MAIN LINE MISCELLANEA

●● Nigel Furness of Thaxted (Essex) raises an interesting point on the topic of whether Flying Scotsman or Tornado have a better claim to 100mph (SR502).

●● He says that, if I was calling into question the accuracy of the LNER Dynamometer car – which I was, or at least pointing out that no less a respected timer than O.S. Nock expressed doubts about the recorded speed – “then perhaps he needs to be reminded that the same dynamometer car recorded 126mph from Mallard on July 3 1938 and that is universally accepted as the world record for steam power.”

That’s an argument that can be taken both ways of course, though perhaps it’s something we don’t want to get into right now…

However, to be absolutely clear,

I certainly wasn’t suggesting No. 60163 was the first LNER-design ‘Pacific’ to reach a ‘ton’. For if the then-‘A1’

Flying Scotsman didn’t manage it in 1934, ‘A3’ (or ‘Super Pacific’) Papyrus surely did the following year; No. 2750, which incorporated the refinements that followed the exchange trials with the GWR of 1925, was recorded at a nicely-more-than-anymargin-of-error 108mph on Stoke Bank.

So, as the National Railway Museum has still to announce details of any centenary celebrations for ‘Scotsman’ in 2023, here’s an idea: how about running it as the proper, definite 100mph machine?

That’s right, forget about ‘4472 v 60103’ debates – and turn it out as No. 2750…

●● There’s no breakthrough to report – at least yet – on Jeremy Hosking’s bid to take on Springburn (SR502). The ‘Caley’ Works on the outskirts of Glasgow is now redundant, and would give Locomotive Services Ltd a base far further north than either Southall or Crewe, obviating the need for what LSL MD Tony Bush has described as “400-plus-mile round trip” empty stock moves. The former St Rollox dates back to 1853.

●● Two green ‘Jubilees’ on the Settle-Carlisle. It’s happened for the first time since 1967… though not on the same day. The latest Keighley & Worth Valley-backed foray by Bahamas took place on February 22, ten days after ‘Alberta’ (Galatea) was out on West Coast’s ‘Pendle Dalesman’. Winter conditions…? Pah! In both cases the prevailing sounds pretty grim – the later trip even having its empty stock move diverted by flooding. Still, if you’re a ‘glass half full’ type, Galatea’s run enjoyed a smattering of snow around Ais Gill, while I’m told the briefest ping of sun lit up No. 45596 at Garsdale… it’s all about timing.

●● Bulleid coaches back on the main line! Alas not, but the plan to bring the Bluebell’s four Southern-design vehicles to the Mid-Hants to help out during Flying Scotsman’s visit (SR502) is still going ahead – albeit by road, owing to ongoing work to repair a landslip on Network Rail north of East Grinstead.

Still, at least we know now there is a possibility, if still a distant one, that one day we might see Bulleid coaches back on the national network – perhaps behind a ‘Merchant Navy’? It may only be an empty stock move, but one can dream...

●● The number of electrics likely to be used on rail tours has just risen further, with acquisition of ‘AL6’ No. 86401 by West Coast Railways; Mons Meg had previously been used on Caledonian Sleeper work. The former No. E3199 adds to Nos. 86259 Les Ross (privately owned and working with WCR), and 86101 Sir William A. Stanier F.R.S. (Jeremy Hosking’s Locomotive Services) as potential for modern traction charter legs.

Most of the Class 86s built for West Coast electrification in 1965/1966 have now been scrapped or exported to Eastern Europe, though a handful remain with Freightliner.

These are not the only withdrawn electrics with a potential passengerhauling future: Hosking’s grouping can also call on No. 87002 Royal Sovereign as well as an impending pair of Class 90s. What’s more, the Crewe organisation continues to acquire diesels: the latest are English Electric ‘Type 1s’ Nos. 20096 and 20107, previously with Harry Needle Railroad Company. Oh, and the first Mk 3 coaches for its High Speed Train sets have started to arrive as well.

Grateful thanks to RAIL colleague Richard Clinnick, for keeping us up to date on such things…