AC electrics away from the wires

[Sunbird24]

Could it have been 56066?

Railgen archive suggests Friday 12th October would be your date ... 47279 is also listed as working on this date, 56066 also active:

http://railgenarchive.co.uk/sc/diary.php?yr=1984&mn=10&fl=AL

Mystery solved?

There is enough doubt that it could be 56066, I scanned from a print, if I can find the original negatives I might be certain one way or the other. There are several photos from that day on that Flicker page so I will see how the others tie in. Would the Clansman have had Mk 3 coaches?

 

[Cowley]

Nothing to add chaps except to say that this has been a very interesting thread

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Would the Clansman have had Mk 3 coaches?

I think the Clansman was always a Mk2 rake through to the very end?

 

[gg1]

I think the Clansman was always a Mk2 rake through to the very end?

It definitely ran with mk3 stock for a while. I remember seeing the service at New Street in my 'spotting days and thinking it odd a MK1 buffet was included in a train otherwise formed entirely of mk3s (and a few motorail GUVs). The Brum to Euston services had by this time all gone over to being formed of mk2E/Fs and a mk3 buffet. At a guess I'd say this was 1987 or 88.

 

[Marklund]

I think the Clansman was always a Mk2 rake through to the very end?

No, Mark 3 was used

Northbound Clansman by stephen, on Flickr



Up Clansman by spannerman37025, on Flickr

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Blimey - I wish it had on the occasions when I travelled on it!

 

[Marklund]

In fact, isn't that the service the 3 BFOs were intended, but never used, for?
Going well off topic now, sorry.

 

[Taunton]

I thought the 3 BFOs (last Mk 3 stock built?) were intended for the Manchester business peak services that replaced the 1966 Manchester Pullman stock (vacuum braked to the end).

Regarding locos away from the wires, a good proportion of the Class 86 were built at Doncaster, well away from any wires at the time, and I can recall one in what I presume was 1966 sat brand new in a bay road at York, presumable on a delivery run. Likewise, all the EMUs around Liverpool and Manchester at the time, 3rd rail and overhead, were overhauled at Horwich Works, well off any electric system, which towards its end became its principal activity. They all ended up with common standards of interior paint and upholstery. They were hauled to/fro by diesels.

 

[Mag_seven]

In fact, isn't that the service the 3 BFOs were intended, but never used, for?
Going well off topic now, sorry.

The 3 BFO's were built for the Glasgow portion of the Clansman than ran for about 1 year roundabout 1986. The train split at Carstairs with the BFO in the Glasgow portion. This arrangement did not last long however and the BFO's finally found themselves in standard WCML Mark 3 consists. All three are now with GWR for the Night Riviera service.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

I've seen a photo of a Mk3 DVT being hauled by a 47 north of Perth in the Clansman rake. Can't have happened many times but it happened.