[72C]

It really depends on the period.

By the 50's these coaches were no longer top link and would have gravitated down to secondary services behind N15's, N's (especially in the West Country) and BR/Fairburn 2-6-4T's for a very short period.

Prior to this, you could use them on all SR top links with MN's, N15's, V's and any multitude of pre-grouping express locos.

However my personal favourite will be a three car set behind Hornby's forthcoming T9 somewhere west of Exeter.

 

[72C]

Crewkerne Station's brief moment of fame came when, on 24 April 1953, Merchant Navy class locomotive 35020 Bibby Line hauling the 4.30pm Exeter Central to Waterloo cracked its driving axle. The resulting flailing motion destroyed much of the up platform awning although there were no injuries, the awning is still different from the down platform.

Does anyone have a record of the possible sets that can be created with Hornby's BR coaches?

BTW Black 5's were regular motive power on the Bournemouth-York service until the end of steam, the LMR locos were always immaculate and were turned and serviced at Bournemouth Central for the return journey.

 

[72C]

In 1962 the BRCW D6500 class were allocated mostly to the east Kent lines on introduction and by this time Maunsell coaches were beginning to move westward to the Withered Arm and S&D, thus only relief scratch trains such as race specials were likely to have D6500 moreover only in the summer as the heating systems were incompatible.

Your most likely scenario was West of Exeter on the SWMain and its various branches.

If you have more questions about specific uses or are interested in the Southern in the West Country, please PM

 

[72C]

Click here
Complete with photos

Tim