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Cardiff Central - London Paddington record attempt

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The Planner

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1Z37, currently at Severn Tunnel Jn running 1 early. If it doesn't use the allowances in its schedule then it should do it in 94 minutes.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Interesting to see what the claimed time is, as TRUST shows a journey time of 96 minutes. 1220 off Cardiff, 1 early and 1356 arrival into Paddington, 2 early.
 

bnm

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Shortened HST set apparently. 2+5.

Just like the record run from Plymouth last October, which also used a shortened set. That one beat the previous record by 17 minutes.
 

The Planner

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So all a bit pointless and doesn't really prove anything, a 2+5 should easily beat 2+8 times.
 

bnm

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So all a bit pointless and doesn't really prove anything, a 2+5 should easily beat 2+8 times.

I think the point is to show the politicos and business community in South Wales the merits of taking the train. That was the reasoning behind the run from Plymouth. This run also saw dignitaries and business folk being invited along.
 

notadriver

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If he can keep it right at the limit - 127 mph on the high speed sections it might be interesting!
 

bnm

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Left Cardiff Central at 1220. Arrived London Paddington at 1356. 96 minutes.

So the record was broken, at least according to TRUST. But only just.
 

route:oxford

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So a new record set.

So, if this was undertaken by an alternative 125mph Diesel stock, ie 180,220,221 or 222. (Assume the 180 behaved all the way).

Would the improved acceleration have helped cut the time?

And by how much?
 

eastwestdivide

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If it was a reduced-length HST set, would the acceleration have been much different anyway? Also, there can't be too many places on that route where it would need to accelerate, most of the run just being sustained high speed.
I suppose if it was GW putting on the show, it makes more sense for them to use one of their own trains instead of the hassle of arranging something different. Would be an interesting comparison though.
 

The Planner

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Coming round the bend at Parkway is about the biggest step up. Swindon might be a 40mph step as it is 80 through the station ?? The rest are marginal.
 

LNW-GW Joint

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The report I saw on BBC Wales news was a travesty.
The gist of it was £1B spend will give you 17 minutes saving Cardiff-London.
The only railway "expert" (an academic I think) pointed out it was 2x17 minutes for a round trip. Big deal.
Then all the (Cardiff) people-in-the-street interviewed said that if that was all you got for £1B they would prefer it spent on something more useful (hospitals, schools etc).
Then the obligatory Swansea resident (a business woman) said if the wires stopped at Cardiff she would be no better off anyway, so why bother?

Don't you despair at the newshounds (who no doubt had a good free lunch courtesy of FGW).
 
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