Fastest non high speed service

[AM9]

Using modern ac motored EMUs with upwards of 1600hp on modern track is all very well, especially when it is over fairly large distances. What used to impress me was the GE class 309s running form Shenfield to Chemsford, a distance of 9.5 miles in under 8 minutes as a standing start to full stop. That's an average speed of 72mph, topping out at 100 through Ingatestone. Some of the track was jointed so the sound was pretty hectic.
I remember that being claimed as the fastest start stop time over such a short distance in the world, and they were doing it from the '60s until the '80s. I believe that the WTT had the trip down as 8mins 30secs, so it obviously was well within the capability of the 309s despite their meagre 1128hp per 4 cars, (although slightly lighter than modern stock).

 

[notadriver]

The stopping pattern for the 08:53 was Charing Cross, Waterloo East, London Bridge, Tonbridge and Ashford.



It usually ran late leaving London as it got stuck amongst empty stock heading out to Grove Park sidings. Usually arrived in Ashford on time as there was a lot of padding in the timetable.



Always loved flying through Paddock Wood, Staplehurst and Headcorn at 100mph.

The stock for this still runs but is ECS sadly.

 

[Kentish Paul]

The stock for this still runs but is ECS sadly.

Indeed it does. I saw it arrive in the sidings at Ashford a couple of weeks ago. Interestingly it always was an 11 coach train and still runs as 11 coaches with a 375/3 on the front of course now in the new colours.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

Arriva Trains Wales have a couple of Llandudno Junction - Chester non stop most days except Sunday's and if they are 158's as scheduled they do the 44miles in just 39 minutes.

 

[notadriver]

Using modern ac motored EMUs with upwards of 1600hp on modern track is all very well, especially when it is over fairly large distances. What used to impress me was the GE class 309s running form Shenfield to Chemsford, a distance of 9.5 miles in under 8 minutes as a standing start to full stop. That's an average speed of 72mph, topping out at 100 through Ingatestone. Some of the track was jointed so the sound was pretty hectic.
I remember that being claimed as the fastest start stop time over such a short distance in the world, and they were doing it from the '60s until the '80s. I believe that the WTT had the trip down as 8mins 30secs, so it obviously was well within the capability of the 309s despite their meagre 1128hp per 4 cars, (although slightly lighter than modern stock).

Would it be fair to say they showed most other EMUs a clean pair of heels (with the exception of 4 reps of course). Contemporary Southern Region slam door 90 mph stock could only reach that speed with gravity assistance. Maybe the 312s were their closest competitors ?

 

[Kentish Paul]

Would it be fair to say they showed most other EMUs a clean pair of heels (with the exception of 4 reps of course). Contemporary Southern Region slam door 90 mph stock could only reach that speed with gravity assistance. Maybe the 312s were their closest competitors ?

I think the speed of the 309 was due to them being formed of 2x4 car units and 1x2 car unit. The 2 car units had the same power as a 4 car. This made for a respectable power/weight ratio. Not sure if a 2 car ever ran on its own as that would have been a bit on the speedy side.

 

[notadriver]

I think the speed of the 309 was due to them being formed of 2x4 car units and 1x2 car unit. The 2 car units had the same power as a 4 car. This made for a respectable power/weight ratio. Not sure if a 2 car ever ran on its own as that would have been a bit on the speedy side.

Agreed but even running as a normal 8 car formation without the 2 car used in the peaks they were quick by the standards of the time.

 

[AM9]

Agreed but even running as a normal 8 car formation without the 2 car used in the peaks they were quick by the standards of the time.

They were excellent EMUs in their days. The GEML has never been an easy route as it rides down into every Essex river valley en route and back up over the next watershed. The gearing of the 309s was optimised for 100mph even though the maximum acceleration was only 0.9mph/sec/sec (0.45m/s/s). They also had (then) special wheels profiles on their Commonweath Bogies.
Low-season off-peak trains would sometimes consist of a two-car class 309/1 and a four-car 309/2 or/3. When they split at Thorpe le Soken, the /1 alone would go to Walton-on-the-Naze although there never was much chance of running faster than 60mph there.
There was one train in the '70s (the 17:40 M-F), that ran first stop Colchester, formed as 309/1, /1, /2, /3, that was in order to improve acceleration between the many signal checks.
They were probably faster than the 4-REPs in practice as they didn't have any low voltage issues to deal with on the fast stretches.

 

[306024]

Stop all this class 309 nostalgia, it's bringing a tear to my eye :cry:

Although they only lasted a few years, the 309s on the summer Saturday relief trains to Norwich would see them run at 100mph for miles. Somewhere around 37 minutes was scheduled for the 46 miles from Norwich to Ipswich, I've one journey which took 35 minutes, despite a 60mph TSR at Stowmarket, an average of 79 mph.

The Clacton Centenary Express in 1982 did the 100mph section from Colchester to Chelmsford (22 miles) in 15.5 mins pass to pass, an average of 85 mph.

The 2 car units were rather unusual, with the pantograph above the driving cab. It was a shame when they got lengthened to 4 cars but passenger numbers made it necessary. Some Clacton drivers preferred not to have the /1 units on the front from Liverpool St as they were more likely to spill their tea.

 

[route:oxford]

Very good, and a tribute to the Caledonian Railway's main line nearly 90 years after their abolition.

If anyone can find better than north of Edinburgh or Glasgow I'd be interested.

By comparison, Edinburgh to Perth is 75 mins or so at best, you can drive it in 40, they really need to do something about this.

72 minutes at best...

Not sure of the distance between Falkirk Grahamston & Haymarket...

The 29 minutes timetabled for the Stirling Chieftain looked a touch quicker than the standard units.

Then I found that the Highland Chieftain is timetabled for 24 minutes.

 

[47271]

72 minutes at best...

Not sure of the distance between Falkirk Grahamston & Haymarket...

The 29 minutes timetabled for the Stirling Chieftain looked a touch quicker than the standard units.

Then I found that the Highland Chieftain is timetabled for 24 minutes.

Sorry, 72 minutes at best - to cover 56 miles and only two stops...

It's 24 miles Grahamston to Haymarket.