Those are great videos, thanks everyone. It is just wonderful to see a brand new steam engine running at speed. As I understand it, the A1 is not an exact replica either and Network Rail have been involved throughout so I won't be surprised to see it run at 90mph.
You're right about the capacity isue. A faster train consumes less path or graph space in a given line. The question is if Network Rail will ever lift the 75 mph barrier. And if it does it just for one engine, all others capable of such speeds, such as the A4s, should also be allowed to run as fast, providing their owners would ask for certification. After all there are some precedents. I Germany, 01 class engines are allowed to run at 130 Km/h (81 mph) and 18.201 is certified for 100 mph.
Mario_v Reaching 90, or even more (there are UK engines that I'm shure would reach 100, the 60000 series streamlined engines, wicch are Mallard's sisters), but I seriousely doubt that Railtrack, the company owning track infrastructure will ever go ahead with any sort of permit. In fact, having and operating a working steam engine in Britain was becaming more and more demanding. As far as I know, maximum permitted speed for steam engines there is 75mph, although I've heard a freind of mine that used to wor for British Rail, that some times, and informally, this limit was surpassed. I belive that the maximum speed he mentioned, was 98 mph, precisely with one of the 60000s
Reaching 90, or even more (there are UK engines that I'm shure would reach 100, the 60000 series streamlined engines, wicch are Mallard's sisters), but I seriousely doubt that Railtrack, the company owning track infrastructure will ever go ahead with any sort of permit. In fact, having and operating a working steam engine in Britain was becaming more and more demanding. As far as I know, maximum permitted speed for steam engines there is 75mph, although I've heard a freind of mine that used to wor for British Rail, that some times, and informally, this limit was surpassed. I belive that the maximum speed he mentioned, was 98 mph, precisely with one of the 60000s
As far as I'm aware, the guys responisble for building the new A1 Tornado have held discussions with Railtrack( and its successor, Network Rail) with the aim of having this loco approved for 90mph operation. So the plan was and still is, that it will run at 90mph.
From Network Rail's point of view this makes it easier to path, as 75mph trains take up more train paths.
I think the issue here is while engines originally designed for dual service are capable, these are all engines that are one of a kind and historic, and as well as they are maintained, they are all are some sixty plus years old..and prone to the wear of age .In the days of railroad fairs a representative engine like the S1 was labelled "American Railroads" You know, if there was a consortium of private and corporate donors, railroads included, it would be an exciting idea to pursue a concept similar to that of the 5AT project, a state of the art demonstration steam engine designed for excursion service.
Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.
Mario_v A far as North American engines ae concerned, I belive that 90 or even more mph will not be a problem, since all the power, driving wheels and technology is there. Strong candidates : UpP44, SP4449, and ... N&W 611,
A far as North American engines ae concerned, I belive that 90 or even more mph will not be a problem, since all the power, driving wheels and technology is there. Strong candidates : UpP44, SP4449, and ... N&W 611,
Certainly those, and there are others that were designed for that kind of speed. For one, Milwaukee 261 comes to mind.
The Red Devil is the nickname of the experimental Class 26 ( the only one of her class) that was modified by David Wardale as part of an experiment of South African Railways in fuel efficiency. She was given a gas producing firebox, roller bearings, lempor exhaust, automatic lubrication etc. She looked like a NYC Niagara with a low profile like a bullet casing. The film I saw it in was Steam Fever, shot on 35mm film..one of the top ten steam films ever, here is a preview
Well, the only Red Devil I remember right now is this one :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDnI3zRVYU8
Lately, it has became more of a Green Hornet as it can be seen over here :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpe8I2ZAOW8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcr0Na5nvVo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTlQMznuYz8
Anyway, each one f the names is appropriate, since this engine is allowed to run at 100 mph if needed, although with the ex DDR Reko Wagen its top speed might be restricted to 87, the maximum for the cars.
A far as North American engines ae concerned, I belive that 90 or even more mph will not be a problem, since all the power, driving wheels and technology is there. Strong candidates : UpP44, SP4449, and ... N&W 611, wich in service would run at such speeds with crack streamlined trains. The only problem is, in wich route one would be allowed to run like that in the US ? UP main line in Nebraska.? It used to be a racetrack when the company had it's fleet of streamliners. But des it still uses its cab signal system ? Other line could be the Nec, but I've got serious doubts that Amtrak would allow a steamer there and the only loco that is in the, sort of, vicinity is 611. But it hasn't been run for some years now.
I'm pretty sure UP #844 would still be able to run at those speeds, wasn't she clocked at 115mph back in the late 40s, early 50s? Heck, I saw a video of her on youtube where, by my math, she would have had to be doing something over 85 to pass the camera that quickly. My math isn't great but thats another story. I think any of the 4-8-4s still running in the US are at least theoretically capable of 90mph running still, although some might question the wisdom of pushing an old machine that hard.
Mario, where did you see that video of the "Red Devil"? I'd love to see that.
Where
Hello,
CP owns a Hudson, #2816 with 75" drivers and as it is a class 1 road, 2816 must be able to maintain track speed on the mainline where it often runs. It has been paced at over 70 mph as recently as last year.
CN Charlie
She's is really clipping along... running like a sewing machine. Its nice to see an engine not spewing a black cloud of smoke. It reminds me of a film I saw of the SAR Class 26, Red Devil at speed..running faster than the A1..her rods were a blur...we need a "Speed Queen" over here...I dont recall any high drivered engines in operating condition in the U.S. Oh Well...theres nowhere to run them anyway if they did exist. I would love to see a PRR Atlantic with her 80" high driving wheels running at the 115 MPH recreating the "Lindberg Special"along the NE Corridor.....
Boy they sure aren't afraid of running her, are they? I heard they plan to certify her for 90mph running, I can't wait to see that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkKEURaKY0M
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