When the Siphon goods carriages were used in rakes for parcels traffic, etc, were the corridor connections actually used?

Applicable for all NPCS: If marshalled next to another vehicle with compatible gangways, generally they would be connected but whether they were actually 'used' for staff to move between vehicles is more questionable.
It's probable they got more use when they were attached to passenger trains...

  Looking through my collection of books on the pre-War GWR, I've quite frequently come across photos of Siphon Gs marshalled between passenger vehicles, particularly in trains from the North-West to the West of England. Usually this is the result of joining two portions of the train that originated from different places such as, say, Preston and Wolverhampton, and perhaps combining them at Birmingham Snow Hill. Having the gangways on the Siphons meant that the whole train was accessible to passengers, this being particularly useful if one of the two portions of the train had a catering vehicle and t'other didn't.
  By the way, does anyone else agree with me that it's about time that Dapol fitted an NEM close coupling mechanism to their Siphon? Also, the Siphon's gangway is a rather poor representation of the correct pattern gangway... but, at least we do have a Siphon G! Now, what about a Siphon J?

Quote from: Cols on November 28, 2024, 06:13:38 PMBy the way, does anyone else agree with me that it's about time that Dapol fitted an NEM close coupling mechanism to their Siphon? Also, the Siphon's gangway is a rather poor representation of the correct pattern gangway... but, at least we do have a Siphon G! Now, what about a Siphon J?

My Siphon G is an old model (NC-002) which does not have an NEM socket but my H version (2F-023-016) does so would be easy enough to fit a short shank coupling. It mainly gets used on a short rake of the 6 weathered milk tanks and NBL type 2 hydraulic set.

  Ah, Mr. Newport Nobby, you seem to have a liking for Milk Trains - as do I .
  When you mentioned your NBL Type 2 Diesel-Hydraulic being used on a Milk Train, it struck a chord with me, however if your train is comprised of a Siphon H and six Miltas, and assuming that you're modelling, say, the 1959 to 1963 period - where is the Guard's accommodation, I think that a BG of some description is missing!
  Modelling the WR and SR in North Cornwall in my chosen fictional location of Trewenn, I have time-tabled two Milk Train services to run from the Trewenn Creamery (situated next to the Trewenn terminus). The Southern service runs via Launceston and Exeter to London (Vauxhall), and the Western service runs via Barnstaple and Taunton to Bristol. The Southern's train is usually hauled by a Class N or a T9 as far as Exmouth Junction and consists of a PMV/CCT or a Van B, and four or five tanks, (and a BG, if no Van B is available). My Western Region milk train is usually three or four tanks and a Collett BG and a Siphon G, hauled by a "Manor", or an NBL Type 2 Diesel Hydraulic - as you do.  In both cases, it is assumed that the trains would pick up further milk tanks along its route.
 The absence of a Guard's vehicle in a milk train only became common practice in the post-1968  pre-TOPS period, when the Guard might occupy the rear cab of the diesel. 

Thanks for the pointers of rake formation. I have plenty of BGs (but no Maurice, Robin or Barry) but, out of curiosity and for variation, could a Stove R be substituted for a BG?

Quote from: Newportnobby on November 30, 2024, 01:13:20 PMThanks for the pointers of rake formation. I have plenty of BGs (but no Maurice, Robin or Barry) but, out of curiosity and for variation, could a Stove R be substituted for a BG?

Why not?

The NGS page about them says they were used on parcel, newspaper and milk trains - although, hopefully with all axles properly railed unlike their photo 

https://ngaugesociety.org/sandpit/products/ready-to-run/stove-r-brake-van

Quote from: chrism on November 30, 2024, 01:34:01 PM

Quote from: Newportnobby on November 30, 2024, 01:13:20 PMThanks for the pointers of rake formation. I have plenty of BGs (but no Maurice, Robin or Barry) but, out of curiosity and for variation, could a Stove R be substituted for a BG?

Why not?

The NGS page about them says they were used on parcel, newspaper and milk trains - although, hopefully with all axles properly railed unlike their photo 

https://ngaugesociety.org/sandpit/products/ready-to-run/stove-r-brake-van

  

  It's quite fascinating how one topic evolves into another... The responses to Newport Nobby with regard to the usage of Stove Rs in milk trains are quite right. However, be careful about placing them in passenger trains if you are, like me, attempting to model post-1959;  Stove Rs were banned from passenger trains from, I believe, 1957, although their use in parcels trains continued up their final withdrawal. Sadly, being a WR/SR modeller (I'm told that there's a cure for this) I am not privy to the practices of the other Regions of BR, so  perhaps someone could enlighten me as to the final withdrawal date of the Stove Rs?
  Speaking of parcels trains, has anyone noticed the appearances of goods brake vans in the middle of some of these trains, particularly in the blue/grey period from what I've observed. This often mystified me, until I had the explanation from a retired Guard. It was a practice employed in the winter months; if a diesel did not have a steam-heating boiler, or had only ETH equipment, and was diagrammed for a parcels train (with NPCCS - BGs, GUVs, etc.) a goods brake van could be cut into the formation for the guard to benefit from the warmth of the stove installed therein...  Simples!!

I have a copy of some of the GE section coach working diagrams, and some make-up include a BG or similar with the notation 'stove fitted' in parcels trains which presumably covers what you've just said.

These working diagrams are pre 1960.

Martyn