One year since the last Paxman Valenta in a HST (22/12/2010 - 22/12/2011)

For the first time since 1974 (between prototype withdrawal and production power car testing) or pre-1972 (before the prototype), no Valenta engines have been heard from any item of rolling stock in the entire world, for a whole year.

Thankfully there should not be an 8-10 year wait for the return of a Valenta in a HST - well at least if one takes into account the prototype power car. 41001 is intended to be restored according to Project Miller, and would be fitted with the youngest Valenta power unit [built for rail applications] in existence.

In 2005, when visiting the "125 Group" stand in the cab of 43087 during "Cab It" at National Railway Museum York, it was thought that the MTU re-engining programme would not go beyond around 30 power cars. In fact, it went even further than that. Apart from East Midlands VP185-engined power cars, every single Class 43 had been fitted with an MTU by early 2011.

The video then looks at the engine room of prototype power car 41001 (also during the 2005 "Cab-It), followed by a short history of the power unit ["S508"] intended to replace the one in 41001 that is missing many parts.
S508 was last used in 43143, which conveniently I travelled on in 2005 and also spotted at Cardiff Central one year later (by which time it may have been using the same power unit that 41001 will use). S508 was replaced in 43143 by an MTU power unit, most likely in 2007.

Music used:

Pendulum - Slam
Ennio Morricone - An Ending (Ascent)
Daft Punk - Voyager
Kevin Shields - Are You Awake?

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Final
• Paxman
• Valenta
• HST
• Class
• 43
• 1st
• anniversary
• 43123
• Grand
• Central
• 43143
• 43153
• Virgin
• 43002
• 43172
• 43182
• First
• Great
• Western
• 41001
• prototype
• 43087
• Hornby
• Grand Central Railway
• InterCity 125

[bwhugul]

@bwhugul A year ago that is...

[bwhugul]

At the time I write this, the final Valenta service would be racing up the ECML a few miles north of Skelton Junction. I think that it departed York at 16:24 or around that time...

[bwhugul]

Like this comment if you were there on 22/12/2010