I have driven the HST for years and retired a few years ago, Pulling out of Newcastle if you was gentle you could do it with little throttle but if there was train enthusiasts then we used to open it up the sound of the engine and turbo's was fantastic the HST was and is so powerful and when its replaced it will be missed to drive this machine is electric its so powerful and very gentle at the same time!!!!!,
I thought that , maybe just on the western, drivers were told notch 3 or whatever till your clear of the platform. Because of old ladies fainting when they do this, and give it the lot. ! Very impressive, always fun to play to the gallery!
Enjoy your retirement Alex, I was a Shunter at Stoke Gifford, “ now Bristol Parkway “ then at Penzance, dealing with all types of Locos and HSTs, I coupled up the class 50 Loco on the Sleepers at Penzance on the night it derailed at Padd, had to go on an inquiry at Reading for that. Enjoyed my time on the Railway.
Must have been drawing some amps there, surely it would've flashed over or shut down? 🤔 I know nothing of these things but have read about too much power..
@@shidzngigglez I was just a driver, so not into voltage regulation, I was just a guy who pointed the train in the right direction and got everybody from A to B, however some of the HST had racked up nearly 3 million miles flying up and down the rail tracks, Not once did I get fed up of seeing the views from the cab from Leeds upto Scotland especially at 125mph, Best sight's were pulling into York, Durham, Newcastle, and seeing the cost through Northumberland at speeds of 125mph, and also racing through the Scottish mountains, the train crew loved this route also, it was superb, all you could hear in the cab was the wind rushing over the cab and the engine puring behind you and sometimes the odd sheep meeting a quick end which happened
I used to drive the HST until I retired and the London to Scotland run was my route, pulling away from Newcastle was superb as the track was on a slight incline and you had to give the traction motor full throttle to get it moving, I always remember the station manager's did not like it as the engine's always filled the station platform with smoke, They were the good days!!, The HST was always ahead of its time, The Paxman Valenta engine used in the HST is a 79 litre engine which is a 4 stroke V12 engine with a BHP of over 2000hp , The Turbo's fitted to the engine gives it a very unique scream
@@alextilson5809 I believe the turbos were Napier ones and I just lurved the scream from them. I remember my mother used to take me down to a bridge in Leeds to watch them come by, waving at the driver as they went under us. Good memories.
It's so depressing when you see a modern class 43 with an MTU engine. I miss this Paxman Valenta sound soooo much. It was such a common sound back in the 80's and 90's. Makes me wish i had a time machine so i could go back and relive the good old BR years.
They would glide int a station like a silent water snake... and scream out like a tasmainian devil and a banshee having a fight to the death..... Best trains ever, best sounding train engine ever..... a sound that is as iconic to the railways as the spitfire merlin was to aviation. legend.
These Valentas had 3 distinct sounds going on... The deep V12 exhaust throb The turbocharger fan blade passing frequency, that gives the high-pitch scream The air induction whooshing sound. Glorious.
Used to watch these as a 3-year-old, standing on Newcastle Central platform in awe, wondering how anything could be that loud. Hopefully when they're preserved there'll be a full top-and-tail set with reinstated Valentas registered for main line charters, and we can re-live the days of the "proper" HSTs.
Well, you’ll be glad to know that your idea is coming true! The 125 Group have preserved a bunch of HST powercars, and are planning to re-Valenta one! 43044 “Edward Paxman” will be re-Valenta’d soon, and will be fitted with ETCS (European Train Control System)! It’s now in BR Intercity Executive livery, and is usually seen on the Great Central Railway.
I am an out and out steam fan, but, even I have to admit, the "stop gap" hst's, designed as an afterthought, are the best things ever to run in Britain. This video is brilliant.
40 years in service, not bad for a "stop gap"! And, the design has aged extremely well, I would even go as far to say better looking than many modern trains such as the Voyager and Pendolino. To me the InterCity 125 is a railway masterpiece just like the original French TGV.
I agree. The HST's streamlined shape is timeless. The Voyajunks are pointy and ugly, the Meridians and 180's are alright, and the Pendolinos look alright if the hatch over the coupling is shut properly. Sir Kenneth Grange knew how to design an attractive train. The designers of most of the multiple units that currently contaminate our railway don't!
