Quote:
Originally Posted by ElAurens
OK, It is common practice over here to dead head with a diesel in tow, because the freight railroads will not tolerate blocked tracks if there is a breakdown on a 60+ year old locomotive, but on this occasion there is also another special reason. The diesel in tow is a brand new GE built unit that is the first in it's class, hence it's number 8100. It is painted in the vintage livery of the Nickle Plate Road, which is now a part of the Northfolk Southern system of roads. For a modern diesel it is very cool.
Today the 765 was running in a totally urban setting so she was kept to a mere 15 mph. When out in open country they will let her have her head and 60+ mph is not an issue for her.
I do believe she is the last of her type that still can operate.
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It's common practice over here too to have a diesel helper when running a steam loco on the mainline, it's common sense I guess.
I took a trip from London Waterloo to Swanage last year on a Black 5 with a class 37 diesel on tow, took about 5 and a half hours to get there and was a great experience. On the way back, it was the Britannia class Oliver Cromwell taking us home and I even got to go on the footplate at Waterloo. I'll post a picture or 2 tomorrow.