0 to 60! Just how nimble are today’s locos and units, and what’s the quickest off the mark?

SINCE this series began almost six years ago, we have recorded 71 different classes of locomotive and unit making a start from 0-60mph on the level. This has included examples of diesel and electric locos, ex-British Rail and post-BR DMUs, and AC and third-rail EMUs.

A general rule of thumb is that units are quicker off the mark than locos, electric traction faster than diesel, and