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Paxman Valenta

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Paxman Valenta
Paxman Valenta V12 power unit with turbocharger andBrush Tractionalternator fitted
Overview
ManufacturerPaxman
DesignerRoy Dingle, Morriss Clover, Arthur Hammond, Ray Roxby[1]
Also calledY3JandRP200[1]
Production1972(1972)–????[2]
Layout
ConfigurationI6,60°V8,60°V12,60°V16,60°V18[1][3]
DisplacementI6:39.48 litres (2,410 cu in)
V8:52.64 litres (3,210 cu in)
V12:78.96 litres (4,820 cu in)
V16:105.28 litres (6,420 cu in)
V18:118.44 litres (7,230 cu in)
Cylinder bore197 millimetres (7.756 in)[3]
Piston stroke216 millimetres (8.504 in)[3]
Cylinder blockmaterialCast iron
Cylinder headmaterialCast iron[3]
ValvetrainOHV,4 per cylinder
Valvetrain drive systemGear-driven
Compression ratio13:1[3]
RPM range
Idle speed600 rpm[3]
Max. engine speed1,640 rpm[3]
Combustion
Operating principlefour-strokediesel,turbo-charged&intercooled
TurbochargerWater-cooled turbocharger, two on lower-power engines
FuelsystemLucas Bryceunit injectordirect injectionper cylinder[1]
ManagementRegulateurs Europa 1100 series centrifugal governor, remotely operable[3]
Fuel typediesel,45cetane[3]
Oil systemwet sump,SAE30 or 40[3]
Cooling systemWater-cooled[3]
Output
Power outputI6:1,007kW(1,350bhp;1,369PS) at 1,600rpm
V8:1,492 kW (2,001 bhp; 2,029 PS) at 1,600 rpm
V12:1,680–2,440 kW; 2,280–3,320 PS (2,250–3,270 bhp) at 1,500-1,640 rpm
V16:3,250 kW (4,360 bhp; 4,420 PS) at 1,640 rpm
V18:3,655 kW (4,901 bhp; 4,969 PS) at 1,640 rpm[1][3]
Dimensions
Dry weightV12:8.12tonnes(7.99long tons;8.95short tons)
V18:11.15tonnes(10.97long tons;12.29short tons)[1]
Chronology
PredecessorPaxman Ventura
SuccessorPaxman VP185

ThePaxman Valenta,also known asY3JandRP200,[1]is adiesel fuelledinternal combustion engineformerly made byPaxmaninColchester,England. It was originally developed for, and previously used in theBritish Rail(BR)Class 43diesel-electric locomotives, a pair of which powered theInterCity 125High Speed Train (HST) in a push-pull train set configuration. The Valenta has also been used for electricity generation indiesel generatorson offshore oil rig platforms in British waters.[2]

It is still in use in variousmarineapplications today, such as theUpholder/Victoriaclass submarines,and additionally to provide the electrical power to propel and operate theRoyal Navy'sType 23 frigates.The Valenta marine range was available brake powers ranging from 695 to 3,655kilowatts(940 to 4,970metric horsepower;930 to 4,900brake horsepower) rated toISO 3046.[3]

History

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Locomotive use

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Class 43with Paxman Valenta engine atYork.

The Paxman Valenta was developed in the early 1970s forBritish Rail(BR) with the aim of using in both freight and passengerlocomotives.[4]The engine was used in 1972 in the two pre-productionClass 41,[2]and 197 productionClass 43power-cars that were delivered to power HSTs between 1975 and 1982. In June 1973, the Valenta powered HST prototypes achieved a world speed record for diesel traction engines, reaching 143.2miles per hour(230.5kilometres per hour).[2]This world speed record was beaten in 1987 by a Valenta powered production HST, this time reaching 148 miles per hour (238 kilometres per hour).[2]

The engine as originally fitted to the HSTs was designated 12RP200L, and was aV12four-strokediesel enginewith direct injectionunit injectors,turbochargerand air-cooledintercooler.It had a displacement of 78.96litres(4,820cubic inches), which developed 2,250brake horsepower(1,680kilowatts;2,280metric horsepower) at 1,500revolutions per minute.The design of the Valenta was based on theVenturawhich was fitted to theClass 29diesel locomotives, amongst others. The engine is famous for the 'Valenta Scream' on starting from rest, a distinctive high-pitched whine caused by the engine's turbocharger.[5][6][7]In 1977, the Valenta received theQueen's Awards for Enterprise.[8]

In 1985, four power-cars (43167-43170) were fitted withMirrleesMB190 engines.[9]Beginning in 1995, a small number were fitted withPaxman VP185engines, however the majority retained Valentas.[10]

In May 2005,First Great WesternhadBrush Tractionfit two withMTU16V4000 R41 engines,[11]these V16 units which utilisecommon railfuel injection are ultimately capable of developing 2,720 kilowatts (3,700 metric horsepower; 3,650 brake horsepower), though they are de-rated in theClass 43HSTs to match the performance of the original Paxman engine.[7]Judged a success, no doubt due to improved fuel economy,[7]as part of a project to extend the lives of the HSTs, First Great Western decided to re-power its entire fleet.Great North Eastern Railway(GNER),CrossCountry,Network Rail,andGrand Centralalso decided to re-power their fleets with MTUs.[12][13][14]The only operator not to wasEast Midlands Trains,which opted to replace its Valentas with Paxman VP185s.[15]

Grand Central's 43084 and 43123 were the last two Valenta-engined power-cars in service. They were taken out of traffic on 22 December 2010 for re-powering with the latter namedValenta 1972-2010.

