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Author Topic: Steam locomotive speed record?  (Read 16145 times)

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Offline Seldom Seen Slim

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Steam locomotive speed record?
« on: November 09, 2012, 08:39:54 PM »
I'll put this topic up for your opinions about whether the attempt at making a more modern steam locomotive break the existing (about 125 mph) record is something we ought to even have here on the land speed racing website.  Have at it, ladies and gentlemen.
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Jon E. Wennerberg
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Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2012, 09:12:14 PM »
In the transportation gallery of the Science and Industry Museum in Chicago, there are two icons of land speed.

The #999 New York Central Railroad's steam locomotive, which ran 112.5 mph in 1893.

And when you turn around, you see the Spirit of America, Craig Breedlove's car.

When I first saw the displays as a kid, I was awestruck by both.

Trains are the original mechanized land speed vehicles.  I'd run with it.
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Offline 4-barrel Mike

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2012, 09:15:26 PM »
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Offline Peter Jack

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2012, 10:05:29 PM »
It's the off season. We can use a little extra stimulation.  :-D :-D :-D

Pete
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Offline RidgeRunner

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2012, 07:54:34 AM »
     After 35 years on the RR working on diesel power I could be considered a bit biased.  It's speed on land so I say go for it.

      NYC #999 in 1893.....makes me wonder if that had an influence on Henry's ice record car# ?

      The Stanley brothers and Fred Marriot were way ahead of their time when they ran at Daytona.

       How long for the new tech to surpass the old?  Should be interesting.

                Ed
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Offline Dynoroom

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2012, 10:33:39 PM »
Quote from: Peter Jack on November 09, 2012, 10:05:29 PM
It's the off season. We can use a little extra stimulation.  :-D :-D :-D

Pete

Gee PJ, that hurts....... were still running at El Mirage this weekend.......  :wink:
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Offline Peter Jack

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2012, 11:16:37 PM »
I have a distorted viewpoint Mike, from under a rather large dump of snow. We were under heavy snowfall warnings for the last couple of days. We finally saw the sun this morning.  :roll: :roll: :-D

Good luck to all those running at Elmo. Sounds like the speeds are high!

Pete
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Offline Stainless1

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2012, 08:59:52 PM »
I'll bet the damn thing drives like it's on rails  :roll:
 :cheers:

it doesent need a section but anything concerning speed should get a thread
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Stainless
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Offline Speed Limit 1000

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2012, 01:42:36 AM »
I want to know how we can get a ride on the fast train :cheers:
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Offline JustaRacer

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2012, 09:34:48 AM »
Dunno.  Breaking a record that was set with 1930's tech by using 2012 tech seems like a slam dunk.  Should double the record? 

Like the guy who jumped out of a balloon at 130k feet, he broke a record set by guys who were just testing whether U2 and SR71 pilots could survive a bailout, hence didn't try for more than 100k.

And Kittenger? didn't know it was survivable at the time, and did it anyhow.  The 2012 record breaker knew it was survivable using old technology beforehand.

Pretty neat stuff, but seems somehow unfair.

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Offline Seldom Seen Slim

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2012, 11:51:46 AM »
Well, 2012 techonology will be used -- in a 1930-era body.  If you look more closely at the information in the link you'll see the "enthusiasts" have procured an old steam locomotive as their test bed for the new boiler and fuel.  So - they'll still have to push some monster hardware down the track.  No streamline-y body, no slick aero tricks at all.  At least that's what I got out of the article.
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Jon E. Wennerberg
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Offline Stan Back

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2012, 12:18:34 PM »
"Drives like it's on rails"  ? ? ?

Oh -- that's how they keep track of it!
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Offline floydjer

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2012, 10:28:55 AM »
Leave it to Stan to tie that together....................................
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Offline Stan Back

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2012, 01:49:55 PM »
It just spiked my interest.
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Offline JustaRacer

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Re: Steam locomotive speed record?
« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2012, 02:27:00 PM »
Seems the thread is getting derailed by those who think this is puny.  I won't be railroaded into anything puny.
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My doctor told me to go out and kill people.
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