A bit of history surrounding the 148.5 mile/h World Diesel Speed Record

I hope I'm posting this is the right place

I thought I’d share a bit of first-hand info / history of the 1987 test programme during which the record-breaking 148.5 mile/h run was achieved with an HST. I was on-board being one of the DM&EE test team carrying out the testing.

The purpose of the test programme was to trial the prototype BT41 (SIG) bogies, which were destined for fitting under the new Inter City 225 (IC225) service Mk IV coaches that were still under construction at the time.

The test train was prepared at the RTC in Derby and M12140 (SIG bogies) and 42317 (BT10 bogies – comparator) loaded to laden condition during late October 1987; and the following testing carried out between 29 Oct and 7 Nov 1987:-

Oct 29 - instrument proving test run, RTC Derby - Kettering - Derby, 100 mile/h maximum (43102 + 44090 + 42317 + 12140 + 44101 + 43155)

Oct 30 - Transit movement from the RTC Derby to Heaton (43102 + 44090 + 42317 + 12140 + 44101 + 43155), at Heaton 43155 was swapped for 43159.

Oct 31 - Testing between Darlington - York - Darlington (43102 + 44090 + 42317 + 12140 + 44101 + 43159), stabled at Heaton

Nov 1 - Testing 140 mile/h speed profile, and stability check at 145 mile/h, return trips between Darlington - York - Darlington (43102 + 44090 + 42317 + 12140 + 44101 + 43159) – during a stability check run the World Diesel Speed Record was attained, 148 mile/h over a measured mile on a southbound run between Darlington and York, with an absolute maximum recorded of 148.5 mile/h just south of Northallerton, 43102 leading; after testing the train was stabled at Heaton

Nov 2 - Testing 125 mile/h speed profile, Newcastle - Bounds Green - Edinburgh - Newcastle (43102 + 44090 + 42317 + 12140 + 44101 + 43159), stabled at Heaton

Nov 3 - Testing 140 mile/h speed profile Newcastle - Bounds Green - Edinburgh - Newcastle (43102 + 44090 + 42317 + 12140 + 44101 + 43159), stabled at Heaton, after testing M12140 and 42317 were unloaded to tare and 43159 swapped for 43104

Nov 4 - Testing 140 mile/h speed profile test, and stability check at 145 mile/h, return trips between Darlington - York - Darlington (43102 + 44090 + 42317 + 12140 + 44101 + 43104) stabled at Heaton

Nov 5 - Testing 125 mile/h speed profile, Newcastle - Bounds Green - Edinburgh - Newcastle (43102 + 44090 + 42317 + 12140 + 44101 + 43104), stabled at Heaton

Nov 6 - Testing 140 mile/h speed profile, Newcastle - Bounds Green - Newcastle (43102 + 44090 + 42317 + 12140 + 44101 + 43104), stabled at Heaton, M12140 and 42317 re-loaded to laden

Nov 7 - Testing 140 mile/h speed profile, Newcastle - Bounds Green - York (43102 + 44090 + 42317 + 12140 + 44101 + 43104), then transit move to Neville Hill. 43102, 43104 and 44090 were detached. In the evening 43008 then hauled 42317 + M12140 + 44101 back to the RTC Derby with a barrier coach at the rear

see also https://www.flickr.com/photos/82085846@N02/30371206008

https://www.flickr.com/photos/82085846@N02/47538805772