5 x 66's

[philjo]

Just seen 5 x DBS 66 locos coupled together going northbound through Letchworth.
Are they going to March?
Also presumably the front loco would be hauling the other 4?

Not seen 5 locos travelling together before - occasionally get 3 or sometimes 4.

 

[ryan125hst]

I can't speak for that exact working, but a few months ago while waiting for a 70013 Oliver Cromwell at Retford, 4 or 5 (can't remember the exact number) of class 66's stopped in platform one briefly to allow an East Coast service to pass.

The strange thing was that all of the engines seemed to be running, although I think only the front loco was actually powering and the other locos were idling.

Were the other engines running? Does anyone know why they are sometimes left to idle?

 

[heart-of-wessex]

They were more likely going to November

Seriously though, there are a few light engine moves today I see but none obvious from the south that I can see unless I'm missing something.

5 is quite low, we've had 8 through Trowbridge on a Margam - Eastleigh move

 

[GB]

Does anyone know why they are sometimes left to idle?

To make them ready for their next working.

A "by the book" class 66 prep is 20 minutes. Saves a lot of time and hassle to have to locos already ready before they get to their destination.

 

[ryan125hst]

To make them ready for their next working.

A "by the book" class 66 prep is 20 minutes. Saves a lot of time and hassle to have to locos already ready before they get to their destination.

It is bit of a waste of diesel though. Presumably they were going from Doncaster to Peterborough or further. You're looking at between two and three hours of idling times by four engines.

What does the preparation involve?

 

[33056]

Just seen 5 x DBS 66 locos coupled together going northbound through Letchworth.
Are they going to March?
Also presumably the front loco would be hauling the other 4?

Not seen 5 locos travelling together before - occasionally get 3 or sometimes 4.

0L11 12:58 Wembley to Whitemoor running early, fairly regular runner on a Saturday though numbers on it can vary or it may not run at all; depends on engineering train requirements. Runs as 0X11 if more than 5 locos on it.