eastwestdivide Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 XC HST with modified doors at anΒ unusualΒ location: Β Beside the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation, on the Kilnhurst loop between Mexborough and Aldwarke Jn, running from Doncaster Works to Laira today. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 (edited) An early WR example - W43047 departs fromΒ about to leave Swindon on 8th June 1977, pastΒ alongside a GWR (the 'old' one, not the currentΒ one!) seat. I travelled on the train as far as Reading. Β Β I am not familiar with the station layout these days - could someone with local knowledge tell from this if itΒ is heading east or west, please? UPDATE It's heading east.... see reply from Davexoc below Cheers Trevor Edited September 19, 2019 by Trev52A Corrected some wrong information 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Davexoc Posted September 17, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 17, 2019 1 hour ago, Trev52A said: An early WR example - W43047 departs from Swindon on 8th June 1977, past a GWR (the 'old' one, not the currentΒ one!) seat. Β Β I am not familiar with the station layout these days - could someone with local knowledge tell from this if itΒ is heading east or west, please? Cheers Trevor Heading east, as that is the land being redeveloped behind, the other direction has the town as the backdrop. Β Dave 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 On 17/09/2019 at 21:59, Davexoc said: Heading east, as that is the land being redeveloped behind, the other direction has the town as the backdrop. Β Dave Β Many thanks for that info, Dave. It helps me piece together the events of that day.Β Back then IΒ didn't note down the power car numbers, only the set numbers on the ends. Earlier that day (8th June 1977) I had my first run with an HST as part of an All-Line Rail Rover ticket, on the 16.54 Chippenham-Swindon. The set numbers carried were 253-011 on the leading car and 253-007 trailing(!). This shows that even in the very early days, one year after introduction on the WR, they must have had difficulty in keeping power cars matched to their respective sets. At Swindon I boarded my next HST on the 17.42 Swindon-Reading, again with a miss-match, 253-023 leading with 253-003 at the rear.Β Now, according to the info in the excellent book 'HST Silver Jubilee' by Colin Marsden, set 253-023 had W43046 and W43047 originally allocated, both being delivered on 12th March 1977. Now as you confirm W43047 is pointing east in my photo, then it must be the one leading my train with 253-023 onΒ the front. In which case, how did IΒ manage to photograph it leaving Swindon if IΒ travelled on the train from Swindon to Reading?? Closer examination of my picture seems to show that the lack of sharpness on the power car is not due to subject movement, as IΒ had assumed, but by being out of focus - IΒ hadΒ focused on the GWR seat which IΒ thought was more interesting. (After all, HSTs would be with us for years to come - and in this instance I was right, of course!) So the pictureΒ shows W43047 at the head of the train I was about to boardΒ for the run to Reading. Just as well to get these things right after 43 years! I will amend the earlier caption. Β As a matter of interest, after alighting at Reading I later photographed an HST heading west... Β HST set 253 003 (on this end, anyway) westbound at Reading on 8th June 1977. The leading power car must be either W43006 or W43007, according to the Marsden book. In fact, this could be the train I had travelled on earlier now returning to Bristol/South Wales after a fast turn around in Paddington,Β as my records show that set number 253 003 was on the power car at the rear of my eastbound train headed by W43047 mentioned above. Β Confusing, eh? I love it! Β Cheers Trevor 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Simon Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 On β01β/β09β/β2019 at 12:40, Steadfast said: I believe the NMT has been pantograph-less for a while now and is intended to stay as such. Anyone confirm? Β Jo Β On β01β/β09β/β2019 at 20:46, big jim said: Β Β Yes thats right, itβs too far back in the formation to give accurate readings so it wasΒ removed Β there is/was talk of one of the powercars having a pantograph fitted over the old guards area with recording equipment below but nothing has come of that as yet Β Hi, Β I believe that the OLE recording work is now down using Lasers and video equipment mounted in place of the Pantograph. Β Simon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royaloak Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 10 minutes ago, St. Simon said: Β Β Hi, Β I believe that the OLE recording work is now down using Lasers and video equipment mounted in place of the Pantograph. Β Simon Hence the reports of strange lights in the sky when its in the vicinity. