Longest length trains on preserved railways

[158760]

Oh man that must have been spectacular up Freshfield Bank.

It was

There's a temporary wooden extension at Sheffield Park by the demonstration signal box which seems to bring the length up to 6 coaches. No ramp though (tut tut)

Yes - it was installed for the Santa Specials in November 2024 so the Y Set (all non-corridor) could have an extra 4-wheel coach on the north end. It also now allows us to fully accommodate 6 Mk1s, which is very useful at galas.

The annoying thing for us is that it puts the TAC (Train Arrived Complete) plunger in a very awkward position to reach - you either have to crouch down on the platform extension or walk down behind it!

 

[GW43125]

Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway? They have some seriously long trains, especially if you scale it up!

One time a group of us hired out a carriage on the RDHR, which was added to the back of the already long service train. When we got back to new Romney we were off the platform by a coach! So however long the platform is at NR, plus a carriage!

 

[DJ_K666]

It was

Yes - it was installed for the Santa Specials in November 2024 so the Y Set (all non-corridor) could have an extra 4-wheel coach on the north end. It also now allows us to fully accommodate 6 Mk1s, which is very useful at galas.

The annoying thing for us is that it puts the TAC (Train Arrived Complete) plunger in a very awkward position to reach - you either have to crouch down on the platform extension or walk down behind it!

Oh blimey. Well at least it's temporary.

 

[Chuffing Heck]

I was lead to believe that the starting and termination stations had to contain the whole train length?

 

[158760]

I was lead to believe that the starting and termination stations had to contain the whole train length?

Not sure - it’s normal for us to run a 6 coach set and lock out the northernmost door (which is the door on the ramp at Sheffield Park P1). All the other stations and P2 at Sheffield Park will fully accommodate 6.

Perhaps people would be able to add what common practice is on their local heritage line?

 

[Belperpete]

When compared to Standard gauge coaches, the Welsh Highland must be up there. 10 coach formations, each coach about 14m, so 140m overall. That's about the same as a 7 coach mark 1 rake, not taking into account the much smaller track gauge (597mm compared to 1435mm)

It was intended to build the Welsh Highland for 13 coach trains, but in practice I think that some loops had to be built shorter.

I seem to recall that at one time the Ffestiniog used to run 12 coach trains in high summer. The trains used to stretch out onto the Cob, way beyond the end of the platform.

And it has one of the shortest platforms too. CoedyBleddiau can't be much more than 6ft long.