Greg Wetzel
Member
I've been thinking about push-pull trains, and it occurred to me how I only know of tank engines being used for this work. Which got me thinking; were tender engines used for push-pull trains too?
I believe in Germany the DB 2-6-2 class 23 tender loco's worked Push-Pull trains.Not in the UK that I can think of, but they did abroad. France certainly did, and I think Germany, Poland, Czechia, Hungary and Russia may have.
Having checked, yes - they were exactly the class I was thinking of for GermanI believe in Germany the DB 2-6-2 class 23 tender loco's worked Push-Pull trains.
And the P8/38 4-6-0 that preceded it, I think?I believe in Germany the DB 2-6-2 class 23 tender loco's worked Push-Pull trains.
Problem with a tender would be the extra complication of the remote control linkages
Many Continental steam locos had electric lighting so must have had a fairly powerful generator, whereas British ones generally didn't. If they also used an electrical push-pull system, then this would have worked regardless of train length.Makes sense that a tender engine wouldn't be used. I'm guessing it must have been hard work depending on the push-pull system used in those countries that used tender locos for the task.
Believe so, using SECR H Class until dieselised in 1958.Can anyone confirm that the Crowhurst-Bexhill West branch was push-pull?
Can anyone confirm that the Crowhurst-Bexhill West branch was push-pull?
I seem to remember that they used the bay platform at Crowhurst. If that's the case, the loco would not have been able to run round.
Although it mainly used tank engines, I remember that on at least one occasion towards the end of steam they used a Q1 (and allowed me on the footplate at Bexhill).
Would that have been an instance of a tender loco working push-pull?
Each railway did their own thing. I think the LSWR also had a taut wires system that went over the carriage roof. The GWR had a mechanical system with a rotating rod and universal joints under the centreline of loco and carriages. Some systems allowed the remote driver to sound the whistle, but the GWR had a large gong on the front of the trailer.They weren't all mechanical - the LMS system was vacuum controlled ( one hopes the pipes were physically incompatible with the brake pipes! ) and one of the SR constituents had an air system.
There are some interesting photos of Bexhill West trains at http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/bexhill_west/index.shtml and also at http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/c/crowhurst/index.shtml - the latter station is still open but was included for completeness.Can anyone confirm that the Crowhurst-Bexhill West branch was push-pull?
I seem to remember that they used the bay platform at Crowhurst. If that's the case, the loco would not have been able to run round.
Although it mainly used tank engines, I remember that on at least one occasion towards the end of steam they used a Q1 (and allowed me on the footplate at Bexhill).
Would that have been an instance of a tender loco working push-pull?
The Up bay had a loop (see the photos linked by John Webb) so running round was possible but the SR used push-pull wherever it could and Bexhill W was no exception.Can anyone confirm that the Crowhurst-Bexhill West branch was push-pull?
I seem to remember that they used the bay platform at Crowhurst. If that's the case, the loco would not have been able to run round.
No, even if it was hauling a PP set, as it wasn't PP equipped.Although it mainly used tank engines, I remember that on at least one occasion towards the end of steam they used a Q1 (and allowed me on the footplate at Bexhill).
Would that have been an instance of a tender loco working push-pull?
Thanks for the replies. I conclude that the instance to which I was referring (with the Q1) was not operating push-pull and that it must have used the up/down lines at Crowhust.
You don't have to run round in the platform anyway - it wasn't uncommon to propel a train out of the platform to run round & then propel it back in again.
I think Irascible was making a general point?All the track and signalling diagrams that I have seen mean that the only alternative to running round in the Up Bay would involve using the through roads and getting in the way of main line trains. Better to get it done in the Up Bay and then do a quick shunt across to the Down Bay.
And indeed essential at the two I mentioned. I am sure there are other examples.Yes, I should have been more clear I wasn't specifically referring to that site. Also I suppose "not uncommon" was overstating things a bit, but it was definitely an accepted practice.
Believe a number of German steam locos were fitted with the KWS system, which many electric and diesel locos used.Many Continental steam locos had electric lighting so must have had a fairly powerful generator, whereas British ones generally didn't. If they also used an electrical push-pull system, then this would have worked regardless of train length.
Rather more modern, but the NYMR used to propel out of Whitby to run round until they got their extra platform with it's own loop.And indeed essential at the two I mentioned. I am sure there are other examples.