07-02-2013, 09:35 PM
April 3, 2013, marks the 75th anniversary of the world's speed record for a steam locomotive. Probably the longest a record has lasted and with no prospect of its being broken.
Mallard of the LNER achieved 125 or 126 mph on a "brake test" train. The train included a dynamometer car so there is a very good trace of what was accomplished. The railway claimed 125 mph, but later inspection of the recording showed a brief stretch at 126, which is on the plaque.
The crew felt they could have gone faster but they had a slow at the start and had to slow down for switches. As well, the middle big end (the bearing on the crankshaft between the frames) overheated.
I've been listening to a recording of Driver Duddington talking about the trip. (not on internet -- on an LP)
Wikipedia: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Class_A4_4468_Mallard">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Class_A4_4468_Mallard</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.britishpathe.com/video/trains-aka-driver-duddington">http://www.britishpathe.com/video/train ... duddington</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://polishrail.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/the-record-breakers/">http://polishrail.wordpress.com/2008/07 ... -breakers/</a><!-- m -->
Mallard of the LNER achieved 125 or 126 mph on a "brake test" train. The train included a dynamometer car so there is a very good trace of what was accomplished. The railway claimed 125 mph, but later inspection of the recording showed a brief stretch at 126, which is on the plaque.
The crew felt they could have gone faster but they had a slow at the start and had to slow down for switches. As well, the middle big end (the bearing on the crankshaft between the frames) overheated.
I've been listening to a recording of Driver Duddington talking about the trip. (not on internet -- on an LP)
Wikipedia: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Class_A4_4468_Mallard">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Class_A4_4468_Mallard</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.britishpathe.com/video/trains-aka-driver-duddington">http://www.britishpathe.com/video/train ... duddington</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://polishrail.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/the-record-breakers/">http://polishrail.wordpress.com/2008/07 ... -breakers/</a><!-- m -->
David
Moderato ma non troppo
Perth & Exeter Railway Company
Esquesing & Chinguacousy Radial Railway
In model railroading, there are between six and two hundred ways of performing a given task.
Most modellers can get two of them to work.
Moderato ma non troppo
Perth & Exeter Railway Company
Esquesing & Chinguacousy Radial Railway
In model railroading, there are between six and two hundred ways of performing a given task.
Most modellers can get two of them to work.