SNG having a bite at the Highwayman Cafe?

[karlrestall]

The speed record plate says 'Postwar Speed Record Holder 112mph Gained 23rd May 1959' which means that its mearly 48 years since SNG gained that record.

Regards

Karl

[x568wcn]

[richard]

SNG also has the preservation speed record. Or the official one, anyway

Richard

[Ben]

SNG also has the preservation speed record. Or the official one, anyway

Richard

Does it? What speed did it reach?

[x568wcn]

was it;

The Society decided that the locomotive should be restored in the Garter Blue livery in which it was painted originally, bearing its LNER number 4498 and with modifications that had been made over the years to improve the performance of A4s. On 1st April 1967, the 'Inaugural Run' special train organised by the A4 Locomotive Society Ltd and the first train worked by 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley in the private ownership of the Society, ran from Crewe to Carlisle going over Shap and the return via Ais Gill and Blackburn. Near Weaver Junction, 16 miles from the start out of Crewe, 4498 reached a top speed of 92 mph with a remarkable performance for a loco so new out of shops. The Society officers had been told at Crewe that the loco was good for 110 mph after the overhaul had been done!

Interesting he didn't name his A4!

A naming ceremony had taken place on 16th November at Marylebone station. The nameplates were unveiled by William Whitelaw, the Chairman of the LNER, who also presented Sir Nigel Gresley with a miniature silver replica of the locomotive to commemorate the occasion.

[richard]

One does not name the engine honouring one! (unless you're a monarch?)

I've tried to look up the preservation claim. I thought I saw it in Mannion's "Streaks". This describes the 1967 96mph run but doesn't explicitly claim this as a record.

Note that steam engines had a speed limit imposed when they were allowed back on BR rails in 1972, so all legal claims are going to be from the late 1960s.


Richard

[karlrestall]

Note that steam engines had a speed limit imposed when they were allowed back on BR rails in 1972, so all legal claims are going to be from the late 1960s.

Richard

They still do have a restricted speed limit of 75mph don't they or has this limit been relaxed or tightened up?

Regards

Karl

[richard]

Yes - that is why any later claim would be unofficial or illegal.


Richard

[karlrestall]

Or both. Personally I think that if the loco can manage higher speeds, safely, then I see no problem in limiting the loco to 75mph, especially on the mainline where the train is likely to hold up normal service trains.

Just my 2 Pennys worth.

Regards

Karl