Paxman Valenta
| Paxman Valenta | |
|---|---|
Paxman Valenta power unit with turbocharger and Brush alternator fitted
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Paxman diesels |
| Combustion chamber | |
| Configuration | V12 four-stroke turbo-charged & intercooled diesel |
| Displacement | Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Output | |
| Power output | 2,250 brake horsepower (1,680 kW) at 1,500 rpm |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Paxman Ventura |
The Paxman Valenta was an engine that was made by Paxman diesels for the HST (British Rail Class 43 (HST)), and is still in use in various marine applications, such as the Upholder/Victoria class submarine.
The engine as originally fitted to the HSTs was designated 12RP200L and was a V12 four-stroke turbo-charged & intercooled diesel unit of 79 litres which develops 2,250 bhp at 1,500 rpm. The design of the Valenta was based on the Ventura which was fitted to the BR Class 29 diesel locomotives, amongst others. The engine was famous for the "Valenta Scream" or "Valenta Roar" on starting from rest, a high pitched whine that was very distinctive, [1][2]
Replacement
Since 2005, Paxman Valenta-engined HST power cars have been refurbished with MTU16V4000 engines[3](except power cars operated by East Midlands Trains which are fitted with Paxman VP185 engines). There is no longer a Class 43 power car still fitted with a Paxman Valenta engine.
Powercars 43084 and 43123 were the last two Valenta-engined powercars in service. They were taken out of traffic on 22 December 2010 after 4 farewell tours between York and Sunderland. They have since been fitted with MTU 16V4000 engines.
Restoration
In May 2011, it was announced that the 125 Group would return prototype HST powercar 41001 to service. The powercar was at that time on static display in the York National Railway Museum. It received a full overhaul, and was fitted with a reconditioned Paxman Valenta RP200L engine, Number S508, (installed new into 43153 in 2001 under Virgin CrossCountry, before re-installation to 43143 of First Great Western after a spell in storage), donated to the NRM from the MTU re-power programme.
On the 15th November 2014, 41001 hauled its first passenger train in preservation. Restoration and preservation work on 41001 continues.
Australian XPT
The engine was also fitted to the XPT of New South Wales, which was based on the HST power car design.[4] Fourteen power car units were built in the 1980s by Commonwealth Engineering, Sydney followed by four by ABB Transportation, Melbourne in 1994.[4] All 18 XP classed units remain in service, having been re-powered with VP185s in the early 2000s.
