Trivia> Shortest distance between stations where a train gets 100mph or over?

[Howardh]

Thinking on the Wigan/Warrington stretch, by the time the train gets to maximum speed (at least I think it's max) it almost has to start to slow down!

But for those in the know (ie. you guys) what are the closest two (stopping) stations which the train will get up to 100mph or more between them? Manny Picc and Stockport??

 

[TheJRB]

But for those in the know (ie. you guys) what are the closest two (stopping) stations which the train will get up to 100mph or more between them? Manny Picc and Stockport??

I've only done it a few times but Piccadilly to Stockport doesn't feel like it gets anywhere near 100.

Down here in the land of third rail, there aren't many places where you'll get clear 100mph running but from experience I can safely say that it can be achieved running non-stop from Sevenoaks to Tonbridge through Hildenborough which is all of 7 miles! Similarly, I'm pretty sure you get close to 90 mph just between Ashford and Pluckley (5 miles).

But as for 100+... I've only once been on a stopping EMT service south of Leicester but I wonder if Luton to Bedford (19 miles) might be up there. Also maybe Grantham to Newark North Gate (14 miles), Didcot to Swindon (24 miles), Stafford to Crewe (24 miles) but there seem to be plenty of 20 mile+ examples.

 

[Springs Branch]

Thinking on the Wigan/Warrington stretch, by the time the train gets to maximum speed (at least I think it's max) it almost has to start to slow down!

On a slight tangent to the OP's intention for this thread, but the reason a train will not spend much time at full speed between Wigan & Warrington is more the presence of two speed restricted junctions in the middle of the section, not so much the distance between the stations (roughly 12 miles).

At both Golborne and Winwick Jcts the WCML is technically the diverging route, although re-aligned over the years, with speed restrictions still in place (around 75-80 mph??).

This is a consequence of the original 1830s railways hereabouts and the arrangement of their junctions with the Liverpool & Manchester line - northwards in a straight line from Parkside Jct towards Wigan, and separately southwards from Earlestown towards Warrington & Birmingham. Today's direct Golborne/Winwick line was added later in 1864.

 

[Rich McLean]

Paddington - Slough and Slough - Reading on the mains on a Class 180, you can hit 125mph for about a mile and then slow down for a stop. On a HST, you can only get to around 115-120mph before you start easing off.

Ok, a fair few miles more than 7 miles, but the hit near or at line speed, then hitting the breaks still applies

 

[Howardh]

On a slight tangent to the OP's intention for this thread, but the reason a train will not spend much time at full speed between Wigan & Warrington is more the presence of two speed restricted junctions in the middle of the section, not so much the distance between the stations (roughly 12 miles).

At both Golborne and Winwick Jcts the WCML is technically the diverging route, although re-aligned over the years, with speed restrictions still in place (around 75-80 mph??).

This is a consequence of the original 1830s railways hereabouts and the arrangement of their junctions with the Liverpool & Manchester line - northwards in a straight line from Parkside Jct towards Wigan, and separately southwards from Earlestown towards Warrington & Birmingham. Today's direct Golborne/Winwick line was added later in 1864.

That's the sort of insider information I'm after!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Paddington - Slough and Slough - Reading on the mains on a Class 180, you can hit 125mph for about a mile and then slow down for a stop. On a HST, you can only get to around 115-120mph before you start easing off.

Ok, a fair few miles more than 7 miles, but the hit near or at line speed, then hitting the breaks still applies

How many miles is it between them?

 

[TheJRB]

How many miles is it between them?

Paddington to Slough: 18 miles
Slough to Reading: 17 miles

 

[TheEdge]

Thinking on the Wigan/Warrington stretch, by the time the train gets to maximum speed (at least I think it's max) it almost has to start to slow down!

But for those in the know (ie. you guys) what are the closest two (stopping) stations which the train will get up to 100mph or more between them? Manny Picc and Stockport??

Someone more in the know about linespeeds will have to come and confirm and deny this but what about the GA mainline services between Ipswich - Manningtree - Colchester. They are 9 miles and 7 miles respectively.

 

[Llama]

Piccadilly to Stockport maximum line speed is 90 on the fasts with a 75 at Slade Lane Jn; 75 on the slows with a 45 in the Up direction.

Stockport to Wilmslow might be in contention.

 

[GadgetMan]

LM 350s hit 100mph between Bushey and Harrow, approx 4.5 miles.

I once hit the jackpot with a 12 car formed of 3 x 350/1. Routed onto fast with a stopping service due to engineering work, I managed to hit the 110mph limiter between Watford and Harrow by pushing the braking point a little That's around 6 miles.

The line is downhill which helps a fair bit.



Tring to Cheddington hits 100 mph too.

 

[AM9]

Way back in the '60s & '70s, the down 309s would get to an indicated 100mph* on the run down to Ingatestone on the Shenfield to Chelmsford sector. I remember that that when that service was introduced, it was hailed as the fastest start to stop anywhere over such a short distance (9 miles).

* As viewed on an intermediate cab speedometer.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

On a slight tangent to the OP's intention for this thread, but the reason a train will not spend much time at full speed between Wigan & Warrington is more the presence of two speed restricted junctions in the middle of the section, not so much the distance between the stations (roughly 12 miles).
At both Golborne and Winwick Jcts the WCML is technically the diverging route, although re-aligned over the years, with speed restrictions still in place (around 75-80 mph??).
This is a consequence of the original 1830s railways hereabouts and the arrangement of their junctions with the Liverpool & Manchester line - northwards in a straight line from Parkside Jct towards Wigan, and separately southwards from Earlestown towards Warrington & Birmingham. Today's direct Golborne/Winwick line was added later in 1864.

