Train races? Most railway lines have two tracks side by side. So why not have train races?

Question

That would be great sport wouldn't it - you could have drivers for Virgin Trains against Cross Country Trains; First Great Western against Thames Trains; Connex South Eastern against Southern Railways.. And you could "handicap" them by making them drive each other's rolling stock.

Has this ever been done?

May the best driver win!

(UK question).

I guess you'd have to be careful and avoid any catch points!

Answer 1

Can you imagine closing the M1 for a day to hold races? Come on, the railways are there to provide an important transport service, not a plaything for idiots.

Answer 2

Dear God!  and let passengers know for sure that the trains can go faster?  What would they use as excuses for late trains?  'sorry passengers the next train will be delayed, Fast Fred from Virgin is off sick so you are stuck with Slow Sid from Southern! ;-)

Answer 3

There have been several "races" particularly in the early days of commercial steam engines to win the right to run the service between cities. Most of them tended to be against the clock though rather than head to head.

Answer 4

Been there  Done  that got the T SHIRT  not as you suggest but the East coast and West coast main lines had time races mainly as publicity stunts  

Answer 5

Unfortunately, the maximum speed at which trains can run is determined by the line speed, which is set by Network Rail, and the Maximum permissable unit speed.

If you break the first, you risk derailment, if you break the second, automatic systems on the train will cut power or apply the brake.

In either case, the driver risks a bollocking and the sack.

Answer 6

good Idea! You have a fast one Pungy?

Answer 7

It depends what engine they have got.

Answer 8

Basically, the max speed you can go on a track is partially determined by the quality of the track. If your track is S****y, as it often is, you cannot safely go above a certain speed no matter how good your engine is. That is the main constraint in not having train races.

Answer 9

would not work,  the trains would turn up late or would be cancelled at the last minute because of a leaf on the line