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Post by ron on Sept 14, 2006 18:50:30 GMT
I was on holiday in Aviemore at the beginning of the month and the City of Truro was plying it's trade on the Speyside railway, on loan from the NRM in York. It looked as if it was restricted to 20/25 mph, must hve been like owning a Ferrari and not being allowed to exceed the 30 limit  img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/ronalgie/55CityofTruro.jpg |
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Post by spurley on Sept 15, 2006 9:07:28 GMT
Hi Ron Just about all 'preserved railways' are restricted in their speed limits by the legislation that is used to operate them, either a Light Railway Order or the more modern version which I cannot remember the name of presently! It is commonly held to be 25mph but I understand that this is a misaprehension which arose from the limit imposed by the Inspector in the Titfield Thunderbolt film as there aren't specific figures laid down. The DoT will prescribe an agreed speed limit negotiated with the operating company before granting the approval to operate the line. Other lines, the Great Central and Severn Valley to name two, have different, and higher, speed limits which are used on specific occasions or for testing main line certificated locomotives prior to their main line runs for example. Regarding the Ferrari analogy; I was an active volunteer (fireman and engine restorer) at the Bluebell Railway throughout the late seventies though to the early nineties and experienced this phenomena. Several of our larger engines, Blackmore Vale the 9F etc always felt as if they were wanting to do more than we were allowed to let them! Speeds of 40mph+ have apparently/allegedly  been recorded but definitely not for the DoT inspectors ears!!I understand that since the extension to the Bluebell has been operating to Kingscote that engines can be 'let loose' and stretch their legs a lot better but are of course still restricted to the speed limit set down in our operating conditions. Cheers Brian |
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Post by ron on Sept 15, 2006 19:40:59 GMT
Hi Brian
Unfortunately there are no preserved railways near where I live, I could probably be quite useful to one as I spent 20+ years as an engineer in a coal fired boiler station.
Ron
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been recorded but definitely not for the DoT inspectors ears!!I understand that since the extension to the Bluebell has been operating to Kingscote that engines can be 'let loose' and stretch their legs a lot better but are of course still restricted to the speed limit set down in our operating conditions.