The Jacobite - Support Coach?

[alexl92]

As I understand it, any steam loco travelling on the mainline in the UK is required to have a support coach with it for the crew.

Does this apply to the Jacobite service on the West Highland Line?
With the platform(s) at Mallaig being relatively short I believe each service can be just 6 coaches long- so including a support coach in that number reduces potential passenger numbers by a sixth - a far greater proportion than if it was an 11- or 12-coach train.

With WCRC being up there for a whole season it makes sense in my mind that they wouldn't need to have a support coach because they have use of a depot up there & spare engines etc...

Can anyone clarify?

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I Don't think that service does have a support coach, although I think there is a brake carriage where the guards van & shop, that also seemed to have a few spares etc.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The support carriage remains in the shed area at Fort William.

 

[Chris125]

As I understand it, any steam loco travelling on the mainline in the UK is required to have a support coach with it for the crew.

It's good practice but I don't believe there's any 'requirement', IIRC there have been occasional light engine moves without one such as 76079's move to the NYMR.

Chris

 

[alexl92]

Thanks all, I thought as much!

It's good practice but I don't believe there's any 'requirement', IIRC there have been occasional light engine moves without one such as 76079's move to the NYMR.

Chris

Oh really? I thought it was a requirement! Okay, thanks.

 

[43167]

And I once saw a Black 5 arrive at Hellifield light engine from Carnforth before working a charter. Bonus of it arriving tender leading too.

 

[alexl92]

Ahhh I hadn't thought about that - WCRC often send their locos out to Hellified LE on tests and moves don't they? I stand corrected.

 

[jamieP]

Defiantly no requirement. We sometimes go to Kyle without one or Jollys around the east from York.