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Pilotman Posted September 19, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 19, 2019 6 hours ago, Trev52A said: As a matter of interest, after alighting at Reading I later photographed an HST heading west... Β HST set 253 003 (on this end, anyway) westbound at Reading on 8th June 1977.Β Β Interesting picture there, Trevor. The coach formation looks like it has an extra buffet coach in place of a Trailer Second,Β rather than the standard formation.Β Was this typical of very early WR HST sets, or is this perhaps a one-off? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ian Hargrave Posted September 19, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 19, 2019 Regarding Scotrailβs reincarnation of the 125 and its own distinction between βrefurbished β and βclassicβ units,I yesterday learned of an embarrassing episode concerning a party of 6 U.S tourists who obviously hadnβt viewed the TOCβs short video on how to operate the manually operated doors on the ex GW Mk 3. 125. The owner of the hotel at which we are staying in Kingussie returned from the station Β without the guests he had intended meeting.They did turn up later with the simple explanation that they were used only to the normal power operated train doors on their UK Β visit so that the manual use of the door handle had totally bemused them. Β Make of that what you will......I βm not asking exactly how they did eventually reach their destination. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royaloak Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 3 hours ago, Western Aviator said: Β Interesting picture there, Trevor. The coach formation looks like it has an extra buffet coach in place of a Trailer Second,Β rather than the standard formation.Β Was this typical of very early WR HST sets, or is this perhaps a one-off? Some of the early WR sets had a 402xx buffet and a 405xx restaurant coach, these were soon replaced by 403xx (later renumbered to 407xx) restaurant buffetsΒ and the 405xx coaches were transferred to the Eastern region. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Davexoc Posted September 19, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 19, 2019 11 hours ago, Trev52A said: As a matter of interest, after alighting at Reading I later photographed an HST heading west... Β HST set 253 003 (on this end, anyway) westbound at Reading on 8th June 1977. The leading power car must be either W43006 or W43007, according to the Marsden book. In fact, this could be the train I had travelled on earlier now returning to Bristol/South Wales after a fast turn around in Paddington,Β as my records show that set number 253 003 was on the power car at the rear of my eastbound train headed by W43047 mentioned above. Β Must have been a quick turn around, no-one has cleaned the windscreen before it left. Like that because they hadn't fitted the exhaust deflectors by then.... Β 4 hours ago, Western Aviator said: Β Interesting picture there, Trevor. The coach formation looks like it has an extra buffet coach in place of a Trailer Second,Β rather than the standard formation.Β Was this typical of very early WR HST sets, or is this perhaps a one-off? Β Yes, still early formation, and I also notice the trailers only read InterCity. I always thought they read InterCity 125 from new. Β 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Commoner Posted September 19, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 19, 2019 13 hours ago, Trev52A said: Β Many thanks for that info, Dave. It helps me piece together the events of that day.Β Back then IΒ didn't note down the power car numbers, only the set numbers on the ends. Earlier that day (8th June 1977) I had my first run with an HST as part of an All-Line Rail Rover ticket, on the 16.54 Chippenham-Swindon. The set numbers carried were 253-011 on the leading car and 253-007 trailing(!). This shows that even in the very early days, one year after introduction on the WR, they must have had difficulty in keeping power cars matched to their respective sets. At Swindon I boarded my next HST on the 17.42 Swindon-Reading, again with a miss-match, 253-023 leading with 253-003 at the rear.