Class 43 Photos HST 🇬🇧, XPT 🇦🇺 & HST 🇲🇽

[Commoner]

4 hours ago, billy_anorak59 said:

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.

 

Crewe works open day 24th September 1977 - HST Prototype 002:

 

And again at the open day on 22nd September 1979:

 

43102 on set 254 024 - no idea where or when (guess about 1978), but for the life of me, I can't recall where...

 

And an unidentified at Liverpool Lime Street in c1989:

 

 

 

The last shot is of power car 43151.  Only 5 PCs were finished in the experimental version of Executive livery.  The others, 43125/6/9/30 carried their set numbers 253 028 and 253 030.  Nice shots.

[LNERGE]

I caught this sneaking along the East Coast Main Line yesterday....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/32297024@N08/48990455073/

 

Sent from my iPhone

[Trev52A]

Here's an early one of mine where I could do with a bit of help in dating the picture please - the slide had been taken out of its cardboard mount at some point and I have lost all the info I had written on it.

 

E43101 at York - date to be confirmed (hopefully). There are a number of clues:

 

In original Inter-City livery (but obviously not 'straight-out-of-the box' clean.

It still has the 'E' prefix to its number behind the cab door.

It has the set number on the front.

It has the exhaust deflector fitted on the roof.

No step-ladder rests have been fitted below the windscreen yet.

 

My guess would be 1981?

 

Any suggestions gratefully received.

 

Thanks

Trevor

[Davexoc]

11 hours ago, Trev52A said:

Here's an early one of mine where I could do with a bit of help in dating the picture please - the slide had been taken out of its cardboard mount at some point and I have lost all the info I had written on it.

 

E43101 at York - date to be confirmed (hopefully). There are a number of clues:

 

In original Inter-City livery (but obviously not 'straight-out-of-the box' clean.

It still has the 'E' prefix to its number behind the cab door.

It has the set number on the front.

It has the exhaust deflector fitted on the roof.

No step-ladder rests have been fitted below the windscreen yet.

 

My guess would be 1981?

 

Delivered October 78 and named in August 84.

Set numbers disappeared around 80-81, so I would err on the earlier side....

[Commoner]

2 hours ago, Davexoc said:

 

Delivered October 78 and named in August 84.

Set numbers disappeared around 80-81, so I would err on the earlier side....

 

Maybe able to a do a bit more research on this tomorrow, but it's post May 1980 as it was from the commencement of that year's summer timetable that the ER/ScR started marshalling the sets with twin catering vehicles back to back in the formation.  In this case the TRUK seems to be paired with a TRUB rather than the more usual TRSB.  43101 according to my notes still carried it's unit number as of 13.05.1981 but it had gone by 19.06.1981.  Need to find out exactly when it acquired its exhaust cowling.  I'll update tomorrow.

[Trev52A]

@ Davexoc & Commoner

 

Many thanks for the input so far.

Sorry for the late reply, my internet has been down most of today.

 

Cheers

Trevor

Edited November 12, 2019 by Trev52A
typo

[Commoner]

3 hours ago, Trev52A said:

@ Davexoc & Commoner

 

Many thanks for the input so far.

Sorry for the late reply, my internet has been down most of today.

 

Cheers

Trevor

That's ok Trevor.  We can narrow it down a bit further perhaps.  Smoke deflectors fitted at first overhaul in October 79.  With the other bits of info above, I would suggest it's summer/autumn 1980.  

[Peter Kazmierczak]

43101 didn't have an exhaust deflector at the beginning of August 1979.

Edited November 12, 2019 by Peter Kazmierczak

[Trev52A]

On 12/11/2019 at 23:00, Commoner said:

That's ok Trevor.  We can narrow it down a bit further perhaps.  Smoke deflectors fitted at first overhaul in October 79.  With the other bits of info above, I would suggest it's summer/autumn 1980.  

 

Right, I can safely say 1980 then. Having narrowed it down a bit I'll check with other pictures I have at York and see if I can match up anything in the picture with some others I have with dates on.

Thanks to Commoner and others for their interest and suggestions.

 

By the way, is there a data base detailing all the changes to individual HSTs over the years, or is it down to individuals keeping detailed notes which they are happy to share?

 

Cheers

Trevor

[Trev52A]

Looks like LNER's 43300 is a write-off after an argument yesterday(?) with an Azuma in Leeds (see the thread 'LNER empty trains collided..' in this section)

 

Here it is in happier times at Newcastle on 5th August this year.

 

Trevor

[Commoner]

3 hours ago, Trev52A said:

 

Right, I can safely say 1980 then. Having narrowed it down a bit I'll check with other pictures I have at York and see if I can match up anything in the picture with some others I have with dates on.

Thanks to Commoner and others for their interest and suggestions.

 

By the way, is there a data base detailing all the changes to individual HSTs over the years, or is it down to individuals keeping detailed notes which they are happy to share?

