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Andrew Gwilt   21/09/2016 at 19:23

MTU engines that have been fitted onto the Class 43's have reduced noise concumption and the Class 43's used to scream very loudly before new MTU engines where installed onto the Class 43 HST's has improved better reliability and better maintenance. And yes the MTU engines that are to be fitted onto the Hitachi Class 800's and possibly Class 801's will improve better performance, acceleration and quieter trains whilst the MTU engines are so usable and easier to maintain if there is a fault or engine malfunction then it would be sorted and fixed easier. Other diesel locomotives may use MTU engines such as freights that carry freight cargos would have MTU engines being fitted to reduce noice and to improve performance and reliability and maintainence to the freight locomotives that operates on all railway lines in the UK.

Boris   21/09/2016 at 23:12

How on earth does an engine have "reduced noise concumption"?

Chris M   22/09/2016 at 00:53

I hate to assail you with inconvenient reality and facts Andrew, but the IEP is a lard-arse heavyweight train compared to the efficient 1970s vintage high-speed train. The three engines under a five car IEP cannot come close to matching the power/weight ratio of a HST on non-electrified lines - even Hitachi admits that on diesel you cannot hope for much more than 100mph! As for modern freight diesel locos, roughly 90% of UK fleet are EMD powered with Mirlees (class 60), Caterpillar (class 68) and Jenbacher (class 70) making up the balance. In fact the only MTU powered locos running so far in the UK are 11 rebuilt 1960s vintage class 73s. Only a small percentage of their duties include the haulage of heavy freight trains. We might in time see a few more re-engined old locos with MTUs, but I suspect it will never be more than a niche market. As for the article, it is something of a non-story. Of course Hitachi are going to stick with their chosen engine supplier for many years.

Andrew Gwilt   22/09/2016 at 08:31

Some Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains do have or may have MTU engines. Possibly Class 158's, Class 159's, Class 170's, Class 185's and other DMU trains may have MTU engines to enhance better performance and reliability.

PWT   23/09/2016 at 12:27

Only the class 170 (Turbostars) have MTU engines with the remainder of the more recent DMUs having engines (generally) supplied by Cummins.