Trivial Pursuit

[David Holden]

Who designed the Mallard, the holder of the speed record for steam trains?

 

 

[AFF]

[sir Nigel?] Gresley?

[Martin]

That's what I found. Leave Mr. Holden to confirm though.

[AFF]

'Found'? FOUND?

 

It's just one of those bits of trivia that I knew, Martin. He designed the locomotives with the curving [downwards] front ends. LNER if I recall. Then he named them after birds. Kingfisher was one. Bittern was another, I think.

 

However. Best to wait for Mr Holden as you say. Wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him.

[AFF]

Just thinking about it, I believe that they were called the 'Kingfisher Class' locomotives actually.

 

Anyway. No extra points for that detail so that's enough for now.

 

 

[David Holden]

It was indeed Sir Nigel Gresley.

 

The Mallard was one of the Class A4 3-cylinder Streamlined 4-6-2s a number of which were named after birds as you say.

[Big J R]

Quote:

AFF said:
'Found'? FOUND?

It's just one of those bits of trivia that I knew, Martin. He designed the locomotives with the curving [downwards] front ends. LNER if I recall. Then he named them after birds. Kingfisher was one. Bittern was another, I think.

However. Best to wait for Mr Holden as you say. Wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him.

[color:"red"] Issue AFF with his regulation Anorak ! (Maladroit has the designs and will take the order !)

[color:"black"] David said it's your go, AFF !!

[AFF]

Thanks for that Mr Holden. And you, Big JR. [i thought that 'anoraks' research and gather this sort of stuff. I just remember the odd bit of, generally useless, information! I'm no good on American ice-hockey, however.]

 

Changing the subject completely......

 

....What was the name of the first locomotive to break the 100 mph barrier in the U.K.?

[Martin]

Just a slip of the keyboard. Sir Gresley is what I "thought" having plundered the vague corners of my memory. I will just have a "think" about this one and come back to you.

[Student Scum]

The only one I know from that era - The Flying Scotsman?

 

 

[David Holden]

I believe that it was the Flying Scotsman

[NotTheRealSteveWest]

What is the fastest animal planet earth has to offer??

 

Come on chaps, it's an easy one!

[AFF]

Nope. Not The Flying Scotsman.

[David Holden]

Odd because that's what it says Here

 

1934 On 30 November, Flying Scotsman becomes the first train to reach 100 mph.

 

[AFF]

Try "The City of Truro".

 

I have details on a commemorative mug, purchased from the National Railway Museum, at home and if I can't find anything on the internet now [if I can work out how to operate the thing] in the next half hour, I'll put something up tomorrow.

 

In the meanwhile, over to NTRSW.

[Martin]

In answer to NTRSW - I think the answer is the peregrine falcon.

 

You are rightly proud to sponsor Jake Whincup he is an absolute legend.

[AFF]

Used 'Jeeves' [among many things that I can't do is to do a link thingy]. Perhaps someone could oblige?

 

Type in 'The City of Truro' and about the 7th or 8th entry is a site relating to a £130,000 refurbishment of the locomotive that cracked the 100 mph barrier in May 1904 carrying ocean mail from Plymouth. On a gradient at Polesball or Polesheath or somewhere. Quotes from Andrew Scott, a Director of the National Railway Museum.

 

Perhaps he should be encouraged to sue the site that you linked to, Mr Holden. It might assist with the £130,000.

 

How about 'cheetah'.

[Rob_the_Saint]

re: City of Truro

 

Try this: http://www.gwsr.com/html/city_of_truro.html

 

Cheetah is the fastest LAND animal. Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal of any kind.

[AFF]

Thanks for that, Rob. The Golden Age of Steam, eh? What a helpful chap you are to have around.

 

So the falcon gets it then?

[Martin]

Well this is an interesting debate (tongue firmly wedged in cheek)

 

The site I found on the City of Truro says it claimed to have travelled at 103mph on a steep slope in 1904. The Guardian's website includes a story "All you need to know about the Flying Scotsman" which states that it was the first steam engine to break 100mph. Clearly a disputed issue which should be settled by a duel.