British Rail Class 41 (HST)
| British Rail Class 41 (HST) | |
|---|---|
|
41001 is inspected after arrival at RTC Derby in 1972 | |
| Type and origin | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | BREL Crewe Works |
| Build date | 1972 |
| Total produced | 2 |
| Specifications | |
| Configuration | Bo-Bo |
| UIC classification | Bo'Bo' |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Wheel diameter | 3 ft 4 in (1.016 m) |
| Wheelbase | 42 ft 4 in (12.90 m) |
| Length | 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m) |
| Width | 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m) |
| Height | 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m)[1] |
| Locomotive weight | 68.5 tonnes (67.4 long tons; 75.5 short tons) |
| Prime mover | Paxman Valenta 12RP200L |
| Traction motors | Brush TMH68-46, frame mounted |
| Multiple working | Within class only |
| Performance figures | |
| Maximum speed | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
| Power output | Engine: 2,250 bhp (1,678 kW) |
| Tractive effort | 17,980 lbf (80.0 kN) |
| Train heating | Electric Train Heat |
| Train brakes | Air |
| Career | |
| Operator(s) | British Rail |
| Number(s) | 41001–41002; later ADB975812–813 |
| Axle load class | Route availability 6 |
| Disposition | to Research Centre Derby, November 1976, withdrawn January 1982 |
The British Rail Class 41 was the original classification for the power cars of the prototype High Speed Train (HST) of 1972. The HST was later re-classified as a diesel-electric multiple unit, and the whole set became Class 252. They were of Bo-Bo wheel arrangement.
Two power cars were built, 41001 and 41002. After the Class 252 re-classification these were renumbered into the carriage numbering range as 43000 and 43001.
Today, 41001 is part of the National Collection owned by the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York, while 41002 was scrapped at CF Booth, Rotherham, in December 1990. Both were allocated to Headquarters (HQ).
Plans were announced in May 2011 to return 41001 to service by the 125 Group, under the banner of Project Miller (named for Terry Miller, formerly Chief Engineer (Traction & Rolling Stock) for British Rail), who have taken the power car on long term loan to complete the work required.[2] On 29 March 2012 41001 was hauled from the NRM York to East Midlands Trains' Neville Hill Depot in Leeds by Devon & Cornwall Railways' Class 31 31601, its first main line outing since 1985. The 125 Group, under the banner of Project Miller, have now started work to return it to running order. As part of this move, it was re-registered as Class 43/9 locomotive 43000.[3]
41001 was one of the attractions at the NRM's "Railfest" event in June 2012.[4] On 31st May 2014, the locomotive completed a loaded test run along a section of the Great Central Railway, hauling two British Railways Mark 2 carriages and a Class 56 locomotive.[5]
Return to service
On 15th November 2014, 41001 hauled its first passenger train in 38 years, a special named "The Screaming Valenta". A short-formed East Midlands HST set left Derby at around 10:30am bound for Loughborough Junction before reversing and travelling up the Great Central Railway to Ruddington Fields. Once at Ruddington, the leading power car was uncoupled and 41001 substituted. The train then reversed to 50 Steps, where another reversal took place. 41001 then hauled the train back to Loughborough Junction where another reversal took place.
Once back at Ruddington, 41001 was uncoupled and the East Midlands power car replaced. The special train then ran back onto the main line at Loughborough Junction, running via Leicester and then back to Derby.
References
- ↑ Haresnape, Brian (June 1983). British Rail Fleet Survey 5: High Speed Trains. Shepperton: Ian Allan. p. 41. ISBN 0-7110-1297-0. GE/0683.
- ↑ Project Miller (12 May 2011). "(untitled)" (Press release).
- ↑ Heelas, Gary (13 June 2012). "Power trip". RAIL (698): 44–47.
- ↑ "Railfest 2012 souvenir prochure". Bauer Media. 2–10 June 2012. p. 26.
- ↑ 41001 Returns!
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Rail Class 41. |
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