Trivia: Most varied formation

[liamf656]

I’m wondering what the most varied formation is, both loco or multiple units (MUs).

In terms of MUs I wouldn’t imagine there to be many as most of them are restricted (except 142/3/4, 150/3/5/6/8/9, 170 which are all compatible)

However I’d think locos would be more flexible in terms of multiple working. I’ve seen a photo on Flickr of (front to back), a 66, 68, 37, 66, 66. Can anyone think of a lash up that can beat this?

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Not unless the freight Eurotunnel trains have France and England compatible couplers.

 

[GW43125]

It wasn't uncommon to see three types of sprinters and/or pacers in some of the lashups Neville Hill used to throw out.
At one point there was a 165+168+172 ECS from Marylebone back to Wembley too.

 

[150249]

I'm not sure if these are exciting enough but....
I have seen 166204 + 158959 + (yours truly) 150249 + 150244 on ecs at Exeter St David's.
I have seen a picture on Flickr of 150001 + 150249 + 150207 + 143611 on an ecs from Plymouth to Bristol temple meads.
FGW had a longer train from Paignton to Exeter St David's where some coaches would split and go to Exmouth at around 1700. I once saw it formed as 158798 + 150246 + 143617 + 153377.

 

[JonathanH]

I have seen 166204 + 158959 + (yours truly) 150249 + 150244 on ecs at Exeter St David's.

Are you sure 166204 was coupled to the other units? While a mechanical coupling may well be possible, electrical coupling wasn't.

 

[150249]

Are you sure 166204 was coupled to the other units? While a mechanical coupling may well be possible, electrical coupling wasn't.

I did think I saw it as coupled but I have seen things that turned out to be false in the past.

 

[JonathanH]

I did think I saw it as coupled but I have seen things that turned out to be false in the past.

Interestingly there is a RTT allocation of 158958 and 166215 out of Exeter TMD this morning.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L89413/2021-12-22/detailed#allox_id=0

 

[Peter0124]

318 + 314 + 320 running ECS (was a one-off)

 

[Ken H]

Going back a bit used to see odd lash ups of modernisation plan DMU's. Most were blue square coupling code. Even used to see units formed of different classes. I remember a 124 trans-pennine unit with another class of DMU driving vehicle replacing one of the driving vehicles on the 124
And in the last days of DMU operation of Brum cross city line it was a case of anything goes. Often a bubble car replacing a driving motor in a set. I think Tyseley were really struggling to keep the service going.

 

[DanNCL]

Some interesting combinations must have been possible with Southern Region slam door EMUs. 12 car formations consisting of 4CIG+4VEP+4CEP? Or (less likely) an 11 car formation consisting of 4CEP+4VEP+2HAP+MLV? Don’t know if either actually happened, and if they did happen if they were commonplace or not, just occurred to me that they would have been possible.

 

[JamesC357]

Pretty sure I’ve seen a video of a London Midland 150,153,170 and possibly a 172 all coupled together passing through Birmingham New Street at some point

 

[Cowley]

I’ve seen plenty of multiple loco class convoys over the years, including this one - 2 class 20s, a 45, a 47 and a 33:

 

[themiller]

Some years ago I alighted from a Carlisle to Barrow service which was formed of a 156 and a 153 with a 142 leading locked out of service. The cons it was too long for the platform at Silecroft so the 142 stopped across the level crossing and passengers on the last vehicle had to get out onto the grass on the non-maintained end of the platform.

 

[01d-and]

A 37 and a 25 paired up , as Lickey bankers . . . .

 

[Parallel]

GWR Weymouth services in summer used to turn up random pairings at times, I recall a 2 car 158, a 150/2 and a 153 all coupled together on it once.

 

[O L Leigh]

Pretty sure I’ve seen a video of a London Midland 150,153,170 and possibly a 172 all coupled together passing through Birmingham New Street at some point

Was about to mention that one myself. It used to be a regular evening ECS move off the "dark side" to Tyseley and could be up to five units of all four DMU classes lashed together.

