With the recent handover of 43102 (one of the power cars involved in the 1987 record breaking test run) to the National Collection at Shildon, the other power car 43159, has faced a less certain future, having been in store for a prolonged period since retirement from Great Western operation.
125 Group is delighted to announce today that Porterbrook, the power car’s owner, has made a fantastic donation of this second world diesel speed record holder 43159, to 125 Group.
While we have always selected our vehicles based on condition and availability, rather than painted number, the historical significance has certainly played a large part in this case, but 125 Group still satisfied itself that the vehicle was in good overall condition before confirming to Porterbrook that they wished to proceed.
This puts 125 Group in a unique position, as not only one of the few owners of preserved HST vehicles, but the only one that can show such a wide range of the HST’s history; 43159 of-course being fitted with an MTU engine as part of its return to service with First Great Western in 2007.
The Group’s plan for the fleet will see a Valenta fitted, Marston cooled power car (43044), two VP185 fitted power cars with Brush coolers (43048 & 43089) and an MTU powered example with Voith cooler (43159). All are planned to be maintained in an operational condition with main line certification. These power cars will be utilised in conjunction with the nine HST trailer vehicles owned by the Group, allowing a variation of formations and uses depending on the market need.
125 Group again wishes to place on record its sincerest gratitude to Porterbrook for their amazing generosity in supporting our aims, but also wishes to thank its own members, for their support and financial backing to bring this small fleet of HSTs into the preservation circle.
Ongoing support to our engineering/operational teams, or financial support towards the upkeep and operation of these fabulous vehicles, can be made through our Direct Debit schemes, or Group membership, as detailed on our website. https://www.125group.org.uk/you-can-help/
43159 Life History
| 1 Dec 1978 | Ordered by British Rail under Lot No 30946. |
| 14 Mar 1981 | Delivered from Crewe Works. |
| 19 Apr 1981 | Accepted into traffic as part of set 254036, with 43160. The first allocation was to Leeds Neville Hill. |
| Nov 1983 | First overhaul, a ‘Light’ at Derby Locomotive Works. |
| 1 Nov 1987 | Sets a new world diesel rail speed record of 148mph with 43102 whilst running a test train for the Mark 4 coach SIG bogies between Darlington and York. |
| 28 Mar 1988 | Sector codes first allocated, with 43159 going to the East Coast IECP fleet. |
| 14 May 1989 | Transferred from East Coast to Midland Main Line IMLP pool at Neville Hill. |
| 6 May 1990 | Transferred to the Great Western IWRP fleet at Plymouth Laira depot. |
| 12 Apr 1992 | Transferred to Cross-Country’s ICCP fleet, still at Laira. |
| 1 Apr 1994 | Ownership transfers to Porterbrook Leasing as part of privatisation. |
| Jun 2000 | Repainted into Virgin livery during a ‘F’ exam at Neville Hill. |
| 4 Oct 2002 | Transferred to Longsight as part of Virgin’s “Challenger” fleet. |
| 3 Mar 2003 | Arrives at Brush, Loughborough for “Project Rio” upgrade. |
| 13 May 2003 | Released from Brush after upgrade and re-livery to MML’s blue livery. |
| 16 May 2003 | Transferred to Midland Mainline’s “Rio” fleet (IMRL) at Neville Hill depot. |
| 29 Aug 2004 | Named “Rio Warrior” at Longsight without ceremony. |
| 14 Sep 2004 | Taken off-lease. |
| 11 Nov 2004 | Back on lease to Midland Mainline’s IMLP pool, again based at Neville Hill |
| 17 Jan 2005 | Off-leased again and transferred back to Porterbrook’s off lease SBXL pool. |
| 27 May 2006 | Taken on lease by First Great Western (IWRP pool) and transferred to Laira. |
| 11 Dec 2006 | Pool code altered to EFPC. |
| 1 Feb 2007 | Arrives at Brush for re-engineering and repaint into FGW colours. |
| 26 Jul 2007 | Released from Brush following MTU conversion. |
| Jun 2012 | Following an ‘F’ exam and repaint at Laira, is exhibited at the NRM’s “Railfest” exhibition. |
| 7 Apr 2019 | Last day for GWR, working 5A81 1000 LA-PLY, 1A81 1100 PLY-PAD, 1C20 1527 PAD-BRI, 5C20 1722 BRI-LA with 43018 and set LA72. |
| 16 June 2021 | Donated by Porterbrook to 125 Group. |