4464 Bittern to do 90mph on ECML - 29 June & 27 July 2013

That looked a rather too easy, little wonder the LNER felt that the Flying Hamburger had nothing to offer them. It will be interesting to get confirmation with regard to how the engine was being worked. Historically 15% cut-off and full regulator against a well maintained boiler pressure would give a good performance with this level of loading over an easily graded route.

 

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As someone who has grown up with Steam at 75mph, that is quite a sight! swing her round, oil up the bearings and give Mallards record a go...now that would be interesting - if only to see someone taking the plaque off the side of her in the NRM!!

In all seriousness, I hope this paves the way for the A1 trust to be able to run Tornado at 90 on some occasions, it would be quite something. 60019 really is making that look easy...

 

Such a light load was surely never going to be a problem for a decent pacific on that route.

And of course I'd love to know how the loco was being worked too. More in the gentle uphill direction on the way down, than on the way back. Although the "plan" might have been to gradually build up to a maximum and not push too hard on the way down.

I've just checked my notes of the 35003 run in June 1967. Fred Burridge used a slightly longer cut off: 20% once into speed. And controlled things with the throttle. 2/3 up to 100 mph, then 3/4 to get to 106 mph. At which pojnt he eased back to 1/4, then out to 3/4 when speed was back to 100mph which was sustained on almost all level track. Very light load, but the loco clearly had a great deal in hand. I do sometimes wonder what could have been done if Fred had used full throttle and wound out to 25% or more! But maybe the 2 axle parcels vans bothered him about going over 110 mph. And from the ease that 35003 ran that night I have no doubt we could have left that mark some way behind. 35003 was a consistently fast Merchant Navy, even when worn out and at the end of her life.

One thing I've not really thought much about was the acceleration down from Milepost 31, where we were recovering from a tsr. 74½ over the summit and up to 95 mph again in about 2.7 miles or less. Downhill, (circa 1/300), and a light load, yes, but still only 20% and 3/4 throttle.

The loco never felt stressed and gave a very smooth ride indeed. Apart from some vibration at one point which Fred later told me were the fairly recently laid concrete sleeps near Fleet, (I think). The fireman built up a good fire at Basingstoke and then just some light firing. At the high speed the only way to know we were going fast was the loco speedo, (and they could be way out in those days), and my stopwatch times. All confirmed by the 20 or so timers in the train later.

Expect I'm boring everyone. Sorry.

But steam loco speed has been a great interest of mine for decades, (anyone here ever noticed? LOL!). And I am finding every aspect of Bittern's efforts very interesting indeed. And I'd love to see what she ends up being allowed to do, and how she is being driven to achieve that.

I'll go back to my Owls now, and leave you all in peace!

 

As the two locations on the two videos are only 1.5 miles apart, I would suggest they are both at the same speed.

 

Have we had any reports yet?

 

Youtube clip (not mine!) of yesterdays test run at 90MPH. This is in preparation for special railtours to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Mallard's record breaking run on 3rd July.

 

Just out of interest, I wonder why it was Bittern that was chosen over UofSA or SNG ? Best mechanical condition or was Mr. Hosking just a bit more willing to let his toys go as fast as they like?

 

BUGGER !!! Arrived back at Gatwick at 12am this morning !! Missed her through Twyford ! Oh well......but great videos lads and well done for getting out. Surprised it wasn't a run in the dark though ???...Pete

 

It may be mechanical reasons or because it resembles Mallard the most having the side valances and right livery.

 

No it's because there doing this of there own back.

 

You can't expect him to be able to read numbers at that speed!!!!

 

Can we all keep quiet about this please.

Just the excuse my daughters need for putting me in a home!

 

Come on Mr Yeti keep the Southern theme going, you must have some stories about 34019 or 35019 doing its stuff.

 

I gather that a primary purpose of the test was to measure the hammer blow at 90 mph using a sensor in the up main near Maidenhead. The impact of hammer blow on underline bridge structures will determine which stretches of the ECML will be permitted for 90mph running.

 

I should have thought of the whole looks thing...doh!

 

only one person catching her in the dark, full credit, never thought they would release the timings, in case tons of people would go and see her, both videos show that yes its only 15mph faster which doesn't sound a lot but the noise from bittern was epic