Interesting for the longer propelling movements from Smithy Lye into Central (loco leading out of Salkeld St then reverse), the BG for the Bristol the Guard could ride in and have a half a coach length better observation of the route ahead (through an open window) than the driver to use the brake valve in an emergency but the two GUVs for Nottingham had no such benefit, the driver being two GUV lengths away from the route ahead. Such moves would be unthinkable in todays culture.
Presumably there was a Sectional Appendix entry authorising such moves back then and probably with a maximum length stipulated.
Another regular propelling move in Central station throat was when a portioned working had a long turnround the train loco would propel the set to Bridge St loops, run round and in due course propel the set back into the station. These 'half' sets (six or seven vehicles) normally only had one brake vehicle, sometimes on one end or sometimes in the middle. Such sets on shorter turnrounds re-engined in the platform.
I recall hearing a claim Central ECS moves from/to Larkfield CS used to sometimes propel but am unable to vouch for this although perhaps someone else can.
Sounds like long-ish propelling movements were something of a local speciality around Glasgow Central.
In an account
* of the track rationalisation and commissioning of the new 1961 Glasgow Central PSB ahead of Cathcart Circle electrification, O.S. Nock mentioned that in steam days (presumably with less frequent and non-clockface timetable), standard practice with each arrival from Gourock and Wemyss Bay was for the whole empty train to be propelled by its loco between Central and carriage sidings such as Smithy Lye for servicing between trips.
Nock describes these movements as "smartly run", which some might translate as "gung-ho" - especially in smoky, foggy/rainy, goes-dark-at-3pm Glasgow winter weather.
Maybe the tendency for routine propelling moves through busy areas into the Electric Scot era (which might possibly have raised eyebrows elsewhere on the network) was a carry-over from long-standing custom & practice around Glasgow Central ("Och, we've always done it like that around here!")
* in the book Electric Euston to Glasgow, p.147
