British Rail Class 41 (HST)

The British Rail Class 41 were two powercars built in 1972 by British Rail Engineering Limited's Crewe Works to operate with the prototype High Speed Train (HST) with Mark 3 carriages.

This article is about the prototype High Speed Train power cars. For the Warship Class locomotives built in 1958–1959, see British Rail Class 41 (Warship Class).

British Rail Class 41 (HST)
41001 at the Railway Technical Centre in 1972
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderBREL Crewe Works
Build date1972
Total produced2
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICBo'Bo'
 • CommonwealthBo-Bo
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter3 ft 4 in (1.016 m)
Wheelbase42 ft 4 in (12.90 m)
Length56 ft 4 in (17.17 m)
Width8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
Height12 ft 10 in (3.91 m)[1]
Loco weight68.5 tonnes (67.4 long tons; 75.5 short tons)
Prime moverPaxman Valenta 12RP200L
Traction motorsBrush TMH68-46, frame mounted
MU workingWithin class only
Train heating
Train brakesAir
Performance figures
Maximum speed125 mph (201 km/h)
Power outputEngine: 2,250 bhp (1,678 kW)
Tractive effort17,980 lbf (80.0 kN)
Career
OperatorsBritish Rail
Numbers41001–41002; 43000-43001 (While 252001); later ADB975812–813
Axle load classRoute availability 5
WithdrawnJanuary 1982
Disposition1 preserved, 1 scrapped

History
41001 front view
41001 rear/side view

Two power cars were built in 1972 by British Rail Engineering Limited's Crewe Works, numbered 41001 and 41002.[3] They initially conducted tests on the East Coast Main Line with the set based at Neville Hill TMD.[4][5]

Having accumulated more than 100,000 miles, including setting a diesel train speed record of 143 mph between Northallerton and Thirsk in June 1973, they moved to the Great Western Main Line in 1974.[4][6] On 5 May 1975, both entered revenue service on Great Western services between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads / Weston-super-Mare.[7][8]

After the Class 252 re-classification they were renumbered into the carriage numbering range as 43000 and 43001.

After being replaced by production Class 43 HST powercars in the early 1980s, both were allocated to the Railway Technical Centre and used in various high speed trials associated with the Advanced Passenger Train and InterCity 225 projects. In December 1990, 41002 was scrapped by CF Booth in Rotherham, while 41001 was restored cosmetically and donated to the National Railway Museum (NRM).

In 2011, the NRM agreed a lease with the 125 Group that resulted in 41001 moving from York to Neville Hill TMD in March 2012 to be restored to operational condition.[9][10][11] As part of this move, it was re-registered on TOPS as Class 43/9 locomotive 43000.[12]

Upon completion it was based at the Great Central Railway (Nottingham). In November 2014, 41001 hauled its first passenger train since 1976, a special named the Screaming Valenta, using a short-formed East Midlands Trains HST set with a Class 43 on the other end.[13]

After suffering engine problems at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway in May 2019, it was moved to Neville Hill TMD for repairs.[14][15]

In October 2019, the NRM announced it had terminated the loan agreement, citing serious contract breaches. Although that was disputed by the 125 Group, 41001 was returned to the NRM in November 2019.[16]

References
  1. Haresnape, Brian (June 1983). British Rail Fleet Survey 5: High Speed Trains. Shepperton: Ian Allan Publishing. p. 41. ISBN 0-7110-1297-0. GE/0683.
  2. Maclean, Stuart (4 June 2014). "NRM HST prototype 41001". National Preservation. Retrieved 25 November 2015. has its original 110 V/1000 V Auxiliary Alternator fitted so isn't compatible with production HST electronics. … standard DC ETH rather than the 415 V AC of an HST so more useful for a role on preserved railways. … not being able to provide train supply to an HST set,
  3. Track Tests This Month for High-Speed Train The Railway Magazine issue 854 June 1972 pages 288-291
  4. Evolution trials of HST The Railway Magazine issue 880 August 1974 page 379
  5. British Railways Locoshed Book 1974 edition. Shepperton: Ian Allan Publishing. 1974. p. 30. ISBN 0-7110-0558-3.
  6. Fastest Ever by Diesel The Railway Magazine issue 868 August 1973 page 397
  7. HST in revenue earning service The Railway Magazine issue 890 June 1975 page 310
  8. Britain's HST Enters Revenue Service Railway Age 9 June 1975 page 60
  9. Project Miller (12 May 2011). "(untitled)" (Press release).
  10. Prototype HST to run again The Railway Magazine issue 1323 July 2011 page 11
  11. Pioneer HST power car at Leeds to aid restoration Rail issue 694 18 April 2012 page 12
  12. Power trip Rail issue 698 13 June 2012 pages 44-47
  13. "In Brief". Rail Express (224): 36. January 2015. ISSN 1362-234X.
  14. "41001 Withdrawn from all forthcoming events". 125 Group. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  15. Prototype HST moves to Neville Hill Rail Express issue 279 August 2019 page 77
  16. Group, 125 (9 October 2019). "Prototype HST Power Car 41001 to return to York". 125 Group. Retrieved 15 October 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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