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Bombadier Voyager units (class 220-222) are rated to the same speed.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_Voyager_family

They're much more comfortable and quieter than the 125's (43's + mk3s) plus they don't give you a face full of fumes when they start up or scare your children :)




In all honesty I prefer the HST125. Part of that is nostalgia, the HST125 is a great example of technology from the golden age of British Engineering which, like the Route-master bus, outlived several generations of successors. The other part is the Voyager fleet in my experience always smell of toilet.


I was fortunate to be working in the centre of Newcastle around 2007 when the last of the Valenta-engined 125s were in service, and I'd hear the north-bound trains pulling out of the station. But since then they've changed to newer diesel engines, and they don't have that glorious screaming turbocharger anymore.

Here's what it sounded like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H-WKRIXynQ


Yeah, I know that sound well. It's a sound I strongly associate with Edinburgh train-station having taken the final leg of the Kings-cross service back to Glasgow many times while at University.

Apparently the sound of the Valenta engine was used a clip in a song but I've never figured out which one.


Until it crashes and then you are fucked. No crumple zones in the vestibules.

The route master gave many people lung cancer who worked at the depots, my father included.




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