As the title says
Whilst the achieved their crowning record with the Valenta engines (I assuming here), what are we to reckon they could do with the MTUs?
Faster? Slower? Don't really know?
thanks
Sorry, but what is MTU?
MTU is the engine manufacturer who made the current engines fitted to all HST power cars (bar those used by East Midlands Trains).
As for the original question, the MTU engines are more powerful than the old Valentas but are currently downrated to match the Valenta performance. The MTU engines are capable of 2,700hp but the Valentas were only 2,250hp. So with this extra horsepower, if the MTU engine was unrestricted, I reckon a higher speed would be achievable, although whether another record run is ever going to happen is unlikely if you ask me.
Sorry, but what is MTU?:
Motor Turbine Union. Formed from the merger of the non-road engine divisions of Maybach and Mercedes Benz. Maybach had previously supplied engines for the Western Region Hydraulics*... It was recently split off from Daimler and is now independent.
*Western Region habits die hard
Whereabouts in the UK would the infrastructure support a record attempt over 148mph?
I wonder if there would be any difference between the MTU's and the VP185's?
One of my lecturers worked for paxman when they made the vp185, I'll see if he knows anything?
And that's why they sound so good!
Independant...But one of it's major shareholders is... Rolls Royce. Now, i don't remember any mass media outpouring when a British Company took a major stake in a German company.
Well traditionally it's been the southern end of the ECML that the big records have been set (though the WCML and GWML have all had their moments) and that remains aside from HS1 some of the fastest infrastructure on the network. Problem is, however, all the routes where you could attempt such a run are now very much busier than they were back in the day. So I'm not sure there is anywhere where it would be practical.
I'm sure if you could get a clean run down Stoke Bank you could achieve it, but whether there is an appetite of these exciting one off events is another matter.
Though it's not just a clear run down Stoke Bank, you'll need to have a clear run for some distance on either side all whilst travelling faster than anything else on the line. I'm not saying it's impossible but I would be willing to gamble that it would 'fun' to try and path.
Not only the Southern end of the ECML. The passenger carrying HST speed record (of 144mph - The ultimate 148mph record was set in 1987 with a pretty short test rake) was set on the "racing stretch" between York and Northallerton which is as well renowned as Stoke Bank for it's credentials as a proving ground for high speed running. The prototype HST attained speeds of 133mph, 141mph and then it's own personal record of 143.2mph on three separate days over the York to Northallerton section. The four track formation over this section of route would probably still provide sufficient capacity to "fettle" an HST up to 140mph or more.Well traditionally it's been the southern end of the ECML that the big records have been set (though the WCML and GWML have all had their moments) and that remains aside from HS1 some of the fastest infrastructure on the network. Problem is, however, all the routes where you could attempt such a run are now very much busier than they were back in the day. So I'm not sure there is anywhere where it would be practical.
Though it's not just a clear run down Stoke Bank, you'll need to have a clear run for some distance on either side all whilst travelling faster than anything else on the line. I'm not saying it's impossible but I would be willing to gamble that it would 'fun' to try and path.
MTU is the engine manufacturer who made the current engines fitted to all HST power cars (bar those used by East Midlands Trains).
As for the original question, the MTU engines are more powerful than the old Valentas but are currently downrated to match the Valenta performance. The MTU engines are capable of 2,700hp but the Valentas were only 2,250hp. So with this extra horsepower, if the MTU engine was unrestricted, I reckon a higher speed would be achievable, although whether another record run is ever going to happen is unlikely if you ask me.
The ultimate 148mph record was set in 1987 with a pretty short test rake) was set on the "racing stretch" between York and Northallerton which is as well renowned as Stoke Bank for it's credentials as a proving ground for high speed running.
The ECML around that area is signalled for 140mph running (with flashing greens etc) so I think a bit of top end testing wouldnt be too much of an issue....!
Whereabouts in the UK would the infrastructure support a record attempt over 148mph? I'm not saying it's either possible or impossible where it was originally tried, nor that an attempt on any section of track would be practical today. I'm just interested as to where this could happen.
How about overnight out of traffic hours under sole posession* on the LGV Angleterre ( HS1 ) from St Pancras to Ashford?! It's technically possible...
True, but from memory it's generally downhill from Ebbsfleet towards Ashford isn't it? The worst bit will be coming out of the Thames Tunnel towards Ebbsfleet - though the entrance would give a downhill boost!
As long as it can get up to a decent speed on the first few sections it should be OK; lost a bit of speed on the Rainham flyover but then it'll be a steep plunge into the Thames tunnel, so should have enough momentum not to lose too much speed climbing back out, then pick up again from Ebbsfleet itself and just keep pushing until you need to brake for Ashford...?
Might need some kind of manual warning signal at the braking point, though, as it would be at night on a line with no lineside signalling - some sort of cluster of flashing lights at the relevant point - beacons on a pair of emergency vehicles parked at a safe distance near the lineside, maybe???
The ECML is no longer signalled for 140mph running. The flashing greens are no longer.