Miss that unmistakable valenta scream! It was a major part of my youth and the MTU engines just don't cut it. My favourite memories of that noise were when I was at Aviemore staying in the Strathspey Railway's digs, every night I'd hear that ear splitting scream echoing up the valley as the Highland Chieftan pulled away from the station. By the time they passed the lodge they were still wide open and starting to get into their stride. The noise was incredible!
I once heard a Valenta engined 125 power up from a standing idle, at night in the winter,coming into Leeds, around Elland Road, I'll never forget it, the deep throb from the 12 cylinders hammering away and the Napier Turbos spooling up, good 'ole days.
Many thanks for this clip. It reminded me of a time when I applied for a technician apprenticeship with Paxman's at Port Lane in Colchester, Essex, where they manufactured the Valenta engines. As part of the interview with Paxman, they showed me around the factory, together with all of the other candidates. We were all young lads about 17, back in about 1980. As part of the tour, we were shown about 3 or 4 sound proofed rooms. They were the testing bays for the Valenta engines. One of the engines was being tested on a large bench. A technician was in the room. Our guide said, "You'll all need these," and handed us all ear defenders. When we put them on, he opened the door to the engine test bay. God, the noise! It was visceral. You could feel it go through you. Wonderful stuff. Thanks once again.
I'm not a train enthusiast really, but I've always loved the sound of the Valenta HST's.I used to live in Dawlish, and never tired of the sight and sound of an HST opening up it's throttle as it departed Dawlish.You could hear it long after it'd disappeared out of sight around the corner by the red rock on it's way to the Warren and beyond.When I went into Exeter, I would wait and let the DMU or Pacer go if I knew an HST was due, why wouldn't you? I didn't realise how lucky I was to be able to take the HST and ride along the famous sea wall in comfort for such short journeys, or how cheap it was.I certainly do now.Thanks for posting, that sound almost bought a tear to my eye, as I have so many happy memories associated with it.It's amazing achievement for the UK and a credit to BR, that the HST's, albeit modified, are still 'mostly' running today. After 40 years, that's nothing short of incredible, I just hope they don't rush to phase them out.
Brings back memories of standing by the leading power car as an HST moved off, then being deafened by the screaming of the rear power car as it reached me. The only way properly to experience an HST. :) Thank you for the video. :)
As a steam enthusiast since I was a child in the early1950s, I have to say how much I've always loved the HSTs since they were first introduced in 1976(?), especially that engine howl. BTW, thanks so much, for not splitting your infinitive - SO unusual these days, thanks to the influence of a nation which has always abused our language, and they reckon that they speak ENGLISH! :-(
I always remember the first time I heard one, it was at Paddington and I stood by the drivers car up the front and got nosey about what was going on inside.. I came from Essex so only experinced electric trains.. When the HST started rolling boy was I amazed at the sheer power and ferocity that this loco seemed to convey.
Remember standing on Didcot station waiting for a connection to London in the 1970s and wondering why they'd painted yellow lines along the platform. I soon found out!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Australian XPT actually once had the Paxman Valenta. So your train once sounded like our elder British cousin :3
Remember going on these in my early teens up to Scotland - windows down behind the loco not knowing anything about trains and thinking that sound was completely amazing. A shame it is difficult to find anything like it these days to be passionate about.
It's so amazing to see clips of these on here. I'm no train expert, but when I was a little boy, I affectionately called these 'scream trains' and used to love standing at the platform with my dad, seeing if I could 'out-scream' the train. It's great to see that other people also called the sound a 'scream'. Wonderful memories.
There is one better than this.... Look up 43003 tnt 43002 Paddington. It's out of service, heading for old oak depot, never seen a HST set accelerate so fast!
+smiffy1071 Checked out that 43003 43002 video it is fast, in the 70s i went into Old Oak Common workshops they had WHAT I THOUGHT WAS an HST engine (English Electric) V12 out rebuilding it, the pistons are about 12ins across. but smiffy1071 pointed out it ain`t oh the misery after all these yrs.
+bmwnasher couldn't have been from a HST, EE never fitted engines to any HST. More likely a 37, or maybe a 31, which are also v12, and do indeed have a 12 inch bore. The Paxman Valenta v12, is much smaller with a bore of 7.75 inches, and a total engine size of 79 litres.
smiffy1071 You just burst my bubble, all these yrs i thought it was a 125 engine, it was a big lump though, thanks very much for the info. Rolls Royce Cars used to be built near Old Oak everything is gone now.
