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

That will be Deutsche Reichsbahn 18.201 in Germany , alas not an A4 on Network Rail

This was also a sustained high speed inter-city run the likes of which haven't been seen by steam for many years (at least in the UK) which is why it is so special. Though I agree the claimed "preservation record" of 92.5mph after the summer run was a bit far off the mark!

If you want to ask what all the fuss is about then actually I'd say there's no anniversary to celebrate....................... my great-granddad said he did at least 130mph down Stoke Bank with an A1..................so I don't know what all this A4 celebration stuff is for anyway!

 

That's in Germany, with their green pacific (can't recall the number, but I'll bet our Yeti knows). The target is "more than last time", which was 160 km/h = 99.4 mph. The loco is certified for 180 km/h, but looks like they're building up to that slowly.

 

I was on that and the agreed maximum amongst the on board timers I spoke to was 98 but we're splitting hairs here. Yesterday was sustained 90+ running over a long distance, not a brief max after a headlong dash downhill and that's what makes it special in its own right.

 

As Campainr says its 18.201, a truly magnificent beast - had a great hi speed run behind her a couple of yrs back but I guess we are wandering off topic......

 

Let's hear it for ALL who made yesterdays job happen (not least NR, they get a lot of stick but there are some good people there). It was a VERY bad day weather wise, the ordinary network struggled (I know), so let's be happy it happened, who'd have thought anything like this could possibly happen in 2013. A bit of a shame it wasn't in daylight but...............that's life.

 

Exactly!!

Enjoy your run tomorrow Spamcan, and if you're still window hanging when you get to Welham Green....................... in the dark, give us a wave!!!

 

Given the schedule south of Hitchin I doubt there'll be much worth window hanging for but we shall see.

 

Thanks for the information. Glad you had an enjoyable day out.

kind regards Richard

 

There was also the amusing moment when the station departure board at Newcastle displayed platform 14 and there was a subsequent movement of people towards the bridge, until it was realised there wasn't a platform 14 at Newcastle! The Station Announcer did however try to keep people informed, taking care to use the terms "passengers and railway enthusiasts".

It can't of been easy for the station staff at Newcastle who were trying to cope with the chaotic issues of that day, and a steam train turning up in the middle of it. I suspect many of the stranded passengers trying to completed their journeys woundered what was going on when the A4 turned up!

Regards,
Gareth

 

Can anyone confirm what the high-speed sections are tomorrow, please? I've scanned back through this thread, but can't find what I'm looking for, and beside, things may have changed.

 

aye good luck with tomorrow… hope to see the updates

 

Hmmm, sorry to be a "party pooper" all this back slapping and praise for the organisations/ crews/individuals involved, but no one (I think, until now) has mentioned the efforts of the lads at Ropley in getting her up to mainline standard in the first place, and those that have carried out the subsequent TLC on her thereafter!!.................................. Hat's off to you Lads!!

 

Colton Jct. - Arksey
Askham -Newark Crossing
Stoke Summit - Peterborough
Abbots Ripton - Arlesey
If they've changed since the original plans, I've seen no mention of it.

 

The weather tomorrow is forecast to be mild, light cloud, light breezes with damp grass.

Phew, at last!


All should be well. Good luck guys, hope it goes great for you all. For those with stop watches, get some 1/4 mile times at or under 10.0 seconds under your belts.










Oh bug.er. Just seen a biblical size plague of locusts on the radar heading over the North Sea towards eastern England.

 

Thanks Spamcan. I've also heard mention of an under bridge with a 75 limit on it, part way down Stoke bank. Any ideas about that?

 

Right so have had a fair few beers on a Friday night and am very excited about tomorrow. The App I have is 'Speedometer' but I'm guessing there will be plenty of others with timing equipment. Question I have is, will we go faster tomorrow? What do people think?

 

Little Byham Viaduct from Steam Railway Magazine issue 414 page 52.

 

Little Bytham viaduct one of the mags said a while ago, Would have loved to go on Stoke Bank somewhere but chickened out with the light and have gone nearer Newark.

 

My guess is probably not. 90 is the sanctioned maximum, so 92-93 is within the limit of error, but at 95 the inspector will probably put his hand meaningfully on the driver's shoulder. After all, they may want to do something similar another time, so won't want to blot their copybook

 

Yes, the gradient profile says Essendine, but the times suggest Muskham!