World Steam Speed Record 75 years on

Oberon · 07-02-13, 09:36 PM

Today will mark 75 years since Gresleys A4 Pacific number 4468 'Mallard' broke the World Speed Record for a steam locomotive whilst hauling a special service from Edinburgh to Kings Cross...and then subsequently broke herself. Alas Mallard did not make it all the way to Kings Cross, being taken out of service at Peterborough due to an overheated Big End bearing on the middle cylinder, a weakness on the A4.
However, the damage was minor and she was returned to service and thankfully preserved along with five other A4s which will gather in York for a fortnights reunion, the first time the six surviving A4s have been seen together since the end of steam in Britain.

Although I'm not particularly an LNER man, I cannot deny the gracefulness of Gresleys work on the A4s, who have carried his legacy into the 21st century and beyond.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Class_A4

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_C...4_4468_Mallard

BossMark · 07-03-13, 12:08 AM

I've always wanted travel on a steam engine

Rhodes · 07-03-13, 05:15 AM

Nice sleek lines! And yes, I would also like to travel on a steam engine train. When I had microsoft train simulation, I always and only played the flying scotsman missions!

Jimbuna · 07-03-13, 05:41 AM

Now that would be a sight to behold...all six remaining A4's together

Only ever seen Mallard at York.

Wolferz · 07-03-13, 05:45 AM

That's one gorgeous locomotive.

Herr-Berbunch · 07-03-13, 07:30 AM

I've seen her at York, but didn't know there were others out there, and definitely not that three still run.

danasan · 07-03-13, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhodes

Nice sleek lines! And yes, I would also like to travel on a steam engine train. When I had microsoft train simulation, I always and only played the flying scotsman missions!

So come over here!

There a festival of all kinds of steamers here every year and will start again in a couple of days (July 12. until 14.) ...

Platapus · 07-04-13, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossMark

I've always wanted travel on a steam engine

We went on a dinner train at Strausberg, PA. The engine was a 4-8-0 steamer. It was nice.

August · 07-04-13, 11:06 AM

The Mallard sure is a beauty.

But we had some belles of the ball too:

Streamlined steamers have always been my favorite train locomotives. That Art Deco look from the 20's and 30's just seems to me to be the perfect marriage between function and form.

It looks like it's moving even when it's standing still. Modern high speed rail locos do that too, but these grand old ladies also project an image of raw power and strength that is too well hidden in the modern ones.

IMO of course.

TarJak · 07-04-13, 10:19 PM

I agree. Mallard was gorgeous.

Schroeder · 07-03-13, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

the first time the six surviving A4s have been seen together since the end of steam in Britain.

So they haven't been seen together for the last two years.

In seriousness steam locomotives definitely have something to them.

07-02-13, 09:36 PM	#1
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	World Steam Speed Record 75 years on Today will mark 75 years since Gresleys A4 Pacific number 4468 'Mallard' broke the World Speed Record for a steam locomotive whilst hauling a special service from Edinburgh to Kings Cross...and then subsequently broke herself. Alas Mallard did not make it all the way to Kings Cross, being taken out of service at Peterborough due to an overheated Big End bearing on the middle cylinder, a weakness on the A4. However, the damage was minor and she was returned to service and thankfully preserved along with five other A4s which will gather in York for a fortnights reunion, the first time the six surviving A4s have been seen together since the end of steam in Britain. Although I'm not particularly an LNER man, I cannot deny the gracefulness of Gresleys work on the A4s, who have carried his legacy into the 21st century and beyond. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Class_A4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_C...4_4468_Mallard

07-03-13, 12:08 AM	#2
BossMark Fleet Admiral Join Date: May 2011 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire Posts: 15,272 Downloads: 278 Uploads: 0	I've always wanted travel on a steam engine __________________ Never trust the Tories look what Thatcher and Major did in the 80s and 90s and look what the wicked witch May is doing now doing now

07-03-13, 05:15 AM	#3
Rhodes Silent Hunter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Figueira da Foz, Portugal Posts: 4,517 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	Nice sleek lines! And yes, I would also like to travel on a steam engine train. When I had microsoft train simulation, I always and only played the flying scotsman missions! __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/16416646@N05/

07-03-13, 05:41 AM	#4
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,584 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Now that would be a sight to behold...all six remaining A4's together Only ever seen Mallard at York. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

07-03-13, 05:45 AM	#5
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	That's one gorgeous locomotive. __________________ Tomorrow never comes

07-03-13, 07:30 AM	#6
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I've seen her at York, but didn't know there were others out there, and definitely not that three still run. __________________

07-04-13, 11:06 AM	#9
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,206 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The Mallard sure is a beauty. But we had some belles of the ball too: Streamlined steamers have always been my favorite train locomotives. That Art Deco look from the 20's and 30's just seems to me to be the perfect marriage between function and form. It looks like it's moving even when it's standing still. Modern high speed rail locos do that too, but these grand old ladies also project an image of raw power and strength that is too well hidden in the modern ones. IMO of course. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

07-04-13, 10:19 PM	#10
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	I agree. Mallard was gorgeous.