Not to mention the same at Dallam Jn - the original Warrington & Newton went straight on to terminate near the present Central station, while the Grand Junction used the original Bank Quay branch which veered off westwards.
Speed restrictions are 90mph (Warrington), 80 (Dallam), 90, 80 (Winwick), 100, 90 (Golborne) then 100/110 to Wigan (80).
There are no EPS speeds for 14.5 miles from Acton Grange-north of Wigan NW.
I'm baffled at having tilting trains built specially to run faster round curves, and then not fitting tilt to one of the most curvaceous parts of the route!

 

[steamybrian]

My candidate...
St. Pancras International- Stratford on the SE Javelin trains.
Can anyone confirm that 100 mph is reached through the tunnels
Distance is 6 miles or 9km.

Ashford to Folkestone Central 13 and three quarters of a mile according to NR TT, cleared for 100 mph so easy for the Javelin class 395

 

[Ash Bridge]

How about Stafford - Wolverhampton? XC 220/221s seem to easily touch 125 mph on this stretch. Not sure of the distance between the two though?

 

[yorkie]

How about Stafford - Wolverhampton? XC 220/221s seem to easily touch 125 mph on this stretch. Not sure of the distance between the two though?

15 miles 17 chains

 

[The Planner]

Up Virgins hit 110mph between New St and International, thats 8 miles.

 

[Howardh]

Up Virgins hit 110mph between New St and International, thats 8 miles.

That's impressive!

 

[steamybrian]

That's impressive!

Javelins class 395 can run at up to 125 mph in the 6 miles between St. Pancras and Stratford.

 

[Howardh]

Javelins class 395 can run at up to 125 mph in the 6 miles between St. Pancras and Stratford.

*Cheating*
Actually - you state *can*. Do they as a matter of course, and can you buy a ticket between the two stations and use it? Thinking of doing that when the Eurohockey is on next year instead of slumming it on the tube.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

A class 172 should be able to hit 100mph between Lapworth and Hatton. That's about 4 miles 20 chains.

 

[Minilad]

I was going to say International to New Street. Easily touch 100

 

[185143]

Javelins class 395 can run at up to 125 mph in the 6 miles between St. Pancras and Stratford.

*Cheating*
Actually - you state *can*. Do they as a matter of course, and can you buy a ticket between the two stations and use it? Thinking of doing that when the Eurohockey is on next year instead of slumming it on the tube.

not sure whether they actually do or not but you definitely can buy a ticket between the two because I've done it!

 

[westcoaster]

St. Albans to harpenden on the fast with a 377 is easy, as is 100 between most stops on the fasts.

 

[The 39 Steps]

1S87 1657 Euston to Glasgow Central and 1C94 1757 Euston to Lancaster achieve over 100mph during the 6m 18ch between Tamworth Low Level and Lichfield Trent Valley.

 

[Bald Rick]

St. Albans to harpenden on the fast with a 377 is easy, as is 100 between most stops on the fasts.

That was my vote also. Reckon Luton to Luton airport parkway would be a challenge though.

 

[notadriver]

My candidate...
St. Pancras International- Stratford on the SE Javelin trains.
Can anyone confirm that 100 mph is reached through the tunnels
Distance is 6 miles or 9km.

Ashford to Folkestone Central 13 and three quarters of a mile according to NR TT, cleared for 100 mph so easy for the Javelin class 395

A Javelin won't get anywhere near 100 mph going from Ashford to Folkestone Central
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I've only done it a few times but Piccadilly to Stockport doesn't feel like it gets anywhere near 100.

Down here in the land of third rail, there aren't many places where you'll get clear 100mph running but from experience I can safely say that it can be achieved running non-stop from Sevenoaks to Tonbridge through Hildenborough which is all of 7 miles! Similarly, I'm pretty sure you get close to 90 mph just between Ashford and Pluckley (5 miles).

I can guess of a few other places. Ashford to Westenhanger both directions (javelins on up direction only as they have a flying start). Ashford to Pluckley, Pluckley to Headcorn and tonbridge to paddock wood.

 

[168lover]

168s easily hit 90mph between High Wycombe and Beaconsfield

 

[Hyphen]

not sure whether they actually do or not but you definitely can buy a ticket between the two because I've done it!

Isn't that mostly in tunnel? You'd have a hard time proving it without GPS!

Seconded on the ticket. London Terminals to Stratford International: £5.90 Anytime Day Single, £7.50 Off-Peak Day Return, £10.60 Anytime Day Return.

http://www.brfares.com/#!fares?orig=STP&dest=SFA

 

[notadriver]

Isn't that mostly in tunnel? You'd have a hard time proving it without GPS!

Easy - just get a cab ride (but it would have to be in the leading cab as the speedo in the rear cab doesn't work)

 

[Carlisle]

I'm baffled at having tilting trains built specially to run faster round curves, and then not fitting tilt to one of the most curvaceous parts of the route!

I think in most places the tilt does still actually continue to operate but merely at the existing rather than EPS speeds ,I have noticed it cuts out completely when going through places such as Crewe though

 

[najaB]

I think in most places the tilt does still actually continue to operate but merely at the existing rather than EPS speeds ,I have noticed it cuts out completely when going through places such as Crewe though

I'm not sure about that - the Tilt Authorisation part of TASS makes me think that tilt is inhibited if the balises aren't fitted. Especially since tilt can take Pendolinos out of gauge.