MLV parcel/Mail operations in the mid to late 1960's

[GraemeR BR (WR)]

Having just taken delivery of a fabulous Bachmann Motor Luggage Van, I have been researching their operations, and I am intrigued by these sentences on the smegonline website:

"The vans were initially mainly restricted the South Eastern Division working boat trains from Victoria to the Channel Ports and also some internal mail trains overnight, sometimes hauling vans as part of these duties (from Ashford via Canterbury to Ramsgate was a regular turn with vans in tow). They also worked regularly to Newhaven Harbour."

http://www.semgonline.com/gallery/class419_01.html

I have discovered that they did not have the capacity to pull a huge amount singly, typically one or two brake guard coaches.

I have so far not uncovered any photos of them in the 1960's undertaking these operations, and I would love to hear from anyone who has more info or who has a photo or two.

[Dave Scott]

Have not got any phots of them but have vivid memories of their use. I remember seeing one on the docks at Dover moving under battery power. I remember seeing them added to 12 CEP/BEP on boat trains to and from Dover & Folkestone. Not so well known was the convertion of GUV or similar vehicles to EMU through control cables. They would be sandwiched between the MLV and the train to give greater capacitybut obviously un motored. I am told the trailer vans were maroon or carmine not green.

 

You say they were low powered. Well 2x250 hp is not exactly that small. Southern EMUs typically had 250or 275 hp per coach so hauling a single trailer would be par for a MLV. I would have imagined they could manage 3 trailers without problems. You might find some mention of them in the Southern Way series of periodicals by Noodle Books

[cromptonnut]

Before Redhill to Tonbridge was electrified, I believe one used to run solo during the night, almost 20 miles, on battery power only which is pretty much right on the limits of its capabilities.  It ran overnight as the signalman could more or less guarantee a clear green non-stop run all the way with a bit of clever driving and coasting on the flat bits they'd roll into Tonbridge and hit the juice at about the time the low power warning lights came on.  An extra jumper, rather than wasting power on cab heating, was fairly normal

 

On more than one occasion, following speed restrictions due to engineering works etc, they'd fizzle out with a mile or two to go needing a rescue.

 

Not sure how you'd model that though!

[Dave Scott]

Before Redhill to Tonbridge was electrified, I believe one used to run solo during the night, almost 20 miles, on battery power only which is pretty much right on the limits of its capabilities.  It ran overnight as the signalman could more or less guarantee a clear green non-stop run all the way with a bit of clever driving and coasting on the flat bits they'd roll into Tonbridge and hit the juice at about the time the low power warning lights came on.  An extra jumper, rather than wasting power on cab heating, was fairly normal

 

On more than one occasion, following speed restrictions due to engineering works etc, they'd fizzle out with a mile or two to go needing a rescue.

 

Not sure how you'd model that though!

Any 33 or even an 08 as common with all MK1 based stock they had conventional draw gear under the buckeye

[cromptonnut]

I meant modelling a flat battery failure rather than a rescue but correct that they're easily rescued in that manner

[Oldddudders]

Every weekday evening from the late '60s into the mid-70s at least, an MLV would come from Victoria Eastern to East Croydon and pick up vans of mail, which it then took to London Bridge. The working was extended to Redhill from about '73, I think.

 

Occasionally the batteries were duff, so it was unable to work off the juice at East Croydon into the mail dock, and vans would be left behind. I think they would try to attach them to the 1855 Dover - London Bridge mails, a few hours later. Occasionally a driver would allege he was unfamiliar with the Westinghouse air brake, which had to be used with the vans, in contrast to the EPB the MLV would use on its own or in multiple with EMUs, and so the vans would be left behind again.

[Titan]

Weren't the MLV's fitted with exhausters for towing vacuum braked vans?

[SRman]

They were indeed fitted with vacuum exhausters. They also had straight air brakes and the EP brakes, making them extremely versatile.

The electro-diesels were also similarly equipped.

 

Under various tests, they could be sandwiched between air or EP or vacuum braked stock and convert the through braking effort from one to the other.

[leopardml2341]

I've read somewhere - but not sure of dates - that they were also used to 'deliver' oil tanks 'off juice'.

[Mike Storey]

I've read somewhere - but not sure of dates - that they were also used to 'deliver' oil tanks 'off juice'.

 

Not seen that but they were definitely used to haul the odd water tank during times of drought, into depots such as Ramsgate. Once the boat trains stopped running, all sorts of alternative uses were attempted for them, and this is well outside your timescale, but modeller's licence could let you do any of these? For example, once Murdoch's empire pulled out of rail distribution for his newspapers, the early morning van trains became a lot shorter. MLV's were tried for towing a couple of CCT's to Sheerness, but I am not sure how successful this was as I left the SR not long after.

[leopardml2341]

Mike,

 

That's what I must have had in mind - grey matter obviously fuddled - glad someone out there can interpret my ramblings.

 

Me thinks the pic I'd seen was a TTA tank wagon and therefore assumed.......

 

Thanks.

[ColinK]

Not seen that but they were definitely used to haul the odd water tank during times of drought, into depots such as Ramsgate. Once the boat trains stopped running, all sorts of alternative uses were attempted for them, and this is well outside your timescale, but modeller's licence could let you do any of these? For example, once Murdoch's empire pulled out of rail distribution for his newspapers, the early morning van trains became a lot shorter. MLV's were tried for towing a couple of CCT's to Sheerness, but I am not sure how successful this was as I left the SR not long after.

Oh dear, that gives me a reason to have one! Might look nice hauling a couple of Invicta CCT's

[Maltazer]

Here's an excuse to run more than one (bit out of the OPs timeframe, but still shows what was possible)

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16313630@N07/5557067522/in/set-72157626342074608

 

Mal

[pete_mcfarlane]

The electro-diesels were also similarly equipped.

 

Under various tests, they could be sandwiched between air or EP or vacuum braked stock and convert the through braking effort from one to the other.

IIRC it was only the 73/0 batch which could do this. Somewhere there are photos of a CEP+73/0+Bulleid coach combination being tested.