FAMOUS ENGINE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 8, 7 December 1935, Page 2

FAMOUS ENGINE.

SPEED RACE RECALLED. SCOTTISH ROMANCE. The most romantic locomotive ever produced in Scotland has just emerged from St. Rollox Works, Glasgow, after having been decorated in memory of the great services it rendered the country’s railway industry, It is the famous “No. 123” of the old Caledonian Railway. In 1886 an important exhibition was held in Edinburgh, and, as their contribution to the engineering section of the show, the firm of Neilson and Co., Glasgow, produced what was looked on them as a super-locomotive. The wonderful machine, burnished to perfection, won a great deal of praise, and when the exhibition was over it was purchased by the “Caley.” Two years later, the celebrated engine’s dazzling career began in real earnest. In the summer of 1888, a fierce rivalry grew up between the East Coast and West Const groups of companies operating trains between London and Edinburgh. First one company would cut minutes off its running time, and then the rivals would reduce the time by still more minutes. Every day the trains ran faster and faster. This thrilling battle, the “Race to Edinburgh,” went on until the west coast group of companies staggered everyone by announcing that their train would perform the trip in the even eight hours. “No. 123” was the engine selected to work the “race” train over the Scottish section of the line. On the first night of the accelerated sei’vice Carlisle station was buzzing with excitement. “No. 123” was waiting with steam up a to take over the train, which at any" moment was duo from the south and run with it over the mountainous 1001-mile route to Edinburgh in the short time of 112 "minutes. Previously, 133 minutes had been allowed for the journey. Even experienced railwayman declared that the new schedule was impossible. The express burst into the station. The grimy, toil-tired English engine was hastily uncoupled, and “No. 123,” sleek and shiny, glided in to take its place. Tlie guard’s whistle shrilled. Steam gushed into the flier’s cylinders. Scotland’s finest engine was off on a run that was to thrill the nation and startle world railway circles. The train darted over the Border, and hurtled through Kirkpatrick and Lockebie at. 65 miles an hour. Beattock Station rattled past, and the dreaded 10-mile climb to the summit loomed ahead. Suddenly, at the very worst part of the gradient, the driver spotted a danger signal. “No. 123’s” whistle wailed in protest. To be stopped on a rising gradient was bad enough at any time, but to a train attempting a record such a stop could prove fatal. The driver slammed the regulator shut, and a smart application of the brakes reduced speed to little more than a walking-pace. The excitement was intense. Then the signal fell. The racer struggled to the top of the hill. In spite of the check, the 10-mile climb had been completed in 14 minutes. At length, after an epic run, during which speeds exceeding 70 miles an hour were touched, the train drew to a standstill in Princes Street Station, Edinburgh. The journey from Carlisle had occupied the amazingly brief time of 104 minutes. The famous engine’s performance focussed, the attention of the world’s railway experts on- Scotland’s locomotive industry, and on the performance of Caledonian engines in particular. Orders for engines came in from all parts. A few years later, when the Caledonian produced an engine bigger and ‘ stronger than “No. 123,” the engineer of the Belgian Railways ordered five copies of this new machine from the builders of the old racer. The firm which built “No. 123” now forms part of the North British Locomotive Co., Ltd., which in recent years has produced many fine engines, including the “Royal Scot” of the L.M.S. “No. 123.” arrayed in its orig- I inal bright blue livery, will form a permanent exhibit at St. Rollox Works.