Historical Boat trains

[Taunton]

I do remember there were many boat trains still in summer 1987. I spent one day at Tonbridge in August 1987 and was surprised to see just how many boat trains there were. P

The boat trains were notably unbalanced and there was thus a lot of return ecs running to keep the stock where needed. This, along with notable seasonality, had a particular impact on the efficiency of the buffet crews, and I read was the reason why Ramsgate and Stewarts Lane bases were so unprofitable that the buffets were fully withdrawn from the SE division well before the rest of the Southern.

 

[Harpo]

Fascinating. Where did the Compton start? Not in Liverpool presumably?

Mitre Bridge was the usual spot for WCML/SR loco swaps.

 

[WesternLancer]

Mitre Bridge was the usual spot for WCML/SR loco swaps.

Thanks

 

[D6130]

Mitre Bridge was the usual spot for WCML/SR loco swaps.

Yes....Mitre Bridge Junction Southbound and Willesden West London Junction Northbound. The two junctions are not much more than a train length apart anyway.

 

[75A]

I would guess it came down electrically to somewhere like Willesden or Wembley where it swapped to a Crompton (think it was a Norwood Crew) that we changed with at Clapham Junction.

 

[The exile]

Mitre Bridge was the usual spot for WCML/SR loco swaps.

Presumably the last example of scheduled loco changes not at a station? Not sure it lasted into the 90s but was still happening in the mid to late 80s.

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Presumably the last example of scheduled loco changes not at a station? Not sure it lasted into the 90s but was still happening in the mid to late 80s.

Loco changes at Mossend Yard on services between WCML and Perth and points north - not sure when these finished.

 

[The exile]

The Clansman started running via Edinburgh in 1987, so it’ll be a matter of when the overnights stopped changing locos there.

 

[nw1]

Presumably the last example of scheduled loco changes not at a station? Not sure it lasted into the 90s but was still happening in the mid to late 80s.

Would have been only during that brief period they ran Brightons straight up the WCML, which was introduced in 1986 and lasted two or three years (?). Later they reverted to running via Reading.

 

[The exile]

Would have been only during that brief period they ran Brightons straight up the WCML, which was introduced in 1986 and lasted two or three years (?). Later they reverted to running via Reading.

I’m thinking of 1987 certainly. Would have applied to the Dover as well.