FGW Valentas

[Ivo]

Hey all,

Is anyone able to advise as to when exactly FGW converted their HSTs to MTU engines please? I ask because as far as I am aware, I never got to travel on a Valenta-engined unit - but thinking about it, I *may* have. I do not know the set in question, which obviously won't help, but I did travel on an FGW HST between St Erth and Liskeard in late June or early July 2006. Would this have been early enough to have been a Valenta?

TIA

 

[Lampshade]

All I know is 43002 and 43003 ran as 253001 as part of the farewell tour in December 2007

Courtesy of Yorkie's HST album

 

[Techniquest]

You had a very good chance of getting a Valenta at the time, can't say for certain with the details given though.

 

[Schnellzug]

All i can say for sure is, moi last trip wi' a Valenta was in March '07, 43190 Newport-Cdf.

 

[Techniquest]

Last one was 30th January 2010 from Sunderland to Kings Cross. A while after that, I lost interest.

On a related note, I saw 43058 and 43082 passing Duffield on Sunday and I had forgotten what noise HSTs could still make! Still not rating them again, but I was surprised!

 

[fgwrich]

As this was 2006, you may have had a half set - With an MTU'd Power Car on the London End, and a Valenta or VP185 on the Penzance end.

 

[DarloRich]

Last one was 30th January 2010 from Sunderland to Kings Cross. A while after that, I lost interest.

On a related note, I saw 43058 and 43082 passing Duffield on Sunday and I had forgotten what noise HSTs could still make! Still not rating them again, but I was surprised!

they sound like buses now!

 

[Martin_1981]

I did Plymouth to St Erth on the 7.45 Pad-Pnz HST in September 2007, with an MTU on the front and a Valenta on the rear.

About 6 weeks previously, I did Exeter-Plymouth return on a FGW HST and had all Valenta sets both ways, with the original IC70's seats in. Was great!

 

[TheMysticEgg]

they sound like buses now!

Remember that EMT HSTs (being at Duffield) have Paxman VP185s, which make a significantly better sound than MTUs!