The Yard Shunt

I hope this isn't a question that has already been extensively covered, but could someone point me to some links or books that I could reference for coach formations? I'm an overseas modeller and the BR coach codes are boggling. I understand corridor has the corridor down the side of the coach with compartments that can be accessed, but would these run in a coach with open stock (aisle down the middle)? I was looking at running some three to seven coach formations on local and express services, but why would you couple a CK to a SO? Why run First or Second Corridors with a composite coach? Were non gangwayed stock reserved for branch and suburban services, and if so how did the guard move through the train? Sorry if I seem a bit uninformed. Flail me at your mercy!

Thanks, it's been a long day. Edited.

Hi all, I was attempting research for a layout set in the Lake District in the late 1967 to early 1968 period, noting down locomotive allocations and types. This really was 'Black Five' country by this time but a number of Standard types were still around as well as a fleet of incoming diesel locomotives. To find locomotive numbers I was going shed by shed, only to find that locomotives from some depots strayed far from home in their workings. Roughly speaking, a locomotive from Lostock could end up working the Windmere branch, or Carlisle locomotives could end up at Grange-over-Sands, when it seems to me than locomotives allocated to Barrow should have been working these areas. Perhaps I need a break away from the screen. It's nice to have the information on here regardless. Jim.

I'm not quite sure yet - whether I should model Lowlands or Highlands. I visualized Class 17 diesels on fuel trains (doomed to fail and be picked up a Black Five no doubt) and Class 20 BoBos on re-routed Fife coal or Highland goods traffic. Class 03, 05, 06, and 08 shunters for good measure, 24, 26, and 27 diesels sharing shed space with ex-LNER and LMS stock and even the last of the Caley 'Jumbo' 0-6-0s taking branch line freight and passenger tanks on rural services. In short, anywhere between Polmadie to Inverness!

Thanks mates. Way too late for my period (1962-1963).

Hi all, When were the first Class 25, 37, and 47 diesels allocated to Scotland? Just needed dates in order to visualize a layout. Cheers, Yard Shunt

Hi all, made a mistake. I'm modelling in DORSET not Devon. Silly me. Going down the wrong line again

Hi all, I'm new to the website and just dipping my toes in the online forum setup. I'm modelling a light railway in the early 1950s on its last legs - one of Colonel Stephens survivors - and it is set in north Devon. I have tried to go for standard branch line traffic (farm produce, coal, petrol, timber, van traffic, minerals, dairy products, machinery, etc) with the added benefit of local goods relative to the setting. The first of these is from a small chalk quarry and the second is seasonal fruit traffic that would be directed into the local cider industry. On that note, is cider traffic much the same old noise as beer traffic (vans mostly) and what can I carry in open wagons going into the Pearson Brewing Company sidings? How were apples transported? In bags or crates in open wagons or in fruit vans? What is the most prototypical operation for fruit van working? Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Jim.