The S1's claims are not validated.
The general consensus is the top recorded speed for a steam locomotive is right around 200kph, by LNER class "A-4" No. 4468 (later British Rail 60022). The effort cracked one of its cylinders.
There is a group trying to build a new example of the Pennsylvania Railroad's class T-1 (a slightly smaller engine superficially similar to the S1, but built in larger quantities) with the intent to try to break that record.
how long do they each take to reach those speeds?🫣
Common Chinese W
Not pictured above: the Acela only hits 150mph for about 10% of it's routes length
Acela runs on tracks like this
ShowCRRC trains run on tracks like this
ShowI'm just seeing more evidence of Communist Chinese Rail Superiority. They also had some of the last steam locomotives in active service so I'm sensing a pattern here...
Communist Chinese Rail Superiority is just as important as Communist Chinese Train Superiority
Because they're poorly maintained. Yes, it makes the trains run slow and derail frequently.
They're wiggly because of thermal expansion and age. It limits the top speed of trains running on those lines.
I like modern continuous welded track, but it actually gets hotter here than the heated track was during construction >.>
I'm not looking forward to 40+ degree days
Steam trains fuck up the tracks, starts fires and pollutes like hell.... That's just extra character! They go Choo Choo and have cool exterior moving pistony-wheely parts!
Counterpoint: Look at this locomotive hauling freight up a hill like God intended
Second Counterpoint: electric-steam locomotives exist and every train should be pulled by one
Everyone knows that steam trains are more authentic than electric trains, in the same way that vinyl records are more authentic than CDs