Auto-working fitted loco currently in ticket.

1450, 5521, 5542, 6435.

Are there any more?

 

6430 in ticket but due out later this year?

 

I didn't think 5521 was auto-fitted? I've never seen it working auto-trains anywhere

 

I believe 6430 is to have a quick overhaul.

Huw shipton is the gent that owns 6430 also owns 5539, and his plan is to auto fit that when it is ready.

 

Looking on google, 5521 has worked with one at Didcot and there are images of it in the countryside working somewhere. There is a mention of it working at the West Somerset although I can not find confirmation of this.

 

5526 is autotrain fitted.. it was running at the SSS gala a few years back.. though I dont know if it's still in ticket.

 

Be good to re fit 30053 with the push pull gear, do you reckon there would be much support (financial) to help Drummond Locomotives do this?

 

Would be nice to see a M7 on a push pull set, however I read Auto Train as the GWR variant of push pull systems so not sure it counts.

Pretty sure 5526 is auto fitted but it is indeed out of traffic now, same as 1420 and 1466.

 

and 5572

 

Entirely different technology: the GWR system uses a mechanical linkage to operate the regulator remotely. The Southern system uses compressed air. Incidentally, the Southern normally called their trains "motor trains" or sometimes "pull and push". So if you want to see the M7 running as a motor train, you first have to restore a couple of coaches - you can't use GW autocoaches.

Was reading a book of footplate reminiscences the other day of a Western Division BR(S) fireman used to working on M7 motor trains. In the mid sixties when the lines west of Salisbury were transferred to the Western region, the motor trains were replaced with GW autotrains, which to Southern men seemed unbelievably crude. The linkage was generally either so stiff or so sloppy that the normal (though decidedly unofficial) practice was to leave the regulator linkage unconnected, so that when the autocoach was leading, the driver had the brake, but the fireman operated both reverser and regulator. Which was fine unless the fireman was distracted by his firing duties when running into a station and forgot to shut off, which would prompt a hefty brake application and a sharp word in the evening from the driver...

Tom

 

I've read a similar story, probably in 'Yesterday Once More' about the linkages being left off on Brighton Motor Trains on the Brighton-Worthing line. Think there was an occasion where the fireman fell off the loco and was killed-luckily the linkage was all connected, but shows how dangerous it could have been! IIRC there was a mad rush to reconnect the pins if they pulled into a station with an inspector nearby...

 

Auto-fitted, but very much out of ticket.

 

Well aware of the technology. The SR system was fitted in the 1930s and is air system.

The question wasn't about that, the question was, with the Swanage Railway about to put forward major plans to restore a push pull set, do you think there would be support for the refit to make it an authentic operation.
It is arguably much more interesting than the GWR version

 

I would have thought that if you are going to go to the length of restoring two coaches, you'd only do so if you were also seriously considering restoring the motor gear to a suitable engine.

Incidentally, H class 263 on the Bluebell is another potential loco to reinstate motor gear on. And how about a Terrier and these coaches (not my photo) for an alternative take: :smile:

Untitled | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Tom

 

Add the steam railmotor to the list.

 

It would be lovely to see 30053 on a Maunsell PP set, and a Terrier on the LCDR IoW 4 wheelers. I wonder if there are any relevant LNE and LMS stuff out there? I seem to remember the NER Petrol Car team are planning on restoring an affiliated Clerestory to work PP with it - perhaps that could also go with the G5 when it's done?

 

Railmotor BCDR no72 is nearing completion at the DCDR. It has been fitted for autotrain working (similar mechanical setup to the GWR)


Keith

 

There is a Gresley BT (now at Bere Ferrers, I believe) which was originally a PP Driving Trailer. When I last saw it, at Norwich c1990, it was a S&T mess & tool van but retained the large window frames in the "driving" end and the word "DRIVER" was visible where the paint had peeled off the former guard's door. Would go nicely with the G5 or F5, but you might have to wait a while!

 

Is there a full set of drawings for the loco and carriage equipment out there somewhere?

 

This was common practice in South Wales. It was always amusing to watch the driver of a Cardiff - Pontypridd via St Fagans train making a great show of 'operating the regulator' until out of sight of 'higher authority' at Cardiff West and Canton. He would then resume his normal routine and let the fireman get on with it. On one memorable occasion a Std Class 3 tank was seen working a Barry - Pontypridd via Wenvoe propelling a pair of Auto coaches. The Class 3s were not, of course, Auto fitted.