Β Now, according to the info in the excellent book 'HST Silver Jubilee' by Colin Marsden, set 253-023 had W43046 and W43047 originally allocated, both being delivered on 12th March 1977. Now as you confirm W43047 is pointing east in my photo, then it must be the one leading my train with 253-023 onΒ the front. In which case, how did IΒ manage to photograph it leaving Swindon if IΒ travelled on the train from Swindon to Reading?? Closer examination of my picture seems to show that the lack of sharpness on the power car is not due to subject movement, as IΒ had assumed, but by being out of focus - IΒ hadΒ focused on the GWR seat which IΒ thought was more interesting. (After all, HSTs would be with us for years to come - and in this instance I was right, of course!) So the pictureΒ shows W43047 at the head of the train I was about to boardΒ for the run to Reading. Just as well to get these things right after 43 years! I will amend the earlier caption. Β As a matter of interest, after alighting at Reading I later photographed an HST heading west... Β HST set 253 003 (on this end, anyway) westbound at Reading on 8th June 1977. The leading power car must be either W43006 or W43007, according to the Marsden book. In fact, this could be the train I had travelled on earlier now returning to Bristol/South Wales after a fast turn around in Paddington,Β as my records show that set number 253 003 was on the power car at the rear of my eastbound train headed by W43047 mentioned above. Β Confusing, eh? I love it! Β Cheers Trevor Β Have often wondered whether you had any early WR HST shots Trevor.Β Do you have any more from your trip on 8th June 1977?Β I have some observations from that date which will confirm the identities of the power cars you travelled with and photographed. Β The 16.54 Chippenham-Swindon was the 16.30 Bristol TM-Paddington service worked by trailer set 253 011 but with power cars 43046 (253 023) and 43014 (253 007).Β The full formation was 43046/14, 41023/24, 40011, 42033/34/35/70. Β The 17.42 Swindon-Reading was the 15.43 Swansea-Paddington worked by trailer set 253 003 with power cars 43047 (253 023) and 43006 (253 023).Β The full formation on this date was 43047/06, 41007/8, 40503, 42011, 40003, 42010/09.Β If the set had stuck to it's booked diagram you would have photographed it working the 19.15 Paddington-Swansea. Β There was plenty of swapping of power cars between sets during 1977 due the various technical difficulties that emerged as the fleet bedded in to service, although from observation it would appear Old Oak Common was more successful than St Philips Mrahs in keeping power cars to their correct sets.Β Β Β Β 6 hours ago, Western Aviator said: Β Interesting picture there, Trevor. The coach formation looks like it has an extra buffet coach in place of a Trailer Second,Β rather than the standard formation.Β Was this typical of very early WR HST sets, or is this perhaps a one-off? Β Until the TRUB 403xx vehicles were introduced in the spring of 1978, a number of WR sets were formed with a TRUK (405xx) and TRSB (400xx) catering cars.Β Indeed it wasn't until August 1978 that the last WR TRUK+TRSB sets disappeared.Β At the time of Trevor's photograph in June 1977, 253 002/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/12/15/16/17/19/20 were running as TRUK+TRSB sets.Β 253 011/13/14/18/21/22/24 were running with single TRSBs.Β 253 001 was in Works and 253 023/25/26/27 had not been formed up for passenger service. 1 hour ago, Davexoc said: Β Must have been a quick turn around, no-one has cleaned the windscreen before it left. Like that because they hadn't fitted the exhaust deflectors by then.... Β Β Yes, still early formation, and I also notice the trailers only read InterCity. I always thought they read InterCity 125 from new. Β The Inter-City 125 lettering was applied to new trailer vehicles from July 1978 onwards and to overhauled vehicles from August 1978.Β Vehicles built before this on both the WR and ER/ScR carried Inter-City only.Β The first WR set to receive the revised lettering was 253 021 at overhaul in August 1978. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 13 minutes ago, Commoner said: Β Have often wondered whether you had any early WR HST shots Trevor.Β Do you have any more from your trip on 8th June 1977?Β I have some observations from that date which will confirm the identities of the power cars you travelled with and photographed. Β The 16.54 Chippenham-Swindon was the 16.30 Bristol TM-Paddington service worked by trailer set 253 011 but with power cars 43046 (253 023) and 43014 (253 007).