Flying Phil
Established Member
- Joined
- 18 Apr 2016
- Messages
- 1,930
Very Smart!
No plans to change them for a number of reasons.Looks lovely. Will the headlights be changed back to their original design, or are these here to stay for safety reasons (I assume a bit like high intensity lights on all over green preserved diesels)?
I guess it would depend on the intended usage. If mainline use is planned it will probably need to retain the current set up, I don’t imagine grandfather rights would stretch to reverting back to inferior lights.Looks lovely. Will the headlights be changed back to their original design, or are these here to stay for safety reasons (I assume a bit like high intensity lights on all over green preserved diesels)?
Much as I love InterCity Swallow (ducks under desk), that is a stoater (as we say in Glasgow lol). Props to all in the 125 Group.43044 is now in Executive livery: 125 Group on Twitter: "The livery you've all been waiting for... https://t.co/ZHr1lek21B" / Twitter
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Equally, why change what isn't broken. I am firmly in the camp that the later designs both looked better and were far more practical, not ending up broken / full of humidity / dead pigeons or as a windscreen wash collection point. They also add better to the streamlined appearance of the HST - more so with 044 painted up like this.No plans to change them for a number of reasons.
43044 is now in Executive livery
LNER put a chrome trim around the new style headlights on the blue 006 and 112 and they looked almost as good as the original clusters.No plans to change them for a number of reasons.
Porterbrook’s generous donation completes HST story showcase
20th June 2021
With the recent handover of 43102 (one of the power cars involved in the 1987 record breaking test run) to the National Collection at Shildon, the other power car 43159, has faced a less certain future, having been in store for a prolonged period since retirement from Great Western operation.
125 Group is delighted to announce today that Porterbrook, the power car’s owner, has made a fantastic donation of this second world diesel speed record holder 43159, to 125 Group.
While we have always selected our vehicles based on condition and availability, rather than painted number, the historical significance has certainly played a large part in this case, but 125 Group still satisfied itself that the vehicle was in good overall condition before confirming to Porterbrook that they wished to proceed.
This puts 125 Group in a unique position, as not only one of the few owners of preserved HST vehicles, but the only one that can show such a wide range of the HST’s history; 43159 of-course being fitted with an MTU engine as part of its return to service with First Great Western in 2007.
The Group’s plan for the fleet will see a Valenta fitted, Marston cooled power car (43044), two VP185 fitted power cars with Brush coolers (43048 & 43089) and an MTU powered example with Voith cooler (43159). All are planned to be maintained in an operational condition with main line certification. These power cars will be utilised in conjunction with the nine HST trailer vehicles owned by the Group, allowing a variation of formations and uses depending on the market need.
125 Group again wishes to place on record its sincerest gratitude to Porterbrook for their amazing generosity in supporting our aims, but also wishes to thank its own members, for their support and financial backing to bring this small fleet of HSTs into the preservation circle.
Ongoing support to our engineering/operational teams, or financial support towards the upkeep and operation of these fabulous vehicles, can be made through our Direct Debit schemes, or Group membership, as detailed on our website. https://www.125group.org.uk/you-can-help/
This was referring to 43159 I take it?Expect a further announcement shortly, unless you're a group member and received the message tonight!
Superb news! Lovely to see it preserved.And here it is! Thanks to Porterbrook, 43159 will also join the 125 Group - This now means that both record holders have now been saved! A big Thank you to Porterbrook for making this happen.
Porterbrook’s generous donation completes HST story showcase – 125 Group
www.125group.org.uk
43159 will also join the 125 Group
All contributions greatfully received!Might have to up my DD now!
That is good news. I don't follow the numbers so wasn't aware this was "special". I am more interested that the group have added an MTU engine/Voith cooler group example to their collection. Good work. Might have to up my DD now!
Correct - It was always the plan to have at least 1 example of each in the group, the fact 159 was available was an even bigger added bonus.Indeed, I believe that means they have examples of Valenta (when it is fitted), VP185 and MTU engines in their fleet?
It’s actually more luck than anything that they’ve ended up with an example of each. The only published plan - which has been an objective since the group formed in 1994 - has been for preservation of a Valenta engined power car. There’s never been any commitment to anything other than that.Correct - It was always the plan to have at least 1 example of each in the group, the fact 159 was available was an even bigger added bonus.
A decent outcome in addition to the stated goal. I don't envy the spares people mind!It’s actually more luck than anything that they’ve ended up with an example of each. The only published plan - which has been an objective since the group formed in 1994 - has been for preservation of a Valenta engined power car. There’s never been any commitment to anything other than that.