Michael,
I heard the 1.1 theory from some other sources.
Personally, I think it's a load of crap.
If it were factual, the 844 would have a top speed of 88 miles per hour. I know that they built to run 120 mph and I have been on it when we regularly exceeded the 88 mph "cap". I remember one trip when one of the PR guys casually put a magazine over the digital speedometer in one of the business cars. We were pushing 100 and climbing.
I would think that if the T-12's were well balanced and everything was working in harmony then 60 mph would be a walk in the park for them.
The biggest worry would be the alignment and surface on the track. You wouldn't want to try this on todays track between Lava and Antonito.
Rick Steele