Question about HSTs

[Yertis]

I see these every day and they sound quite different – more boring – nowadays with their MTU engines. Do any of you diesel train people out there know whether the HSTs are now

a faster
b slower
c about the same performance

than they used to be with the old Paxmans?

[nc107]

They're about the same as they are limited by the alternator output. they are however more reliable, have better fuel consumption and cheaper to run.

[anonymous-user]

They don't sound as good though

[MoggieMinor]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Nothing on rails (apart from a Deltic..) has beaten the scream of the Paxman Valenta.


Watch this and turn up the volume.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ICcOu0NkM

[Boatbuoy]

Are there any HST powercars left with their Paxman engines? I assume if there were they'd be preserved units?

[davepoth]

Boatbuoy said:

Are there any HST powercars left with their Paxman engines? I assume if there were they'd be preserved units?

East Midlands re-engined with Paxman VP185s which aren't as loud. Apparently the NRM has the prototype which is getting a Valenta back in it, so you'll be able to be deafened by it some time soon...

[MoggieMinor]

The prototype is being restored and has made some test runs. More info here: http://www.projectmiller.org.uk/

[matchmaker]

MoggieMinor said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Nothing on rails (apart from a Deltic..) has beaten the scream of the Paxman Valenta.


Watch this and turn up the volume.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ICcOu0NkM

Nice, but the best HST start I remember was the down "Highland Chieftain" making a full-bore takeoff on the 1 in 80 at Dunblane after being brought to a dead stop at the home signal. Mega thrash!

[43034]

Boatbuoy said:

Are there any HST powercars left with their Paxman engines? I assume if there were they'd be preserved units?

125Group (http://www.125group.org.uk/) have some Valenta engines, just nothing for them to go in, yet!

They are also behind Project Miller as posted above.

[Boatbuoy]

I noticed on the Miller Project site that not only have they done a fab job of polishing that to within an inch of it's life, but also that it appears to have a drivers cab on the blunt end. I've never noticed that on the prototype before, nor seen it (not that I'd have thought to look) on any production units. Do they have them?

[ecsrobin]

Boatbuoy said:

I noticed on the Miller Project site that not only have they done a fab job of polishing that to within an inch of it's life, but also that it appears to have a drivers cab on the blunt end. I've never noticed that on the prototype before, nor seen it (not that I'd have thought to look) on any production units. Do they have them?

That would win quite a few show & shines I've seen!!

[43034]

Boatbuoy said:

I noticed on the Miller Project site that not only have they done a fab job of polishing that to within an inch of it's life, but also that it appears to have a drivers cab on the blunt end. I've never noticed that on the prototype before, nor seen it (not that I'd have thought to look) on any production units. Do they have them?

Only on the prototype mate

[matchmaker]

It's been announced that the new Scotrail franchisee will be using HST's on services between the main Scottish cities, replacing the present Class 158 & 170 DMU's!

[MitchT]

MoggieMinor said:

Nothing on rails (apart from a Deltic..) has beaten the scream of the Paxman Valenta.


Watch this and turn up the volume.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ICcOu0NkM

Those were the days ... when things made a noise and were interesting. Wonder what sensory experience will be legislated out of being next? Colour perhaps?

[ianrb]

matchmaker said:

It's been announced that the new Scotrail franchisee will be using HST's on services between the main Scottish cities, replacing the present Class 158 & 170 DMU's!

Not for all the routes:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-bus...

[dvs_dave]

Anyone know the reason why the turbos on the Valenta engines are so much noisier (the scream) than they are on the MTU's?

[Taffer]

ianrb said:

matchmaker said:

It's been announced that the new Scotrail franchisee will be using HST's on services between the main Scottish cities, replacing the present Class 158 & 170 DMU's!

Not for all the routes:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-bus...

With the Glasgow-Edinburgh line being electrified that was always going to be the case, regardless of the TOC who won the franchise:

http://www.egip.info/

Hopefully the Mk.3 carriages get massively upgraded (like Chiltern's) rather than knackered stock from down south being punted up here.