Multiple working locomotives.

[jonty14]

Hi. What is the maximum number of locomotives that can work powered in multiple?

 

[rebmcr]

Hi. What is the maximum number of locomotives that can work powered in multiple?

It varies, depending on the multiple working system in use.

 

[meepmeep]

For electric locos, I think power supply load in also a factor, but I could be talking rubbish

 

[Whistler40145]

I have seen 4 Class 20s working in multiple on a Skegness to Nottingham service train.

 

[birchesgreen]

When the Class 58 came out the magazines seemed to make a thing about them being able to operate in 3s so i assume it was unusual at the time?

 

[Whistler40145]

When the Class 58 came out the magazines seemed to make a thing about them being able to operate in 3s so i assume it was unusual at the time?

Indeed, I’ve never seen any photos of triple headed 58s, but have had a 56 and 58 combo

 

[ic31420]

What BR train would ever need more than 9000hp on Tap. The Jumbo's made do with 3300hp.

Didn't triple head 37s used to work in the Valleys on coal /steel?

 

[matt]

Didn't triple head 37s used to work in the Valleys on coal /steel?

Yes they did

 

[Whistler40145]

On a railtour I’ve had 20/31/37 all in multiple

 

[8stewartt]

66’s is three in multi.

 

[Whistler40145]

3x33 and 3x50 in multiple, both on railtours

 

[Steve Harris]

I have had 2x31 + 2x37 hauling a 4car 312 on the Cambridge - Kings Lynn Gala Day (an added BR service to the timerable that day to celebrate the electrification of the line). The acceleration was rather rapid to put it mildly.

 

[Merle Haggard]

Remember there's a difference between operating in multiple (under the control of one driver) and tandem (driver for each loco). Certainly in BR days I know of a diagram for a train to be hauled by 3 locos, but only 2 were in multiple (with one driver) and the third loco had another driver (tandem).

 

[Steve Harris]

Remember there's a difference between operating in multiple (under the control of one driver) and tandem (driver for each loco). Certainly in BR days I know of a diagram for a train to be hauled by 3 locos, but only 2 were in multiple (with one driver) and the third loco had another driver (tandem).

I can confirm the 2x31 and 2x37 where defently in multiple, with 1 driver, furthermore the 312 was being used as air braked rolling stock (with it's pan down).

 

[Whistler40145]

I can confirm the 2x31 and 2x37 where defently in multiple, with 1 driver, furthermore the 312 was being used as air braked rolling stock (with it's pan down).

I remember that EMUs used to carry extension brake pipes for use with locomotives

 

[36270k]

General Motors recommend a maximum of 6 locos in multiple.
KCS and others used to run 8 F7's in MU
BR Blue Star has a recommended max of 3.
3 x 37 in MU used to be used on Iron Ore trains in South Wales

 

[superjohn]

I have had 2x31 + 2x37 hauling a 4car 312 on the Cambridge - Kings Lynn Gala Day

I presume that was in order that one pair of locos be left behind at King’s Lynn to take over subsequent return trains. As I recall the headshunt in the platform at Lynn only had room for one loco so running pairs around would have been a faff.

The whole day was quite something for local enthusiasts, which I was at the time. Weren’t there class 73 hauled trips on the St Ives branch as well?

 

[Steve Harris]

I remember that EMUs used to carry extension brake pipes for use with locomotives

Indeed. Although that probably only happened on EMUs with 'normal' couplings i.e not tightlock etc.

 

[Peter0124]

I have seen videos of 10x class 66s coupled together

And 8x class 73s

 

[Steve Harris]

I presume that was in order that one pair of locos be left behind at King’s Lynn to take over subsequent return trains. As I recall the headshunt in the platform at Lynn only had room for one loco so running pairs around would have been a faff.

The whole day was quite something for local enthusiasts, which I was at the time. Weren’t there class 73 hauled trips on the St Ives branch as well?

Actually it was the reverse !
It was to get the loco's back from Lynn to Cambridge along with the 312 which had been used as coaching stock top and tailed down the Middleton Towers branch line.

73's ? It may of been but I have a sneaky feeling that it was a Class 31's top and tailed.

The blue Class 303 also ran Cambridge - Stanstead Airport shuttles the same day as well as an ARC Class 59 being named at Cambridge before working a passenger service to Lynn.

I suggest if anyone wants more info to PM me as it's starting to go off topic.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Jan 2021 ==

I have seen videos of 10x class 66s coupled together

And 8x class 73s

But where they all under power ?

Don't forget there is such a thing as 'dead in tow' (which is not multiple working). In other words 1 loco pulling 2 ,4, 6, 7 etc loco's which are either in idle or have been shut down.

 

[DBS92042]

For the class 92s, I believe only one can be under power on Network Rail metals (although two can work in multiple through the Channel Tunnel)

 

[alexl92]

I've seen 6-8 Class 66s running in a consist but I presume most are DIT?

 

[DB]

I've seen 6-8 Class 66s running in a consist but I presume most are DIT?

Expect so - I've seen it as well and it's normally only been the front one powering. DB used to do it quite often moving them between their various depots.

 

[superjohn]

For electric locos, I think power supply load in also a factor, but I could be talking rubbish

There are also limits to loco convoys on some routes due to the excessive weight that may result on bridges etc. This is why the redundant Greater Anglia class 90s were transferred away from Norwich in batches of five (one hauling and four dead).

 

[3973EXL]

Maximum of 5 locos.

Additional locos maybe conveyed over certain routes with special conditions applied by NR.
This is controlled using the Exceptional Load procedure with a 3973EXL form issued to give the necessary authority to the Driver/Signaller.

These moves came about with the need for FOCs to move locos around, usually at weekends, to cover for NR possession trains.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Yes they did

post-1599-0-75360900-1391025027.jpg (1800×1171) (rmweb.co.uk)

 

[ac6000cw]

General Motors recommend a maximum of 6 locos in multiple.
KCS and others used to run 8 F7's in MU

Well, here's 8 relatively modern locos of three different types MU'd (view from the 7 minute point) - a linesiding record for me. I don't *think* all are under power, but it's hard to tell for sure, and with the speed the train is climbing a 2%+ gradient it's certainly not short of power...

 

[Strat-tastic]

Can locos dead in train (dit meaning?) still be used for braking?

 

[Stathern Jc]

Warships used to double head.
I'm not sure whether that was both the Maybach and MAN versions, but as the original intention was for the engines to be interchangeable that probably wasn't an issue.
Which makes me wonder, would it have been possible for 4 of the single engined D6300 class to work in multiple? And if so did they?

 

[Journeyman]

Unfortunately I can't remember the class concerned, but I'm sure I remember reading somewhere that there was a regular triple-headed diagram somewhere in early diesel days that needed two crews, because locos could only multiple work in pairs. Maybe Hymeks?

Sorry, that's not hugely useful!