NXEC Valentas

[Jordy]

43056 worked the last booked NXEC Valenta hauled train last night, 1B75 1818 Aberdeen - Edinburgh, having worked 1A13 and 1S12 earlier in the day.

056 had indeed been stood down and today, for the first time since introduction, there have been no active Valentas working on "Intercity East Coast" at all. 43110 and 051 are stopped at Craigentinny waiting for forwarding to Brush Loughborough for MTU installation, 056 and 053 will be handed back to Porterbrook for MTUing and transfer to FGW.

After 31 years of service, I thought it was worth a mention.

A sad day indeed.

Cheers

Jordy

 

[37412]

Aye, glad I had a last bash on the NXEC Valentas a few weeks back, at least between Sunderland and London you can still here Valentas on the ECML though. I presume other than GC the only other Valenta powercar in traffic on passenger services is 43064 with EMT? Presume this will soon be off for a VP though which should leave 089 when it comes back and the GC fleet.

 

[Techniquest]

Apparently 110 and 051 have been fixed up for now and *may* sub for burst MTUs should the need arise.

Personally hoping that happens a lot until the call to Loughborough.

Disappointed at the lack of gen posted on t'forums mind, or for that matter anywhere, with much notice. Annoyed more so with NXEC for not bothering to send them off without any proper ceremony or such like. After over 3 decades of daily frontline service, the Valentas have finished without a proper send-off. FGW and EMT managed to do so and both events were well received by enthusiasts.

Thankfully the majority of my annoyance was unleashed last night and I'm not so peeved off after a good night's sleep. Still...

I'm personally hoping that one or two of them produce on the 1818 Aberdeen to Edinburgh on Tuesday. Even if it's just a leap to Stonehaven, that would do. Massive amounts of bellowing would also be the order of the day!

*Hopes, prays, crosses fingers and toes, touches wood*

 

[90019]

It's a pity they're all gone.

The first train i filmed and got a couple of pics of was a GNER HST, with 43102 and 43108, both valentas. That, was just over a year ago (link)
Heh, happy memories

 

[Techniquest]

Oh aye, plenty of memories. So many memories...Excuse me, I've just tripped down Memory Lane...

Time I trawled through a dozen Mini DV tapes and uploaded some of it to YouTube I think...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just popped over to my Photobucket gallery, only video I've got of NXEC Valentas on it currently is this short clip of 43053 idling whilst on the rear of 1V29 0724 Manchester Piccadilly to Newquay on 30th August 2008, the last day of hire-ins on the last summer of fun for HST enthusiasts.

Like I say, it's not a long clip, but enjoy:

 

[P156KWJ]

We should have 43089 (valenta) in the east midlands soon, unless they are going to VP it first :x

 

[richa2002]

Will be a valenta for a while.

 

[37412]

We should have 43089 (valenta) in the east midlands soon, unless they are going to VP it first :x

Thats one in a whole fleet though, how many sets are out on EMT a day, about eight? We can play chase the Valenta then only to find out its wrong end when you do find it!

 

[Pumbaa]

I'm quite annoyed NatEx didn't publicise it etc, or organise anything. But then I'm not surprised that they didn't. Can anyone yet see the correlation between parent company and the TOC? Central - crap. Silverw*nk - rubbish. NXEC - utter bollocks. NXEA - even more so. Oh guess what? All NatEx group!

 

[paul1609]

Meanwhile in the Navy we hope and pray for the last valenta day

 

[shark1873]

i caught 43051 and 43110 on there way for the engine change on video on friday

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vt2K8GZ3B3I

 

[Techniquest]

Sounded ill 051 did, that's for sure. Nice bit of clag out of her at least.

RIP 43051 and 43110.:cry:

 

[Royston Vasey]

Nice vid shark 1873! Anyone else think that the noise from 91111 at 5:52 sounds almost... like a Valenta..........??? hock:

 

[Techniquest]

There was a 91 earlier on than that which got me wondering! hock:

TBH, I have no opinion of the one you refer to as I stopped watching after 051 and 110.

 

[Royston Vasey]

I can just see a thread in 15 years "Last 91 going for re-engineering" and everyone lamenting the original sound of the 91s...

And calling for Grand Central East Coast to have a farewell railtour!

 

[Techniquest]

GC will be doing one I hope, wouldn't be right for it not to happen. It'll be well supported should it happen!

 

[Jord]

Pretty ironic how it came to Aberdeen but i still didn't see it, It would have been perfect if NXEC was to do a final trip like FGW did on a booked service such as the 07:55 Aberdeen - London and 16:00 London - Aberdeen or even just Edinburgh so then it could have clocked off round at Craigentinny, at least I will never lose the happy memories of bashing them on the ECML, WCML and Tyne Valley!

