 |
|
||||
|
|
|
NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM, YORK, UK: British Rail, from my perspective overshadowed somewhat by the German Railways, probably that opinion stems from my 'Model Railway' interests which commenced with the English Hornby Dublo brand, ultimately evolving into a passion for the German Marklin system. Nevertheless I retain interest in British Rail, particularly the early days when British Engineering was at the forefront of evolving rail technologies throughout the world. My visit to York, England in 2009 was planned to ensure a visit to the National Railway Museum, (NRM).
STEPHENSON'S ROCKET: George Stephenson's Rocket, built 1829, is considered by many to be the 'first' Steam Locomotive, this is not strictly correct. The Rocket can claim to be the 'first' Steam Locomotive to include numerous technological innovations of its day on the one locomotive platform. Probably the most important innovation was the use of a multi tube boiler offering significantly greater steam production. The original Rocket is now housed in the Science Museum in London, the NRM exhibit is a replica of the locomotive, tender and carriages.
THE AGENORIA: The Agenoria, built 1829, is the fourth mostly identical locomotive to be built by Foster, Rastrick & Co. Stourbridge. The earlier locomotives were built for use in the early American Rail System. History indicates the American trials were less than ideal, the locomotives being too heavy for the early American rail tracks.
THE IRON DUKE: The GWR Iron Duke class locomotives, built 1846~1845, were designed for high speed passenger service. The locomotives had a top speed of nominally 140kmh. The Iron Duke hauled the 'Flying Dutchman' Passenger Trains which were the fastest passenger service in the world for some time.
THE GLADSTONES: The 'first' Gladstone class locomotive, built 1882, is preserved at the NRM. Thirty six locomotives of this type were produced from 1882 to 1891 for Express Train duties between London and Brighton.
THE DUCHESS OF HAMILTON: The LMS Princess Class 6229 'Duchess of Hamilton', built 1938, has had a chequered career, shipped to the United States for display, back to England for war service, streamlining removed for ease of maintenance, playground duties!, display at the NRM in 1998 and the streamlining reinstated in 2009 prior to hopefully 'permanent display' at the NRM.
THE MALLARD: The LNER Class A4 4468 'Mallard', built 1938, retains the distinct honour of the fastest officially recognised Steam Locomotive in history. In 1938 Mallard achieved just over 202kmh. Mallard did not just set speed records, she covered some 2.4 million kilometres between 1938 and 1963 when she was retired.
THE BULLET TRAIN: Somewhat out of step with British Rail but certainly not from Internationally famous Railways, the Japanese Bullet Train service is the envy of most countries rail systems, offering speed, efficiency and reliability. The exhibit at the NRM is an 'O Series' Shinkansen (Bullet Train) No. 22-141.
PLATFORM 'FOUR AND THREE QUARTERS' ETC: Some light hearted exhibits are to be found around the NRM grounds....
MORE RAILWAYS COVERAGE: Please continue my 'Railways coverage' by selecting from the following pages...
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
I LOVE NEW TECHNOLOGY, TABLETS, LAPTOPS, DIGITAL CAMERAS, MOBILE PHONES/WIRELESS BROADBAND, GPS, ETC. ALL SO COOL AND 'PORTABLE'......
|
