British Rail Class 43 (HST) Facts for Kids

Power type	Diesel-electric
Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 43

43058 at Leicester railway station in May 2008
Builder	BREL Crewe Works
Build date	1975–1982
Total production	197
Configuration	Bo-Bo
UIC classification	Bo'Bo'
Wheel diameter	3 ft 4 in (1.016 m)
Fuel capacity	990 imp gal (4,500 L; 1,190 US gal)
Prime mover	Paxman Valenta 12RP200L, Paxman 12VP185 or MTU 16V4000
Alternator	Brush Traction BA1001B
Traction motors	GEC G417AZ or Brush Traction TMH68-46, frame mounted, four off
Multiple working	Within class only
Top speed	148 mph (238 km/h)
Power output	Engine: 2,250 bhp (1,678 kW)
Tractive effort	Maximum: 17,980 lbf (80.0 kN) Continuous: 10,340 lbf (46.0 kN) @64.5 mph (104 km/h)
Train heating	Electric Train Heat
Locomotive brakeforce	35 long tons-force (349 kN)
Train brakes	Air
Career	British Rail CrossCountry East Midlands Trains First Great Western Grand Central Great Western Trains GNER Midland Mainline National Express East Coast Network Rail Virgin Trains Cotswold Rail
Number	43002–43198
Axle load class	Route availability 5

The British Rail Class 43 is a special type of train engine. These engines are called "power cars" and are part of the famous InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST). They were built by a company called BREL between 1976 and 1982.

What is the Class 43?
Images for kids
See also

What is the Class 43?

The Class 43 isn't a whole train by itself. It's the powerful engine at each end of the InterCity 125 train. These trains were designed to be very fast for their time. They helped people travel across Britain much quicker.

Why were these trains built?

In the 1970s, British Rail wanted faster trains. They needed trains that could travel quickly on existing railway lines. The InterCity 125, with its Class 43 power cars, was the answer. It was a big step forward for train travel in the UK.

How fast could they go?

The Class 43 power cars were built for speed. They could reach speeds of up to 148 mph (238 km/h). This made the InterCity 125 one of the fastest diesel trains in the world. It was a record-breaker for many years.

Where did the Class 43 run?

These trains ran on many main railway lines across Britain. They served routes like the Great Western main line and the East Coast Main Line. They connected major cities and were very popular with passengers. Over the years, different train companies used them.

What powers these trains?

The Class 43 power cars are "diesel-electric" trains. This means they use a diesel engine to create electricity. This electricity then powers motors that turn the wheels. The original engines were called Paxman Valenta. Later, some were updated with newer engines like the Paxman 12VP185 or MTU 16V4000.

The future of the Class 43

The Class 43 and InterCity 125 trains have been running for a long time. They are still used on some routes today. However, newer trains, like the Hitachi Class 800 Super Express, have started to replace them. These new trains are even more modern and efficient. Even so, the Class 43 remains an important part of British railway history.

Images for kids

Prototype power car 41001 (left) with first production power car 43002
The driver's cab and controls aboard a Class 43 Power Car
43468 Departs London King's Cross
Paxman VP185 engine in a Class 43 of East Midlands Trains
An eight-car East Coast Main Line set in 1979
A seven-car Cross Country set in the 1980s
Sir Kenneth Grange on 2 October 2016, with InterCity 125 power car 43185, the bodyshell of which was designed by him in the 1970s, and which had just been repainted in the Intercity Swallow livery carried between 1987-1996.
Hitachi Class 800 Super Express undergoing testing at Old Dalby test track. These trains replaced most of the HSTs on the Great Western Main Line and all the HSTs on the East Coast Main Line.