Whats this........

[KODIAK BEAR]

ok, who knows what the yellow conflat was used for with the 03 ?

click on link to see picture


http://www.preservedshunters.co.uk/psh_zoom.php?img=0748020444000


any ideas????
:confused:

[tonyharker]

Because the 03 has such a short wheelbase, it had difficulty in operating the track circuits in some areas. An additional vehicle was therefore sometimes 'permanently' connected used to increase the effective WB. I would suggest that is happening here.

[KODIAK BEAR]

Wow, someone else from Blandford!
ok thanks for that tony.

mind you, did that apply to all shunters do you know? they all seem short wheel bases.

[KODIAK BEAR]

Great, the link is not working.
ok, look under 03 shunter, number 03084 and look at 2nd and 3rd photo's.
you can see a yellow conflat wagon.

[swisstrains]

I agree with Tony's track circuit explanation.
When working in freight yards it wasn't so important but the 03's were often used as station pilots on the Eastern Region where 100% operation of track circuits was essential for obvious reasons.
Here is a picture of an 03 on station pilot duties at Newcastle. It is attached to a similar flat wagon.
http://www.johnwhitby.fotopic.net/p23050858.html
08's and 09's are also used as station pilots but they are much heavier and have a longer wheelbase than an 03.

[KODIAK BEAR]

thats the one swiss.
thanks for that.