British Rail Class 252
| British Rail Class 252 Prototype HST | |
|---|---|
 Class 252 at Weston-super-Mare in 1975 | |
| In service | 1972–1982 |
| Manufacturer | British Rail Engineering Limited |
| Built at | Crewe Works |
| Family name | High Speed Train |
| Constructed | 1972 |
| Scrapped | 1990–93 (partly) |
| Number built | 1 set |
| Number in service | 9 carriages |
| Number preserved | 1 power car |
| Number scrapped | 1 power car, 1 carriage |
| Formation | Two power cars flanking Mark 3 carriages |
| Fleet numbers | 252001 |
| Operator | British Rail |
| Line served | Western Region |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Steel fully integral, monocoque |
| Car length | 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m) |
| Width | 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m) |
| Height | 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m) |
| Doors | Hinged slam, centrally locked/automatic plug doors, centrally locked |
| Maximum speed | 143.2 mph (230.5 km/h) |
| Weight | 68.5 tonnes (67.4 long tons; 75.5 short tons) |
| Prime movers | Paxman Valenta 12RP200L, 2 off |
| Power supply | 3-phase 415/240 V (Mark 3) 1,000 V DC (Mark 3A/B) |
| Bogies | BREL BT10 |
| Braking systems | Disc, air operated |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Class 252 was the classification allocated to the prototype High Speed Train (HST) unit, numbered 252001.
History
![[icon]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (October 2026) |
When originally built, in 1972, the prototype High Speed Train (HST) units were considered to be formed of two locomotives at either end of a rake of carriages. As a result, the power cars were designated Class 41 and numbered 41001/41002, while the carriages were given numbers in the new Mark 3 carriage number series.
The 125 Group restored prototype powercar 41001 back to operational condition in 2013. This entailed a complete restoration of the vehicle and a fitment of a Paxman Valenta engine at Neville Hill TMD. The engine was successfully started in July 2013, and on 31 May 2014 the loco moved under its own power for the first time in over 30 years.
References
- ↑ "HSDT power cars near completion". Railway Gazette International. No. April 1972. p. 146.
- ↑ "Prototype HST to run again". The Railway Magazine. No. 1323. July 2011. p. 11.
- ↑ "Pioneer HST power car at Leeds to aid restoration". Rail Magazine. No. 694. 18 April 2012. p. 12.
- ↑ "Prototype HST is fired up". The Railway Magazine. No. 1349. September 2013. p. 96.
- ↑ "Prototype HST power car returns to service". The Railway Magazine. No. 1365. December 2014. p. 9.
- ↑ 41001 – Prototype HST Powercar Archived 3 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine 125 Group
External links