Β The full formation was 43046/14, 41023/24, 40011, 42033/34/35/70. Β The 17.42 Swindon-Reading was the 15.43 Swansea-Paddington worked by trailer set 253 003 with power cars 43047 (253 023) and 43006 (253 023).Β The full formation on this date was 43047/06, 41007/8, 40503, 42011, 40003, 42010/09.Β If the set had stuck to it's booked diagram you would have photographed it working the 19.15 Paddington-Swansea. Β There was plenty of swapping of power cars between sets during 1977 due the various technical difficulties that emerged as the fleet bedded in to service, although from observation it would appear Old Oak Common was more successful than St Philips Mrahs in keeping power cars to their correct sets.Β Β Β Β Fascinating stuff, Commoner. I hadn't realised that some sets ran with both miss-matched power cars! Many thanks for the information. Β Could you check your numbers again,Β Β please? - you seem to have have allocated three power cars to the same set - 253 023. I think 43006 should be 253 003. It could beΒ that my second shot (at Reading) does showΒ my earlier train returning from Paddington,Β In which case the power car in that picture would be W43006 (with 253 003 on the front). However, IΒ had left Reading at 18.56 on a DMU to Basingstoke so that scenario would not have beenΒ possible if the HST hadΒ left Paddington atΒ 19.15. Was there an earlier departure it could have made to reach Reading before IΒ left? (I'm grasping at straws, here!) Β It seems these are the only shots IΒ took of HSTs in 1977, sadly. Β Cheers Trevor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Commoner Posted September 19, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 19, 2019 13 minutes ago, Trev52A said: Β Fascinating stuff, Commoner. I hadn't realised that some sets ran with both miss-matched power cars! Many thanks for the information. Β Could you check your numbers again,Β Β please? - you seem to have have allocated three power cars to the same set - 253 023. I think 43006 should be 253 003. It could beΒ that my second shot (at Reading) does showΒ my earlier train returning from Paddington,Β In which case the power car in that picture would be W43006 (with 253 003 on the front). However, IΒ had left Reading at 18.56 on a DMU to Basingstoke so that scenario would not have beenΒ possible if the HST hadΒ left Paddington atΒ 19.15. Was there an earlier departure it could have made to reach Reading before IΒ left? (I'm grasping at straws, here!) Β It seems these are the only shots IΒ took of HSTs in 1977, sadly. Β Cheers Trevor Β Sorry Trevor.Β Well spotted.Β 43006 carried set number 253 003 and was paired with 43047.Β Β Β Interesting in regard to your shot of the set on it's return through Reading.Β The 15.43 Swansea-Paddington was due Paddington at 18.38.Β There was no booked HST departure from Paddington between 18.38 and 43006/47's booked return on 19.15 Paddington-Swansea.Β In the summer 1977 timetable the 18.45 Paddington-Cardiff was loco-hauled.Β EvenΒ if the setΒ had been turned round immediately, it would have struggled to make it to Reading by 18.56.Β I wondered whether it was a different set with power car 43007 (253 003) leading but thatΒ power car had black infill to the IC125 letteringΒ and an enlargement of your shot shows this example to have blue lettering.Β Mystery! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 Engineering work near Morpeth closed the line between Newcastle and Edinburgh today, Saturday 19th September (also tomorrow, Sunday) and LNER were using HSTs (pus the the odd 'Azuma!) to provide an hourly service between those two points via Carlisle, connecting with trains from Kings Cross which terminated at Newcastle. Β This is 43295 leading on a train heading to Newcastle at Blaydon signal box which is still open and operates the level crossing gates next to where IΒ was standing. Β As an interesting comparison here is a shot at the same spot from 1990. Β 43085 heading towards Newcastle passing Blaydon signal box during diversions via CarlisleΒ in May 1990 Β The foliage has increased dramatically over the intervening years so IΒ was lucky to find a gap by the fence in the right place! Β Trevor Β 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted September 21, 2019 Share Posted September 21, 2019 A few more from today near Blaydon (see earlier post today) Β 43305 (with a friendly wave from the driver!) westbound at Blaydon level crossing Β Too far away to