RTC: Edinburgh Flyer - 04/04/26

I've just received an email from RTC with this statement,

"The Edinburgh Flyer - Saturday 4 April
Highlights include:
Running through Morpeth at maximum speed".

Can anyone explain to me why this should be a highlight?

 

I assume it's a truncated version of what the tour page on their website says, which is: "we head northwards and pass through Morpeth, with our speed running at the maximum along this former LNER racetrack, the preserve of the A1 & A4 Pacifics up to their withdrawal in the mid-1960s"

 

Is there not still a speed restriction just south of Morpeth?

 

Exactly, that's why I questioned it as a highlight!

 

There is still a 50mph speed restriction through the curve on the Newcastle side of Morpeth station, 16m14ch to 16m56ch in the Sectional Appendix.
For interest - https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/11969/

Cheers, Neil

 

The problem of language methinks where the art of precis has never been taught; it's not a simple case of taking words out of the sentences but thinking what is meant and writing it differently (and shorter).

 

But if there is a speed restriction, then whatever that is the maximum speed for there surely?
Plus loco maximum speed would be different for Tangmere vs a Black 5.

Not sure the words are incorrect, certainly not to me anyway.

 

Yes, I agree. "Running through Morpeth at maximum speed", to me, means it will run at whatever the maximum speed is on that stretch of line. I wasn't aware of the 50mph limit when I first replied, but I don't think that changes the meaning in any way.

 

I am aware of a restriction through Morpeth, and the phrasing rang alarm bells for me given the history of derailments due to excessive speed on the curve.

 

It may be superfluous I fail to see it it can be "nonsense".

 

I think you miss the point. Would you consider running through Morpeth at 50mph to be a highlight of a steam tour on the LNER mainline?

 

Agree, it has a sad history of derailments.

Railway accidents: Curve of unintended outcome | The Railway Magazine

Report on the Derailment that occurred on 7th May 1969 at Morpeth in the Eastern Region British Railways :: The Railways Archive

 

Tangmere failed at Heaton on Edinburgh flyer. Every video I've seen south of there it looked and sounded rough.

 

Assume something going on with 1Z53 York-Edinburgh, got as far as Heaton loop, now back at Newcastle with 5Z53 remaining in the loop.

Realtime Trains | 1Z53 0725 York to Edinburgh | 04/04/2026

 

Tangmere doesn't have much luck does it. Ironically wasn't this weekend near enough to the 1st anniversary of one of it's last incidents on the Cumbrian Coast when the lineside went up in smoke?

 

Bransty tunnel closure aside, not much chance of setting Cumbrian vegetation ablaze this year given how wet it has been in recent weeks.

 

Lost significant time between Durham and Chester le Street???

 

Injector Failure