Saphos: Blue Peter to Carlisle - 12/02/26; Sir Nigel Gresley - 11/03/26; Britannia - 8/04/26

On my travels to Germany I have found it to be a simple “Hallo” when alerting people who are in the shot.

 

Some horsepower calculations, using the RPS spreadsheet, NR measured gradients, my GPS data (northbound) and Graham’s posted log (southbound). All the usual caveats about inherent uncertainties with values given to the nearest 25 and an estimated uncertainty of ±50 to 100HP.

Grayrigg North (MP13-MP26)

13 miles in 12m 40s (average speed 61.5 mph). Average EDHP = 1575

Shap North (MP31.5-MP37.25)

5.75 miles in 5m 42s (average speed 60.7 mph). Average EDHP = 1850

Shap South Upperby Br Jn – Climbing Summit (MP67.75-MP38)

29.75 miles in 29m 22.5s (average speed 60.8 mph). Average EDHP = 1475

Shap South Eden Valley N Jn – Climbing Summit (MP48-MP38)

10 miles in 9m 10.1s (average speed 65.4mph). Average EDHP = 1825

On a climb with a constant gradient, a train travelling at constant speed is said to have reached the “balancing speed”, the speed where the forces trying to slow the train are being exactly matched by the force being exerted by the locomotive. This condition is very useful as it helps to reduce/eliminate some of the approximations introduced when calculating the power output. During the climbs to Shap, in both north and south directions, 60007 ran at “balancing speed”. On the final part of the northbound climb speed held steady at 51.5 mph, whilst on the upper part of the southbound climb speed was 66 mph.

Southbound (gradient = 1/125r, speed = 66 mph). EDHP = 2125

Northbound (gradient = 1/76r, speed = 51.5 mph). EDHP = 2400

These values, although exceptional, were sustained for relatively short periods and are not a measure of the loco’s sustained capability. I don’t have any IHP (the power being produced at the cylinders) vs speed curves for an A4, but the IHPs in both cases were likely to have been in the order of 2700-2800.

Overall, a great day, exceptional power outputs, top times, skilled crews and a fantastic locomotive. Can A4s climb hills? You bet they can!

 

Whilst your comment may be correct within the rules, from experience not all of your industry colleagues see it like that.
I remember a tour at KX on a Saturday evening (I suspect from York) where I was a steward. Passengers were told by station staff they were not allowed to take photographs, or go on Platform 2 (tour on Platform 1) yet those same staff were more than happy for regular travellers to stop and take images on their phones. Or being at West Drayton (when it was an FGW station) and being told after being questioned as to why I had not got on the train that had just left, that my ticket only allowed me on the platform until the next train arrived not to wait around to photograph a tour which was running slightly late.