Record breaking locomotives heading to museum for Railfest
A Javelin locomotive which will feature in the exhibition.
IT’S full steam ahead for the National Railway Museum’s Railfest 2012
which will now play host to the largest gathering of rail speed
record-breakers ever brought together in one place.
The nine-day festival, which is part of the York 800 celebrations, has been hailed as “Britain’s biggest rail celebration”.
Filling an outdoor area the size of 11 football pitches will be such
record breakers as the East Coast 91110, which achieved a national speed
record for a British locomotive of 162mph in 1989 and
is the fastest ever UK locomotive.
The train will also kick off the festival when it takes take centre
stage as part of a spectacular naming ceremony on the first day of the
event.
Other record breaking exhibits include the Class 43 High Speed Train
43159 power car which set the record in 1987 as the world’s fastest
diesel travelling at 148.5mph, and the previous world record
holder, the Class 252 Prototype High Speed Train power car 41001.
Bob Gwynne, assistant curator of rail vehicles at the National Railway
Museum, said: “Heritage steam stars like Flying Scotsman and Mallard
have a huge fan base and are famous the world over, but
these modern-day vehicles are equally impressive and will allow us to
tell the railway story from start to present day.
“As we get closer to the big event in June, we look forward to
confirming more vehicles for Britain’s biggest rail celebration.”
Tickets are currently on sale for the event which will take place from June 2-10.
Life in the fast lane
A Javelin locomotive which will feature in the exhibition.
IT’S full steam ahead for the National Railway Museum’s Railfest 2012
which will now play host to the largest gathering of rail speed
record-breakers ever brought together in one place.
The nine-day festival, which is part of the York 800 celebrations, has been hailed as “Britain’s biggest rail celebration”.
Filling an outdoor area the size of 11 football pitches will be such
record breakers as the East Coast 91110, which achieved a national speed
record for a British locomotive of 162mph in 1989 and
is the fastest ever UK locomotive.
The train will also kick off the festival when it takes take centre
stage as part of a spectacular naming ceremony on the first day of the
event.
Other record breaking exhibits include the Class 43 High Speed Train
43159 power car which set the record in 1987 as the world’s fastest
diesel travelling at 148.5mph, and the previous world record
holder, the Class 252 Prototype High Speed Train power car 41001.
Bob Gwynne, assistant curator of rail vehicles at the National Railway
Museum, said: “Heritage steam stars like Flying Scotsman and Mallard
have a huge fan base and are famous the world over, but
these modern-day vehicles are equally impressive and will allow us to
tell the railway story from start to present day.
“As we get closer to the big event in June, we look forward to
confirming more vehicles for Britain’s biggest rail celebration.”
Tickets are currently on sale for the event which will take place from June 2-10.
Life in the fast lane