Restoration

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In May 2011, it was announced that the125 Groupwould returnprototype HST powercar 41001to service. The power-car was at that time on static display at theNational Railway Museum(NRM) inYork,England. It received a full overhaul, and was fitted with a reconditioned Paxman Valenta RP200L engine, number S508 installed new intoVirgin CrossCountry's 43153 in 2001, before re-installation into First Great Western's 43143 after a spell in storage. It was one of about 10 engines that the 125 Group obtained.[16]

On 15 November 2014, 41001 hauled its first passenger train in preservation.[17]

Australian XPT

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New South Wales XPT,originally powered by Paxman Valenta engines.

The engine was also fitted to theState Rail Authority'sNew South Wales XPT,or Express Passenger Train, which was based on the HST power car design. Fifteenpower carunits were built in the 1980s byCommonwealth Engineering,Sydney,supplied with twenty Paxman Valenta engines rated at 2,000brake horsepower(1,491kilowatts;2,028metric horsepower). This was followed by four additional power cars (using four Paxman supplied Valenta engines) byABB Transportation,Melbournein 1994.[2]All were re-powered with VP185s in the early 2000s.[18][19]

Usage

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Inline 6– 6RP200
V8– 8RP200
  • BP,adiesel generatorgen-set used for primary electricity generation was built by Paxman in 1983, using a V8 Valenta engine. They were used on platforms (gas rigs) in theirMorecambe Bay gas production platformoff coast ofBlackpoolin the north-west of England. Following the subsequent commissioning of agas turbinepowered gen-set for primary electricity generation, the Valenta engined gen-set remains for emergency stand-by electricity generation.[2]
V12– 12RP200
V16– 16RP200
V18– 18RP200

References

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  1. ^abcdefghijklmCarr, Richard (28 September 2022)."Paxman Diesel Engines since 1934 – Valenta (also known as the Y3J and the RP200)".PaxmanHistory.org.uk.Richard Carr's Paxman history pages.Retrieved15 August2023.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuCarr, Richard (31 March 2014)."Valenta and VP185 applications – Valenta (Y3J or RP200) applications".PaxmanHistory.org.uk.Richard Carr's Paxman history pages.Retrieved16 August2023.
  3. ^abcdefghijklmCarr, Richard (31 December 2011)."Paxman Valenta (Y3J) technical specification".PaxmanHistory.org.uk.Richard Carr's Paxman history pages.Retrieved16 August2023.
  4. ^"Paxman Valenta will power freight and passenger locomotives".Railway Gazette International:753. October 1970.
  5. ^Ford, Roger(1988).HSTs at Work.Ian Allan Publishing.
  6. ^The Future of the Diesel Engine.Rail Safety & Standards Board.
  7. ^abc"Fitting the MTU power unit into the HSTs".RailwayPeople.com.CareerSite.biz Ltd. 15 August 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 15 July 2011.Retrieved27 February2010.
  8. ^"Suppliers".Railway Gazette International:171. May 1977.
  9. ^"HSTs to have Mirrlees engines".Railway Gazette International:899. December 1985.
  10. ^"Paxman wins order for seven 12VP185 engines".Rail(255): 9. 21 June 1995.
  11. ^"Life-extended Angel HST rolls out of Brush for £1.5m trial".Rail(514). 25 May 2005.
  12. ^"Repowering the HST".RailwayPeople.com.CareerSite.biz Ltd. 28 July 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 27 November 2010.
  13. ^"GNER confirms German built MTU engines for HST fleet rebuild".Rail(544): 12. 19 July 2006.
  14. ^"Brush wins XC Class 43 HST overhaul deal".Rail(586): 64. 27 February 2008.
  15. ^"East Midlands Trains goes for VP185s".Today's Railways UK(71): 58. November 2007.
  16. ^"Preservation Progress".125group.org.uk.125 Group.20 April 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 16 January 2009.
  17. ^"41001's Restoration & Introduction to Service".125group.org.uk.125 Group.
  18. ^Hollingsworth, Brian; Cook, Arthur (2000). "XPT Eight-car train".Modern Locomotives.p. 180.ISBN0-86288-351-2.
  19. ^"Market".Railway Gazette International:10. April 2000.
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