If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

7P 5FA

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by portline, Apr 10, 2009.

  1. portline

    portline Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2006
    Messages:
    509
    Likes Received:
    0
    What does 7P 5FA stand for?
    Im aware that 7P is obviously a class 7 passenger and the 5F is class five freight but what does the A mean?
     
    portline, Apr 10, 2009
    #1
  2. NDTSDN

    NDTSDN Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2005
    Messages:
    2,864
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    A, A
    NDTSDN, Apr 10, 2009
    #2
  3. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2006
    Messages:
    16,513
    Likes Received:
    7,762
    Location:
    1012 / 60158
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Though the question was never really answered in that thread - I thought that the 'A' and 'B' suffixes were an indication of the loco's ability to brake unfitted goods trains?
     
    Martin Perry, Apr 10, 2009
    #3
  4. 45562 ALBERTA

    45562 ALBERTA New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2007
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    0
    A ny loco carrying 7P5FA means that it is a class 7 passenger loco, a class 5 freight loco that is only allowed to pull freight trains with continuous vacuum brake.
    ie fully fitted. I was told this by Bert Hitchen when involved with 34027 under his ownership
     
    45562 ALBERTA, Apr 10, 2009
    #4
  5. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2007
    Messages:
    35,152
    Likes Received:
    20,797
    Occupation:
    Training moles
    Location:
    The back of beyond
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    There was a long debate about this on a Southern group and it would seem that the A suffix indicated locos of superior braking abilities and the B for locos of lesser braking performance. Both suffixes applied to the working of unfitted trains. There were anomalies in the system as some classes received a rating that wasn't borne out by real life performance when braking an unfitted train.
     
    Spamcan81, Apr 11, 2009
    #5
  6. NDTSDN

    NDTSDN Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2005
    Messages:
    2,864
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    A, A
    The Bulleid Q1 Class had a 5FA rating on their cabside.

    It has been documented many a time that the Q1 braking ability was poor !
     
    NDTSDN, Apr 11, 2009
    #6
  7. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2006
    Messages:
    16,513
    Likes Received:
    7,762
    Location:
    1012 / 60158
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I thought that it was the other way around hence the WC/BB and 330XX classes getting an 'A' and the Maunsell Moguls getting a 'B'
     
    Martin Perry, Apr 11, 2009
    #7
  8. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,204
    Likes Received:
    57,868
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    A is higher brake capability, B is lower.

    The E4 (a smallish tank engine, with no tender to give extra braking) is 2P 2FB

    Tom
     
    Jamessquared, Apr 11, 2009
    #8
  9. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2006
    Messages:
    16,513
    Likes Received:
    7,762
    Location:
    1012 / 60158
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Sorry I cannot really believe that the Moguls were considered to be of inferior braking ability, especially compared to the Bulleids ......
     
    Martin Perry, Apr 12, 2009
    #9
  10. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,204
    Likes Received:
    57,868
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    It's as Spamcan81 wrote:

    I suspect some official somewhere made up the classifications based on appearances, without necessarily having practical experience of the locos concerned :)

    Tom
     
    Jamessquared, Apr 12, 2009
    #10
  11. James

    James Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    Messages:
    4,178
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    7036
    See the Stanier mogul's wandering power classifications!
     
    James, Apr 12, 2009
    #11

Share This Page