Inter City 125 program on channel 5

Was quite an interesting series about the development and operation of the Intercity 125. Just watched on channel 5 the second half of one of the programs. Was very interesting, well worth watching. I will watch the rest.

http://www.channel5.com/show/intercity-125/

 

I thought it was a bit disjointed, but worth watching.

 

Had to chuckle at the bit about Deltics being too heavy to go faster than 100. A) they were lighter than most main line diesels and b) they most certainly could top the ton even if the official limit was 100.

 

it was a little muddled at times and the suggestion that railways would have ceased to be without the 125s is daft but quite watchable

 

Oh, yes - as a teenager and in their twilight I timed the buggers doing nearly 110 down the New Southgate (IIRC) stretch into the Cross...

 

Well there was a plan for a Napier Powered HST!

 

And a 4000hp Deltic in what was essentially a Class 50 body shell. Sadly Mr.Fiennes didn't get the go ahead for that one.

 

Watched the first programme. No mention of Terry Miller so a black mark from me. Will watch the second though....

 

Ah, the Super Deltic. Closest we ever got to that was the beautiful Kestrel. Both a former colleague of mine and my brother saw that in service and in my brother's case, Lion and Falcon too.

Grrrr.

 

Jammy sod!

 

I have watched the first program now, didn't know the reason for changing the front end of the prototype to the production front end so it does explain that. So great that is was excellent British Engineering, Why can't we do the same now ?
I also think the original colour scheme was still by far the best for them and much better than the current schemes.

 

Yes, I have told him that on multiple occasions! He told me his favourite childhood memory is seeing Manna steaming past light engine on a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon, positively gleaming after what must have been one of, if not its last outshoppings.

 

I am sure I read somewhere that the first time they did a 125 mph trial run past with 2 sets, that all the windows broke?

3155

 

"Had to chuckle at the bit about Deltics being too heavy to go faster than 100. " - I think they cut quite a long interview in which we discussed the problems of weight and axle loadings at high speed on old infrastructure, and the need to standardise fleets etc. Bar the odd tiny niggles that are to be expected, glad the prog has been very well received wth the general audience.

 

Is there 42 years in front line service out of Paddington a record?

 

After this Tuesday's episode, Channel 4 are broadcasting "Trains from Hell".

 

The first "Castle" was introduced in 1923 and I believe the last one worked out of Paddington in 1965.
The Stars & Saints were in service for fifty years. 1907-57 for the Stars and 1902-1953 for the Saints.
More recently the Class 47s were introduced in the early 60s, so possibly may have worked out of Paddington for forty years.

 

Well the Iron Dukes(Alma class) went from 1846 til the end in 1892. So I guess the HST's aren't quite there yet.

Just seen 22A's post. Seems the GWR had a long tradition of durable designs.
Of course the HST's followed the Derby tradition of needing two locomotives to pull a train...

 

An hour special on Pacers? Oh joy!

 

Exactly the joke I was about to make. Great minds and all that