Steepest Gradient on GWR?

[whole diary]

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

I still have a copy of the Ian Allan Gradient Profiles, no mention in it of publication date, but it was priced at 21 shillings (that's equivalnet to 105p now), so before February 1971.

It shows short stretches approaching Dainton Tunnel of 1 in 36 (at about MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post - a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London, depending on context) 217 ¼ ) on the Down, and I in 37 (at about MP 218) on the Up.

Edit - the actual mileposts shown in the book are 20 miles less:  I'd changed them by hand based on what I saw hanging out of the windows.

[bradshaw]

Looking on Google it seems to be 1966, which seems about right

[Umberleigh]

Back in about 1993 I witnessed a Class 50 plus 6-7 coaches come to a halt on the bank between Exeter St David’s and Central (just past Bonhay Road Bridge) and then start up the gradient again as some railway staff looked on from Platform One.  It involved a large amount  of engine noise and exhaust smoke and I wasn’t entirely sure it would make it. To this day I wonder if it was done for a wager

[smokey]

In the early 1970's, I'd guess 1974 I was on a Peak hauled Train, load 13 MK1 coaches and Passenger full Brakes (BG^▸ (Brake Gangway (carriage))), that came to a stand halfway up the Lickey incline, (I seem to remember at a Red signal, fantastic place to put a Home signal) I thought this could be interesting as I didn't think the loco could start such a Heavy load Around 440 tons without Loco weight on the gradient.
It did mange to get moving but I think we got no faster than 15mph by the top.
And I don't recall if it was a Crompton Parkinson Peak or a Brush Peak.
On another occasion a shorter Train about 9 MK1 coaches, I was surprised to find the Train got banked, by the Licky Bankers, very strange to have engines to come up behind a MOVING Train and give a shove.
Something else Mr 'Elf and Safety couldn't enjoy doing, so Mr Elf has outlawed it.

[onthecushions]

I still have a copy of the Ian Allan Gradient Profiles, no mention in it of publication date, but it was priced at 21 shillings (that's equivalnet to 105p now), so before February 1971.

It shows short stretches approaching Dainton Tunnel of 1 in 36 (at about MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post - a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London, depending on context) 217 ¼ ) on the Down, and I in 37 (at about MP 218) on the Up.

Edit - the actual mileposts shown in the book are 20 miles less:  I'd changed them by hand based on what I saw hanging out of the windows.

Mine does have dates above the Contents.

First ed 1966 then 1970,1978, PB 1983, 1997 (mine).

If you want the speed limit key you need to go to Page S1!

OTC