British Rail Class 43 (HST)

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British Rail Class 43 (HST)
Power car 43002 Sir Kenneth Grange in May 2016
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder British Rail Engineering Limited Crewe Works Build date 1975–1982 Total produced 197
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo′Bo′  • Commonwealth Bo-Bo Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Bogies BP10 Wheel diameter 3 ft 4 in (1.016 m) Length 17.79 metres (58.4 ft) Width 2.74 metres (9.0 ft) Loco weight 70.25 tonnes (69.14 long tons; 77.44 short tons) Fuel capacity 990 imp gal (4,500 L; 1,190 US gal) Prime mover Paxman VP185 MTU 16V4000 R41R Paxman Valenta 12RP200L Alternator Valenta, VP185: Brush Traction BA1001B MTU: Brush Traction BA1001C Traction motors GEC G417AZ (43124-43152) Brush Traction TMH68-46 Both frame mounted, four off. Transmission Engine driven alternator and rectifier supplying DC to traction motors MU working Within class only Train heating Electric Train Heat Train brakes Air Safety systems AWS TPWS ETCS[a]
Performance figures Maximum speed 125 mph (201 km/h) Power output Engine: 2,250 hp (1,678 kW) At rail: 1,770 bhp (1,320 kW) Tractive effort Maximum: 17,980 lbf (80.0 kN) Continuous: 10,340 lbf (46.0 kN) Brakeforce 35 long tons-force (349 kN)
Career Operators Current: ScotRail Trains (since 2022) Tren Interoceánico (since 2023) Network Rail (since 2003) Great Western Railway (since 1998) Colas Rail (since 2020) RailAdventure (since 2022) Future: First Metro[2] Previous: British Rail (1976–1997) Great Western Trains (1996–1998) Virgin Trains West Coast (1997–2004) Virgin CrossCountry (1997–2003, 2005) Midland Mainline (1996–2007) Cotswold Rail (2000–2010) GNER (1996–2007) National Express East Coast (2007–2009) East Coast (2009–2015) Virgin Trains East Coast (2015–2018) London North Eastern Railway (2018–2019) Grand Central (2007–2017) East Midlands Trains (2007–2019) Hull Trains (2019) East Midlands Railway (2019–2021) Abellio ScotRail (2018–2022) CrossCountry (2007-2023) Numbers 43002–43198 Axle load class Route Availability 5

The British Rail Class 43 (HST) is the TOPS classification used for the InterCity 125 High Speed Train (formerly Classes 253 and 254) diesel-electric power cars, built by British Rail Engineering Limited from 1975 to 1982, and in service in the UK since 1976.

The class is officially the fastest diesel locomotive in the world, with an absolute maximum speed of 148.5 mph (239.0 km/h), and a regular service speed of 125 mph (201 km/h). The record run was led by 43102 (43302) and trailed by 43159.^[3][4]

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