 

[valentaman]

053 at edinborough depot

051 110 at loughborough

056 at Heaton!

 

[jav]

Ah happy memories of stripping valentas down on T42 frigates.

Specially one Christmas following some careless sod torquing a head down on a washer following a top end

Only a few years and all the 43's will be gone anyway....well another 8 or so anyway if IEP gets delivered to plan.

 

[Jordy]

Part 1 of my "Intercity East Coast" Valenta 'tribute' video is now available!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pzv0_U62H0o

Clicking 'Watch in high quality' is advised!

 

[Phoenix]

I don't mean to stir up trouble but I get the impression that some of you guy's don't consider a non-Valenta a HST worth riding at all which is quite a shame,yes we should honor the greatness of the Valentas but I think you shouldn't get too bogged down in the dislike of MTU's as this is merely another chapter in HST history.
I mean as of late I have been trying to see as much of the XC lot as I can because I missed XC Hst's back in Virgin days and well I tend not to be bothered about them being MTU'S.

 

[Royston Vasey]

I don't mean to stir up trouble but I get the impression that some of you guy's don't consider a non-Valenta a HST worth riding at all which is quite a shame,yes we should honor the greatness of the Valentas but I think you shouldn't get too bogged down in the dislike of MTU's as this is merely another chapter in HST history.
I mean as of late I have been trying to see as much of the XC lot as I can because I missed XC Hst's back in Virgin days and well I tend not to be bothered about them being MTU'S.

I agree Phoenix, would they rather half the fleet was out of action every day, or that no HSTs at all survived another 5 years. That is why re-engineering should be welcomed by every HST lover. The smoke spewing out of 43051 in the vid underlined how direly needed this was.

I also find some of the outrage on this thread that NXEC didn't announce when the last Valenta runnings were, or that they may not run a farewell, a bit pathetic. They're an operational business for God's sake, not a preservation society!

 

[Phoenix]

I agree Phoenix, would they rather half the fleet was out of action every day, or that no HSTs at all survived another 5 years. That is why re-engineering should be welcomed by every HST lover. The smoke spewing out of 43051 in the vid underlined how direly needed this was.

I also find some of the outrage on this thread that NXEC didn't announce when the last Valenta runnings were, or that they may not run a farewell, a bit pathetic. They're an operational business for God's sake, not a preservation society!

Now in turn I have to agree with you as companies should not be expected to run special services I know BR did it but back then we didn't have private railtour companies and with the rubbish the companies have to take already with many enthusiasts B*tching about them I don't ever see why they would want too.

But seriously with my point previously (and this is just friendly advice) just go out on some MTU's or even better listen to them for a few hours then you will actually see that they are not as bad as you would like to believe.
It's this same hatred for new things that we seem to constantly display every time something remotely new comes out.But I hope some of you may change your minds.

 

[richa2002]

I agree Phoenix, would they rather half the fleet was out of action every day, or that no HSTs at all survived another 5 years. That is why re-engineering should be welcomed by every HST lover. The smoke spewing out of 43051 in the vid underlined how direly needed this was.

Just to take up this point, no doubt 43051 was in poor health generally because what's the point of maintaining something properly which is to be put into re-engineering?

 

[Jordy]

I don't mean to stir up trouble but I get the impression that some of you guy's don't consider a non-Valenta a HST worth riding at all which is quite a shame,yes we should honor the greatness of the Valentas but I think you shouldn't get too bogged down in the dislike of MTU's as this is merely another chapter in HST history.
I mean as of late I have been trying to see as much of the XC lot as I can because I missed XC Hst's back in Virgin days and well I tend not to be bothered about them being MTU'S.

That is not the case, I would much rather travel on a HST than the vast majority of service trains nowadays regardless of the engine type, and agree that the MTU programme is/was much needed to extend their lifespan as much as possible. From purely an enthusiasts point of view I still far prefer the Valenta, but i'm not looking 'purely from an enthusiasts point of view'.

I agree Phoenix, would they rather half the fleet was out of action every day, or that no HSTs at all survived another 5 years.

Certainly not! As mentioned above

That is why re-engineering should be welcomed by every HST lover.

Yes, and in most cases I think people understand the importance of the re-engineering, but that doesn't mean we can't be sad about the loss of the Valentas Hope that makes some sort of sense!

I also find some of the outrage on this thread that NXEC didn't announce when the last Valenta runnings were, or that they may not run a farewell, a bit pathetic. They're an operational business for God's sake, not a preservation society!

I agree, it is perfectly understandable that they didn't run a farewell - but it still would've been nice!

