HST Prototype 41001 is back to life!

[jopsuk]

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Video of it running up and down yesterday. Fantastic sight.

 

[455driver]

Such a clean exhaust! hock:hock:

I think they need to do some adjusting on the fueling, it sounds about right though.

 

[Bayum]

What a hideous looking thing.

 

[Monty]

Can't wait to see it on the national network, am I right in thinking that EMT will use it on selected journeys with their HST fleet?

 

[DarloRich]

Can't wait to see it on the national network, am I right in thinking that EMT will use it on selected journeys with their HST fleet?

Could that really be true????????????????????? PLEASE!

 

[Monty]

Could that really be true????????????????????? PLEASE!

I may be getting my wire crossed, but I'm pretty sure I read in one of the railway mags that the 125 Group did have a long term goal of running it on the mainline. Could be mistaken though.

 

[plastictaffy]

To see that on the mainline would be really something. Would much be needed to be done to make it work with a production power car?? Would EMT really be willing to use it on a service train?? I'd pay money to be on that if they were!!

 

[nomis1066]

Credit to all concerned in getting 41001 up and running again. Be surprised if EMT were to incorporate it in the ir day to day services. A railtour here and there perhaps?

What a shame the other power car was scrapped. Perhaps a current 125 power car might become available in time and given a nose job? Just wondering!

 

[Bill Stanier]

What a hideous looking thing.

Sadly, true. The HST is a pretty boring looking train anyway, but at least the cab ends are attractively styled unlike this one!

 

[fgwrich]

What a hideous looking thing.

Sadly, true. The HST is a pretty boring looking train anyway, but at least the cab ends are attractively styled unlike this one!

That's because it was before the reaches of the excellent Kenneth Grange CBE who in my opinion should be as regarded as Mr Millar - Terry Miller MBE may have brought us the HST concept, but it was the appointment of well regarded British Industrial Designer Kenneth Grange who styled the HST and designed it's interiors, creating the brand that BR wanted - the super sleek streamlined 125 MPH beast that revolutionised travel in the 1970s, and still looks as good (if not better in my opinion in FGW Blue) to this day.

 

[Minilad]

I know it's all about beauty being in the eye of the beer holder but how anyone can say the HST is a boring looking train is beyond me. It was a revolution when it was introduced and still looks as good as anything on the rails even 40 years later. Which is testament to it's design

 

[ac6000cw]

I know it's all about beauty being in the eye of the beer holder but how anyone can say the HST is a boring looking train is beyond me. It was a revolution when it was introduced and still looks as good as anything on the rails even 40 years later. Which is testament to it's design

I agree - and it's generally credited with saving the Inter-City passenger business on non-electrified routes (the 'nose cone' effect).

And of course it still holds the world record for diesel traction - 143 mph for the prototype, 148 mph during Mk4 coach bogie testing (according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter_City_125#World_records )

 

[HowardGWR]

I see in my Railway Herald (online newspaper) that this vehicle is being tested on the GCR preservation line. I had no idea it actually worked. Was it restored does anyone know, or has it always worked? If the latter, I am surprised it was not put in service.

 

[ainsworth74]

It has been undergoing restoration at Neville Hill for the last half a year or so.

 

[HowardGWR]

It has been undergoing restoration at Neville Hill for the last half a year or so.

Thanks, I read now that it has a new engine, so presumably that was why it could not have been used previously. It would have made an interesting variety of appearance on service trains (bit like they used 3440). Sorry I posted a bit too soon, without genning up.

 

[Crossover]

It has a Valenta engine too. There's a photo from its first run in some years on YT from the other. Would keep the clag fans very happy

 

[Bill Stanier]

I know it's all about beauty being in the eye of the beer holder but how anyone can say the HST is a boring looking train is beyond me. It was a revolution when it was introduced and still looks as good as anything on the rails even 40 years later. Which is testament to it's design

I said boring-looking, not ugly (like, for instance, the no-excuse-to-look-so-bad class 70). Apart from the cab ends, which are now dated but not too bad looking, it's just a rake of coaches. Ergo, boring!

 

[cjmillsnun]

From what I understand there are no plans to make it mainline ready at the moment.

 

[fgwrich]

Thanks, I read now that it has a new engine, so presumably that was why it could not have been used previously. It would have made an interesting variety of appearance on service trains (bit like they used 3440). Sorry I posted a bit too soon, without genning up.

It wasn't previously useable either, as it's original Valenta engine was sectioned by the NRM to show how they work, so during it's time in EMTs Neville Hill depot it received a ex Production HST Valenta engine along with a repaint. If it doesn't say already, it's up at Ruddington on the Great Central North at the moment as well, not the main GC Railway.

 

[plastictaffy]

So I'll take it as a no that it won't work with a production HST powercar then........
Cheers all.

 

[Class172]

Excellent to see the Valenta has made a return.

 

[43167]

Best place for updates is here. www.projectmiller.org.uk

 

[ac6000cw]

So, once all the HST's have been pensioned off, any bets for how long before the NRM does a 'gathering of the nose cones' event around the turntable (like the recent A4 event) ?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

To see that on the mainline would be really something....

I did quite recently, though not, I suspect, as you mean it. I saw it pass through (well, stop at for a while) Leicester, a week or so back, when on the rear of a convey travelling from Didcot to Loughborough (with 55002, D6700 and 47292).

 

[johnnyp_360]

This is really fascinating. Can that thing actually run at 125mph or would it need a second power car? Also, if it gets taken on a mainline, would it need more modern signalling or radio equipment?

 

[Buttsy]

As someone who experienced the screaming Valentas at Didcot as a fresh faced spotter in the 70s, it's great to know one can hear the sound of railway salvation once again.

 

[cjmillsnun]

This is really fascinating. Can that thing actually run at 125mph or would it need a second power car? Also, if it gets taken on a mainline, would it need more modern signalling or radio equipment?

It would need a second PC as I don't think it's allowed to go at 125 light engine, with coaches it'll need the extra push (or pull) from another PC. Then you may have electrical incompatibilities, as 41001 will have conventional ETS rather than the three phase system used on the production PCs.

If you overcome that (and it's not impossible especially as there are going to be scrap HSTs in a few years), then yes, you'll need OTMR, GSMR and TPWS as a minimum to allow it to run on the main line.

 

[455driver]

The ETS wouldn't be a problem as you wouldn't use it, just feed the coaches off the other PC, you only use one for ETS anyway.

 

[cjmillsnun]

The ETS wouldn't be a problem as you wouldn't use it, just feed the coaches off the other PC, you only use one for ETS anyway.

Do they not use the same jumper to communicate between PCs?

 

[gazthomas]

Imagine 41001 at one end then the last refurbed MTU power car on the other with carriages featuring restored interiors and liveries carried over the 40 years. You could walk through a time machine!