This year is the 75th Anniversary of A4 Class "Mallard" setting the world steam speed record. To celebrate A4 Class "Dwight D Eisenhower" and "Dominion of Canada" have been shipped over and reunited with the remaining 4 A4s (three of which are still main line running)

http://www.nrm.org.uk/PlanaVisit/Events/mallard75.aspx


As part of that celebration, the Rail Regulator in the UK, has given dispensation to run an A4 passenger charter at 90mph on the same line where Mallard set the record, pending the outcome of a test. This is a brief video of a small part of that test.

Here is a 90mph steam flyby on the UK Main Line in 2013.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me1OfEEKk3I

Interesting... the short, regular shots of dark smoke reminds me of N&W 611 when she ran at speed on level ground. I'm always assumed that is the fireman giving the stoker a quick shot to keep the gauge right on the mark.

Bob

Yes, in this case its the fireman shovelling another load of coal into the firebox, this is a manually coal fired loco. Big fire grate surface area too, needs to be thrown quite a few feet to the far corners of the firebox to keep it hot all over.

Better video here that really shows the speed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycJkfaHAhEQ

Mike Pannell

Can we export SP 4449 or UP 844 for a holiday season in UK?

Wesley

They won't fit.

Seriously, it'd be like trying to run standard gauge down the East Broad Top, Tweetsie, or D&RGW (ng) right of way.

What is the default speed limit for UK steam excursions?

75mph is the max speed for steam typically.

Britten sounds like a champ at that speed!

Correct, we have a pretty restricted gauge in the UK, none of the European big locos will fit, and at times even British steam locos are declared out of gauge on certain routes, requiring loco swaps or tour cancelations.