British Rail Class 41 (HST)

British Rail Class 41 (HST)
41001 is inspected after arrival at RTC Derby in 1972
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder BREL Crewe Works Build date 1972 Total produced 2
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte Bo-Bo  • UIC Bo'Bo' Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 3 ft 4 in (1.016 m) Wheelbase 42 ft 4 in (12.90 m) Length 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m) Width 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m) Height 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m) Loco weight 68.5 tonnes (67.4 long tons; 75.5 short tons) Prime mover Paxman Valenta 12RP200L Traction motors Brush TMH68-46, frame mounted MU working Within class only Train heating 415V AC 3-phase (prototype) 1000V DC Electric Train Heat (preservation) Train brakes Air
Performance figures Maximum speed 125 mph (201 km/h) Power output Engine: 2,250 bhp (1,678 kW) Tractive effort 17,980 lbf (80.0 kN)
Career Operators British Rail Numbers 41001–41002; 43000-43001 (While 252001); later ADB975812–813 Axle load class Route availability 5 Disposition to Research Centre Derby, November 1976, withdrawn January 1982

The British Rail Class 41 was the original classification for the power cars of the prototype High Speed Train (HST) of 1972. The HST was later re-classified as a diesel-electric multiple unit, and the whole set became Class 252. They were of Bo-Bo wheel arrangement.

Two power cars were built, 41001 and 41002. After the Class 252 re-classification these were renumbered into the carriage numbering range as 43000 and 43001.

As of 2015^[update]41001 is operational and based at Ruddington Park MPD, on the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) as part of the National Collection owned by the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York. It is registered as 43000 to allow for positioning moves via the Network Rail network. In December 1990, the second power car 41002 was scrapped at C F Booth, Rotherham. Both were allocated to Headquarters (HQ).

Plans were announced in May 2011 to return 41001 to service by the 125 Group, under the banner of Project Miller (named for Terry Miller, formerly Chief Engineer (Traction & Rolling Stock) for British Rail), who took the power car on long term loan to complete the work required. On 29 March 2012 41001 was hauled from the NRM York to East Midlands Trains' Neville Hill Depot in Leeds by Devon & Cornwall Railways' Class 31 31601, its first main line outing since 1985. The 125 Group, under the banner of Project Miller, completed the work to return it to running order. As part of this move, it was re-registered as Class 43/9 locomotive 43000.