But seriously with my point previously (and this is just friendly advice) just go out on some MTU's or even better listen to them for a few hours then you will actually see that they are not as bad as you would like to believe.
It's this same hatred for new things that we seem to constantly display every time something remotely new comes out.But I hope some of you may change your minds.

If all the AC locos (which by the look of your signature you like) had their engines replaced with the same type (making the same noise) as found in the Electric Desiros, would you not be slightly sad? No matter how much more reliable they would become...

Maybe you wouldn't, but hopefully you can see why some people dislike MTUs, regardless of how much they will extend the life of the HST (The latter being a good thing he says for the 3rd time )

Jordy

 

[Phoenix]

All I think is that people spend to much time showing their dislike I mean I don't mind the MTU's yeah a Val is always a bonus but I had fun about two hours ago with my head out of the window of a XC MTU hauled service.

I just find it funny how you have these hardcore HST fans but as soon as it becomes a MTU it is considered rubbish last time I checked fans stuck to their guns no matter what happens to the object of desire.

Look at the 57's in recent years these locos have proven they are just as good to watch as any 47 although not as heritage obviously my point goes out the window as this is a completely different class of loco but still it shows these MTU machine could show us all a good time.

 

[Jordy]

I had fun about two hours ago with my head out of the window of a XC MTU hauled service.

Not for noise reasons though i'm guessing! If you just enjoy travelling then an MTU is fine, but many people like HSTs mainly for the sound of the Valentas, sure there are plenty of other reasons to like them but in many cases the engine is the main one!

I just find it funny how you have these hardcore HST fans but as soon as it becomes a MTU it is considered rubbish last time I checked fans stuck to their guns no matter what happens to the object of desire.

Well i'd imagine it'd be a similar story if you put an MTU style engine in a 37, or anything else that has a following for its sound, I doubt that a large number of 37 bashers would go round chasing a near silenced one!

:?

Jordy

 

[37412]

I don't mean to stir up trouble but I get the impression that some of you guy's don't consider a non-Valenta a HST worth riding at all which is quite a shame,yes we should honor the greatness of the Valentas but I think you shouldn't get too bogged down in the dislike of MTU's as this is merely another chapter in HST history.
I mean as of late I have been trying to see as much of the XC lot as I can because I missed XC Hst's back in Virgin days and well I tend not to be bothered about them being MTU'S.

I simply don't do non-valenta HST's because I don't rate them, I like the ones that are fitted for the noise or thrash which is obviously different to that on a VP or MTU and therefore consider bashing them a complete waste of my time. People seem to say these days that they'll be doing the EMT trams as it is VP's which still make noise, that is of no interest to me even if they do make noise, so do 31's and I hate them!

I also find some of the outrage on this thread that NXEC didn't announce when the last Valenta runnings were, or that they may not run a farewell, a bit pathetic. They're an operational business for God's sake, not a preservation society!

After decades of service the other operators (EMT & FGW) seem to have thought it would be a good idea to advertise the runs and make a special effort to do something to celebrate the end of the engines that have pounded the route they operate day in day out for many many years. I would have thought Nat Ex would have liked to have done the same, MML ran a tour taking in some rare HST track and raised money for charity which surely is worthwhile? I unfortunatly missed it as I was on holiday at the time...Come to think of it missed the FGW day as well as I was on a 37 tour, made the effort to be there for the last day of 002 in January though!

I just find it funny how you have these hardcore HST fans but as soon as it becomes a MTU it is considered rubbish last time I checked fans stuck to their guns no matter what happens to the object of desire.

No, it makes a different noise no longer rateable, simple as. Theres plenty of 37 enthusiasts who won't do /9's.

 

[87015]

Rating engines/classes/anything is a bashing thing - photters just dont get it in my experience, and thats not supposed to be a dig just an observation. Suppose when you are standing on the platform/in a field you only get a quick blast and certainly don't gain the 'attachment' (of sorts) to a certain class and even individual locos/power cars/units.

 

[90019]

Rating engines/classes/anything is a bashing thing - photters just dont get it in my experience, and thats not supposed to be a dig just an observation. Suppose when you are standing on the platform/in a field you only get a quick blast and certainly don't gain the 'attachment' (of sorts) to a certain class and even individual locos/power cars/units.

And that's why i prefer larger stations where they stop for things like Valentas

Especially if the sound reverberates through the whole station


One of the things i dont like about the MTUs is the blandness of the start up, with the Valentas you get the low down roar, all of the mid tones of it when it's idling and then when it throttles up, the amazing high pitched scream. But with the MTUs it's just a noise, i find that there's just nothing special about it, it's just another noise.