Fastest steam locomotiveIn 1938, the Mallard was documented as the world's fastest steam locomotive travelling at 126 mph (202-km/h) at milepost 90¼, on straight, slightly downhill tracks, between Little Bytham and Essendine, on the East Coast Main line of the London and North Eastern Railway, in England. It was hauling six coaches and a dynamometer car recording the speed, with a total tare of 240 tons. The Mallard was designed as a streamlined express locomotive with an aerodynamic body, 70-ft long, weighing 165 tons with tender. Its build date was 3 Mar 1938, and it was used in service until it was retired 1963. After restoration in the 1980's it made a few special runs, and is now in the National Railway Museum, York. |
