Rail Speed Record Bid

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31595, 5 February 1968, Page 8

Rail Speed Record Bid

The world’s latest and most powerful single - engined diesel-electric railway locomotive will attack the British rail speed record in the next few weeks. The existing record, 126 miles an hour, was set by the L.N.E.R. 4-6-2 Mallard steam locomotive, hauling seven coaches weighing 240 tons, on July 3, 1938. That speed was also the world’s record for steam locomotives and has not been beaten. '

The new 4000 h.p. Kestrel is claimed by its Loughborough manufacturers to be capable of a service speed of 130 miles an hour. After development, it is hoped to achieve 150 miles an hour. Built at a cost of £50,000, the first yellow-and-black streamlined Kestrel prototype will soon begin six months of trials between London and Edinburgh. It weighs 126 tons and, built with aircraft construction techniques, it carries a computer which brings the automation of trains one step nearer.

The computer takes care of many of the driver's normal functions and leaves him virtually to make only decisions. It can be instructed to control the power output, brakes, engine and train heat, and detect and by-pass any equipment failures. It even controls the detection and countering of wheel slip.