Shunting Engines on the Main line.

[1H was 2E]

Unfortunately I can't trace the original thread, but I recollect one about an oil-fired J52, and the comment was made that these locos. were quite hard to fire because of the narrow cab; a short handled shovel was required and the dexterity required could only be achieved when the loco was stationary.
J52 1247 was a very early private preservation, and, in connection with the opening of the Bluebell as a preserved railway, 1247 hauled a special from London Bridge to Horsted Keynes. The train was 6 gangwayed coaches, included BR Standards, so it was no lightweight.
Just wondered how they coped.
Thinking about it further, coal must have been tight, too.....

[Vagabond]

J52 1247 was a very early private preservation, and, in connection with the opening of the Bluebell as a preserved railway, 1247 hauled a special from London Bridge to Horsted Keynes. The train was 6 gangwayed coaches, included BR Standards, so it was no lightweight.
Just wondered how they coped.
Thinking about it further, coal must have been tight, too.....

I don't remember the details, but there is a picture of that loco at Sheffield Park in 1962 in the RCTS "Locos of the LNER" (Part 8A Fig 24)

That load from LB to Horstead Keynes must have been an interesting turn, as you imply, but I have no details.

In general terms, we operated several smallish locos up and down the line all day, and to avoid having to come in for coal, the bunkers were filled to capacity, and additional large lumps stored on the footplate and lockers - everywhere in fact where they would not actually interfere with the working of the loco. ...and yes, working many different types of loco needs some versatility from the footplate crews.