Its amazing that after 40 years in service the Class 43 power cars (sadly without the screaming Valentas) and Mk3 carriages are still going strong and still looking sleek! The only giveaway of their age being the old "slam doors" (which add to their charm) Its a great example of British engineering. If I'm right in thinking, the HST was only designed to be a temporary train while the Advanced Passenger Train (APT) was being developed. Had the APT been a success too, it would have been interesting to see them today wearing Virgin or GNER colours!
Actually I did just play this near full blast on my Corsair SP2500 2.1 speakers and my god its sounds good, i felt like a wee boy watching these bad boys take off.
This brings back loads of memories of when I was really young between late 2006 and 2007 my grandad would take me to Newcastle and we'd see lots of GNER trains, we even went on a few together before they closed
Amazing! :) I first saw an HST close-up at King's Cross in 1997 after having work experience at a TOC. I was amazed, as it's been my favourite since a toddler! :) The manager at the time jokingly said, "There you go! Just for you!" as we walked along the platform. Despite then and now being hypersensitive to noise due to a condition called ME, I loved it! :) I'm not sure I'll get to travel on one because I am housebound with ME these days, but I do have these videos. :) Thanks. :)
Just brilliant!! The valentas have served their time well. And now we can look forward to these spectacular trains running for the next decade or more with the mtu's. What a way to bow out!! Magnificent.
When I first saw the Voyagers in the Westcountry in the late 90's early 2000's I thought they looked so modern and sleek. Then one evening I took a short journey on one by mistake having had a few too many beers. Was then I realised they were essentially DMU's with engines underneath carriages, it was such a disappointment. Having got used to HST's....gliding away from the station sitting in a carriage quiet but for the aircon sound and people. Such a lot to be said for power cars at each end. Am I right in thinking the new GWR HST's running on the Westcountry routes will have engines under carriages? If so that seems such a backward step.
KennnnnnyTucky to an extent I agree with you. But I expect there are savings to be had by having several smaller engines, rather than a big lump at either end of the train. DMUs though, in my opinion are a stop gap until full electrification of the network. Look at the new trains on order for the east coast - they are a hybrid that can either run as a D-EMU or an EMU, depending on whether the line they are on is electrified. Further, they can transition between modes whilst in motion. If they live as long as the HSTs they will replace, they may end up having the engines removed if the whole network gets electrified.
On the GWML even the new class 800's are being retrofitted with under-carriage diesel engines, since the electrification is now so far behind schedule. There is even talk that the electrification will not continue all the way South. So trains running through places like Dawlish will still have to rely on diesel power. Voyagers are attractive trains, and they may be quicker off the mark than a HST, but in my opinion they are cramped, noisy and uncomfortable. Travelling on a HST you are far more likely to fall asleep from the gentle movement and lack of noise :-D
I remember these in the late 70s when I was a kid. If you stood on the platform next to the loco when it was pulling out it was utterly deafening! I still miss that noise, and HSTs are almost gone now.
From my (German) point of view the HST´s with Paxman engines were the only match to our class 218 - soundwise ... What a fantastic sound. Unfortunately I was able to ride on a HST only once (CrossCountry / but never at 125mph ...). Those HST´s were really great trains. Replacing the paxman engines with MTU ones was certainly a pure economic decision. Seems operators never really got the Paxman´s overheating problem properly soved and the new engines were simply way more fuel efficient and much better in terms of exhaust emissions. (that´s what you get over a time span of more than 40 yrs ...)
Outstanding video, brings back memories. I miss that thrash of power, and it's the only time I don't mind being engulfed in diesel fumes! Used to sound good setting off from Leeds, nice acoustics 👌
I spent 7 years going back and forwards from Kings X - Leeds on GNER/NXEC/EC just about every month and I can honestly say watching the train come in at Leeds or listening to the HST start up was an awesome thrill especially heading back up North when I was going home. sadly missed now!!