 

Cheers

Trevor

Hi Trevor, there is no central database that I am aware of detailing HST workings and formation changes.  My interest is mainly early WR and ER operation and thanks to the generosity of various people who have shared their data over the years, I have fairly extensive records for the WR up to the end of 1981 and ER 1977-79.  Having said that I have numerous gaps, anomalies and conflicts to resolve.  Am always happy to address a query and enjoy doing a bit of research.  Frustratingly, I haven't collated my ER notes from 1980 onwards as that might have led to us to a clearer time period or an actual date for your shot of 254 023.  In regard to that I forgot to add that 43101 received the rain strip below the windscreen mod at overhaul in March 1981.  These were fitted experimentally to a 3 WR power cars in 1978 and to the power cars of 254 016 in 1978/79 before being becoming standard fit from early 1981 onwards.  Look forward to more of your HST shots.  Kevin (Commoner) 

[Trev52A]

3 hours ago, Commoner said:

Hi Trevor, there is no central database that I am aware of detailing HST workings and formation changes.  My interest is mainly early WR and ER operation and thanks to the generosity of various people who have shared their data over the years, I have fairly extensive records for the WR up to the end of 1981 and ER 1977-79.  Having said that I have numerous gaps, anomalies and conflicts to resolve.  Am always happy to address a query and enjoy doing a bit of research.  Frustratingly, I haven't collated my ER notes from 1980 onwards as that might have led to us to a clearer time period or an actual date for your shot of 254 023.  In regard to that I forgot to add that 43101 received the rain strip below the windscreen mod at overhaul in March 1981.  These were fitted experimentally to a 3 WR power cars in 1978 and to the power cars of 254 016 in 1978/79 before being becoming standard fit from early 1981 onwards.  Look forward to more of your HST shots.  Kevin (Commoner) 

 

Thanks for that, Kevin.

I see that what I had always thought of as 'step ladder rests' you describe as 'rain strips'. Did they serve this dual purpose or have I been wrong all this time? (I vaguely remember seeing a picture (or perhaps observing in real life) someone up a ladder cleaning the windscreen with the ladder resting on these things, something which would presumably have damaged the bodywork without them.) Or perhaps that's wishful thinking on my part?!

 

During a holiday in Devon in November 2017 I spent some time walking between Teignmouth and Dawlish (dodging rain showers) and saw several HSTs, some of which I include here.

 

What appears to be 43092 approaching Teignmouth 

 

43172 'Harry Patch' heading north from Teignmouth

 

A 'different' view at Dawlish as 43142 pauses with a train for the West

 

Trevor

[Trev52A]

A couple from 1978 at York, when HSTs were 'just out of the box' (as far as the ECML was concerned), which I don't think I've uploaded to this thread before.

 

E43057 at the rear of an up express on 1st June 1978

 

E43073 and admirers (or perhaps not - maybe they had come to see 'Deltics'!) on 2nd June 1978

 

Trevor

[The Pilotman]

Trevor, your “different view at Dawlish” is exactly the view I remember from childhood holidays there in the late 70s, only instead of HSTs it was more likely to be a class 25, 31, 33, 45, 46, 47 or 50 in that spot. Thanks for the memory-jogger.

[Commoner]

4 hours ago, Trev52A said:

 

Thanks for that, Kevin.

I see that what I had always thought of as 'step ladder rests' you describe as 'rain strips'. Did they serve this dual purpose or have I been wrong all this time? (I vaguely remember seeing a picture (or perhaps observing in real life) someone up a ladder cleaning the windscreen with the ladder resting on these things, something which would presumably have damaged the bodywork without them.) Or perhaps that's wishful thinking on my part?!

 

Great photos as ever Trevor.  Particularly like the black and white shots from 1978 at York.  My understanding is that the rain strips as I call them were to stop water ingress in to the cab control desk electronics.  I could be wrong, I can't remember where I read that.  Perhaps they served a dual purpose.  At WR terminal stations there were no ladders such as those used at Kings Cross.  At Paddington it was a bucket and a mop with a long handle!  Another modification that sometimes escapes people's attention is the addition of the thin orange warning strip applied around the base of the cab roof.  These started to appear on the ER from late 1978 and were a warning to staff to be careful of overhead live wires.  The WR started to apply them retrospectively from August 1979, although the build for the west of England services (43125-152 and 43124 spare) delivered from June 1979 onwards had them from new.

[31A]

I’m currently travelling from Edinburgh to York on 1E15 0947 Aberdeen-King’s Cross.  I didn’t take any notice of vehicle numbers as it ran in, but was surprised to find it is an ex East Midland set with original seats!  I wondered whether it had been taken out of store after the derailment at Neville Hill?

[Ken.W]

On 14/11/2019 at 17:59, Trev52A said:

I see that what I had always thought of as 'step ladder rests' you describe as 'rain strips'. Did they serve this dual purpose or have I been wrong all this time? (I vaguely remember seeing a picture (or perhaps observing in real life) someone up a ladder cleaning the windscreen with the ladder resting on these things, something which would presumably have damaged the bodywork without them.) Or perhaps that's wishful thinking on my part?!

 

Hi Trev,

It is a rain strip across the bottom of the windscreen. As I recall, it was found when new that at high speed the rain water off the nose end was streaming up the windscreen faster than the wiper could clear it.

 

The aluminium nose-end ladders used on HSTs are purpose made, and carried in the power car's van.

