Steam stock formations

[Deleted]

Hi
Time for one of my usual stupid questions... . Metropolitan bogied steam stock - popularly known as 'Dreadnought' stock. Was there a 'standard' formation during LPTB/LT days? The working timetables only state that the trains were formed of 6 coaches. From what I can gather there were basically four different types of vehicle - a 7 compartment (ex-first class) third class, 9 compartment third class and two types of brake vehicle - one with 7 third class compartments and the less numerous 6 compartment brake third. Following the withdrawal of first class accommodation the 7 compartment ex firsts were used as third class with the only modification (that I'm aware of) being the seat arm rests were sewed up in the raised position. Watching numerous DVDs of the loco hauled trains suggests that it was a case of anything goes provided there was a brake vehicle at the outer ends of the set.

Going back further to the early days of LT when running in reduced formation during off peak hours was the norm - again the WTT gives no exact formation but does give some details on the coaches detached or attached - this is basic detail such as 1 first and 3 thirds. A lot of these sets would be working off peak with 3 or 4 coaches - would I be right in assuming that when running as such these sets would only have the one brake vehicle? Was there a requirement that the outer vehicles of each loco-hauled train must be a brake vehicle? If so some of the sets would be very top heavy with brake vehicles. For example a 6 set running as a 3 set off peak would be formed brake+ full coach+ brake + brake+ full coach + brake (!)

Thanks for any assistance in advance.

[metman]

Interesting question. Not 100% sure but all the photos I have seen have the Dreadnoughts in 5 and 6 coach sets. In the 1920s before the Watford extension batch was built I believe trains ran as Brake7-First7-Third9-First7-Brake7. When 6 coaches were used I think there were Brake7-First7-Third9-Third9-First7-Brake7. I didn't know that these trains ever split.

The Watford batch actually introduced 2 new types of Dreadnought coach-the 6 comp brakes and 1st/3rd composite coaches. Some of the Dreadnought coaches where converted into T stock trailers/driving trailers from 1929-1940. There are some interesting photos on this site:
web.ukonline.co.uk/53amodels/london.htm

At the end of the day the Met Rly/Line was always a bit random with train formations and although LT would have liked to have had a fixed pattern to its coaching stock -such as the first class coaches being in the same position (much like it did with the Circle Stock 1934-1950) I imagine that many of the old guard where still around and did things their way!