As to maximum speed, yes, it was built for speeds up about 70mph., but in when it ran that express to Paddington, it was 'in the pink' of Swindon's best condition, and may have been able to momentarily run close to 90. We in NZ had roller-bearing 'Ja' class 4-8-2s 4' 6" drivers which some drivers said could make 80 mph on the Canterbury Plains, but officially about 75mph was the fastest reliable recording. Swindon engineerig and metalurgy WAS good, however... 'NZR Steam J"
It has to be borne in mind that the 9F is exactly what it says on the tin.. eg a class 9 Freight loco... now you would't get many freight trains doing 40 when Evening Star was finished let alone 90.. so it is understandable that she ain't gonna sustain 90 mph for too long!
I suppose abstractly one knows that to achieve 90 mph a 9Fs linked drivers would have to rotate something like seven or eight times per second ... and yes I suppose this would give rise to some hammer effect...but surely the weight distribution doesn't give rise to a particularly high axle-loading?
I remember going to an open day at Old Oak Common depot in 1981, Evening Star and Earl Barhurst top and tailed the shuttle train between Paddington and Old Oak Common,
actually Dave Sheppard's 9F no. 92203 'Black Prince' is its name. The 9F's are great! one of my favourite types of locos around along with Kings. Its a pitty that there are no 9F's for mainline use now, i dunno why.
I'm afraid not, which is a great pity. But there are one or two 9f's running in preservation. We have one based on the EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY and theres one on the GREAT CENTRAL plus of coarse David Shepard's 9F, BLACK KNIGHT usually to be found down in the south west.
This has been flagged as spam show
Had her for haulage between Hexham and Newcastle in 1985 , didnt realise 9fs were now banned on the mainline.....
Duncan038 1 year ago
Had her for haulage between Hexham and Newcastle in 1985 , didnt realise 9fs were now banned on the mainline.....
Duncan038 1 year ago
As to maximum speed, yes, it was built for speeds up about 70mph., but in when it ran that express to Paddington, it was 'in the pink' of Swindon's best condition, and may have been able to momentarily run close to 90. We in NZ had roller-bearing 'Ja' class 4-8-2s 4' 6" drivers which some drivers said could make 80 mph on the Canterbury Plains, but officially about 75mph was the fastest reliable recording. Swindon engineerig and metalurgy WAS good, however... 'NZR Steam J"
Rob McGavin NZ
robmcg567 3 years ago
It has to be borne in mind that the 9F is exactly what it says on the tin.. eg a class 9 Freight loco... now you would't get many freight trains doing 40 when Evening Star was finished let alone 90.. so it is understandable that she ain't gonna sustain 90 mph for too long!
metadyneman 3 years ago
Just Brilliant! Working hard as a steam loco should :-}
class37905 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
pity the video is out of focus and bloody awful.
yortonjunction 3 years ago
I suppose abstractly one knows that to achieve 90 mph a 9Fs linked drivers would have to rotate something like seven or eight times per second ... and yes I suppose this would give rise to some hammer effect...but surely the weight distribution doesn't give rise to a particularly high axle-loading?
cogidubnus1953 4 years ago
I remember going to an open day at Old Oak Common depot in 1981, Evening Star and Earl Barhurst top and tailed the shuttle train between Paddington and Old Oak Common,
stutheroadie 4 years ago
9f's are not allowed on the mainline at all due to wieght issue's 'hammer blow and centre flangeless wheels
1800isbest 4 years ago
Wow! Look at those rods whizz around! Scary to think that sometimes they ran at up to 90mph...
SteffanLlwyd 4 years ago
I have to say, It's nice to see a big steamer doing what it was intended to do, even though 9F's are freighters.
joeferrito 4 years ago
Thing of beauty. No idea where you got the vid, but thanks for posting it!
MCH1984 4 years ago
actually Dave Sheppard's 9F no. 92203 'Black Prince' is its name. The 9F's are great! one of my favourite types of locos around along with Kings. Its a pitty that there are no 9F's for mainline use now, i dunno why.
ryskinner 4 years ago
Where is ES now? haven't seen on main line for ages
LeamingtonSteve 5 years ago
The NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM at York.
RailMon 4 years ago
they never take her out now then?
LeamingtonSteve 4 years ago
I'm afraid not, which is a great pity. But there are one or two 9f's running in preservation. We have one based on the EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY and theres one on the GREAT CENTRAL plus of coarse David Shepard's 9F, BLACK KNIGHT usually to be found down in the south west.
RailMon 4 years ago