The foolhardiest drivers come from Finland

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

I share with you some of the feats made by Ukko-Pekka 1009 on the 
busiest route here last summer. The locomotive, though largest steam 
express loco ever built in Finland pales in comparision with giants 
like N&W J.  So here..

We were running a steady 70 mph to let an Intercity to pass on 
adjacent track.  Then a hell came out the three people working in the 
cab, me as an occasional stoker who had prepared the pressure up to 
the limit.  All out we were able to repass the intercity with some 
100+ mph speed.  This was in the night with cinders jubilating the 
occasion. And then it was just about easing speed down to keep our 
license to run. Some of the passengers were looking quite pale 
leaving the train at the Helsinki terminal station.

(Ukko-Pekka is a Finnish made and designed 4-6-2 express steam 
locomotive series with 75" drivers)

Markku Kastinen