Interesting train formations

[port perran]

I'm sure I'm not alone on this forum in that I like to set up authentic (and some non authentic) train formations.
For instance I have various parcel train formations, an engineering train, mixed goods, school train, branchline milk, granite train etc etc.
Just wondering if it might be an idea to photograph interesting formations and share them on here whether they be steam era, BR diesel or modern image.
If people are interested then feel free to add photos to this thread. It might give others inspiration ??
Just a thought.

[d-a-n]

I'd recommend a series of books called 'BR Blue'. I have no. 3 - Freight in the 1980's and no. 5 - Passenger and Parcels by John Dedman, they've got loads of good quality, well annotated images of the consists of short freight trains in the 1980's over many areas of the UK. There's a real wealth of images in all of them so I'm ordering No. 6 - Train Formations very soon!

[Karhedron]

A mixed train consisting of the pick-up goods behind an ex-GWR auto-train.



0-4-2T 1411 near Spade Oak Crossing with the 3.20 p.m. mixed train from Marlow 24 May 1954

[GScaleBruce]

I'd recommend a series of books called 'BR Blue'. I have no. 3 - Freight in the 1980's and no. 5 - Passenger and Parcels by John Dedman, they've got loads of good quality, well annotated images of the consists of short freight trains in the 1980's over many areas of the UK. There's a real wealth of images in all of them so I'm ordering No. 6 - Train Formations very soon!

Thanks for the tip. A Google search reveals that John Dedman has some interesting albums on Flickr too... as I spent a few formative years in the Southampton area in the BR blue period I particularly enjoyed his first album!

[port perran]

A mixed train consisting of the pick-up goods behind an ex-GWR auto-train.

0-4-2T 1411 near Spade Oak Crossing with the 3.20 p.m. mixed train from Marlow 24 May 1954

Nice picture but I'm not sure my 14XX could cope with that lot !  Manages the autocoach OK but I think it would struggle with the pick up goods wagons on the back.

[port perran]

I think I may have confused people with the original post 
I was suggesting that we might share pictures of interesting train formations on our layouts.

[Newportnobby]

Whether we model freelance or prototype, I venture to suggest we all try and run 'a typical rake' either from knowledge or (faded) memories, so personally I'd allow both to get the maximum flow of info each way. Just my ruminations

[Karhedron]

I am inclined to agree. We can run whatever we want on our layouts but if it is not informed by prototype practice then it is just playing trains.

[johnlambert]

It is quite hard to fit in a whole train and I need to remove the Perspex screen really but this is one of my favourite formations.  Typical of local services in the Warwickshire area it is a set of BR 57-foot Mk1 suburban coaches; composite, brake second and second open.  It feels odd not having a brake coach at each end but the formation is correct.  Pity about the big gaps between the coaches...



Hopefully it will get the ball rolling anyway.

[port perran]

That's the sort of thing I was thinking of and it looks good. Thanks for "getting the ball rolling".

[Newportnobby]

The layout has changed a bit, but here's my weathered Farish WD with a rake of Dapol weathered hoppers (note to self, weather the guards van!)

[IMG]

[port perran]

That is a mighty impressive train

[johnlambert]

I can't see the picture, just a blank space and a lonely "[IMG]" tag at the bottom.

[scotsoft]

I can't see the picture, just a blank space and a lonely "[IMG]" tag at the bottom.

Hi John,

If you can't see the picture, try clicking on the lonely "[IMG]" 

cheers John.

[Bealman]

Yeah, that's what I got on me phone, but it's OK on my laptop. Geez, Mick - I went out of my mind countin' - how many? Nineteen?