Xmas traffics of old

[ChiefPlanner]

A retired railwayman has shared some of the contents of the London MIdland parcels extra short term planning document for 1971 to a select few.

A mere 101 pages , with such delights as what was presumably "normal" arrangements in those day - apart from heavy mail and parcels traffic - there were specials from Norwich to a wide range of terminsals for Norfolk turkey traffic - for example a special to with 19 vans to London , and many others - though St Albans and Flitwick made do with a turkey van attached to booked workings. Like Cornish broccoli traffic - all specials had to reported to Divisional Control for special attention.

Huge numbers of extras from Manchester Mayfield for mail order and Xmas Hamper traffics - right up to the 24th of December.

Even the Radio Times from Hairmyres had extra workings for the double edition of that periodical.

It can be recalled there were even postal deliveries on Xmas Day nationally , though it was expected the post staff would be home for their dinner at about midday.

 

[Harpo]

At least in the run-up to Christmas, freight traffic would tail off freeing-up engines and men for reliefs and van trains.

Many extras from London were unbalanced with vans provided or returning on the scheduled empty moves. That sometimes gave rise to very long distance light moves such as Severn Tunnel to Paddington.

A wise old operator told me in the 70s that on summer Saturdays, you run out of coaches before you run out of engines but on Maundy Thursday you run out of engines before you run out of coaches, as most freights run.

 

[Harvester]

At least in the run-up to Christmas, freight traffic would tail off freeing-up engines and men for reliefs and van trains.

Many extras from London were unbalanced with vans provided or returning on the scheduled empty moves. That sometimes gave rise to very long distance light moves such as Severn Tunnel to Paddington.

A wise old operator told me in the 70s that on summer Saturdays, you run out of coaches before you run out of engines but on Maundy Thursday you run out of engines before you run out of coaches, as most freights run.

In early December 1966 the SR temporary reinstated ten withdrawn steam locos (Bulleid Pacifics and Standards), because of an anticipated shortage of motive power for the extra Christmas parcels traffic. Although withdrawn the previous September, not only were they deemed fit for parcels traffic, but some were used on Waterloo-Bournemouth passenger workings!