Stoke Bank is an inclined stretch of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) between and . It is named after the village of Stoke Rochford, close to Stoke Summit, which at above sea level is the highest point of the ECML between and . It is not however, the highest point of the entire ECML, which is Grantshouse Summit between Berwick and Edinburgh at .
The climb up the bank begins roughly north of Peterborough, which is close to sea level, and ascends to Stoke Summit over a distance of approximately with gradients of up to 1 in 178 (0.56%). Shortly after the summit, the line runs through the Stoke Tunnel. It then descends for around 5 miles at 1 in 200 (0.5%) before reaching Grantham station, and then continues on a more gradual descent for around 15 miles, until reaching , which is also near sea level.
Speed records Stoke Bank is most famous for being the scene of a number of high speed runs by various trains. Most famously, 4468 Mallard broke the world speed record for a steam locomotive of on 3 July 1938. In July 1998, a trackside sign was erected at the 90 1/4 mark milepost to commemorate the record.Speed record honoured on Stoke Bank Rail issue 337 12 August 1998 page 10Mallard's speed record marked for prosperity The Railway Magazine issue 1170 October 1998 page 8
On 5 March 1935, the LNER Class A3 2750 Papyrus steam locomotive set a record-breaking speed of while descending Stoke Bank. During this historic run, Papyrus maintained an average speed of over , demonstrating the remarkable capabilities of non-streamlined steam engines. This achievement briefly made Papyrus the fastest steam locomotive in Britain and cemented its legacy as the fastest non-streamlined steam locomotive in British history, a title it retains to this day.
On 23 May 1959, 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley set the post-war steam record speed of . As with Mallard record, this was descending southward from Stoke Bank, but unlike Mallard run, which was a special attempt, this was with a full train of passengers returning from an excursion to Doncaster Works.
On 2 February 1978, the fastest speed achieved by a Class 55 "Deltic" diesel locomotive was attained by 55 008 The Green Howards, which was on a special record-breaking run, hauling 10 coaches (343 tons gross). The train achieved a speed of whilst descending Stoke Bank.Railway Performance Society : Deltic Fastest Times, J Heaton
On 17 September 1989 the British speed record for an electric locomotive was achieved on Stoke Bank, by a (91 110, formerly 91 010) which reached .Class 91 hits 162 mph Rail issue 106 5 October 1989 page 5
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