Grand Central Class 43

[davido38]

Just come back from Morrisons and had the oportunity to see a Grand Central class 43 poking out of Brush Barclay's in Kilmarnock sporting the new Black with Orange stripe livery I only wish I had my camara to show all of you. Have to say though its one of the best liveries I've seen on a class 43 , Intercity Swallow being the best of the best.

 

[CarterUSM]

Aye, i've seen it over the past few weeks myself. I do find it pleasing on the eye too!

 

[YorkshireBear]

Have they got a new livery didn't realise they would?

Have coachs got overhaul too?

 

[ainsworth74]

Have they got a new livery didn't realise they would?

Unless I'm very much mistaken its adding an orange stripe down the side (same as the 180s have), and I think they fiddled with the yellow warning panel as well.

 

[Darandio]

Anyone seen the videos on Youtube yet of the power cars moving under their own power?

Comments arising such as "I have lost all respect for GC now they have moved to MTU"

Would they much rather see a company go out of business with the loss of many jobs just to see a Valenta in service? I reckon they would actually, mostly youngsters who haven't got a job and bills to worry about. :-x

 

[asylumxl]

Anyone seen the videos on Youtube yet of the power cars moving under their own power?

Comments arising such as "I have lost all respect for GC now they have moved to MTU"

Would they much rather see a company go out of business with the loss of many jobs just to see a Valenta in service? I reckon they would actually, mostly youngsters who haven't got a job and bills to worry about. :-x

Amen!

 

[ainsworth74]

Would they much rather see a company go out of business with the loss of many jobs just to see a Valenta in service? I reckon they would actually, mostly youngsters who haven't got a job and bills to worry about.

Exactly! I like Valenta's the sound and that stuff, but given the choice between GC folding up and Valenta's its no contest, change the engines to MTU.

 

[Darandio]

I grew up with them, travelled thousands of miles for free behind them courtesy of my dad due to working on the tracks at Ferryhill.

Would I like to see them go, no. Would I like to see people lose jobs because nobody would let them go, no. Its a company that provides a service that was neglected in my eyes. If they need to modernise to continue providing that service, so be it. There have even been posts referring to the powercars as ugly! Same bloody powercar with a splash of paint over the clusters!

It just rankles me that some people would actually prefer to see people out of a job than to see a Valenta in service, just to preserve a tradition, it shows a lack of values in my opinion. Many love them, but we are at the end of the road unfortunately, just be thankful that the original design far outlasted the timescale intened.

I have DVD's at hand and Youtube if I want to see one. Not the same as the real thing, granted, but times change, it isn't the end of the world.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Agreed, when i was very young it was the sound of them that excited me most sat on station with my nan. But times change still a fantastic livery on GC HST's which is one of reasons i like them so much.

Didn't realise valentas were causing finaincial issues? anyone explain?

 

[ainsworth74]

Didn't realise valentas were causing finaincial issues? anyone explain?

Somewhat unreliable (though that seems to have sorted itself out some time ago), there old so harder + more expensive to maintain, and fuel guzzling compared to modern engines.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Somewhat unreliable (though that seems to have sorted itself out some time ago), there old so harder + more expensive to maintain, and fuel guzzling compared to modern engines.

cheers well makes complete sense then, they run a buisness not a heritage line. Anyway to keep a better service and cut some costs especially with whats going on with finances at moment

 

[Kingfisher200262]

As far as I can see on YouTube, there's no sign of the 180 style orange stripe on the two power cars that have been outshopped from Loughborough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEQZZUeBgk4

Anybody know more? Are they being vinyled with logos, stripes etc at Kilmarnock with the trailer cars?

 

[sprinterguy]

I think they left Loughborough in plain black, with the revised yellow warning panels, and had the orange stripe vinyls and logos added at Kilmarnock.

 

[DVT82305]

Are their any photo's of the new livery on the coaches and the HST's yet?

 

[rossco156433]

As far as i know its just the 43's that are @ Kilmarnock, Scheduled to leave today.

On a side not does anyone know which Hull Trains 180 is in Kilmarnock just now?

Ross

 

[matt]

The refurb set passed me near Carstairs not very long ago. The set now has the orange stripe and gc logo.

 

[TrainBrain185]

Anyone seen the videos on Youtube yet of the power cars moving under their own power?

Comments arising such as "I have lost all respect for GC now they have moved to MTU"

Would they much rather see a company go out of business with the loss of many jobs just to see a Valenta in service? I reckon they would actually, mostly youngsters who haven't got a job and bills to worry about. :-x

Probably the same folk who get off watching that smoke belching, piston banging, oil leaking, GC HST attempted start up clip on You Tube? Its a truly embarresing clip that I'm sure GC could do without being public domain. I concur with your message fully. I got my last post withdrawn off the Forum by regarding some people as "V****ta F**mers". Never mind, the Management of GC will be soon clapping their hands in delight with the demise of all their Valenta Albatrosses and hope the MTU's are as much a success for GC as elsewhere.

