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

Seen here just south of Durham station and viaduct, narrowly escaping the clutches of a sinister northbound empty coal freight...

 

Lets hope it does, just as today's run brings back my own early memories as a 9 year old riding behind 60024 recorded at around 94 max on the same racing ground with the A4 LPS special 21/5/66 Doncaster - Edinburgh and return. Has a Streak done 90 on this section since??

 

I'm fairly sure this will stay with him for life. He loves all steam locos but is totally obsessed with the A4s. I think the only thing that could top today for him or atleast equal it is if he has a seat for a similar run for 100th anniversary if they do one. He has even said that he wants to drive them when he's older. His interest has gone on too long to be a fad so who knows he may get to drive one one day.

 

Iswise, that must have been an amazing experience for you. Nice to have those memories refreshed by today's run. I bet it brought back the exact same excited feeling you had too

 

"We saw her going through the north end of Darlington and she was going at a good speed. I didn't have the exact time but it was somewhere between 17.20 and 17.25 probably nearer the former rather than the latter. It was the railway bridge on Salters Lane North to anyone who knows Darlington. Spectacular sight for me and my 4 year old son. We saw the Northbound journey at Northallerton station but this was far more impressive. The speed combined with the fact it was night time so you could see the glow from the firebox and sparks flying was breathtaking. My son was also very impressed, bless him. Well worth the 2 postponements to get to see her fly past when it was dark. "

An absolute joy reading the comments on this thread again after the disappointment this morning. The comment above though is the best so far from Lara 1985. Great to hear the younger generation taking an interest and no doubt the experience will stay with him.

 

Based on RTT times a flying average from Birtley Jn (Tyne yard south end) to Tollerton 66 3/4 miles in 48 1/4 mins = 83mph. Much looking forward to taking my seat on Saturday!!

 

Quotes aren't working for me at present, so:-

Sounds like 66 mins 19 secs start to stop and a very good spell at 90 or more. Max not as high as mentioned here by someone else, but still a nice reward for all the patience shown by those on board and those running the trips.

(That's an average speed start to stop of over 72 mph BTW).

 

Been too busy to post but the last message I received was "over 92 now."

 

That's getting close to the sort of thing the Bulleids were doing in 1965-67.

Seriously this was obviously fantastic and as an old 'timer' I really should have been there. I was thinking about this trip all day tough whilst out foting the 5s. So glad it went well in the end.

Don

 

My friends say that it was a great run back with lots of 90+ running. Unsure of maximum but talk on the train was of 94.

 

Full marks to all concerned especially Network Railway who enabled the train to continue north from York when other trains were being stopped short of their destinations. At the time a difficult decision for someone who thankfully made the right choice.

Well done Network Rail and thank you

 

One photograph taken by myself for the record on some grainy settings with a small flash gun below. If anyone can give me an accurate speed reading through Thirsk station that would be greatly appreciated. She was certainly cantering along nicely.

Richard

 

my gps reading from coach D shows 95.1 mph max, average start to stop of 74.2, a lot of other gps users in D were getting virtually identical readings

Superb run, well worth the wait !!!

 

Excellent. Thanks for posting.

 

Just got home after a great run back from Newcastle. Good to read on this thread of you all rooting for us. It's been a day (year?) of highs and lows with this trip, but what a huge high to end on!

To answer Wazza588, we did a steady 90 right through Thirsk, and a good bit higher through Darlington.

Lots more tomorrow - not many pictures but plenty of words and figures to go with them!

But for now, it's good night, with a huge smile on my face!

Peter, back in a not-so-windy Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/

 

Roll on Saturday!

 

Through Darlington at 17:20 and circa 93 mph.

 

I can only echo what "Big Al" has posted; the consensus maximum on the platform seemed to be 94 mph max, anything more was pretty transitory.

I make it over 29 miles at an average of over 90 mph.

My thanks to all involved, well worth the wait and hearty congratulations.

It is remarkable that in 2013, 50 years (or so) after steam was surpassed as the prime motive power on the ECML, a new record time was set between Newcastle and York by no less than a Gresley A4.

 

Let me know where you'll be and I'll wave graciously as we tear by.