Having that 'Rat' on the back (Class 25) was a waste of time in the first place. They wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding when they were new!
Glad we haven't got any at work though I still miss the class 33's we had. Rumours have it we might be running a Class 40 soon!
The class 25 on the rear was probably an 'ETHEL' which were modified from redundant class 25 locos to provide electric train supply (head end power) for the modern (at least post 1960) coaches used on steam excursions. They do not have any drive capability, they are just generators. All that weight probably not helping much! The gradient on that route would not suit the large diameter driving wheels on an A4 (designed for speed not tractive effort). In the day trains heading to the west country were either shorter or split en route so they were smaller by the time they got to the steep bits. I can't imagine ten coach loads (the ETHEL would weigh as much as at least two normal coaches) being used without a banker as a matter of course unless conditions were perfect, they would be pushing their luck. It is not an easy job to put on these trains with a requirement for vacuum brake (not many steam locos in the UK have air brake), electrical supply (these trips are expensive so the well healed customers like their comforts), and a loco that can manage a reasonable speed on the main line (the A4 ticks that box at least!)
Suzie, thanks for interesting insight. This Colonial had no knowledge of this prior to your description. Though I was intrigued by the video, and all the follow-on links after. I wish we had the enthusiastic reverence for the "old" that you Brits so thoroughly enjoy, and not only Watt's progeny.
It has got a bit out of hand over here with many millions being spent on building new steam locos (Tornado etc.) while historic (and potentially useful) motive power from the mid 20th century is being scrapped because museums cannot be found to house it.
I have seen it said that it can be cheaper to build new than to restore a derelict locomotive. There are only so many places locomotives can be housed and kept in working order unfortunately.
Wouldn't it seem plausible that if people can raise the capital to build a new steamer, a similar effort could be done to create a new home for rare diesels and electrics?
New covered accommodation has been built on some of the heritage lines. But there is only so much space for this.
I've just spent a wonderful 14+/- minutes watching the video "On The Footplate Of 71000, Duke Of Gloucester". What made the video so fascinating were the driver's comments during the run, explaining each action he performed. Thank you to whomever located and posted the initial video (Ken?), which then provided link, after link, after link, until I finally had to get off my butt and retrieve the sheets and towels out of the dryer...darn it.