 

[At_traction]

Regarding the Valenta vs. MTU issue, although not a directly compatible comparison (and I would not even claim that), in general terms it might be compared to the demise of steam in favour of diesel - well behind continental and across-the-pond operators, it must be added (not to mention electrification :roll.

Getting from steam to diesel traction was similarly the only sensible thing to do, but that didn't stop many from damning the decision, if only for the aesthetic or traditional reasons, however vaguely justifiable in real terms. Perhaps the last steam locos delivered to BR could have been retained in service longer, perhaps not. In addition to retaining doubled support infrastructure alongside diesel, with the costs involved, steam traction is of course ecologically rather disastrous. Into the 1970s with a sizable steam fleet? Hmm.
The number (and success) of heritage railways is nevertheless an indication of the continuing love affair with steam traction. And why not.

Naturally the retirement of a vastly larger steam fleet led to many more terminations than the economic boondoggle of continuing Valenta use, if only for the more time- and manpower-consuming upkeep of the steam locomotives. Nevertheless, the extreme example shows that workforce is not necessarily the winning part in such changes - in the case of Valenta the improved operating costs for a company enable the continued employment of staff. But could there already be a next development around the bend (or curve) that could lead to layoffs due to technical or workforce-structure "improvements"? (Even more) integrated loco/rolling stock fault self-analysis systems to reduce servicing man-hours? Change of franchising rules to allow a reduced number of bid winners (semi-rail-monopoly) and resulting streamlining along with reduction of departures or services on-board - who said buffets (although a forcibly sectioned franchise model might still reduce the # of staff that can be made redundant to keep a minimum service level within any geographical franchise)?

So, to stop the soliloquy , everyone's entitled to their opinion and that goes for Valenta-lovers too. I personally know which sound I prefer, but if the change to MTU is what keeps the still-modern-looking 125 fleet on track as well as the professionals employed, I know which I prefer.

So, for the last time: Ffffffffffiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

 

[57315]

The time had to come when Valentas had to retire. My grandad (ex freight guard who saw the end of steam) who has read posts on various forums with the war of Valenta vs MTU said he never seen anything like that since diesel killed off steam in the 1960's.

A power car will eventually be preserved and refitted with a original Valenta engine.
Preservation has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years and continues to grow at a alarming rate.
A class 58 preserved after just 26 years, says it all!
Yes there are still some enthusiasts who are sensitive over the subject but that was bound to happen and nothing will change their minds on the subject.

 

[142094]

Anyone heard any more news on whether GC are to run a farewell to the Valentas?

 

[DVT82305]

Are there any photos of the new livery on the coaches and the HST's yet?

 

[sprinterguy]

The refurb set passed me near Carstairs not very long ago. The set now has the orange stripe and gc logo.

So it's ready to roll I assume it's up at Heaton then by now: Anyone in the area fancy heading up there and taking some pictures for us, pleeeeaaaassseeee??

Can't wait to see some photos, I think the orange stripe Grand Central livery is a fantastic colour scheme, and a big improvement on the frankly uninspiring (IMO) plain black livery. I'll hopefully see it in the flesh sometime soon which will be even better, can only cross my fingers that it will be involved in the Lincoln diversions when I'm around that area. Plus, it gives Hornby a new livery to model on it's excellent new HST model!

In agreement with many others on here, the MTU engines are a big step forward for GC, and I hope the improved reliability will help to keep the company going and increase their viability. I'll really miss the Valentas when they're all gone from the Network; nothing beats a Valenta "scream"; but people who are complaining that GC have gone down hill because they've replaced the Valentas, and moan about wanting them retained for their own selfish reasons are just pathetic. GC is a train company that has to meet costs, get over it!

EDIT: Just read elsewhere that the set is currently at Craigentinny for tyre turning before continuing to Heaton.

 

[Darandio]

Anyone heard any more news on whether GC are to run a farewell to the Valentas?

Bosch said in another thread that they are still talking about it.

 

[Maxfly]

As far as i know its just the 43's that are @ Kilmarnock, Scheduled to leave today.

On a side not does anyone know which Hull Trains 180 is in Kilmarnock just now?

Ross

They left with a few mk3's yesterday and went Dn the GBK line first, left killie at 1450

 

[MCR247]

So it's ready to roll I assume it's up at Heaton then by now: Anyone in the area fancy heading up there and taking some pictures for us, pleeeeaaaassseeee??

C

They are in Craigentinny getting their tyres turned

 

[asylumxl]

A power car will eventually be preserved and refitted with a original Valenta engine.

Excuse me while I go track down any remaining spare Valentas. Say Hello to the scrapyard!

 

[57315]

Excuse me while I go track down any remaining spare Valentas. Say Hello to the scrapyard!

I believe the 125 group have bought a few with other bits and bobs.

 

[Adam_Harrison]

Does any one know what time the set will get to Heaton? I am in newcastle all day and would like to get photos !

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Does anyone actually have any other YouTube videos?
I really like the new yellow front, i dont know why but it suits it well.

 

[142094]

Does any one know what time the set will get to Heaton? I am in newcastle all day and would like to get photos !

Heaton's not the best place to get photos of, unless you have a good zoom and the trees are not in the way which they always seem to be.