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What was the fastest steam train in Britain?

This powerful, aerodynamic masterpiece rocketed to 126mph in 1938, a steam speed record that was never surpassed.
  • The need for speed. Mallard is an A4 class locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley. ...
  • Curator with a Camera. ...
  • About the designer. ...
  • How it came to us.




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On 3 July 1938, the A4 class locomotive Mallard raced down Stoke Bank at 126mph to set a new steam locomotive world speed record. That record still stands.

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On 30 November 1934 his Flying Scotsman, an A1 Pacific, was the first steam locomotive to officially exceed 100mph in passenger service, a speed exceeded by the A4 Mallard on 3 July 1938 at 126mph, a record that still stands.

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In 1934, The Flying Scotsman became the first locomotive to achieve a speed of 100 miles per hour and dramatically reduced the journey time between the two capitals. The end of her career on the East Coast mainline in 1963 was not the end of her story though.

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The Flying Scotsman: How the first 100mph locomotive became the most famous train in the world. The first train to officially hit 100mph may not even have been the first, and didn't hold the rail speed record for long; yet a century later its legend is undimmed.

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The first Gresley class P2 No. 2001 was completed in 1934 by the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) at its Doncaster works. It was the most powerful express passenger steam locomotive ever built for a British railway.

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The Flying Scotsman Built in 1922, Flying Scotsman has been described as the world's most famous steam locomotive. Since it was first built, few parts of the locomotive have survived as many of its components have been renewed and replaced several times over.

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The Flying Scotsman: World's most famous steam train returns home after 100 years. The Flying Scotsman made a historic journey to celebrate its 100 year anniversary. If you know anything about trains, you've probably heard of The Flying Scotsman.

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It was on 30 November 1934 that Flying Scotsman achieved the first properly authenticated 100mph for a steam engine. This was while she was running between Leeds and London. The Flying Scotsman was saved for the nation this year and is now - like City of Truro - in the ownership of the National Railway Museum.

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In 1928, the LNER decided to make The Flying Scotsman a non-stop service for the first time and 4472 was one of five A1s selected for the service. It hauled the inaugural train on 1 May, completing the journey of 392 miles (631 km) in 8 hours and 3 minutes.

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Flying Scotsman calls Gordon Little Brother despite the fact that Gordon is actually older than him, because Flying Scotsman was built in 1923 while Gordon was built in 1920 as a prototype pacific.

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Mallard today Mallard retired from service in 1963 and was subsequently preserved in 1964 by the British Transport Commission.

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Puffing Billy is the world's oldest surviving steam locomotive. Dating to 1813-1814, it was built by William Hedley, Jonathan Forster, and Timothy Hackworth, for use at the Wylam Colliery near Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

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One of the most beautiful steam locomotives ever built, the S1 was designed by Raymond Loewe. Poor balancing caused wheel-spin and only one was ever built, for the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1939.

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One of the most beautiful steam locomotives ever built, the S1 was designed by Raymond Loewe. Poor balancing caused wheel-spin and only one was ever built, for the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1939.

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Union Pacific No. 4014 is a Big Boy class steam locomotive having a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement. They are the heaviest single expansion steam locomotive ever built, weighing about 1,200,000 pounds.

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ton for ton a steam locomotive can and does pull more tons at higher speeds than a diesel locomotive can. The H.P. of a diesel is less effective at faster speeds because more electricity is needed to keep the traction motors spinning at the higher speeds.

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The maximum speed currently possible in the UK is 186mph, achieved by Eurostar trains on the HS1 line between London and the Channel Tunnel. The HS1 line is used by Eurostar services and Javelin commuter services from Kent, although the latter have a max speed of 140mph.

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The Glacier Express is the world's slowest train, taking more than eight hours to travel between Zermatt and St. Moritz in Switzerland at an average of 18mph. Along the way, it passes over nearly 300 bridges, travels through 91 tunnels and takes in endless stunning Alpine views.

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Trivia. Many railfans regard No. 1522 as the The Loudest Steam Locomotive in the World due to its exceptionally loud exhaust blasts, particularly when working hard.

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