NRM HST prototype 41001

It's your words.

 

Off-topic but this reminds me that back in about 1991/2-ish I got a very early (possibly the first) train off Derby towards Bristol, and while I was waiting for it I watched somewhat astounded as a 43xxx power car brought a train into Derby the other way, working solo i.e. no power car on the back. I am pretty sure it was in passenger service, though where it was going and what they were going to do with it when it got there, I have no idea.

 

Very occasionally that still happens on exceptional circumstances, there's a vid on youtube somewhere of a FGW HST passing Didcot with no tailgunner, usually slap a serviceable power car off the nearest depot on the back once it gets there.

 

This one?


Richard

 

If its any difference I was at Swindon once to find all London services a mess...
The culprit a failed HST being dragged by...
2 power cars flat end to flat end... Making a pretty unique triple headed, four power car'd HST set.

 

I think one or twice the Penzance sleeper has had two power cars back to back hauling it rather than a 57/6, FGW like treating them as loco's when it suits.

 

HST power cars carry 2 emergency coupling bars in the redundant brake van area. The short one is for rescue by a loco the long one for rescue by another HST. East Coast power cars also carry an adaptor so they can be rescued by a 90/91 fitted with a drophead buckeye. It is unusual to see a HST coach on the back of the train as they can only couple to another buckeye coupler fitted vehicle
HST power cars are not able to provide ETS to a train of conventional coaches as they supply 415V 3 phase rather than the standard 850/1000V from a loco

 

This is really good news. I think the Prototype should be run with (if possible) prototype coaches & a production power car on the back. Maybe in time the production loco could have the nose replaced with a copy of the prototype nose, to keep both ends looking the same (daft idea I know).

 

First test runs, yesterday: http://www.projectmiller.org.uk/ Congratulations to all those involved.

 

Wow, that noise takes me right back to my childhood, standing on the overbridge at Yatton station, terrified but in awe of the screaming monster passing just under my feet at high speed!

 

Brilliant, can't wait to see it back on the mainline.

Ps what was the steam loco making the smoke behind it ?

 

That's the steam heating. It was in the original plans for the HST prototype but never used in service. Great to see them finally get it working.

Richard

 

That must be some boiler to produce that much steam .. was it a redundant A4 boiler they put in the engine room

I remember back in the early days HST engines used to be revved up and screamed out of the station, then as the sound faded from the first one, the back end passed deafening us for a few seconds..

the "21st" century approach to driving tends to be a bit more sedimentary in departures.. maybe this could be let to scream every now and again.

 

... or maybe just a sticking drain cock?

 

Oh a Stanier Product then ?

 

they've been re-engined...that's why they are quieter now, not anything to do with the Driver!