When I was in the north of England and this thing went through the middle of the train station at high speed and giving full throttle again, I thought this was the most amazing engine sound I had ever heard... The video cannot even to the slightest extend give the sort of volume... , this was amazing
I used to drive the 43's out of Kings X up the ECML... With 4500 hp under the bonnet ( 2250 hp ) one up front and one up the botty there was plenty of power on tap... Pulling out of the station on notch five with the Paxman Valenta turbo's screaming their little heads off and clouds of exhaust smoke ( sorry Greta Thunberg ) was something to behold with more excitement to enjoy... 125 mph here we come although they would top 148 mph... Now there is food for thought but as I did not fancy tea and biscuits with the Boss well need I say more.. 1
Probably THE best video I ever watched. Absolutely fantastic. I've viewed it 20 or 30 times. The thing would take your arm off, if it saw you come anywhere near it. Sheer menace and evil. Fantastic work, thanks.
God I miss that sound. I remember waiting at Exeter St David's for my train and all you could hear were 43's in both directions pulling off every now and then with a Pacer every now and then in the mix.
Superbly captured.The rousing valentas are no longer commonplace on the network but their memory lives on & are immortalised in footage such as this. :-)
You CAN make a jet engine from a turbocharger. The turbocharger predates the jet engine by several decades, which surprises me. It was actually invented in 1905.
I have very fond memories of the 125 from my childhood days. My dad worked for the railway and we used to get it down to Dawlish in the SW of England. I'll never forget the unique and awesome noise that those monster machines produce. Unparallelled.
Here in the States the Boston & Maine Railroad had the largest fleet of Budd company RDC's 110 Budd cars as they were known rail diesel cars each car had two GM 6-110 engines at 300 horsepower each made by Detroit Diesel under the carbody driving the inner axle on each truck ( bogie) through a 2speed automotive type transmission. The Boston & Maine also purchased 30 Budd cars with no engineer controls and one engine instead of two to reduce operating expenses After the MBTA took over all north side commuter trains including purchasing the railroad itself they quickly determined it was more expensive to operate what England refers to as DMU's when the train exceeded 5 cars than to operate a locomotive hauled commuter train. One locomotive per train with a cab car at the other end of the train to operate the train on its return trip. This keeps the locomotive away from the passengers to minimize noise. The only passenger trains running with two locomotives are the Acela HST operated by Amtrak in the northeast corridor which run on 11'000 volts AC 25 cycles, 12'500 volts 60 cycles and at 25'000 volts 60 cycles from Washington, DC to Boston, Massachusetts. The Budd cars replaced all locomotive hauled commuter trains by 1956 which were the last commuter fleet of wooden passenger cars some of which you can ride behind today hauled by steam locomotives in Strasberg Railroad in Strasberg, Pennsylvania on the oldest shortline railroad in the US. They purchased a small fleet of the Boston & Maine's wooden passenger cars which where in use on work and wreck trains and have been completely rebuilt to like when they were new and last year I found an original B&M wooden coach still with all its passenger equipment sitting in someone's front yard. I plan on visiting that home and asking if they might like to see it completely restored and back in passenger service. I'm hoping they will be willing to do that.
Boston and Maine company, was bought out by Guilford Rail in the 1980s, which is now named Pan Am railways. The MBTA and Amtrak took over the passenger services of B&M.
Keith Phillips Same over here.... we've built some impressive trains that have last 30-50 years of service (including HST125's) and now they are importing shit from China.
Thats Amazing. I remember watching these rev up and take off to kings cross from leeds city station back in 2007. As they went past with the turbo screeming it would always put a huge smile on my face.
Beats the crappy 220/221 voyagers which have replaced this iconic train on XC routes. Trains should be big loud and proud just like the steam locos they replaced!
can someone more knowledgeable than me please tell me roughly what sort of fuel consumption these do? what it's generally measured in? (Litres per hour? Gallons Per Hour) and what the fuel capacity and therefore range is? thanks in advance i would be grateful to know
One of the few diesels that has the theatricals of a steamer. In the sound mix is some Tie Fighter roar and Millennium Falcon whistle, that’s some proper premium 1970s sci-fi.
Compared to steam - sad, pathetic spam cans of diesels. Until I found this video and wound the volume up to 11. Totally, utterly brilliant and my most re-visited of videos. Thanks so much for this epic which dropped my jaw and has got completely under my skin!
