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Tornado

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Leander's Shovel, Oct 20, 2007.

  1. blink bonny

    blink bonny Member

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    Yup. It depends on which side of the business fence you're on. Is it a nice day out behind a loco, or an income stream to keep the business going.

    If all goes to plan, it's both. If not, somebody's going to have a sub-optimal result.
     
  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    ....for a number of reasons and not all of them positive. But it has pushed hard at the limits of steam as achieved by other locomotives to include joining the 'ton up' club.
     
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  3. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Boys will be boys ...... What happens if Pennsy 5550 goes and breaks Mallard's record? :Woot:
     
  4. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Can’t see a GWR small prairie being capable of 126+ mph ;).
     
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  5. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Oh I dunno ..... steam catapult launch system. I can see the cab notice now: "Crews are reminded firebox doors are to remain firmly closed until linespeed is reached. The management will NOT be held responsible for injury due to hot coals exiting the firebox during acceleration".
     
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  6. Enterprise

    Enterprise Part of the furniture

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    But not even 90 for long when I was behind her and I can't see that being tried again. :(
     
  7. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    With the GWR interpretation of quarter mile post spacing, anything is possible ...

    Tom
     
  8. garth manor

    garth manor Well-Known Member

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    Outside the UK the F 7 is regarded as the fastest by many on a true journey.
     
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  9. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    The Milwaukee Road's streamlined (air smoothed?) 4-6-4s? I'm really only now starting to get to grips with US steam (it was the T1 which piqued my interest, followed by UP announcing 4014's comeback).

    What I've often wondered about speeds on US rails. What sort of restrictions existed on unfenced lines? Surely 800-plus tons of passenger stock hurtling across plains innocent of any fencing at around 'the ton' wouldn't be much better received there than here. Were regs a Federal, or State responsibility (or County, for that matter?). Beyond noting a few Federal schemes to promote some classes of early lines, I don't even know under what sort authority US railroads/railways were constructed!
     
  10. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Seriously, the Pennsylvania new build T1 could pose a realistic threat to Mallard’s record. Due to be completed in 2030 by the time she’s run in it could be capable of exceeding 126 mph. Hopefully Tornado or the P2 could reclaim the record.
    Not sure genuine enthusiasts would accept record breaking by new builds but I doubt I’ll still be around by then to worry about it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2022
  11. class8mikado

    class8mikado Part of the furniture

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    Dont seriously think that Tornado or the P2 are Capable of nigh on 130mph, and i dont think any of the original A4's would be permitted to try.
    But for about 5 Million you could probably new build an A4 / Rebuilt W1 (with a few hindsighted tweak)s that could.
     
  12. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    It seemed quite effortless to me.

    However, I believe the Trust has called time in 90mph running which I thought was Tornado's raison d'être - to run at high speed in order to fit in better with the modern high speed Big Railway.

    Now it seems the focus is instead to get to 75 as fast as possible - the P2.
     
  13. class8mikado

    class8mikado Part of the furniture

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    But surely the Loco. is 'passed' for it ?( or has that been rescinded) so its really a case of deciding to in future planning its excursions as a 75mph Loco not a 90mph one, could still therefore exceed 75mph if the need/opportunity arises.
    Conversely how do you ' plan' your P2 hauled train to be any different to one hauled by a.n.other class 8 other than confidence it can maybe take an extra coach ?
     
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  14. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Though the replica PRR T1 is a great project and would doubtless be capable of prodigious feats, the chances of it getting somewhere to perform them in the USA would seem to be remote at best.
     
  15. S.A.C. Martin

    S.A.C. Martin Part of the furniture

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    I would humbly suggest that its less the speed that is the problem, it's the signalling systems that will ultimately push steam locomotives off the mainline. We await with interest the ETCS tests for Tornado et al, as that will inform what needs to be done as an industry going forward.
     
  16. D1002

    D1002 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Tornado’s driving wheels are re-tyred and reunited with the locomotive:
    44497F20-A63D-4F9E-A5AE-38B8340BE72E.png
     
  17. goldfish

    goldfish Nat Pres stalwart

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    Since when was Tornado an 0-2-4 and what's with the yellow livery…?

    Simon
     
  18. Ploughman

    Ploughman Part of the furniture

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    Didn't you hear that Tornado was to be rebuilt as a Tamper?:):)
     
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  19. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    "Passing the Baton" could be a theme for launching a Brightline or one of the less unlikely high speed* lines

    * 'High Speed in US terms is some way south of numbers we'd think of this side of the pond.
     
  20. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Max speed in most areas is 79mph if I recall correctly, only the ‘NE Corridor’ has higher limits.
     

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