Crewe North's Pacifics

摘要

The start out of Euston was not an easy one, with the crew facing the 1 in 70/77 straight from the platform end and an engine with a 'green' fire of unburnt coal. Add to this the restriction of the Clean Air needs at that time, and one can appreciate the difficulties with a heavy train. This was what faced Harry Nicklin with 46224 Princes Alexandra working the 'Midday Scot' with 16 coaches in 1958. Helped out of Euston with a banker up to Camden, there was a slow start past Willesden Junction, and the sectional time was kept to Watford. I suspect it took this time for the fire to really burn through and then the engine was opened up, with speed up to 67 at Tring and 84 at Cheddington. A pw check near Bletchley robbed them of achieving the section timing. More fast running on the rising gradient from Castlethorpe to Roade and 81 at Blisworth produced an on time arrival at Rugby. Getting away from Rugby, further fast running continued, passing Tamworth just over 2 minutes early, then through Lichfield about 3 minutes early. Slowing for the Queensville curve they were still through Stafford at 56mph, 4 minutes early. A pw check on the ran down from Madeley kept Harry's speed down but nevertheless there was still an early arrival at Crewe.