Set-back for 125 Group’s Valenta restoration plan
The returning of HST power car No. 43044 to Paxman Valenta power with a Marston cooler has suddenly run into a problem, which is now being addressed.
WITH all operational HST Class 43 power cars having had their original Paxman Valenta RP200L power units and Marston Excelsior cooler groups replaced by Paxman VP185 or MTU and Brush cooler units, the long-time aim of the 125 Group has been to restore at least one power car to its original configuration.
No. 43044 was acquired for this purpose in 2021 (RM April, 2021 p71). It had been stored at Leeds Neville Hill with a defective VP185 engine so was not of interest to main line operators. It was basically complete and parts removed for use on other vehicles were replaceable, while the engine was of no concern.
Power
The Paxman Valenta was the engine that transformed the performance of the 125 InterCity High Speed Train into the success it was, so the preservation of an example is of major historic importance.
By mid-2022, the two operational power cars in the group’s fleet, Nos. 43048 and 43159 and coaches were available for use, so it was decided a start could be made on the task of reverting No. 43044 to its original form.
This is being undertaken on the Nottingham Heritage Railway where No. 43044 was named Edward Paxman at Ruddington’s Meet the Fleet event on August 21.
All the inside equipment to be replaced has been removed, the VP185 and Brush cooler going into store.
The Valenta engine and Marston cooler were brought to site for repair and refitting. Following completion of this work, a totally unexpected problem arose. It had always been believed the alternator was coupled to the Valenta with the same connections as with the VP185, but this was found to not be so.
Finance
It is now being ascertained what the original connecting plates looked like, and whether any drawings are available so that one can be made. This will then need to be fitted and the alternator balanced by a specialist contractor.
Despite this unforeseen problem, the rest of the back conversion is continuing.
However, it is not known how long this will take or how much it will cost, but further funding is now required. The 125 Group has nearly 800 members and income just about covers basic running costs, but leaves nothing for unplanned expenses and other addition costs such as installing toilet retention tanks to the coaches.
In addition to becoming a member there are several ways financial support can be provided, including regular donations. Visit www.125group. org.uk for details.