Max; Speed for a Preserved, Mainline Registered Diesel (UK)

[pjohnandlyns]

Does anyone know what the maximum permitted speed is for a mainline registered Class 55 Deltic when it's out on a rail tour?

I've done a "Google" but can only come up with a list for Steam locos, nothing for Diesels.

Any help appreciated.

John.

[rwhdew]

Well John, as far as I know the few preserved 'Deltics' still have their 100 mph licence but they do need to have a 'Pilot' on board and the consist has to have a diesel at the rear, their max sp may have been reduced to 90 mph but i'll endevour to find out when I return to work :)

[jalsina]

When I was young I would have been infinitely happy for the kind of information available today in Internet. It is so easy to find information in these days. It took me about 15 seconds:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_55

[pjohnandlyns]

Originally posted by jalsina:

When I was young I would have been infinitely happy for the kind of information available today in Internet. It is so easy to find information in these days. It took me about 15 seconds:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_55

Yep, it took me about the same time to find that also, but it doesn't tell me what I want to know.
It says the preserved Deltics are capable of doing 100mph (their max; speed in service) but it doesn't say if they are allowed to do that in preservation on the main line.

The new build Tornado & all the A4's are capable of doing a ton but are limited by NR to 75 mph. I'm trying to find out if the 55's are the same.

I think I may email the Deltic Preservation Society and ask them. If they don't know, who will?

[pjohnandlyns]

Originally posted by rwhdew:

Well John, as far as I know the few preserved 'Deltics' still have their 100 mph licence but they do need to have a 'Pilot' on board and the consist has to have a diesel at the rear, their max sp may have been reduced to 90 mph but i'll endevour to find out when I return to work :)

Thanks Richard.
In the meantime, I've emailed the DPS to see if I can get the info; straight from the horses mouth, so to speak.

[rwhdew]

OK John, i'll have a look :)

[jalsina]

Originally posted by pjohnandlyns:

Originally posted by jalsina:

When I was young I would have been infinitely happy for the kind of information available today in Internet. It is so easy to find information in these days. It took me about 15 seconds:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_55

Yep, it took me about the same time to find that also, but it doesn't tell me what I want to know.
It says the preserved Deltics are capable of doing 100mph (their max; speed in service) but it doesn't say if they are allowed to do that in preservation on the main line.

The new build Tornado & all the A4's are capable of doing a ton but are limited by NR to 75 mph. I'm trying to find out if the 55's are the same.

I think I may email the Deltic Preservation Society and ask them. If they don't know, who will?

The question then should be addressed to the owner institution.

[rwhdew]

I think your idea of e-mailing the 'Deltic' preservation society may-be your best bet ? :)

[hexagon789]

It is definitely 100mph on the mainline, provided they are hauling a sufficient number of coaches to provide the necessary brakeforce for 100mph running, which is either 4 or 5 Mk1/2 coaches. I remember reading an article in a rail enthusiast magazine that said the Deltics were greatly appreciated by the railtour world because they could keep better timings on the mainline compared to other diesels and particularly steam locomotives. Their 100mph rating and 3,300hp means they can haul up to 13 coach rakes on the mainline without causing to much disruption to regular scheduled services. Regarding the A4s and Tornado; the A4s were permitted to run at 90mph on certain sections of the ECML for three special railtours in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Mallard's record breaking run. The owners of Tornado are in conversation with Network Rail regarding the possibility of allowing the A1 to run at 90mph on a regular basis. Hope this helps.

[Mavadelo]

Usefull info for scenario creators set to recreate some of those railtours :) Never knew there where special speed restrictions for old stock :)

however in hidsight... it seems logical to do to keep them in one piece

[rwhdew]

Well, i've been back at work today after a 2 week break and i've checked with two seperate Drivers who work the WCML and i'm informed that both the Class 50's & 55's still have their license/permit to run at 100 mph where track limits permit :)

[pjohnandlyns]

To all who replied, many thanks for the information.
I have found out from other sources (not from DPS by the way) that, unlike Steam, preserved diesels are allowed to run up to whatever their top speed was in BR days and, as hexagon789 says, they have enough stock behind to provide the required brake force.