Colas Rail HST Network Monitoring Train! Class 43 HST Power Car Numbers 43251 Leads Trailing 43357

British Rail Class 43 Bo-Bo High Speed Train (HST) power cars were constructed between 1975 and 1982 by BREL Crewe and Derby Works. These world-record-holding 70-tonne power cars are powered by a 16-cylinder MTU 16V 4000 R41 turbocharged diesel engine generating 2,250 brake horsepower (1,678 kW) per power car, delivering a combined output of 4,500 brake horsepower (3,356 kW) and a starting tractive effort of 17,980 lbf (80 kN) per unit. Geared for a maximum operational speed of 125 mph, these HST power cars are operated by Colas Rail on behalf of Network Rail for high-speed infrastructure monitoring duties across the mainline network. Leading the service is power car 43251 wearing Colas Rail's corporate orange and yellow livery, whilst rear power car 43357 retains its debranded former CrossCountry silver-grey and mauve-purple livery updated with Colas Rail corporate diamond logos.

Seen here in 8K 16:9 widescreen on the evening of Wednesday 22/07/2026 at 21:08, Colas Rail Class 43 43251 and 43357 pass at speed through Micklefield Station, heading towards Leeds. The train was running a circuitous infrastructure monitoring working originating from York Holgate Sidings (Freightliner Heavy Haul) to Goole Up Goods Loop, covering large parts of West Yorkshire including Leeds, Wakefield Kirkgate, Knottingley, and Goole. Top-and-tailing a specialized test rake, the pair haul a formation composed of British Rail Mark 2 (Mk2) Network Monitoring carriages—including Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) and track measurement vehicles—coupled alongside a single BR Mark 1 (Mk1) Generator Van / Baggage Car providing dedicated auxiliary power and support for onboard diagnostic equipment.

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