Trivia: Longest trip that any loco or unit has every done.

[nlogax]

Euston - Ayr after the latter bit was electrified? Or was there usually a loco change at Glasgow to another AC?

I believe there was a loco change when the services reversed at GC.

 

[Tetchytyke]

142

Leeds - Huddersfield - Sheffield - Lincoln

Quite a trip. Although, Leeds - Carlisle is a fair trek too.

Back in Arriva Trains Northern days there was a regular Carlisle-Newcastle-Sunderland-Middlesbrough-York service, usually a 142. I'm struggling to think of many services that would be longer. Maybe Carlisle-Barrow-Lancaster

 

[Western Lord]

Here are a few suggestions that I think have not been mentioned yet.

Steam loco: A4s Kings Cross-Edinburgh on the Elizabethan.

In the summer of 1948 the Flying Scotsman was restored to a non stop run between London and Edinburgh and vice versa. In August severe storms swept away several bridges between Berwick and Dunbar and all Anglo-Scottish services were diverted to run via Kelso and Galashiels. Initially no thought was given to running non stop but on August 24th Driver Stevenson of Haymarket shed had a go at running non-stop and succeeded in covering the 90 miles from Waverley to Lucker troughs and the train ran on to London non-stop, a world record distance for a steam engine of 408 miles. This feat was subsequently repeated 17 times (8 down and 9 up).

 

[robert thomas]

Going back in time, one of the longest runs for a tank engine would have been the 91 miles from Birmingham New St to Bristol TM. A Fairburn tank did this run for a while and I remember seeing one at Temple Meads - it must have been 1958. A water stop at Worcester was scheduled in both directions. The central (Heart of) Wales line is over 100 miles but I'm not sure if tank locos worked right through.

Yes they did.

 

[Bikeman78]

Didn't 150s do some Holyhead - Scarboroughs when first introduced, 254 miles? Not quite Hamburg, but for anyone who ever did it throughout it must have felt like it! They also did the port-port Holyhead - Hull.

In recent months, they have done Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly several times. Around 280 miles. Same goes for class 153s.

 

[6Gman]

Here are a few suggestions that I think have not been mentioned yet.

Steam loco: A4s Kings Cross-Edinburgh on the Elizabethan.

I believe that the Up Royal Scot was worked through by a Polmadie 8P during the summer timetables of the mid-1950s, a few miles further.

So The Premier Line outshines the East Coast lot.

 

[Robert Ambler]

In the summer of 1948 the Flying Scotsman was restored to a non stop run between London and Edinburgh and vice versa. In August severe storms swept away several bridges between Berwick and Dunbar and all Anglo-Scottish services were diverted to run via Kelso and Galashiels. Initially no thought was given to running non stop but on August 24th Driver Stevenson of Haymarket shed had a go at running non-stop and succeeded in covering the 90 miles from Waverley to Lucker troughs and the train ran on to London non-stop, a world record distance for a steam engine of 408 miles. This feat was subsequently repeated 17 times (8 down and 9 up).

That is indeed generally accepted as the longest non stop runs in regular service. However during Flying Scotsman's visit to Australia in 1989 a run of just over 422 miles was achieved between Parkes and Broken Hill in New South Wales which I believe is accepted as the outright non stop record distance for a steam locomotive.

 

[Deepgreen]

4SUBs on summer Saturday Victoria to Brighton (timetabled) extras inthe 1950s and 60s. 4EPBs similarly, and on the returning Brighton cycle ride specials.

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Quite limited possibilities for such a small class anyway, but Class 707s are toilet-less standard class units intended for - and usually limited to - inner suburban routes in/out of London Waterloo. 707018+015 operated the 1735 Waterloo to Southampton Central in place of the usual 444 on 18/12/2019 though, very much out of their usual stomping ground. I seem to recall it was as a last minute thing as a result of disruption further down the line.

I think the 707s are 100mph units so presumably wasn't slow, assuming they were allowed to their maximum.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2023 ==

I believe that the Up Royal Scot was worked through by a Polmadie 8P during the summer timetables of the mid-1950s, a few miles further.

So The Premier Line outshines the East Coast lot.

I wonder if any A4s (or other pacifics) ever did the full Aberdeen to King's Cross run - never seen it stated but it may have happened, even though it would require adding coal as well as water...

