Longest sustained steam running at 70+mph in the UK

The problem is that Bristol - London is circa 120 miles and the water capacity of the Tender (4000 galls) and GUV (6000 galls ?) comes to around 10,000 galls. I believe that Network Rail calculates 72 miles per 4000 gallons therefore the Bristolian would be well within the limit of 190 miles that the Tender + Guv could muster.

If the same calculations were applied to the WCML then a stop would be required at Carnforth and on the ECML at York for the water supply to be replenished. At 402 miles for the Euston - Carlisle run and 393 for the Kings Cross - Edinburgh run I couldn't think of any way that sufficient water could be carried. That said what arrangements applied in Australia when 4472 achieved 427 miles without stopping on its record-breaking achievement ?

I don't think there would be any query with the coal required per se but would the firemen have the requisite experience to "fire to the road" and economise on the coal consumption ? Such a test of firemanship would certainly show the difference between firing on the main line and heritage lines.

 

It is possible to sustain 70+ speeds for quite significant distances away from the well known 'racetracks'. Earlier this year on its last public mainline run prior to overhaul 6024 comfortably sustained 70+ mph for at least 35 continuous miles running from Exeter to Bristol. Adverse signals prior to Wore Junction caused a subsequent speed reduction.

 

Think you might mean Glasgow Fred ?.

 

Soz - quite correct as Carlisle is only 299 miles away from London ! Spent too much time diverting at Carstairs.

 

Nothing so picturesque as West Coast's BR GUV.
Flying Scotsman used three New South Wales Railway water "gins" each containing 7,000 gallons. (Rumour has it that 'only' 2 would have sufficed.) They have two types - ones with pumps and those relying purely on gravity. Pictures here: NSWGR water gin (info needed for model project) - Model Railways - Forums - Railpage Australia
4472's tender was adapted in Australia to use this system of water carrying and many Australian locos had it fitted from new. It's quite intriguing to see several locos all piped up and each able to draw water from gins as necessary. The 'support coach' had to be through piped as it was attached to 4472's tender, enabling crew changes, followed by the 3 'gins' and (I believe) 3 passenger coaches.