66 on the rear?
 

I am generally a steam man but take a passing interest in today's railways as well. However, on Thursday morning last week, I was driving down the A12 between Colchester & Chelmsford when a container train passed in the down direction - presumably heading for Harwich Docks. I missed the front of the train, but there was a Freightliner class 66 on the rear. Can anyone explain why this would be?
Please forgive my ignorance as I am only a humble steam enthusiast!

Tony

Most container traffic along the A12 is Felixstowe bound these days. The Harwich Dock is usually fed by road. Freightliner were probably moving the loco to service another train out of Felixstowe I expect. They wouldnt need to top and tail a container service unless it was very sensitive freight??

Thanks Klordger. Just looked like standard container traffic - nothing special!

Tony

I'd guess it had to reverse somewhere

I was out walking the dog today and the top&tail class 66 Maersk contr. train went through from Felixstowe towards London. I need to speak to the guys at Logico and find out for sure why they are doing this!!

I think what you saw Tony has something to do with the blockade on the freight lines on part of the North London Line. Currently, the majority of freight (mainly Freightliners) are being dragged over the Gospel Oak to Barking line by 66s.

I don't know for sure, but I think a few of these liners have a 66 on the back so they can get them between London and Ipswich for fuelling purposes, etc. Tagging locos on the rear of freights also saves paths on the GEML.

Will try and find out a bit more.

This might have been a regular working 4R98 Tilbury - Felixstowe (T-Sa). This working is diagrammed to drag a 66 DIT for servicing to Ipswich. 4R97 back is the same hauling a 66 to Temple Mills. Locos are regarded today the same as wagons so can be front or back of train.