Both Northern and TPE are (hopefully) near the end of a programme of driver training on new and unfamiliar trains (e.g. 170s). Anyone know what level of training was given to drivers in steam days on new/unfamiliar types of loco, bearing in mind the huge variety of classes in service, even in the 1960s. What's written below refers to 1961.
"A relief train from Gloucester arrived (at Swindon) behind one of the brand new Hymeks, which then, surprisingly, was taken off, to be replaced by Old Oak Common’s no. 4708. Talking at Paddington with the Swindon driver after the run, I discovered that he didn’t normally work passenger trains to London, nor had he driven a 47xx before - so he was unsure of the schedule, and even less aware of the speed limit of his locomotive." No. 4708 was worked up to 80 mph. Officially these 2-8-0s were restricted to 60.
There's no way anything like this could be allowed to happen today. When did everything change?
"A relief train from Gloucester arrived (at Swindon) behind one of the brand new Hymeks, which then, surprisingly, was taken off, to be replaced by Old Oak Common’s no. 4708. Talking at Paddington with the Swindon driver after the run, I discovered that he didn’t normally work passenger trains to London, nor had he driven a 47xx before - so he was unsure of the schedule, and even less aware of the speed limit of his locomotive." No. 4708 was worked up to 80 mph. Officially these 2-8-0s were restricted to 60.
There's no way anything like this could be allowed to happen today. When did everything change?