The LNER Encyclopedia

Anyone got any advice on the length of OO scale express trains vis-a-vis the originals which were frequently 12/13 coaches long? Pullmans were a little shorter I think>

A useful guide to the make up of trains is East Coast Carriage Working, 18th July 1932,ufn, a copy of which is available from the North Eastern Railway Association. A sister publication LNER (North East Area) Carriage Roster, 1st May 1932,ufn, is helpful too. This gives details of inter area and inter company workings to and from that area.
Two examples of the longer trains on the East Coast Main Line were:-
8.00am Newcastle to Kings Cross (arr 1.30pm) service which was made up as follows - LMS Brake Compo to Bristol (arr 3.40pm), SR (or GC Area) Brake Compo to Bournemouth West (arr 6.18pm) - probably detached at York -, Brake Van, 1st, Triplet Restaurant set, Open 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, Brake 3rd, Brake Compo. Another Brake Compo (GN Area) from Lincoln (dep 10.28am), was attached later on into the journey.
2.05pm Edinburgh to Kings Cross Service (arr 10.00pm) service which was made up as follows - Brake 3rd, 1st, Triplet Restaurant set, 3rd, 3rd, Brake Van, Compo Locker from Perth (dep 12.25pm), Compo, 3rd, Brake 3rd from Aberdeen (dep 10.25am, plus from Aberdeen to Penzance (arr 7.40am) a 3rd (FSO) and a Brake Compo. The Train also contained a 3rd (FO) Newcastle to Swindon (arr 11.30pm) The last three coaches were detached at York and were replaced by a Brake Compo,Locker Compo, and a 3rd from Glasgow (dep 12.10 pm).

Hi
Advice given to me many moons ago was that when running model trains coach rakes always appeared longer if they were an odd number i.e. 5 ,7 or 9. It seems to be an optical illusion but it works. I have been asked at exhibitions why my trains look so much more authentic than some others on other layouts. I have passed on this info to whoever asks. The fact that I model in N helps because I have more scope and space to run longer trains. I have had folks come back to me , after counting rakes on other layouts and they are astonished that odd numbers appear longer and more balanced than even numbers. I always run my passenger rakes in odd numbers even short local trains look better as 3 or 5 and express rakes I run as 7 or 9 and on the odd occasion run 11 but they tend to look too long. It even seems to work on freight rakes. Give it a try you will be amazed.
TonyM

I once read that seven is good if you want a train to look long. It's the lowest number that can't be "seen" (counted) at a glance (so the story goes).
Any help?