Was the Mallard faster than the Flying Scotsman?

The Mallard and the Flying Scotsman are two of the most famous steam locomotives in Britain. The Mallard holds the world speed record for steam locomotives, while the Flying Scotsman was the first locomotive to officially reach 100 mph. There has been some debate over whether the Mallard’s record-breaking run was truly faster than the Flying Scotsman at its peak. To determine which locomotive was faster, we need to look at their top speeds and the context in which those speeds were achieved.

The Speed Records of the Mallard and Flying Scotsman

On July 3, 1938, the London and North Eastern Railway’s new A4 class locomotive Mallard set the official world speed record for steam locomotives at 126 mph. This broke the previous record of 124 mph set by the German DRG Class 05 002 in 1936. Mallard’s record run occurred while descending Stoke Bank south of Grantham on the East Coast Main Line. The highest speed was recorded on the downhill run.

The Flying Scotsman, an LNER Class A3 locomotive, was built in 1923. On November 30, 1934, the Flying Scotsman became the first locomotive to be officially authenticated at reaching 100 mph with a timed run reaching 100.7 mph. This did not constitute an official world record, but it was a major milestone at the time.

Key Speed Figures

Based solely on the recorded figures, the Mallard holds the clear speed record over the Flying Scotsman by a significant margin. However, a closer examination of the context and claims surrounding the records reveals a more complicated picture.

Context of Mallard’s Record-Breaking Run

While Mallard achieved the highest speed ever for a steam locomotive at 126 mph, there are a few important caveats to note:

• The record was achieved during a downhill run which favored higher speeds.
• Mallard was operating without a train or passengers during its record attempt.
• The top speed was only briefly sustained for moments during the run.

Mallard’s five-coach train had earlier broken the record while running at 125.88 mph. For the record attempt, the train was decoupled to allow Mallard to reach higher speeds unimpeded. Therefore, Mallard’s record was not achieved in normal service conditions while hauling passengers.

Mallard’s Exact Speed

There has also been skepticism surrounding Mallard’s exact record speed. Mallard’s speed was calculated by timing it over a quarter mile during the run. However, inconsistencies in reports from the time have led to questions over whether the measurement tools were entirely accurate.

In 1997, Sim Webb, who was fireman on the record-breaking run, estimated that 126 mph was likely excessive and the real speed was probably about 123-124 mph at most. This matches the speeds Mallard had been achieving while pulling the five-coach train before it was uncoupled. Still, even at 123-124 mph, this does not diminish Mallard’s status as the fastest steam locomotive.

The Flying Scotsman’s 100 mph Milestone

While the Flying Scotsman’s top speed did not officially break any world records, its 100 mph milestone was a pioneering achievement:

• It was the first steam locomotive to reach 100 mph in regular service conditions.
• This was with a full train and crew on board.
• It demonstrated the feasibility of high speeds safely in a production locomotive rather than a special record attempt.

The Flying Scotsman’s 100 mph achievement occurred during its morning run from London King’s Cross to Grantham along the East Coast Main Line. Therefore, it was accomplished pulling passenger carriages under real-world conditions, which many argued was more representative than special record runs without trains.

Other Flying Scotsman Speed Claims

There were unofficial claims that the Flying Scotsman had reached even higher speeds than 100 mph before its officially timed run. Driver Bill Sparshatt claimed to have driven it at over 102 mph. He reported speeds up to 104 mph were not uncommon. However, these figures are unverified.

Some also argued that the Flying Scotsman could have reached higher speeds in a specially optimized record run without coaches like Mallard. However, LNER chose to focus on high speed service rather than special record attempts.

Comparison of Approaches

The different speed records reflect contrasting philosophies between the locomotives’ operators:

• Mallard’s record attempt – Specially optimized for maximum speed without passengers
• Flying Scotsman’s achievement – Focus on practical high speeds in regular service

Mallard’s optimized high-speed test reflects a goal of pushing the limits of steam locomotive technology. The Flying Scotsman’s approach emphasizes service at commercially practical speeds for passengers. Each approach has its merits regarding innovation versus practical application.

Mallard vs. Flying Scotsman: Key Contextual Differences

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mallard still clearly holds the speed record for steam locomotives based on its 126 mph maximum speed. However, there are questions around its exact speed and whether special conditions gave it an advantage. The Flying Scotsman achieved its historic 100 mph milestone in everyday service conditions. While its top speed was lower, its achievement highlighted the practical potential of high-speed rail service.

Ultimately, both locomotives were pioneers. Mallard showed the boundaries of steam locomotive performance. The Flying Scotsman proved that 100 mph steam locomotive service was viable for passengers. Their accomplishments reflect different innovations that helped drive progress in steam technology and high-speed rail. Their legendary status lies not in which was faster, but how their speed records moved the industry forward in different ways.