20 years of the MTU
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the HST MTU story – something that began on 14 September 2004 when First Great Western power cars 43004 and 43009 arrived at the Brush works in Loughborough for a trial refurbishment and subsequent evaluation on the main line. The work on these two power cars did not include new style driving cabs, as the focus was on the performance of the MTU engine – although both power cars dir return to Brush for a retro upgrade once the trials had finished.
The MTU 4000 series engine was designed as a multipurpose power unit, with a common core. At the time of the first installation on HSTs, it was available with 8, 12, 16 or 20 cylinders along with different turbocharger configurations or manifolds. The power unit is so versatile it can be installed in a boat or a dump truck, as well as a locomotive.
Great Western HSTs had their Paxman engines replaced with 16 cylinder MTU 4000 R41 engines – MTU being given instructions that whatever version of the engine it chose to use on the HSTs, it had to have the same power output as a Paxman but one that was more efficient and produced less emissions. It also had to be capable of running at the same 1500 rpm, on account that it was to be coupled to the original alternator.
The dimensions of the MTU engine are slightly different to the Paxman – the MTU being slightly longer on account of its 16 cylinders, as opposed to the 12 cylinders of the Paxman. It also had to be de-rated to match the power output of the Paxman. There wasn't a need for an increase in speed – just the ability to match the acceleration performance of the Paxman. The MTUs are also much more fuel efficient thanks to the use of a different fuel system, namely the common rail system. This is an alternative to individual fuel injection and feeds fuel to the engine at a common pressure, enabling a quicker response and improved combustion.
During their 12 week stay at Brush, each power car not only received an MTU engine, but new Brush cooler groups and electronics installed along with a bogie overhaul.
Test power cars 43004 and 43009 departed the works in May 2005 – the first power car to be completed following the tests was 43175, which was handed over in July 2006. The two test power cars later returned to Brush for retro upgrading to match the rest of the Great Western fleet.
It was to be February 2008 before the final two First Great Western HST power cars departed Brush – these being the 43002 and 43003 “Isambard Kingdom Brunel”. Grand Central’s 43384 was the final power car to have a MTU engine installed – being lowered onto its bogies at the Brush works on 17 March 2011. Only East Midlands Trains opted not to fit MTU engines to its HST fleet.
Pic of 43009 at Brush here: https://tinyurl.com/38k667wx and here: https://tinyurl.com/28rx3wn7
Pic of 43092 and 43098 in the works: https://tinyurl.com/yeym9ne3
Pic of 43173 at Brush: https://tinyurl.com/5yfbnzw3
Pics of 43002 and 43003 at Brush: https://tinyurl.com/3cchj2cf and https://tinyurl.com/4czf39xx
For all HST enthusiasts, these best selling books – first two in the ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Train’ trilogy – have many tales from staff and passengers (not filtered by PR departments!) about the class – but be warned some of them are rather graphic. Lots of colour photographs too. https://www.chimewhistle.co.uk/shop/p/a-funny-thing-happened-on-the-train-to-london and https://www.chimewhistle.co.uk/shop/p/afunnythinghappenedonthetraintothemidlands