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 still prefer to travel on a HST myself, a point I don't feel has been made clearly enough by myself. I agree the MTU programme was required, the power cars were absolutely knackered after over 3 decades of daily front-line service.
But likewise from a pure enthusiast view, the Valenta will always be preferred. After all, they are what sparked my interest in rail way back in September/October 2003. It's horrible to think that the vast majority of power cars back then were Valentas (with exception to a handful that were VP185s) and that MTU was unheard of. Now, over 5 years later, we're down to 10 power cars with Valentas and only 7 of those are on passenger trains. In those 5 years we've lost about 170 Valentas. Looked at like that, it's a rather sobering thought...
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!
Makes perfect sense to me. Never had you down as a HST crank Jordy!
I agree, it is perfectly understandable that they didn't run a farewell - but it still would've been nice!
From a business point of view, maybe. From a PR view, no. Would have generated extra revenue from us HST cranks for the farewell (a simple out-and-back would have been enough). Even a specially-organised run didn't have to happen, advance notice that the last run with 43056 was to be the last one would have been good enough. It might have meant a scramble over to the east coast, but to get the final Valenta in would have been nice.
Sadly it proves my viewpoint that NXEC are not an enthusiast-friendly TOC and are just out to grab as much money as possible from passengers (and have the cheek to call us 'customers'!) through extortionate fares.
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...
That's something I'd like an answer to as well...
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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.
From my viewpoint, it's like following a team that's in the Premiership, that gets relegated to the next league. You'd probably follow them still. They get relegated again to Division 2 (or whatever they call it at 7pm...). You start thinking it's not worth following them, but you still do the home games. Down to Division 3, it's every other home game. They end up in the Conference and you've lost interest in the team. You then decide you'll go to the game if it's at all convenient, but you won't drop everything to attend anymore.
As for the 57s, I didn't know them as 47s so it makes no difference to me. I don't mind the 57s, they're quite good.
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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!
It's strange, I'm in the same boat with the EMT machines. They make a nice bit of noise and all that, but it's not the same. I don't go racing up there whenever I can for those ones now. Maybe in 2009 again, but it's quite the trek up there for those...
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!
The EMT job was well worth supporting. I don't know if it was ever unveiled how much was raised at the end of the day, but it was a very enjoyable day supporting a good cause. Same for the FGW charity special to Minehead actually.
Can't remember you making an appearance on the final day of 43002.
Where were you on it? PM me on this if you wish.
No, it makes a different noise no longer rateable, simple as. Theres plenty of 37 enthusiasts who won't do /9's.
Indeed, a nice and simple way of looking at it.
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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.
It's an observation I'll echo, you don't get to enjoy the loco/unit/whatever much when you're linesiding. Which is part of the reason I don't bother with that much, it's nowhere near as much fun as actually travelling on it.
Of course, you do get the opportunity to get a nice photo of whatever it is you're out for, but I tend to see it as missed mileage opportunities.
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You've summed up exactly how i feel.
I haven't seen any HSTs recently, which seems a little odd, but since they're likely to just be MTUs, im not at all bothered.
To sum up how much i like the various trains i see at Waverley;
43 Val/FSR 90 > 91 > 322/185 > 158/156/170/67/90 > 220/221 > 43 MTU
You rate Voyagers over MTU'd HSTs? Interesting, as much as I like Voyagers I don't think I could ever rate them higher than a HST.
