178 Book of Locomotives 



hour. Time was when an inclusive speed 

 of 40 miles an hour was reckoned real 

 express speed; those days have gone and 

 the average would now exceed 50 whilst 

 on the speediest lines there are many 

 trains which run from point to point, in- 

 cluding stops at well over 55 miles an 

 hour. Only those who know what such 

 speed means can appreciate the magnificent 

 work our locomotives and the men in 

 charge of them perform. 



Leaving the Great Western for a moment 

 let me give an illustration from the London, 

 Midland and Scottish of their best run in 

 order to show what is involved. This run 

 is quite the best on that huge system when 

 its distance and difficulties are taken into 

 account. 



For the 113 miles between Euston and 

 Birmingham a level two hours have been 

 allowed for some years now and quite a 

 number of trains daily keep time. Since 

 the War, however, an intermediate stop at 

 Coventry has been given within the two 

 hour schedule. The inclusive speed works 



