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I'm curious to know what heritage railways have the highest line speeds and which railway or railways are essentially the fastest in the UK.
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Not since 1992 I understand, being superceded by Transport Works Orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992. Furthernore, the Light Railways Act of 1896 did not specify a 25mph limit.Are preserved railways not run under light railway orders? That allows simpler signalling (no distants???) But that comes with a 25mph limit.
Have I got that right?
When I drafted the Abergwili & Llanpumpsaint Light Railway Order 1977(The Gwili Railway) I specified 25 mph or such other speed as the Minister of Transport may from time to time allow thus giving a degree of flexibility if required in future.Not since 1992 I understand, being superceded by Transport Works Orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992. Furthernore, the Light Railways Act of 1896 did not specify a 25mph limit.
A 25mph limit was specified in relation to Light Railways under the 1868 Regulation of Railways Act, but any Light Railways opened under the 1896 legislation were not restricted to a specific maximum speed.
The Heart of Wales is operated under a Light Railway Order of the 1896 Act and it has a linespeed of 55-60mph.
No.Here's a thought: if mk1s are increasingly removed from main line charter operators, does that create a pool of mk1s for the preservation sector that are already equipped with the necessaries for higher speed running?
The only journeys I've done on preserved lines this year have been on stock that is OTMR fitted - not much likelihood of exceeding 25mph in that situation.It's interesting to time trains on preserved lines. Almost all I have travelled on this year have recorded 30s for a quarter mile, that's 30mph. Some even 28s. But often this is compensated for by very strict adherence to pws and temporary speed restrictions so the point to point times invariably match or even exceed those on the timetables. It seems that owing to the paranoia of the H&S brigade no logs of such journeys can be reported, even though a steam loco driver and fireman are reliant on speedos with +/- 15% accuracy and has anyone tried to drive/fire a loco with a GPS in their hand, that's if it can get a signal!
Any idea which sections? I presume between Rawtenstall & Bury which is pretty much dead-Straight...East Lancs Railway have sections passed for 60 mph for testing (with approval from ORR), and was used in Oct/Nov for testing with 153317.
Bury to Heywood from the M66 bridge towards Heywood for approx. 2 miles, also have Bury-Ramsbottom section approved in certain areas.Any idea which sections? I presume between Rawtenstall & Bury which is pretty much dead-Straight...
Only under certain circumstancesThe Great Central.
Not a heritage railwayWest highland line has a speed limit of 70 mph approaching Fort William.
Isn’t this only in one direction (Up)? and used only for testing!The Great Central.
Isn’t this only in one direction (Up)? and used only for testing!
ThanksBury to Heywood from the M66 bridge towards Heywood for approx. 2 miles, also have Bury-Ramsbottom section approved in certain areas.