For those that don’t know, Paxman Valentas were the original engines fitted on HSTs. In the mid/late 2000s, approx 30 years after HSTs first entered service, the HSTs were given new engines. Most of them got the MTU engine including GWR which is the one we see in TSW. East Midlands, however, got VP185 engines instead. The Valenta sound is awesome and the VP185s do sound a bit like a Valenta engine too. The MTU seem rather dull compared to them. Paxman Valenta HST leaving Reading Platform 7 heading towards London Paddington. If you have never heard a Paxman Valenta HST before, I highly recommend you watch this first clip which is only one minute long. What a difference the sound is compared to the MTUs that we see in TSW! Paxman Valenta HST departure from Derby VP185 HST load test.
Yes, absolutely. On the subject of Intercity swallow livery, GWR painted one of their power cars in the Intercity swallow livery (43185) and one in the original BR yellow/blue livery (43002). Here are the two pictured together on the last day of HST operation for GWR high speed (also on the far left can see 43172 ‘Harry Patch’ HST) East Midlands Railway painted one of their power cars too last month as seen below. And LNER painted a whole set for their farewell tour. You’ve also got the early First Great Western, Midland Mainline and GNER liveries as well as many others: And don’t forget the Australian HST called the XPT which also have the VP185 engines:
Technically FGW dynamic lines, LNER, East Coast, Network Rail and Cross Country and a few of the specials etc all were/are fitted with MTU power units could quite easily be reskinned from the GWR HST. If DTG do any routes with these in mind. Id quite like the XPT though!!!
I would love an IC Swallow & GW Merlin liveried Valenta. Perhaps they could do a 1990’s pack similar to the 70s pack and include them in that??
God I love the Class 43, always wanted an Inter City 125 Hornby train set as a kid. Thankfully we still get the HST at Sheffield station albeit not as often as I'd like.
