Scotrail InterCity 125 (HST) units, do they actually run at 125mph?

[Irascible]

The 385's do 0-60mph in around 44 secs compared to around 64 secs for a 2+4 HST. But the 60mph to 90mph time shows the HST's superiority once rolling - 50 seconds vs 60 secs for the 385. I measured 0 to 99mph in around 2.5 mins for both. What's interesting here is the Class 385's superior start gives it around a 20 second advantage from rest to 2.5 miles over the HST. Both limited to 100mph though! One of the issues for the HST is the slow releasing brakes compared to a unit, and the fact drivers can't give them full power from a start.
I'd love to see what the MTU's connected to a modern AC drive would achieve.

I don't think you'd even need a modern AC fit, a 50 year old fit optimised for semi-fast would make a huge difference. The electricals are optimised for loping along at 125, so the starting TE is fairly abysmal & if you compare them to other older DC fits they're effectively in permanent weak field. Simple arrangement, though. IIRC someone mentioned the prototype was either fitted with or for one field divert.

What's the P/W compared with an old Bournemouth EMU? the tractor unit, not the Mk3 units.

 

[PG]

What's the P/W compared with an old Bournemouth EMU? the tractor unit, not the Mk3 units

A 4REP is 175.3 tonnes with 2400 kiloWatts so a P/W of 0.0137 kW/kg or thereabouts.