fastest journey time,not quite true?

[whole diary]

[infoman]

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) stating that an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) from Bristol took 72 minutes to reach London Paddington on tuesday evening 24 september
Although an HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) took 68 minutes to do the same journey back in May 1977.

Did a HST not do a "top of the pops" journey in one hour back in circa 1984/1985?

[IndustryInsider]

Clarified in the press release:

https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2019/september/special-gwr-train-run-posts-modern-speed-record

[rower40]

If your cassette MP3 player has "American Pie", "Hotel California" and "Bat out of Hell" on, then the journey will MAY be over before all three tracks have played three times through.

[JayMac]

Assuming you mean the album versions of said tracks rather than the radio edits.

[eightf48544]

Did a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) not do a "top of the pops" journey in one hour back in circa 1984/1985?

Yes during the programme. Specialy shorted set 2+5? We watched from my garage roof with all the local kids.


Unfortunately it can't be mentioned because of you know who!

[Timmer]

Did it in 62 minutes 33 seconds if the following is to be believed:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/top-of-the-pops-train-1984.86066/

Has this particular run been disregarded because a certain individual was aboard at the time?

[JontyMort]

Did it in 62 minutes 33 seconds if the following is to be believed:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/top-of-the-pops-train-1984.86066/

Has this particular run been disregarded because a certain individual was aboard at the time?

Well, forgetting certain individuals, the two timings - and these were in the timetable - that stick in my mind are Paddington to Bristol Parkway in 65 minutes and Paddington to Chippenham in 55.

[Red Squirrel]

According to this press release, as referred to by II, above:

The Rail Performance Society (RPS) records fastest times in two categories – pre-2008 and post-2008. This reflects the introduction of safer driving practices and speed restrictions from 2008.

According to the RPS, the quickest time recorded between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington pre-2008 was 68 minutes 19 seconds, set on 7 May 1977 by a High Speed Train.

Until last night, no speed record had been measured between the two stations post-2008.

[Timmer]

According to this press release:

The Rail Performance Society (RPS) records fastest times in two categories – pre-2008 and post-2008. This reflects the introduction of safer driving practices and speed restrictions from 2008.

According to the RPS, the quickest time recorded between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington pre-2008 was 68 minutes 19 seconds, set on 7 May 1977 by a High Speed Train.

Until last night, no speed record had been measured between the two stations post-2008.

Which would be correct in saying that as it’s Bristol to London. The Top of the Pops run was London to Bristol.

[IndustryInsider]

Since 1977 the approach speeds into Paddington have been significantly reduced, also ATP^▸ (Automatic Train Protection) means there is no way of exceeding 125mph (well, 127mph if you don't mind constant warbling!) unless you isolate it which given the Southall crash isn't something to be recommended!  I am guessing rules were somewhat more relaxed in 1977?

[1st fan]

Did a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) not do a "top of the pops" journey in one hour back in circa 1984/1985?

Yes during the programme. Specialy shorted set 2+5? We watched from my garage roof with all the local kids.


Unfortunately it can't be mentioned because of you know who!

Voldemort! 

[Celestial]

Yes during the programme. Specialy shorted set 2+5?

I expect Broadgage was outraged.

[JayMac]

There used to be videos on YouTube of that particular episode of Top of the Pops. Long since removed. I actually downloaded said videos about 8 years ago, before the death of a certain DJ. Unfortunately they were on a hard drive that later died.

As for whether the record run is now disregarded, it could be that the 'record' is not widely acknowledged due to the speeding that took place. Whilst the 125mph maximum might only have been exceeded by 5mph or so, I believe other sections of the run had sanctioned 'speeding'. I certainly remember, from watching the video, the set came into Temple Meads P3 from Dr Days Junction at a fair old lick and was full anchors on. Simon Bates at platform edge certainly seemed concerned for the safety of the gathered ToTP audience.

Of course, the onboard DJ hasn't helped in keeping the details and videos of the run in the public domain.

EDIT: The only video I can find of that particular episode of Top of the Pops is Howard Jones' performance at Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context).

[broadgage]

Yes during the programme. Specialy shorted set 2+5?

I expect Broadgage was outraged.

No outrage.
No objections to a shortened HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) for a special "one off" record breaking run.
It is the regular use of new shorter trains on regular services that I object to.