 

[Snow1964]

There was a 150 a couple of years ago that stood in for a faulty IET between Exeter St Davids and Paddington but think it was capped at Reading.

When the 150s were first built, I am sure the ran some very long routes, almost from Welsh coast and East Coast to/from Birmingham. Some were 3-4 hour journeys

They lost these long routes when the 156s were introduced couple of years later.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Class 159 - Penzance to London Waterloo.

Waterloo - Weymouth would be the winner for multiple 3rd rail EMUs including 442s and 444s in regular service, with 450s, 411s, 421s and 423s visiting occasionally I think. A longer journey when diverted via Guildford and Havant.

I think I read once of a 142 deputising for a HST on a London service from Penzance via Bristol as far as Swindon. Sadly it was swapped there rather than allowed to clog up the fast lines into Paddington. Spoilsports if so, although I could be wrong about that.

142030 + 150127 on 22/08/2008.
The 142 worked from Paignton if I recall; not Penzance and the 150/1 was added at Bristol.

 

[Deepgreen]

I believe there was a loco change when the services reversed at GC.

Yes, with no run-round facilities at GC?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2023 ==

When the 150s were first built, I am sure the ran some very long routes, almost from Welsh coast and East Coast to/from Birmingham. Some were 3-4 hour journeys

They lost these long routes when the 156s were introduced couple of years later.

Talking of 156s, Glasgow QS to Mallaig is quite a trek.

 

[driver9000]

156502 went all the way to Utrecht under its own power (apart from crossing the English Channel) and 142049 made it to Canada albeit helped by a ship.

89001, a class 90 and a 150/2 went to Germany although they were hauled.

 

[Deepgreen]

156502 went all the way to Utrecht under its own power (apart from crossing the English Channel) and 142049 made it to Canada albeit helped by a ship.

89001, a class 90 and a 150/2 went to Germany although they were hauled.

In service?

 

[jfollows]

Yes, with no run-round facilities at GC?

It was before DVTs, so it was normal practice to put a locomotive on the front of the set for its return working at terminal stations anyway.
See #2,412 for an example: (Monday 16th. December 1986)

87 016 Kilwinning-Glasgow Central
87 029 Glasgow Central-Euston

 

[Deepgreen]

In the summer of 1948 the Flying Scotsman was restored to a non stop run between London and Edinburgh and vice versa. In August severe storms swept away several bridges between Berwick and Dunbar and all Anglo-Scottish services were diverted to run via Kelso and Galashiels. Initially no thought was given to running non stop but on August 24th Driver Stevenson of Haymarket shed had a go at running non-stop and succeeded in covering the 90 miles from Waverley to Lucker troughs and the train ran on to London non-stop, a world record distance for a steam engine of 408 miles. This feat was subsequently repeated 17 times (8 down and 9 up).

"Well, it's all downhill from Scotland i'n't' it?" - misquoting Perks!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2023 ==

It was before DVTs, so it was normal practice to put a locomotive on the front of the set for its return working at terminal stations anyway.
See #2,412 for an example: (Monday 16th. December 1986)

Exactly my point.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Back in the 1980s, I believe some of the Tyseley based suburban DMUs got to exotic locations like Skegness.

More likely Norwich, whiuch is even further. I saw them at Ely once or twice

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2023 ==

I recall doing an overnight service from Glasgow Central to Bristol. not sure whether traction changed on the way or not though.

Found some interesting information on this site: http://www.1s76.com/

Probably, as there would have been a traction change and a reversal at Birmingham

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2023 ==

Euston - Ayr after the latter bit was electrified? Or was there usually a loco change at Glasgow to another AC?

I think a reversal would have been necessary at Glasgow, so unless it was a push-pull formation a loco change would be neccessary

 

[Harvester]

I believe that the Up Royal Scot was worked through by a Polmadie 8P during the summer timetables of the mid-1950s, a few miles further.

When introduced in 1957, the up and down Caledonian was worked for a number of years in each direction between Glasgow Central and Euston, by Polmadie and Camden Pacifics. The only booked stop was at Carlisle for a crew change.

 

[Class15]

There's a freight service Felixstowe to Coatbridge via London. 16 hour journey for longest time maybe?

Sometimes 90s get used all the way from Ipswich to Coatbridge on this train - I think that’s 12 hours?

