Diesel shunter movements.
 

This might seem like a straightforward question, but I thought I'd ask it anyway.

A few weeks ago, I was reading about the arrival in Hull in 66/67 of several of the diesel hydraulic Class 14's, displaced from the South Wales area. They were sent up here to replace WD 2-8-0's on trip workings between the various yards and docks that were in the city. But how did they get up here? I realise that they would have got here by rail of course, but would they have wended their way up under their own power, or been dragged by something a bit faster. And how many would have arrived at any one time?

Same question goes for transfers between depots of the other shunting classes. I can recall one of the Hull Botanic Gardens 03's being sent to Norwich, for example, but how would it have got there?

I'm asking because I don't recall ever having seen a photo of a shunter in transit, and yet I would have thought that such a thing would have been an interesting shot in itself. Maybe not in transit on the main line (I suppose that was done at night), but maybe a photo of a loco on its way to its new home having a layover during the daytime.

Any thoughts anyone?

Trev,
Years ago I remember seeing 08's (with their connecting-rods removed) being transported in the consist of freight trains. I have also seen ex-works locos making their way slowly along the West Coast Mainline near Warrington and I assumed that they had come from Crewe.
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Nowadays I think most smaller locos (and even some larger ones) are moved by road.

That's what I would have thought John, but in the case of the mass movement of the Class 14's ( I think that 19 of them eventually moved to Dairycoates), it would have probably involved two or three specials. And would the loco's be restricted as to speed even though the coupling rods had been removed?

Sad thing is, I could have had this query answered by my Uncle who worked as a fireman and then driver at Dairycoates. Unfortunately he died around 15 years ago. I also knew a lot of ex-drivers from both Botanic and Dairycoates who moved to work at the Post Office when BR began to shed staff in droves. I never thought of asking them either. :( There's a lesson to be learnt there. The father of one of my best mates even drove the 14's when he was a shunter at King George Dock. And it never occurred to me to ask him. (double :( )

i think that class 14 were not shunters but type 1 designed for local trip work etc. Their tops speed was 45 mph i seem to recall so i imagine that they could well have been driven to Hull, probably in stages....

Whoops! :o

Yeah, you're right there Arthur. I managed to mention the trip workings in my first post, and then managed to forget later. I blame an over indulgence in Guinness!

not possible....food of the Gods....:)

Just been looking at latest issue of Railway Herald showing movements by road - its madness.They should be using the rails for which they were made.

Also - modern traction is made with a cab at each end. So why all the Top & Tailing with class xx - well practically everything? Pictures usually show about 3/5 wagons of various sorts being topped/tailed when 1 loco is quite enough.

John

I think there are a number of possible reasons for all the "topping and tailing" that goes on nowadays.
1. No runround loops at many stations.
2. Where runround facilities do exist, qualified staff would be needed to couple/uncouple the loco.
3. Having an extra loco is beneficial in the event of a failure.

Doesn't say much for the reliability of modern traction though. :(

warning...Trev's on his hobby horse again...

Isn't that down to the insane way in which the railways have been privatised (ie, stolen from the population)? It's actually cheaper to move loco's by road than pay access charges? :mad: