A railway expert has said a steam locomotive speed record set 70 years ago will probably never be broken.
The Mallard steam locomotive reached 126 miles an hour on a stretch of track near Grantham in July 1938.
The world record was set in a train designed by Derbyshire engineer Sir Nigel Gresley.
National Railway Museum spokesman Bob Gwynne said a modern steam engine might reach that speed, but it would probably "not be allowed to" for safety reasons.
"The record may stand for all time because it takes a great degree of courage to drive a big mechancial machine of this size - over 100 tonnes - at that speed."
"It might be possible but unlikely," he added.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/7488137.stm
The Mallard steam locomotive reached 126 miles an hour on a stretch of track near Grantham in July 1938.
The world record was set in a train designed by Derbyshire engineer Sir Nigel Gresley.
National Railway Museum spokesman Bob Gwynne said a modern steam engine might reach that speed, but it would probably "not be allowed to" for safety reasons.
"The record may stand for all time because it takes a great degree of courage to drive a big mechancial machine of this size - over 100 tonnes - at that speed."
"It might be possible but unlikely," he added.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/7488137.stm