The LNER Encyclopedia

I'm looking at the use of Kings Cross inner and outer suburban BR non corridor coach workings around 1960 and was wondering when they decided to only use a brake coach in the middle of a 5 coach rakes instead of a brake coach at each end?

Later than 1960, 60526. From memory i should say about 1966 as I can remember the Station Foreman at Welwyn Gdn City saying he didn't think it too safe when propelling a train with the BS in the middle of the set compared to the old formations.

Thanks for the reply, I had a thought that perhaps it was linked to the date when the 2nd man disappeared, but perhaps not, I'm sure that the Union's would have had something to say. I've seen some photos pre 1960 where there is always a BS at either end of the train, but in looking at 'The early years of London Diesels' by Michael Welch there is a photo on the back cover of a Brush type 2 coming up Holloway bank in August 62 with the BS as the 2nd vehicle? I'll keep looking and see what I can find.

60526 wrote:Thanks for the reply, I had a thought that perhaps it was linked to the date when the 2nd man disappeared, but perhaps not, I'm sure that the Union's would have had something to say. I've seen some photos pre 1960 where there is always a BS at either end of the train, but in looking at 'The early years of London Diesels' by Michael Welch there is a photo on the back cover of a Brush type 2 coming up Holloway bank in August 62 with the BS as the 2nd vehicle? I'll keep looking and see what I can find.

That photo shows an outer-suburban non-gangwayed set. They were formed, from the north end, SLO, BS, CL, CL, SLO, BS. In the photo, one of the two CLs is a 'Thompson' vehicle. I believe the SLO was outside the brake at the north end due to short platforms at some stations (possibly Knebworth?) - the SLO being the only non-gangwayed vehicle on the GN Suburban where it was possible to walk the full length of the vehicle. Some peak hour workings had extra vehicles attached at the London end. At some point in the 1960s, the outer suburban sets changed to having only one brake vehicle too.