see the number (!) another HST heads east at Derwenthaugh, where the River Derwent enters the Tyne beyond Β 43314 westbound through the station at Gateshead MetroCentre Β Trevor 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted September 23, 2019 Share Posted September 23, 2019 It is unusual these days to see HSTs together in adjacent platforms at Newcastle - northbound trains usually use platform 2 and southbound use platform 4. But due to the special arrangements in action on Saturday 21st September during closure of the ECML north of Newcastle this was the scene: Β 43312 (on the left) is just departing south from platform 3 with the 15.57 to Kings Cross (usually a Class 91 set originating in Edinburgh),Β while 43239 has just arrivedΒ at platform 2 with an Edinburgh to Newcastle via CarlisleΒ 'shuttle' serviceΒ - its tail lights are already on ready to return via the Tyne Valley. Β Trevor 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 16 hours ago, Rockhopper said: Durham in 1981. Still think the Blue/Grey livery looks the bestΒ Β I don't think you are the only one! Β Trevor 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted September 25, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 25, 2019 I took this at the St Phillips Marsh open day on a very wet Staurday for the 40th anniversary of the HST. Β Along with many other livered HST. Β Terry . Β 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mc Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 Some LNER Class 43s at Doncaster, 25/9/19 Β 43318Β Β 43305 Β 43300Β Craigentinny, now lacking both nameplate and crest. Β 43307 Β 43299 Β 43251 Β Jack 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
125_driver Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 (edited) What a wonderfully evocative thread. As a western region HST driver (admittedly driving mainly 802s nowadays) this thread brings back some great memories. Driving the occasional 4+2 HST now isn't quite the same as a 8+2 set!, but now I must make do with modelling HSTs back in the 90s. I wish I had taken photos of my trains driven to contribute to the thread but sadly never really taken any.Β Long live the HST!! Edited September 29, 2019 by 125_driver Spelling 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium GWRPhil Posted October 22, 2019 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 22, 2019 Harry patch at lostwithiel this morning Β Β 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev52A Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 (edited) It has been announced that LNER will be retiring their HSTs by Christmas and most (all?) of their named examples are now running without their metal name plates. Here are three I photographed today 24th October 2019: Β 43290 at Newcastle, showing the patch where theΒ 'mtu fascination of power' plate was removed Β 43367, formerly 'DELTIC 50 1955-2005' arriving at Newcastle past track maintenance machinery. The station approaches at both ends are covered with temporary speed restriction signs. Β 43300, formerly 'Craigentinny' heading south from Darlington. Β Catch 'em while you can! Β Trevor Edited October 24, 2019 by Trev52A Spelling of 'Darlington'! 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mc Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Some LNER 43s in Leeds, 25/10/19 Β 43317 Β 43306 Β Approaching Leeds, 43317 (and 43306) Β 43313 Β 43239 Β Cross Country HST at Wakefield Westgate 43285 Β 43384 Β Β Jack 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afroal05 Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 Former FGW 43037 in new Scotrail guise next to the rearmost mk1 of the Autumn Highlander charter 28th September at Aviemore. The set was a refurbished set with sliding doors and Scotrail livery/vinyls - I must admit it looked rather smart! Β 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy_anorak59 Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 (edited) A few of mine, for what they're worth - the instamatic was never a great camera, and even worse in my hands... Typical of their time, I suppose. Β Crewe works open day 24th September 1977 - HST Prototype 002: Β And again at the open day on 22nd September 1979: Β 43102 on set 254 024 - no idea where or when (guess about 1978), but for the life of me, I can't recall where... Β And an unidentified at Liverpool Lime Street in c1989: Β Β Β Edited June 29, 2022 by billy_anorak59 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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