I do recall seeing a news piece in a magazine about the reopening of the Robin Hood Line which saw a train comprising all the stock that would be likely to see use along that section. I don't recall the exact consist, but I do recall that it contained both a Cl158 and a Cl141 along with maybe one or two other Sprinter classes.

 

[delt1c]

I’ve seen plenty of multiple loco class convoys over the years, including this one - 2 class 20s, a 45, a 47 and a 33:

Not multiple but dragged ,

 

[Non Multi]

The MML DATS electrification test train formations earlier this year had a motley collection of traction and various stored mk3s, including a driving van trailer.
Top 'n' tail 43+91s or a 47, sometimes with a 90 in the middle of the formation.

 

[ValleyLines142]

TfW had the odd 142+150+158 combos before the Pacers were withdrawn.

 

[Cowley]

Not multiple but dragged ,

True.

 

[Mag_seven]

Class 86s and class 87s worked in multiple over Shap and Beattock banks in the 70s / 80s. More recently there has been the odd Class 86 / Class 90 combo, but the most unusual that I have seen was a few years back when 92010 worked in multiple with 87002.

Photo by "alasdair37114" on Flickr

87002 & 92010 6S51 Carlisle - Mossend 02-01-2014

Explore alasdair37114's 13657 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[Cowley]

Class 86s and class 87s worked in multiple over Shap and Beattock banks in the 70s / 80s. More recently there has been the odd Class 86 / Class 90 combo, but the most unusual that I have seen was a few years back when 92010 worked in multiple with 87002.

Photo by "alasdair37114" on Flickr

87002 & 92010 6S51 Carlisle - Mossend 02-01-2014

Explore alasdair37114's 13657 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

That’s quite something Mr Seven.

 

[boiledbeans2]

Until quite recently, SWR had regular services of Class 456 + 455/8 + 455/7, which also included a Class 508 trailer in the mix.

 

[sd0733]

TfW had the odd 142+150+158 combos before the Pacers were withdrawn.

There are still a mix of 3 classes fairly regularly with 150+153+158 formations. The 21:55 Cardiff to Crewe and 23:09 Shrewsbury to Cardiff regularly throw up all sorts of odd combinations.

 

[pompeyfan]

I remember a 442 being dragged by an 8 car slammer (cig and BEP)

 

[xotGD]

Random double-headings I've had on passenger trains:

20 + 47
40 + 47
25 + 40

Also worth a mention:

37 + 45 (failed) + 47 (failed)

You get some silly lash-ups on heritage lines. Here's an example:

 

[ValleyLines142]

There are still a mix of 3 classes fairly regularly with 150+153+158 formations. The 21:55 Cardiff to Crewe and 23:09 Shrewsbury to Cardiff regularly throw up all sorts of odd combinations.

Indeed. And obviously as TfW allocations are on Real Time Trains you can see them often now.

 

[Western 52]

In the 1980s just before the 150s arrived at Cardiff, there was quite a mixture of first generation DMU formations in use. There were even some vehicles previously unknown in the area, such as a couple of class 110 Calder Valley trailer cars.

 

[PHILIPE]

There are still a mix of 3 classes fairly regularly with 150+153+158 formations. The 21:55 Cardiff to Crewe and 23:09 Shrewsbury to Cardiff regularly throw up all sorts of odd combinations.

Its the only suitable service to balanace up between the North and the South.

TfW had the odd 142+150+158 combos before the Pacers were withdrawn.

And 143s which worked identically to 142s.

 

[randyrippley]

back in the early days of Virgin on the WCML..............weekend upgrade work blockade, first train north out of Lancaster on Sunday afternoon

All mk3 set, reversed after running via the S&C, headed by: 20,20,47(dead),90(dead),DVT
Must have been fun getting the platform placing right