Parallel running.

My early recollection of parallel running goes back to frequent runs I made in the 1950's from Chester to Shrewsbury. At 17.10 the LM Region Euston to Holyhead departed Chester alongside, and at the same time as, the Western Region Birkenhead to Paddington, both running on the 4 track section to Saltney Junction where a 40 mph speed restiction (frequently ignored) applied to the turnout for the Western train. This generally pitted a 'warm' Black 5 against a 'cold' County or Castle. The twisty exit from Chester ensured both trains gained on the other, and pride was clearly at stake here as both crews urged their charges forward. The considerable movement of the coach bogies as they negotiated the various crossings and points leaving the station has stood out in my memory - most passengers being quite oblvious to what was going on beneath them!

Happy memories.

 

Of course, the other great 'racing' stretch was Standish junction, south of Gloucester, where the crews of the Chalford Autos would take on Midland expresses. I love the tale that Midland firemen would ensure they were seen with their feet up reading a paper......

Foxy

 

Take your point which is sooooo enlightening and Helpful, or not.
( theyll be calling 'em steam trains, stopping at train stations next)

 

Be fair, he has a point. A light engine constitutes a train when it is on its journey.

 

Yes, I thought it was too: it answered your question. And your point is?

In fact, I wondered at the Black 'un doing 60 mph, but due to the limited braking force available with only two bogies. But yes, they still constitute a train!

 

Mmmmm..... in my limited experience on the mainline these moves have always been referred to as "engine & van", I suppose there are are far fewer truly 'light engine' moves these days. Does anyone know the official (NR) terms?

Foxy

 

Engine and POB run as Class 5s. Plenty of Class 0s run but not many steam movements are made on their own.

 

Not sure if this is universal, but the definitions used on the MHR (based on BR 1955 rule book, with revisions) are
Class 0: Light engine or engines coupled, or engine with not more than 2 brake vans.
Class 5: Empty coaching stock train (ECS)

I'm used to steam loco & POB moves being restricted to 45mph, because of insufficient brake force with just one carriage. Is there still a speed restriction with 2 coaches, and if so, what might it be? How many coaches are needed for no speed restriction to be applied?

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For completeness, these are the other classes used on the MHR. They may well be a bit out-of-date so far as the "big railway" is concerned. I don't know what Class 7 was...
Class 1: Breakdown van train or snow plough going to clear the line, or light engine going to assist disabled train; Express Passenger Train; Officers' special not requiring to stop in station.
Class 2: Ordinary passenger train; Breakdown van train or snow plough NOT going to clear the line.
Class 3: Van train or fully fitted freight.
Class 4: Freight train partly fitted but through piped.
Class 6: Engineers machine not working in section
Class 8: Freight train, partly fitted
Class 9: Unfitted freight train or works train not stopping in section; Officers' special, works train or Engineers machine requiring to stop in section.