British Rail Class 43 (HST)

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• UIC	Bo′Bo′
• Commonwealth	Bo-Bo
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Bogies	BP10
Wheel diameter	3 ft 4 in (1.016 m)
Length	17.79 metres (58.4 ft)
Width	2.74 metres (9.0 ft)
Loco weight	70.25 tonnes (69.14 long tons; 77.44 short tons)
Fuel capacity	990 imp gal (4,500 L; 1,190 US gal)
Prime mover	Paxman VP185; MTU 16V4000 R41R; Paxman Valenta 12RP200L
Alternator	Valenta, VP185: Brush Traction BA1001B; MTU: Brush Traction BA1001C
Traction motors	GEC G417AZ (43124-43152); Brush Traction TMH68-46; Both frame mounted, four off.
Transmission	Engine driven alternator and rectifier supplying DC to traction motors
MU working	Within class only
Train heating	Electric Train Heat
Train brakes	Air
Safety systems	AWS; TPWS; ETCS;

Type and origin
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	British Rail Engineering Limited Crewe Works
Build date	1975–1982
Total produced	197

British Rail Class 43 (HST)
British Rail Class 43 (HST)
	Power car 43002 Sir Kenneth Grange in May 2016
Power type
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	British Rail Engineering Limited Crewe Works
Build date	1975–1982
Total produced	197
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• UIC	Bo′Bo′
• Commonwealth	Bo-Bo
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Bogies	BP10
Wheel diameter	3 ft 4 in (1.016 m)
Length	17.79 metres (58.4 ft)
Width	2.74 metres (9.0 ft)
Loco weight	70.25 tonnes (69.14 long tons; 77.44 short tons)
Fuel capacity	990 imp gal (4,500 L; 1,190 US gal)
Prime mover	Paxman VP185; MTU 16V4000 R41R; Paxman Valenta 12RP200L
Alternator	Valenta, VP185: Brush Traction BA1001B; MTU: Brush Traction BA1001C
Traction motors	GEC G417AZ (43124-43152); Brush Traction TMH68-46; Both frame mounted, four off.
Transmission	Engine driven alternator and rectifier supplying DC to traction motors
MU working	Within class only
Train heating	Electric Train Heat
Train brakes	Air
Safety systems	AWS; TPWS; ETCS;
Maximum speed
Performance figures
Maximum speed	125 mph (201 km/h)
Power output	Engine: 2,250 hp (1,678 kW); At rail: 1,770 bhp (1,320 kW)
Tractive effort	Maximum: 17,980 lbf (80.0 kN); Continuous: 10,340 lbf (46.0 kN)
Brakeforce	35 long tons-force (349 kN)
Operators
Career
Operators	Current: ScotRail Trains (since 2022) Tren Interoceánico (since 2023) ; Network Rail (since 2003) ; Great Western Railway (since 1998) ; Colas Rail (since 2020) ; RailAdventure (since 2022) ; Future: First Metro; Previous: British Rail (1976–1997) ; Great Western Trains (1996–1998) ; Virgin Trains West Coast (1997–2004) ; Virgin CrossCountry (1997–2003, 2005) ; Midland Mainline (1996–2007) ; Cotswold Rail (2000–2010) ; GNER (1996–2007) ; National Express East Coast (2007–2009) ; East Coast (2009–2015) ; Virgin Trains East Coast (2015–2018) ; London North Eastern Railway (2018–2019) ; Grand Central (2007–2017) ; East Midlands Trains (2007–2019) ; Hull Trains (2019) ; East Midlands Railway (2019–2021) ; Abellio ScotRail (2018–2022) ; CrossCountry (2007-2023);
Numbers	43002–43198
Axle load class	Route Availability 5

The British Rail Class 43 (HST) is the TOPS classification used for the InterCity 125 High Speed Train (formerly Classes 253 and 254) diesel-electric power cars, built by British Rail Engineering Limited from 1975 to 1982, and in service in the UK since 1976.

The class is officially the fastest diesel locomotive in the world, with an absolute maximum speed of 148.5 mph (239.0 km/h), and a regular service speed of 125 mph (201 km/h). The record run was led by 43102 (43302) and trailed by 43159.