An Up Valenta HST screams out of Reading on the Down line

Sunny days at reading pre-MTU. An up HST gets the RA from the down platform and powers through the crossovers to the up line. The kids watch on impressed by the sound of a Valenta at work. Will the same happen with MTU............think not.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Reading
• HST
• Valenta
• Train
• Power
• Paxman
• FGW

[mjdc500]

I really feel I've missed out having not seen one of these Valenta HSTs pull out of a station in person.

[SANSPAREIL1977]

@mjdc500 Where have you been the last 30+ years, youve missed the boat now my friend, all gone mate! For now anyhow....

[nikosjk1]

Great video! I agree, i wonder how anyone kids will get interested in trains anymore which such dull trains like MTU's and Voyagers, glad that here in the US theres still some decent trains. the scream of a HST accelerating out of the station is something that will never be forgotten, also look how much faster it accelerates compared to a MTU, progress........

[SANSPAREIL1977]

Spot on, i thought that given GM's over here the US wouldnt be interesting for rail fans other than for the size of the trains. How wrong I was! The GM's/GE's are loud there unlike anything that gets exported to the UK!

[dod4luce]

so sad, I am going to miss that noise. effin mtus. so dull!!

[smarshthelegend]

Another fantastic departure well done mate!

[MAPFWH]

Waterloo line on the right.... I used to commute into and out of Reading in the 1980s..... Oh the halcyon days, the trips through Sonning, window hanging, steam heated Peak on Thames-Clyde relief after failures, 40s on GLC waste, 56s on Freightliner container work, cab rides to Reading West, (and back!!) Watching a woman get crushed by the info board on the foot of the Waterloo platforms as a departing EMU reversed and hit the buffers...... IC125 with rear power car fuel leak...railside debris!

[deathstardisco]

I remember being in the first carriage of a HST in like 1993 or something when I was a child. The valenta scared me shitless and everytime the driver opened the taps I thought the train was going to leave the ground lol.

[bxmachine]

Worked on Reading Station in 1990, I had that soundtrack all day. Miss it!

[RailRKO57]

Oh my! C'mon Reading time get up n get to work, this is your wake up call,,,, Valenta style!!

[clusterfak]

Loved watching that little kid jumping for joy! That was me years ago here in Canada watching CPR's 4-6-4 Hudson doubleheading The Dominion...woot!

[jammymark]

@nikosjk1 Unfortunately they don't accelerate faster than DEMU's. Virgin voyagers are one of the fastest accelarating trains out there. This is of course tested fully laden with all trains having to hit 0-60mph in 60 seconds fully laden with full fuel and full complement of passengers. The voyagers cracked it in 44 seconds!

[roguesniper]

That's the proper sound for an HST!

[ciarang8235]

best scream ever

[mentalmidget1960]

We are rebuilding a Paxman YHA, these were the forerunner of the Valentas & have huge Napier turbos fitted as standard. Sounds goereous under load. Mad technology considering the YHA was buils in 1957.

[spotifyZ]

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD....THAT SOUNDS LIKE A JET TAKING OFF!!!!