Passenger Train Formations

Geoff Holt

As a keen modeller of LNWR locomotives I have wide selection in my collection, representing periods from the 1890’s to the Grouping. Whereas it is hardly a problem assembling a realistic goods train to put behind my goods locos, it is quite another matter when it comes to deciding on a suitable train of carriages.

I have discussed this same problem with a number of people who seen to be faced with the same basic problem and all the seem to agree that there is the need for some kind of reference source which can give guidance for the modeller. As a serious student LNWR I would like to think that this make-up of my ‘local’ or my long-distance ‘express’ is authentic.

In this society we have a number of members who might just be persuaded to compile the kind of articles needed. In the current Journal we have to Philip Millard giving us an insight into the Liverpool—Leeds—Hull set for instance; just a kind of information could be extended into a wider range of trains.

I do realise that there no such thing as a ‘typical’ or ‘standard’ LNWR train across the board, but were there are indicators in use by the operating staff on a number of 3^rd, 2^nd and 1^st class seats, toilet facilities Luggage area etc?

To my knowledge it is a subject which has received only sporadic attention and therefore difficult to unearth unless one is pointed in the right direction. How nice it would be if I could confidently ignore Mr Clever–Cloggs who will be sure to inform

me that they would never put the diagram 123B next to a dining car, the next time I take a train set some exhibition. That apart, having the reliable information will no doubt save many pounds and valuable modelling has been wasted on the inappropriate stock.

As a pointer to what I have in mind and in an attempt to be a little more specific the following examples of my own world from pages of Mr. Talbot’s Miscellany books

Vol.1 Plate 58 the Up Sunny South express. A fascinating train of vehicles, but which vehicles?

Vol 1 plate 15. A Dreadnought hauls a wonderful selection of vehicles into Crewe from the Chester line around 1890. How I would love someone to identify those vehicles for me.

Vol 2 Plates 23 & 24. Trains circa 1922 composed of variety of lengths and widths with some identification in the caption but what of the other vehicles?

Maybe I am expecting too much from what for me is a rolling stock minefield. Maybe it doesn’t really matter. Maybe indeed. but it would be nice to know all the same.