Two for the price of one

Double headers have always seemed popular with the enthusiast but for the sound recorder they often are unsatisfactory.
To start with, having two locos pulling the train can mean less noise since the locomotives don't have to work so hard. Also, all too often you can only really hear one loco, either that or the exhaust beats of the two merge and can't be discriminated one from the other. But sometimes things work out Ok as these recordings will demonstrate.

The southbound Cumbrian Mountain Pullman on 31st May 1982 was double headed over the Settle - Carlisle line by LMS 4-6-0's 5690 'Leander' and Black 5 5407. At Garsdale the pair stopped for water.
With both tenders replenished the pair depart.

The LMS pair worked the train to Hellifield where the LNER Pacific 'Flying Scotsman' was waiting to take the train on to Carnforth. To reverse a train here it is necessary to take the train out of the station, over the crossover and down onto the Blackburn line before brining the train in on the opposite platform ready to depart for Carnforth. With the road set for the move LMS pair draw the train out of the station and over the crossover. As the train is brought to a stand on the Blackburn branch the signalman sets the road for 4472 to back down onto the train ready for the journey to Carnforth.

After the Southbound Cumbrian Mountain Pullman had been taken over the S & C by Midland Compound 4-4-0 1000 piloting 5690 'Leander' LNER K1 2005 and Black 5 5407 were waiting at Hellifield to take the train back to Carnforth. In this recording the later pair are heard passing Settle Jc. and beginning a very noisy climb of Giggleswick Bank.

The Welsh Marches Pullman run a week later on 19th February 1983 had the interesting combination of Standard 2-6-4 Tank 80079 and Ivatt 2-6-0 43106. The train stopped at Craven Arms where the pair performed a run past.
There is a popular misconception that 43106 did 82 mph down Beattock in 1967. It actually did 82 mph on the way back to Carlisle from Beattock with the Border Countryman railtour which reversed at Beattock station - I know, I was there and have the photographs to prove it!

With the runs past completed and all the passengers back on board 80079 and 43106 leave Craven Arms for Hereford.

On the Severn Valley Railway on 15th April 1984 the at the head of the last train of the day from Bewdley was Black 5 5000. On arrival at Highley 0-6-0 3205, having deposited the freight in the siding there was put on the front of the Black 5 and the pair double headed the train to Bridgnorth. In this recording made departing from Hampton Loade both locos are clearly audible.