On Tuesday, 17th May, steam locomotive 61306 Mayflower will haul a special train that will pass Brooklands Racetrack to mark the centenary of the last Land Speed Record to be broken on a closed circuit.
The tour's operator, Steam Dreams have teamed up with Brooklands to recreate Gordon Crosby's iconic painting of a 350HP Sunbeam racing car travelling along the railway straight at the racetrack overtaking a steam-hauled express train.
The tour will depart from London in the morning and will steam through the suburbs towards Brooklands Racetrack.
There, it is planned for Mayflower to steam past Brooklands slowly to capture the historic moment on camera to recreate the famous painting.
After being part of the historic photo, visitors will travel to Woking where they will be transferred to Brooklands by a vintage bus.
As well as having the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere at this unique event, they will also have the chance to join an illustrated talk about the car's history and see a parade of vintage cars on the finishing straight.
The tour is part of a programme of exciting trips Steam Dreams has planned for this summer, with further trips to be announced for June, July, and September.
The Sunbeam 350HP is an aero-engined car built by the Sunbeam company in 1920 and was the first of several land speed record-breaking cars powered by aircraft engines. It held the record on three occasions and is now owned by the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu who recently completed a full restoration.
The car was designed by Sunbeam's chief engineer Louis Coatalen and built at the company's Wolverhampton works during 1919 and early 1920. Power came from a specifically built 18 litre Sunbeam V12 aero engine. Transmission was via a four-speed gearbox and driveshaft.
Famous drivers such as Harry Hawker, Rene Thomas, Jean Chassagne and Kenelm Lee Guinness raced the car with mixed success, but Guinness succeeded in controlling the powerful car on the bumpy Brooklands track, driving it to its first Land Speed Record of 133.75 mph on 17th May 1922.
In 1923, Captain Malcolm Campbell purchased the car from Sunbeam and carried out the first of several rebuilds. He repainted it in his famous blue livery as it became the latest in his line of cars to carry the name ‘Blue Bird'. In September 1924, Campbell claimed the Land Speed Record with a run of 146.16mph at Pendine Sands in West Wales, then returned to Pendine in 1925 and on 21st July became the first person to break the 150 mph barrier with a new record of 150.76 mph.
David Buck, Chairman of Steam Dreams, commented “We feel very privileged to be part of this unique historic occasion bringing together two of the most coveted mechanical inventions – the speed of a racing car and power of a steam locomotive.”
“Passengers will be in for a treat – not only being able to be a part of the staging of the iconic Gordon Crosby painting but also to gain another perspective with a visit to the racetrack during a parade of vintage race cars on the finishing straight.”
Trustee at the National Transport Trust, Mike Lunch, is delighted that the Trust's plans to mark the centenary are coming to life: “It really should be the most fantastic opportunity to celebrate the spirit of innovation and endeavour of record-breaking”.
“We'd like to thank Brooklands Museum, National Motor Museum, Beaulieu and The Steam Dreams Rail Co. for their involvement in the event which our members are all really looking forward to.”
Tickets for the Steam train trip to Brooklands range from £75 in Premium Standard through to the top class of Pullman Style Dining from £175. Passengers travelling in Pullman Style Dining will be served a Champagne Breakfast on the outward journey, and a two-course lunch on the return, whilst those opting for Premium Standard will be served complimentary tea and coffee at their seats.
Anyone interested in travelling with Steam Dreams should visit www.steamdreams.co.uk.
