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 the classification used for the InterCity 125 High Speed Train power cars, built by BREL from 1976 to 1982.

Images for kids

Prototype power car 41001 (left) with first production power car 43002
The drivers 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.