Oddest Coupled Trains you have seen

[TheJRB]

I've been on a 455 pulled by two Turbostars - twice. I'm not sure how that worked, but it did, and it's a relatively common occurrence in the Southern-served area.

When did that happen? A very interesting combination. Assuming Southern being the TOC (not SWT), 171s have Dellners and 455s have Tightlock couplers.

 

[DXMachina]

'Sarah Siddons' + 4TC + Cl.20 looked odd when i saw it on the Met a few years back. and i know it was deliberate..

 

[Lrd]

When did that happen? A very interesting combination. Assuming Southern being the TOC (not SWT), 171s have Dellners and 455s have Tightlock couplers.

They also have emergency couplers to couple to another class.

 

[rf_ioliver]

I guess in light of some observations here not so unique but at Cardiff years ago saw a 142 coupled to *half* at 158 and a 150...

Ian

 

[Trog]

I have seen an 08 sandwiched between the Royal Train and three dogfish hoppers.


"Let me know when you have dropped the ballast, I will be in the mess van having a cup of tea and a sandwich with HM."

 

[Statto]

I saw northern do a 142 with a 158. But that may be common!

I've seen a few 142s coupled to 150s & 156s quite often on Northern Rail.

 

[tsr]

When did that happen? A very interesting combination. Assuming Southern being the TOC (not SWT), 171s have Dellners and 455s have Tightlock couplers.

Both occasions I used such trains coincided with events of major disruption (I can't remember which particular disruptions). For some reason Southern appeared to have decided that they would run a hotchpotch of various class into Victoria to get everyone out of East Croydon.

That's not to mention the times I've managed to pick up an 8 coach train comprised of 4x2-coach 171s.

 

[andykn]

NXEA used two 47s each end of a driving van trailer with two Mk3 coaches for Norwich to Yarmouth services.

A bizarre artefact of our modern railway (lack of) organisation.

 

[trentside]

I've had a 2-car 158 coupled to a 3-car 144 on a Leeds to Sheffield via Bolton-on-Dearne. For some reason I will never understand, I boarded the 144 and stuck with it all the way to Sheffield.

I always think that a 170+153 combination looks strange, and the 172+153 also looks odd. I think it's how dated the 153 bodywork looks, with its rivets, compared to the smooth sides of the 170s and 172s.

 

[sutty]

I saw a Chiltern 168 coupled to a Chiltern 172 this morning - at Birmingham Moor Street.

Only odd in the fact I've never seen a chiltern 172 in B'ham.

 

[Skimble19]

I saw a Chiltern 168 coupled to a Chiltern 172 this morning - at Birmingham Moor Street.

Only odd in the fact I've never seen a chiltern 172 in B'ham.

I didn't think 172s were supposed to go that far out?

 

[O L Leigh]

Both occasions I used such trains coincided with events of major disruption (I can't remember which particular disruptions). For some reason Southern appeared to have decided that they would run a hotchpotch of various class into Victoria to get everyone out of East Croydon.

Oh no, we're back to coupling compatibility.

I hate to suggest that someone has imagined something, but there's just no chance that would have happened. The only way is if the Cl455 had "sat down" and as an absolute last resort because there was nothing else around that could have shifted it. Coupler adapters aside, there is no brake continuity, so it's tip all the punters out at the first opportunity and 5mph max speed.

O L Leigh

 

[tsr]

Oh no, we're back to coupling compatibility.

I hate to suggest that someone has imagined something, but there's just no chance that would have happened. The only way is if the Cl455 had "sat down" and as an absolute last resort because there was nothing else around that could have shifted it. Coupler adapters aside, there is no brake continuity, so it's tip all the punters out at the first opportunity and 5mph max speed.

O L Leigh

Well, I can assure you it did happen, and whilst we were going very slowly, it was at considerably more than 5 miles per hour.

As I say, though, this was at a point of major disruption at East Croydon. The point appeared to be that the overcrowding was getting very bad and there was congestion and stock was out of place everywhere. And thus those trains ran coupled up.

 

[O L Leigh]

You can assure me all you like, but I'm very very far from convinced. There are just so many issues that are clearly wrong.

Sorry, but that's just how it is.

O L Leigh

 

[tsr]

You can assure me all you like, but I'm very very far from convinced. There are just so many issues that are clearly wrong.

