why the mixed double header nand not 2x26 or 2x24? Also was there any othere services in the UK that utilised mixed double headers from departure to desination

Going back to about 1960 Kent Coast via Tonbridge trains were briefly 24+33 (Sulzer type 2 and BRCW type 3 for oldies) in preference to steam as insufficient eth stock was available.
Trying to think if there were any 33+73 workings in the 70s.

 

[Taunton]

My recollections from Scotland in the 1970s was that the main Highland services were more often 2 x 26 than not. I always got the impression that the main Scottish depots preferred the BRCW (26/27) locos to what looked like equivalent BR locos (24/25). Same power unit, speed, etc. I think there was a notable difference in build quality of the BRCW units, something that also led to the long lives of the Class 33 (which are basically a 26, same body but with an extra 2 cylinders on the engine and no boiler). The Crompton electrics used on the BRCW locos were also better regarded than the BTH ones on the BR design.

 

[GusB]

If you can find it/afford it*, there is an interesting collection of photographs in a book entitled "Diesels in the Highlands", which I found in my local library. It records a few examples of triple-heading on the HML using a variety of type 2s.

*I had this on my Amazon wish-list, but having looked at it again, the price seems to have increased by quite a substantial amount!

 

[47271]

If you can find it/afford it*, there is an interesting collection of photographs in a book entitled "Diesels in the Highlands", which I found in my local library. It records a few examples of triple-heading on the HML using a variety of type 2s.

*I had this on my Amazon wish-list, but having looked at it again, the price seems to have increased by quite a substantial amount!

I can point you to something even more enticing than the book GusB - but I know that one that you mean.

Look at this:

https://6lda.wordpress.com/2015/01/02/this-is-the-sound-this-is-the-sound-of-the-sulzers/

Given you other recent thread, I'd particularly like to draw your attention to side 1 track 9.

Something tells me that you're likely to act on this tip off.

 

[GusB]

Something tells me that you're likely to act on this tip off.

Even if I did, I'd have nothing to play it on! There hasn't been a record player around these parts for years!

I will bookmark that site, though. That should keep me out of trouble for a while.