instanter

Thanks very much gents for those interesting, and impressively quick responses. I too thought the 8 (or 4) axles behind the guard was an LMS rule, though I've only seen it briefly mentioned, and can't remember where. Seems I was unnecessarily concerned. Thanks.

In Haresnape's Railway Liveries BR Steam, on page 36, is a picture of V3 67620 about to leave Darlington with a train for Richmond. It is Colour Rail photo BRE445 which can be viewed on the internet (use the loco number in their search). The train consists of two Gresley steel twins, ie 4 bodies, and as far as I can tell, the first twin is Dia 269, brake third and lavatory third, with the brake end attached to the loco. These carriages were built for the Darlington to Saltburn service. Assuming the other twin is from the same 'family', then going by the visible compartments, it must consist of two lavatory composites to Dia 271. This means there are what we would probably consider to be three carriages behind the guard. What was the ruling on this, it would seem to be pushing 'no more that 8 axles behind the guard's vehicle' to the limit. Thanks.