75th anniversary of the A4 speed record

[VernonDozier]

Hi forum, long time...

I found this interesting article ( http://www.easternrailroadnews.com/2012 ... s-in-july/ ).
Is it even possible to get one of these to get up to high speeds again?

[Dave4468]

Thats tosh. If any group was going to try to push an A4 up to that speeds there is no way it would be the NRM. They wont even overhaul Green Arrow because it has an interesting cylinder. Even if someone wanted too they couldn't, in Britain I think all steam engines (possibly 60163 exempt?) are limited to 75mph on the main line. And there is nowhere bar HS1 where they could pass 125, let alone 126.

Although I do want to go to York to see all six of them together.

[VernonDozier]

Yea it did see like a pipe dream and also dangerous.
I wonder if they will keep the locos permanatly or send em back to us.

[Dave4468]

I believe they are coming over for two years.

I think the NRM is also planning to give both Dominion of Canada and Dwight D Eisenhower a cosmetic overhaul and then plans to line up all six of them ready for the anniversary, I think those two are then going back in 2014.

[twomanydjs]

i belive the plan is to run an A4 at 100mph only not 126mph and network rail are to give special permission for a one off run and its intended to be down stoke bank only but as to weather any of the A4 loco owners will give permission to do such a run is another matter all together.

[VernonDozier]

Cool. Hope there will be lots of youtube vids!

[chrisiveson]

140 mph. signalling is still in place on Stoke Bank and by special arrangements, records have been broken, ( but I doubt it would be done with an A4? )

A Class 91, 91010 (now 91110) holds the British locomotive speed record at 162 mph (261 km/h), set on September 17, 1989, just south of Little Bytham on a test run down Stoke Bank

That was with the DVT leading a shortened rake of MK IV's, ( maybe they'll paint a 91 to look like a passenger coach and push one of the A4's down, ( or should it be up? ) the bank? )

C.

[VernonDozier]

That's not a bad idea actually. JUst for fun.

[FoggyMorning]

140 mph. signalling is still in place on Stoke Bank and by special arrangements, records have been broken, ( but I doubt it would be done with an A4? )

Considering the wear and tear it caused to a nearly ex-works Mallard in 1938 I think it highly unlikely that anyone would be foolish/reckless enough to attempt it

AFAIK both Ike and DoC have been static displays for many years, so I think the article linked to probably underplays the amount of work required to get them in steam again?

[Dave4468]

140 mph. signalling is still in place on Stoke Bank and by special arrangements, records have been broken, ( but I doubt it would be done with an A4? )

Considering the wear and tear it caused to a nearly ex-works Mallard in 1938 I think it highly unlikely that anyone would be foolish/reckless enough to attempt it

Wear and tear?! It broke itself it quite a way!

I don't think is any plan to return any of the out of steam ones to steam for this. The only A4 not in steam bar those two is Mallard. Gresley, Bittern and Union of SA have all been in steam lots recently, except when they are broken, like 60009 and 60007 currently are.

[FoggyMorning]

140 mph. signalling is still in place on Stoke Bank and by special arrangements, records have been broken, ( but I doubt it would be done with an A4? )

Considering the wear and tear it caused to a nearly ex-works Mallard in 1938 I think it highly unlikely that anyone would be foolish/reckless enough to attempt it

Wear and tear?! It broke itself it quite a way!

I don't think is any plan to return any of the out of steam ones to steam for this. The only A4 not in steam bar those two is Mallard. Gresley, Bittern and Union of SA have all been in steam lots recently, except when they are broken, like 60009 and 60007 currently are.

What you're saying in other words is that there's currently only 1 of the 6 actually in running condition

[Dave4468]

Erm, yes.

But two more work when they are not broken!

[oldrocker]

Er, let us know if you want City of Truro as a banker to help it along !