Sorry, but that's just how it is.

O L Leigh

No problem. If it happens again, I'll be sure to take any photos I can.

I understand it is unusual, but remember the title of this thread!

 

[O L Leigh]

I await that with great anticipation.

If you'd said you'd seen this formation because one or other train had failed I would have believed it. But to suggest that they simply ran coupled up in service makes me question your account. But even at a location like East Croydon I'm sure they would have simply waited for another compatible unit to deal with any failure rather than attempt to hook up a totally incompatible train. Likewise, these units would not have been combined simply to move passengers. As I said above, this sort of move is an absolute last resort.

O L Leigh

 

[sutty]

I didn't think 172s were supposed to go that far out?

Me either. I thought I was a bit skinny for a 168. I managed to get a little video on my phone as it was pulling out. If I remember when I'm home I'll attempt to upload it

 

[Polarbear]

I was on a 108 (Derby Lightweight) unit from Manchester one day which failed at Northwich. In those days. there was still a depot at Northwich so cue class 40 dropped onto the front & superpower back to Chester!

Two odd couplings that were attempted but didn't happen were;

• At Derby one day when an attempt was made to couple a 150 to a 120. It was funny watching this as it took the shunter a while to figure it wasn't going to happen.
• An 87 being rostered for the erstwhile Manchester Pullman at Piccadilly. 87 air braked only, Pullman set vacuum braked only = no way!

 

[simonm]

The Sunday 9:30 from Exeter St D to Bristol and on to Avonmouth used to be made up of three units and it was once a 143, 150 and 153. All were in use. I guess they uncoupled two units at Temple Meads.

 

[shedman]

HST power car+barrier+TEA tanks

 

[Joseph_Locke]

DVT training on the West coast, late 80s - DVT + TSO + 87 + TSO +DVT. And of course the unforgettable 87 + short rake of HST Mark 3s + class 43 - that shifted!

On a sad techie note, how about Class 08 + Bletchley South Junction (complete with platform announcement "the junction now arriving")?

 

[Hydro]

MPV + Mk1BG + Mk2F + Mk2F + MPV is a train I work fairly often.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

ATW frequently run slightly unusual pairings on Sundays, such as a 150 with two 153s (sometimes in that order, once it was 153-150-153) as well as more obvious couplings such as 150 & 158 etc.

 

[gary47]

A few years ago in Stafford there was a virgin loco hauled train,being towed by a first great western electric engine

 

[CC 72100]

A few years ago in Stafford there was a virgin loco hauled train,being towed by a first great western electric engine

Uh... Not believing this one - there is a pretty big problem with your post.

First Great Western have never had electric engines. They have a small fleet of 57s, and up until 2001/2002 (not 100% sure when) 6 or 7 47s. But never an electric engine.

 

[Oswyntail]

Uh... Not believing this one - there is a pretty big problem with your post.

First Great Western have never had electric engines. They have a small fleet of 57s, and up until 2001/2002 (not 100% sure when) 6 or 7 47s. But never an electric engine.

It'll be a Scotrail 90

 

[CC 72100]

It'll be a Scotrail 90

Ah good shout. I suppose they had quite similar liveries at one point. I knew something didn't add up if it was FGW.

 

[Eagle]

It'll be a Scotrail 90

No such thing :P

It'll be a DBS 90 in First ScotRail livery. One of 019, 021 or 024.

FGW have never had any electric vehicles (not counting Heathrow Connect). In fact, until the 180s come back into service they're one of only two TOCs with an entirely pre-privatization fleet.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

A few years ago in Stafford there was a virgin loco hauled train,being towed by a first great western electric engine

That would be the "Pretendolino", back in its early days when Virgin hired it off DBS. Nowadays it comes from Freightliner.

 

[dvboy]

170+153 regular on BHM-SHR now too.

 

[sprinterguy]

That would be the "Pretendolino", back in its early days when Virgin hired it off DBS. Nowadays it comes from Freightliner.

To continue on from your point of pedantry regarding class 90s , the Pretendolino is the title bestowed to the coaching stock that forms Virgins' loco hauled set, which is, and always has been, leased from Porterbrook. It is only the source of the locomotives that haul the rake that has changed.