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Train Speed Records Trivia Quiz

A short quiz about Steam, Diesel and Electric World speed records for trains.

A multiple-choice quiz by wez. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
wez

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
55,045

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
638

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which railway company were attributed with the first fully authenticated speed record for a steam locomotive? Hint

Merthyr Tramroad

Llangollen Rail

Cardiff Tramways

Chester Tramway

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Question 2 of 10

2. What speed (in miles per hour), did Trevithick's Penydarren Locomotive attain? Hint

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Flying Scotsman locomotive attained a world speed record for steam trains, with a maximum speed attained of 100mph. In what year? Hint

1938

1936

1934

1932

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Question 4 of 10

4. The USA attained their only world speed record for steam trains, with a maximum speed attained of 112 mph, in May 1935. Which company operated the locomotive? Hint

Missouri

Minneapolis

Michigan

Milwaukee

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which country was accredited with the first fully authenticated world diesel train speed record in December 1932? Hint

USA

Germany

Spain

Great Britain

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was the name of the train that attained the second fully authenticated World Diesel speed record, for the USA, in May 1934? Hint

Pioneer Zodiac

Pioneer Zinca

Pioneer Zeus

Pioneer Zephyr

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Question 7 of 10

7. Spain have achieved only one World Diesel train speed record, with a maximum speed attained of 137.9mph. It happened in May of which year? Hint

1952

1982

1972

1962

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Question 8 of 10

8. Up until 1990, only four countries were accredited with fully authenticated World Electric train speed records. Which countries are they? Hint

Italy, France, Spain and Germany

Germany, Italy, France and West Germany

Germany, Italy, France and East Germany

Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy

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Question 9 of 10

9. With a maximum speed attained of 126.1mph, what was the name of the train that held the World Electric speed record in July 1939? Hint

ETR2000 multiple unit

ETR5 multiple unit

ETR100 multiple unit

ETR200 multiple unit

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Question 10 of 10

10. In what year was the first fully authenticated World Electric train speed record set? Hint

1931

1901

1891

1941

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which railway company were attributed with the first fully authenticated speed record for a steam locomotive?

Answer: Merthyr Tramroad

February 1804. The locomotive was called Trevithick's Penydarren Locomotive.

2. What speed (in miles per hour), did Trevithick's Penydarren Locomotive attain?

Answer: 5

The scenery must have flown past.

3. The Flying Scotsman locomotive attained a world speed record for steam trains, with a maximum speed attained of 100mph. In what year?

Answer: 1934

Operated by LNER in November of that year.

4. The USA attained their only world speed record for steam trains, with a maximum speed attained of 112 mph, in May 1935. Which company operated the locomotive?

Answer: Milwaukee

The locomotive was imaginatively called 'No.2'.

5. Which country was accredited with the first fully authenticated world diesel train speed record in December 1932?

Answer: Germany

The VT877 Railcar with a maximum speed attained of 102.5mph.

6. What was the name of the train that attained the second fully authenticated World Diesel speed record, for the USA, in May 1934?

Answer: Pioneer Zephyr

With a maximum speed attained of 112.5mph.

7. Spain have achieved only one World Diesel train speed record, with a maximum speed attained of 137.9mph. It happened in May of which year?

Answer: 1972

The train was the Talgo 353-005.

8. Up until 1990, only four countries were accredited with fully authenticated World Electric train speed records. Which countries are they?

Answer: Germany, Italy, France and West Germany

West Germany held the record four times in succession from April 1988 to May 1988, with speeds ranging from 240.5 to 252.8mph.

9. With a maximum speed attained of 126.1mph, what was the name of the train that held the World Electric speed record in July 1939?

Answer: ETR200 multiple unit

Italy's only fully authenticated World Speed Record in all 3 genres.

10. In what year was the first fully authenticated World Electric train speed record set?

Answer: 1901

By a German Siemens and Halske locomotive which attained a maximum speed of 101 mph.

Source: Author wez

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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