ECML closure and Waverley Route Diversion, longest steam distance records

[robmcg]

Hi All,

 

Could someone in this fountain of knowledge advise us of those occasions in I think about 1950 when washouts or floods closed the ECML and several A4s were used possibly non-stop, and certainly without changing for the 408-mile run between London and Edinburgh?

 

I read yesterday that this was a world record for steam until 'Flying Scotsman' broke it in Australia.

 

I piece I read described the pride the crews took doing such long runs, and one A4 used was 60028, but I can no longer find the reference. (Irwell Book of A4?)

 

Any help would be appreciated.

Edited May 28, 2020 by robmcg
correction

[robmcg]

Aha, I found it...  in a Wikipedia A4 page...

 

quote

 

In August 1948, serious flooding caused the collapse of a number of bridges and culverts on the East Coast mainline in south east Scotland. Hence, many of the trains were diverted via Selby and Leeds, over the Settle-Carlisle line. From 24th August, the A4's non-stop run was diverted over the Waverley route to St. Boswells, then via Kelso to Tweedmouth to rejoin the mainline. On this first run, No. 60028 Walter K. Wigham managed to run nonstop from Edinburgh to Kings Cross, a record setting distance of 408.65 miles. These runs required some luck as regards running and signals, but the drivers took great pride in achieving a nonstop run. The following runs set the nonstop record:

 

Sorry about the formatting.

 

Southbound:24 Aug60028 Walter K. WhighamNorthbound:25 Aug60028 Walter K. Whigham

26 Aug60028 Walter K. Whigham26 Aug60027 Merlin

28 Aug60029 Woodcock27 Aug60029 Woodcock

7 Sep60029 Woodcock2 Sep60029 Woodcock

9 Sep60029 Woodcock6 Sep60029 Woodcock

11 Sep60012 Commonwealth of Australia7 Sep60012 Commonwealth of Australia

15 Sep60022 Mallard8 Sep60029 Woodcock

17 Sep60029 Woodcock9 Sep60031 Golden Plover

18 Sep60012 Commonwealth of Australia

 

It looks like Woodcock was the star. 60012, 22, 27, 28, 29, and 31 sharing the honours.

 

Does anyone have more information?

Edited May 28, 2020 by robmcg

[Aire Head]

8 hours ago, robmcg said:

Aha, I found it...  in a Wikipedia A4 page...

 

quote

 

In August 1948, serious flooding caused the collapse of a number of bridges and culverts on the East Coast mainline in south east Scotland. Hence, many of the trains were diverted via Selby and Leeds, over the Settle-Carlisle line. From 24th August, the A4's non-stop run was diverted over the Waverley route to St. Boswells, then via Kelso to Tweedmouth to rejoin the mainline. On this first run, No. 60028 Walter K. Wigham managed to run nonstop from Edinburgh to Kings Cross, a record setting distance of 408.65 miles. These runs required some luck as regards running and signals, but the drivers took great pride in achieving a nonstop run. The following runs set the nonstop record:

 

Sorry about the formatting.

 

Southbound:24 Aug60028 Walter K. WhighamNorthbound:25 Aug60028 Walter K. Whigham

26 Aug60028 Walter K. Whigham26 Aug60027 Merlin

28 Aug60029 Woodcock27 Aug60029 Woodcock

7 Sep60029 Woodcock2 Sep60029 Woodcock

9 Sep60029 Woodcock6 Sep60029 Woodcock

11 Sep60012 Commonwealth of Australia7 Sep60012 Commonwealth of Australia

15 Sep60022 Mallard8 Sep60029 Woodcock

17 Sep60029 Woodcock9 Sep60031 Golden Plover

18 Sep60012 Commonwealth of Australia

 

It looks like Woodcock was the star. 60012, 22, 27, 28, 29, and 31 sharing the honours.

 

Does anyone have more information?

 

http://www.davidheyscollection.com/page51.htm

 

Union of South Africa pictured at Snaygill Signal box just south of Skipton on the Aire Valley Line

[slilley]

10 hours ago, robmcg said:

Aha, I found it...  in a Wikipedia A4 page...

 

quote

 

In August 1948, serious flooding caused the collapse of a number of bridges and culverts on the East Coast mainline in south east Scotland. Hence, many of the trains were diverted via Selby and Leeds, over the Settle-Carlisle line. From 24th August, the A4's non-stop run was diverted over the Waverley route to St. Boswells, then via Kelso to Tweedmouth to rejoin the mainline. On this first run, No. 60028 Walter K. Wigham managed to run nonstop from Edinburgh to Kings Cross, a record setting distance of 408.65 miles. These runs required some luck as regards running and signals, but the drivers took great pride in achieving a nonstop run. The following runs set the nonstop record:

 

Sorry about the formatting.

 

Southbound:24 Aug60028 Walter K. WhighamNorthbound:25 Aug60028 Walter K. Whigham

26 Aug60028 Walter K. Whigham26 Aug60027 Merlin

28 Aug60029 Woodcock27 Aug60029 Woodcock

7 Sep60029 Woodcock2 Sep60029 Woodcock

9 Sep60029 Woodcock6 Sep60029 Woodcock

11 Sep60012 Commonwealth of Australia7 Sep60012 Commonwealth of Australia

15 Sep60022 Mallard8 Sep60029 Woodcock

17 Sep60029 Woodcock9 Sep60031 Golden Plover

18 Sep60012 Commonwealth of Australia

 

It looks like Woodcock was the star. 60012, 22, 27, 28, 29, and 31 sharing the honours.

 

Does anyone have more information?

The attached photograph is page 113  of Non Stop! London to Scotland Steam by AJ Mullay published in 1989. It is the information above  and also includes the name of the drivers in question.

[Parracombe]

If you are after Photographic evidence try SCRAN

Title: Queen of Scots Pullman train at Newtown St Boswells during the closure of the East Coast main line in 1948

Scran ID: 000-000-112-651-C

[Tim Lewis]

I haven't been able to find that reference on the SCRAN website (which I'd never heard of till just now!).  Incidentally, there are a couple of pictures in the Middleton (or is it Oakwood) Press book of the Tweed Valley Line.  From memory one of the Flying Scotsman (A4) and one of the Queen of Scots (A3), both at Kelso (IIRC, I've not actually got the book).  Also, the line was used for diversions for a period in 1956, though I don't have precise dates.

 

Edit - found it now (I hadn't put all the zeroes in the reference when I first searched).

Edited June 9, 2020 by Tim Lewis
Found it now!