On no occasion has one loco worked all the way on this train though, there’s always a loco switch at either Ipswich or Basford Hall depending on loco positioning.

Longest journey time freight I believe is 6X77 Dagenham to Mossend, which, due to lengthy pathing stops at Wembley and Arpley, takes approximately 17 hours (one 66 operates it all the way)

 

[Peter0124]

Sometimes 90s get used all the way from Ipswich to Coatbridge on this train - I think that’s 12 hours?

On no occasion has one loco worked all the way on this train though, there’s always a loco switch at either Ipswich or Basford Hall depending on loco positioning.

Longest journey time freight I believe is 6X77 Dagenham to Mossend, which, due to lengthy pathing stops at Wembley and Arpley, takes approximately 17 hours (one 66 operates it all the way)

There's also a 4L10 Coatbridge to Tilbury DRS service run throughout by an 88. Takes about 12 hours.

 

[Class15]

There's also a 4L10 Coatbridge to Tilbury DRS service run throughout by an 88. Takes about 12 hours.

Oh yeah forgot about that one

 

[Bevan Price]

Didn't 150s do some Holyhead - Scarboroughs when first introduced, 254 miles? Not quite Hamburg, but for anyone who ever did it throughout it must have felt like it! They also did the port-port Holyhead - Hull.

And at least one 142 did Hull- Holyhead.

 

[Merseyrailfan]

And at least one 142 did Hull- Holyhead.

That must be one hell of ride. Was it like a fast service?

 

[Mat17]

Class 309s briefly worked between London Euston and Manchester Airport, I believe.

 

[Undaunted]

Just a minor point on the SWT service to Penzance - this was diagrammed for a class 158 rather than a 159 because GW crews took it into Cornwall (no SWT depot had relevant route knowledge). I believe Salisbury drivers signed Paignton, and I imagine they probably signed Plymouth too, but not 100% on that. This would have allowed use of 159s on those two services.

 

[JD2168]

Class 142s used to run the service around peak times from Lincoln to Hull via Sheffield all stops.

 

[Bikeman78]

4SUBs on summer Saturday Victoria to Brighton (timetabled) extras inthe 1950s and 60s. 4EPBs similarly, and on the returning Brighton cycle ride specials.

EPBs ran from Charing Cross to Ramsgate via Dartford during the summer.

 

[Taunton]

When there was a significant snowfall blockage in Kent in the 1990s the Beilhack rotary snowplough was brought down as a rush job from Inverness to Ashford. I think it could only do 40 mph but Control gave it every priority all along.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2023 ==

Going back in time, one of the longest runs for a tank engine would have been the 91 miles from Birmingham New St to Bristol TM. A Fairburn tank did this run for a while and I remember seeing one at Temple Meads - it must have been 1958. A water stop at Worcester was scheduled in both directions. The central (Heart of) Wales line is over 100 miles but I'm not sure if tank locos worked right through.

They certainly did, Swansea to Shrewsbury, and it was Fowler 2-6-4T tanks again that did it. Obviously plenty of scope for water along the way, and crews changed part way, but coal must have been an issue.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

That must be one hell of ride. Was it like a fast service?

It would have been working in lieu of a 150/156/158 or loco-hauled set (depending on when it was). So yes, a fast Trans-Pennine service.

 

[D6130]

I believe Salisbury drivers signed Paignton, and I imagine they probably signed Plymouth too, but not 100% on that. This would have allowed use of 159s on those two services.

That is correct....but, sadly, no longer!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Feb 2023 ==

158s - Penzance - Manchester Piccadilly, Rochdale - Euston

For a few years in the early 2000s 158s did Leeds-Glasgow and return each weekday - 215 miles each way.

 

[Harvester]

They certainly did, Swansea to Shrewsbury, and it was Fowler 2-6-4T tanks again that did it. Obviously plenty of scope for water along the way, and crews changed part way, but coal must have been an issue.

Worth a mention is the surprising run of over 200 miles from Plymouth to Didcot on Saturday 2/12/1967 by preserved 0-4-2T 1466, coupled inside Hall 6998, on a GWS stock working. Both engines were in steam, and ran via Taunton, the Berks and Hants line and the Reading West curve, with water stops at Totnes, Exeter SD and I think Westbury. The 0-4-2’s bunker must have been quite low on coal on arrival at Didcot Railway Centre, or maybe the the Hall did most of the work!