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Steam locomotive Tornado hauling test train reaches 100 mph
- Thread starter Nidum
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- Locomotive Steam Test Tornado Train
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the steam locomotive Tornado reaching a speed of 100 mph during a test run. Participants explore various aspects of this achievement, including comparisons to historical speeds, the condition of railway infrastructure, and the implications of modern technology on train performance. The conversation touches on both technical and conceptual elements related to steam locomotion and speed records.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants express disappointment that the thread is about trains rather than weather tornadoes, suggesting a desire for broader discussions on meteorology.
- There is a question about the fuel type used by the Tornado, with some participants confirming it is oil-fired.
- Participants discuss the significance of the 100 mph speed, with some providing conversions to other units like feet per second and kilometers per hour.
- One participant notes that the condition of the track is crucial for achieving high speeds, mentioning that few tracks in the US can support such speeds.
- Concerns are raised about the commentary suggesting doubt regarding the ability to reach 100 mph, especially in light of historical records like the Mallard's speed of 126 mph.
- Another participant reflects on the implications of modern restrictions on train speeds, suggesting that these limitations affect the ability to achieve higher speeds over distances.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the significance of the 100 mph achievement, with some questioning whether it represents an underachievement compared to historical records. The discussion remains unresolved on the implications of modern technology and infrastructure on train speeds.
Contextual Notes
There are references to historical speed records and the current state of railway infrastructure, indicating that the discussion is influenced by both technical and contextual factors that may affect speed capabilities.
- #2
davenn
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grrrrrr hahaha 
when I saw the thread subject listing in the section, I thought it was about weather tornadoes, not trainsDave
when I saw the thread subject listing in the section, I thought it was about weather tornadoes, not trainsDave
- #3
nuuskur
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I was HOPING it to be about a weather tornado. Clickbait :(davenn said:grrrrrr hahaha
when I saw the thread subject listing in the section, I thought it was about weather tornadoes, not trainsDave
- #4
RonL
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Why not make your first thread a "weather tornado's" thread ?nuuskur said:
who knows how much good information can be shared with people that might actually have limited knowledge about them. I can make a comment or two
I was not disappointed in the train, this is our local program
(don't think it will do a 100 mph)- #5
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RonL said:this is our local program
+1
Oil fired ?
- #6
RonL
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Yes,Nidum said:
- #7
Noisy Rhysling
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100 mph? What's that in real numbers?
- #8
RonL
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Noisy Rhysling said:
A really good question ??
faster than 99 mph 
- #9
Dr.D
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Wonderful videos! I really enjoyed both, although the commentary was a bit over the top, I thought. Two thoughts ...
1) Much depends upon the condition of the track. We have few sections of track left in the US that would support such speeds (yes, I've ridden on the east coast "rocket train," but it rarely goes that fast now).
2) The commentary implied that there was real doubt about whether this could be done or not, as though it was "new territory." That seems strange, since the commentator talked about historic trains that have run substantially faster. Have we gotten to the point that, with all our modern technology, we doubt that we can accomplish that which was done previously? This is difficult to comprehend.
Thanks for posting this video; it was well worth the time to watch.
1) Much depends upon the condition of the track. We have few sections of track left in the US that would support such speeds (yes, I've ridden on the east coast "rocket train," but it rarely goes that fast now).
2) The commentary implied that there was real doubt about whether this could be done or not, as though it was "new territory." That seems strange, since the commentator talked about historic trains that have run substantially faster. Have we gotten to the point that, with all our modern technology, we doubt that we can accomplish that which was done previously? This is difficult to comprehend.
Thanks for posting this video; it was well worth the time to watch.
- #10
Dr.D
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Noisy Rhysling said:
That works out to be 146 feet 8 inches per second.
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GrahamN-UK
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Noisy Rhysling said:
160.9 km/h, 44.7 m/s.
- #12
GrahamN-UK
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Dr.D said:
I'm afraid so. On the 3 July 1938 the loco Mallard set the still-current world speed record for steam rail traction at 126 mph (203 km/h, 56.3 m/s) further south on the same East Coast Main Line route as Tornado.
- #13
gmax137
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~1.5E-7cNoisy Rhysling said:
PS, I was pleased to see this was Tornado the loco not tornado the weather
- #14
Dr.D
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GrahamN-UK said:
Yes,the record set by Mallard was mentioned in the video, making it all the more strange that we should get so excited today about making it to 100 mph today. Are we celebrating under achievement?
- #15
RonL
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Keep in mind we live in a day and age that has imposed so many restrictions that having to slow down in many locations does make a difference in how quick a recovery of speed can have an affect on top speed over a distance.Dr.D said:
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