Why The FASTEST Steam Train Will NEVER Move Again!

From setting a world speed record to not running in over 35 years, here is why the fastest steam locomotive will (probably) never move again

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⌛ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Background
1:04 Preservation
1:48 Reasons

[OnlyTheRightTrack]

hope you all enjoyed, I get that I spoke quite quickly and will work on that in later vids. Feel free to turn on captions too! Also I'ts the fastest recorded train, rumours of faster locos exist and have been persistently popping up in the comments, Once one officially breaks the record then lmk, for now Mallard holds it haha

[ThomasTheorist]

You have a serious future in this field mate!

[Shipwright]

The staff of the NRM were very kind to reply to a few enquiries I made about Mallard, and they say the superheater's shot among other issues with the boiler.

I'm sure if they really wanted to and had the funding, the steam locomotive works in Meinigen Germany could be contracted to make a new A4 boiler, as they already have experience making an A1 boiler for Tornado.

As mentioned in the video, however, she's more important as an historic artefact, so it would almost be more practical to make a new A4 from scratch.

[terrier_productions]

The closest thing to seeing 4468 in steam again is Bittern disguised as her. A similar situation occured some years ago when 92214 "City of Leicester" was disguised as sister engine 92220 "Evening Star" during an event on the Great Central Railway

[Mcnibbus]

Although mallard holds the record officially. There are multiple occasions of prr class s1 and t1 duplexes reaching speeds of 130 to 140 plus with a loaded train going uphill. With the construction of 5550 ( a spiritual continuation of the t1) only time will tell if the mallard will still hold her crown or if the PRR crews were correct in their statements.

[Silvertone_Spiral]

You bring up a point that I personally find a bit disappointing. The Flying Scotsman is barely itself anymore since it’s had all its main parts replaced so many times, and that was, of course, after it made history. It’s one of the reasons why Mallard has always been higher on my list than it, since it’s kept all the same parts that got it to break the speed record still on.

[mikeuk]

Narrated with such feeling. Probably broke a speed record too.

[Aaron-ufsl]

It’s a museum piece, it’s been left on display to try and retain as much of the original fabric of the loco as possible. Stuff was obviously replaced regularly during service and it’s those parts the NRM want to save.

[Kris-qyhh]

Nice video, I do enjoy this channel!
I’ve always thought that the “originality” excuse for Mallard not being restored to service was a bit bogus, even though I understand the other ones.

Whilst having some ‘original’ parts still on is a nice thing, locomotives are meant to have their parts replaced (to no surprise). In my opinion, as long as an engine has is name and or number, and keeps within its original shape during service, then that’s absolutely fine. It doesn’t need its ‘original’ parts if it already has those three.

I am 99% sure there are practically no ‘original’ parts left on Scotsman from when she broke the 100mph record, but look at her now, she’s still an icon, people still love her despite that.

[alexv]

Yeah, definitely seems more practical nowadays to keep _Mallard_ in good static condition, but just build a whole new A4 as well if they wanted another one to run. I'd personally suggest a fifth Silver Jubilee (the series _Silver Link, Quicksilver, Silver King_ and _Silver Fox_ were from) loco to not only represent the earliest era of the class, but make up for _Silver Link_ not being preserved!

[Wildbean]

Wow... what a ton of information in one short video! Absolutely smashing! 💯

[gregkiteos]

This is a good video, but I just want to point out one thing: the LNER locomotives were renumbered in 1946, so Mallard was given No. 22 before British Railways took over.

With regards to Mallard steaming again: it's been restored to its 1938 "as built" condition. To bring it up to present day main line standards, it would need tobe fitted with so much modern tech including AWS, ATP, electric lights, air brakes, etc. In-cab signalling is also being trialled on the East Coast Main Line - a far cry from 1938 standards!

[cerneysmallengines]

rail enthusiast here from Minnesota. i personally would love to see many preserved locomotives come to life again, one of which being the William Crooks, the first steam engine to ever enter Minnesota. unfortunately, to restore the locomotive, it would need EVERYTHING. A new frame, new boiler, new controls, new axles, wheels, cylinders, controls, everyrhing would need to be rebuilt or replaced. at that point, its the story of the pirate ship that every day a plank of wood is replaced. the discarded planks are put together and now you have 2 ships that can both be called the original ship.

[bricklingtonlego]

As someone who has met Mallard several times, i can say, its the most impressive locamotive i have ever seen.

[yeetboiwhatyesplease]

Great video mate.
Also I hope they run it one last time for its 100th anniversary of the spread it broke the record.

[joshslater]

Since it’s my favourite train of all time and my favourite exhibit at the National Railway Museum, I’m happy never to see it run again.

[dc_reznor]

0:26 for this point, it's worth noting that the record was claimed to be broken by the Pennsylvania Railroad with their S1 and T1 locomotives, but there was no way to officially prove it.

[benfletcher]

My great grandfather was a train driver from Doncaster and drove both the Mallard and the Flying Scotsman. He died in 1970, a decade before I was born. I have never been into trains but one of my children is and wants to see the Mallard. His son (my grandfather) died on the Mallard Ward in Doncaster.

[C.A.A]

And you have just earned a subscriber. Here’s to the future 🥂

[gojicrushers]

I can kinda agree with the reason, but I’m sad to see her just be static for 35 years. Great video and hope to see more!