pigeonspecial

I know the question related to South West workings but as that has included Hull in some replies I guess London should as well. 81A Old Oak had an allocation for a while from new, D9521 - D9524 from late 1964 to about October 1965, when they moved to Bristol Bath Rd. Crew training seems to have carried out on a train of vans between Acton - Paddington. Although allocated to Old Oak Common, it would seem they only went there for major maintenance work. They were based at 81D Reading, and I do remember (even if only about seven years old) recall seeing one or two at Reading General. There were three diagrams worked with a fourth spare to cover for maintenance. One was a midday Reading - Newbury freight, afternoon return Newbury - Reading freight, then early evening Reading - Paddington parcels. Light to Southall, early morning Southall - Reading freight. Another was following. Morning Light engine Reading - Newbury for trip workings as required to Aldermaston, Hungerford, Welford Park (remnant of Lambourne branch). Evening Newbury - Reading freight. The third. Worked late evening light engine Reading - Didcot. Next morning worked Didcot - Sonning coal (have seen a photo somewhere of this working). Afternoon Reading - Wallingford, Evening Wallingford - Reading. I suspect that some of these workings were Conditional rather than Mandatory. I cannot find original documents, but I think a contemporary RCTS Railway Observer carried info presumably gleaned from the official publications. Modern Railways from 1965 gives similar information and mentions them working to Basingstoke (D9524 05/08/65 on a parcels working). D9521 worked a passenger, 17.00 Gloucester - Cheltenham vice steam 27/11/65. Hopefully of some use! Paul

Another variation that I have not seen mentioned previously (apologies if I have missed it somewhere). D6330 fitted with both types of headcode boxes, the earlier "fat" headcode boxes, later to be modified with later more flush boxes. A photo appears in British Railways Past & Present No 8 Devon by David Mitchell P95 at Dawlish 24/4/65 in GSYP showing clearly the "big" boxes (no headcode actually displayed) as on D6302/6/7/17/24/26 .However the number is not readable. To back this up the RCTS Railway Observer of September 1967 records - "D6317 still carries double digit indicator boxes mounted on the ends. D6330 was modified with built in indicators soon after its indicator boxes were fitted due to collision damage". Paul

Hi This is my first post as have only just joined. Hopefully this isn't repeating what's already been said. I recall reading in a Rcts journal from circa 1968-70 of a report of a train ascending the bank from Exeter St Davids - Central being hauled by a class 42 and banked by a class 43 or vice-versa. The point made by the observer was that the sound (presumably both being worked hard) was noticeably different from the Maybach and MAN engine. Hope this is of some help. Will try and find reference and give more details. Paul