Lickey Line Trials

[RichmondCommu]

Hi everyone,

Clearly the above never happened (at least to my knowledge) but please try and bear with me! If we could pick any locomotive (separate categories for steam, diesel and electric) to take part in Rainhill style trials which locomotives would come out on top?

If you like we can go to new levels of ridiculousness and include any standard gauge locomotive. Maybe even different categories for tank engines etc.

If nothing else thanks for reading this.

 

[GusB]

Class 26. I'd tag a guard's van on the back for added weight.

 

[xotGD]

A race up the Lickey between a Deltic and a 68 would be interesting. Load 8, standing start from Bromsgrove, full thrash.

 

[Bevan Price]

Not quite the same - but they did compare different types of steam loco. for use as banking engines. The most interesting was probably Gresley's ex-LNER Class U1 Garratt (2-8-8-2T), before settling on BR Class 9F 2-10-0 (92079).

 

[RichmondCommu]

A race up the Lickey between a Deltic and a 68 would be interesting. Load 8, standing start from Bromsgrove, full thrash.

I think Kestrel would have given both of them a run for their money!

 

[delt1c]

A race up the Lickey between a Deltic and a 68 would be interesting. Load 8, standing start from Bromsgrove, full thrash.

Deltic would struggle as they were race horses not tractors. Even leaving Kings Cross they had to be driven carefully climbing through the tunnels due to wheel spin,

 

[Richard Scott]

Deltic would struggle at sure they can't get full power down much below 25mph. Think a 50 would be better under those conditions as get power down sooner or even a 45? Likely a low geared loco like a 60 would probably have the advantage over almost all those listed as can't believe the 62mph top speed would be a limitation? Can't recall having any loco get anywhere near 60 mph at the top of the bank. From a standing start think 30mph was optimistic!

 

[Grannyjoans]

Class 66 perhaps ?

 

[ac6000cw]

Don't forget it's electrified now, so add 88's and 92's to the 'electric' list. For diesels I'd go for 59's 60's and 70's (the ones with plenty of low-speed tractive effort). Steam - a re-run of the 9F versus LNER Beyer-Garrett would be interesting.

 

[Cowley]

Don't forget it's electrified now, so add 88's and 92's to the 'electric' list. For diesels I'd go for 59's 60's and 70's (the ones with plenty of low-speed tractive effort). Steam - a re-run of the 9F versus LNER Beyer-Garrett would be interesting.

Now you’re talking.
A class 92 with an inspection saloon from a standing start at the foot of the bank.
Watch your cup of coffee shoot across the table straight into the lap of the person sat opposite...

 

[RichmondCommu]

Would the Channel Tunnel le shuttle locomotives not eclipse the class 92s? Just wondering that's all.

 

[ac6000cw]

Would the Channel Tunnel le shuttle locomotives not eclipse the class 92s? Just wondering that's all.

On the basis of the published tractive effort figures on Wikipedia, there's not that much in it - and the Eurotunnel locos are too large to run on NR lines (but as this is a fantasy thread that's probably irrelevant ).

If we're allowed any standard-gauge steam loco in the world, then a Union Pacific 'Big Boy' 4-8-8-4 (all 567 tonnes and 6000+ hp of it) versus a Norfolk & Western Y6 2-8-8-2 might sell out the grandstand seats quite well .

 

[randyrippley]

Deltic would struggle at sure they can't get full power down much below 25mph. Think a 50 would be better under those conditions as get power down sooner or even a 45? Likely a low geared loco like a 60 would probably have the advantage over almost all those listed as can't believe the 62mph top speed would be a limitation? Can't recall having any loco get anywhere near 60 mph at the top of the bank. From a standing start think 30mph was optimistic!

How about a Western? Especially if you fixed it to low ratio

 

[Bevan Price]

On the basis of the published tractive effort figures on Wikipedia, there's not that much in it - and the Eurotunnel locos are too large to run on NR lines (but as this is a fantasy thread that's probably irrelevant ).

If we're allowed any standard-gauge steam loco in the world, then a Union Pacific 'Big Boy' 4-8-8-4 (all 567 tonnes and 6000+ hp of it) versus a Norfolk & Western Y6 2-8-8-2 might sell out the grandstand seats quite well .

But only until they brought down the bridge north of Bromsgrove station - and all the overhead wiring, etc......

 

[ac6000cw]

But only until they brought down the bridge north of Bromsgrove station - and all the overhead wiring, etc......

Of course - but in fantasy land cost is no object so you'd demolish those first and rebuild them afterwards .

(In reality there is no N&W Y6 in running order, and it would be near impossible to get them to Bromsgrove - too large and heavy - and there are better 'testing' grounds on their home turf anyway).

How about a pair of GWR 2-8-0's hauling a 'jumbo' stone train from Merehead to Acton instead?

 

[delt1c]

Think a 59 would be good contender

 

[Grannyjoans]

Euro Tunnel Le Shutte locomotive wins, followed by class 92

Not that I have any enthusiasm for the former but you can't deny the stats