HST - alternate traction

[randyrippley]

if the 37 was attached to the power car yes, but I understand on some occasions they were on the back of an HST set in place of a power car, obviously not remotely controlled. Presumably that would need a barrier coach

just came across this - single ended HST with a barrier car at the rear - second train

 

[Ash Bridge]

Been doing some more digging and I never realised that the Class 41 prototype powercars have actually top & tailed production mk3 trailer sets in lieu of class 43s during mainline test runs back in 1976.

 

[hexagon789]

just came across this - single ended HST with a barrier car at the rear

Thanks for sharing

 

[hexagon789]

Been doing some more digging and I never realised that the Class 41 prototype powercars have actually top & tailed production mk3 trailer sets in lieu of class 43s during mainline test runs back in 1976.

Neither did I, I knew they ran tests with APT-P power cars but that's it.

 

[Ash Bridge]

just came across this - single ended HST with a barrier car at the rear - second train

That single powercar certainly seemed to be working somewhat harder to compensate too!

 

[hexagon789]

That single powercar certainly seemed to be working somewhat harder to compensate too!

That thrash! Lovely!

 

[Ash Bridge]

That thrash! Lovely!

Things have never been the same since the demise of the Paxman Valenta

 

[randyrippley]

Been doing some more digging and I never realised that the Class 41 prototype powercars have actually top & tailed production mk3 trailer sets in lieu of class 43s during mainline test runs back in 1976.

Before that the test rake was formed of rebogied Mk1 coaches.
And don't forget the super-power test set headed by a 41, with one or two APT-P power cars in a rake of test coaches

 

[hexagon789]

Things have never been the same since the demise of the Paxman Valenta

No they haven't mate, nothing like the "Scream" of a Valenta in Notch 5 is there. I remember hearing one scream it's way our of York when I was about 7, what a lovely racket it was too!

 

[hexagon789]

Before that the test rake was formed of rebogied Mk1 coaches.
And don't forget the super-power test set headed by a 41, with one or two APT-P power cars in a rake of test coaches

I think that had a GWR coach re-purposed as a test vehicle and they got up to 130 mph using the 41s and the coach still had the original bogies!

 

[randyrippley]

I think that had a GWR coach re-purposed as a test vehicle and they got up to 130 mph using the 41s and the coach still had the original bogies!

you're right it did - I saw it between Lancaster and Preston with both APT power cars "on" and the 41 powered as well

but here's an interesting bit of film: APT trials around Lancaster. The first bit shows a rake of APT-P coaches powered ONLY by one of the HST power cars

Must be pretty unique film
Somewhere on youtube theres a video of the HST/APT combi plus a rake of test coaches including the GW dynamometer car at Preston

 

[hexagon789]

you're right it did - I saw it between Lancaster and Preston with both APT power cars "on" and the 41 powered as well

but here's an interesting bit of film: APT trials around Lancaster. The first bit shows a rake of APT-P coaches powered ONLY by one of the HST power cars

Must be pretty unique film
Somewhere on youtube theres a video of the HST/APT combi plus a rake of test coaches including the GW dynamometer car at Preston

Thanks for linking the video,
I love these wee clips people find on YouTube, there's such a plethora of interesting snapshots of history.

 

[randyrippley]

the ex-GW car was Test Car 4 - http://www.traintesting.com/test_car_4.htm
also in the rake was Mentor - http://www.traintesting.com/Mentor.htm
and two others I've forgotten

 

[hexagon789]

the ex-GW car was Test Car 4 - http://www.traintesting.com/test_car_4.htm
also in the rake was Mentor - http://www.traintesting.com/Mentor.htm
and two others I've forgotten

That's the site I got the info from originally.