The top section has at the top a hooked over section with two prongs which engage in a pair of sockets at the base of the windscreen to hang it to, and a rest at the base which rests against the nose end point.

The bottom section then hangs on the top section and rests on the ground.

 

Nice pictures. I had a trip, with a friend, in late September for a last trip to Aberdeen by HST and 43300 was one of the power cars. Not necessarily written-off yet, there's some comments on the other thread this was one of those destined for  EMT (or whoever they are now), presuming these were selected on overall condition it's still possible 43300 could receive a replacement cab as these are made as easily replaceable units.

[Ken.W]

1 hour ago, 31A said:

I’m currently travelling from Edinburgh to York on 1E15 0947 Aberdeen-King’s Cross.  I didn’t take any notice of vehicle numbers as it ran in, but was surprised to find it is an ex East Midland set with original seats!  I wondered whether it had been taken out of store after the derailment at Neville Hill?

 

Quite possible, there was only one LNER set still with those seats (the ex-EMT one), and that was supposed to be the first LNER set withdrawn, though don't know if it actually was. Doesn't seen to have been about recently from what I've seen.

As Stationmaster Mike's said on the other thread, that set at Neville Hill's going to need a thorough exam including lifting to check for bogie pivot damage before it can be let back out, even with another power car.

At least, assuming the rest of the set is ok, they can just change the power car and let it back out, the whole of that Satsuma's going to out of action for some time.

[Ken.W]

On 14/11/2019 at 22:43, Commoner said:

 

Great photos as ever Trevor.  Particularly like the black and white shots from 1978 at York.

 

The second particularly evocative of the period, a brand new state of the art HST and adjacent, ancient state of the ark SR parcels van complete with oil tail hanging (literally) off the back!

 

BTW, is the HST passing through on the Main Line? Seems rather a lot of the bogies visible for it to be at the platform

[Claude_Dreyfus]

43315 heads a Kings Cross - Perth service at Doncaster. 43274 trailed. 9th November 2019

[31A]

7 hours ago, Ken.W said:

 

Quite possible, there was only one LNER set still with those seats (the ex-EMT one), and that was supposed to be the first LNER set withdrawn, though don't know if it actually was. Doesn't seen to have been about recently from what I've seen.

As Stationmaster Mike's said on the other thread, that set at Neville Hill's going to need a thorough exam including lifting to check for bogie pivot damage before it can be let back out, even with another power car.

At least, assuming the rest of the set is ok, they can just change the power car and let it back out, the whole of that Satsuma's going to out of action for some time.

 

Thanks Ken.  I think I last saw that set (minus power cars) outside Neville Hill a few months ago, just after the Azumas started and looking very much "laid up".  Anyway, Coach F of today's 1E15 rode gracefully but did give the impression of maybe on its last legs - the bay of four seats opposite me was minus its table!

 

Here it is leaving York for King's Cross; rather grainy pictures but I didn't have very long to get under the subway to get to Platform 5 before she set off!  Low backed seats hopefully visible in 42210, and 43315 bringing up the rear.

 

 

[Ken.W]

40 minutes ago, 31A said:

 

Thanks Ken.  I think I last saw that set (minus power cars) outside Neville Hill a few months ago, just after the Azumas started and looking very much "laid up".  Anyway, Coach F of today's 1E15 rode gracefully but did give the impression of maybe on its last legs - the bay of four seats opposite me was minus its table!

 

Here it is leaving York for King's Cross; rather grainy pictures but I didn't have very long to get under the subway to get to Platform 5 before she set off!  Low backed seats hopefully visible in 42210, and 43315 bringing up the rear.

 

 

An LNER liveried set with low backed seats, yeah that's the one, the ex-EMT set.

It was supposed to be withdrawn when it's booked diagram, the Hull, went over to the first Azuma working. So it's being back out probably is in reaction to them being two sets down following Neville Hill.

[Trev52A]

On 17/11/2019 at 14:43, Ken.W said:

 

Hi Trev,

It is a rain strip across the bottom of the windscreen. As I recall, it was found when new that at high speed the rain water off the nose end was streaming up the windscreen faster than the wiper could clear it.

 

The aluminium nose-end ladders used on HSTs are purpose made, and carried in the power car's van.

The top section has at the top a hooked over section with two prongs which engage in a pair of sockets at the base of the windscreen to hang it to, and a rest at the base which rests against the nose end point.

The bottom section then hangs on the top section and rests on the ground.

 

 

 

Thanks for this explanation of the rain strip, Ken. It makes sense now, but I never thought it would be to combat rain running 'uphill', as it were!

 

Cheers

Trevor

[4630]

Modern Railways is reporting via a couple of posts on Twitter that plans are being made for LNER to run an HST farewell tour from 18-21 December.  A 2+7 set is to be repainted into 'original blue and yellow' livery.

 

Tweet page 1

 

Tweet page 2

[Jack Mc]

LNER Class 43s at Doncaster, 20/11/19

 

43290, formerly mtu - fascination of power

 

43314

 

43318

 

43310

 

43311

 

43208, formerly Lincolnshire Echo

 

43302 with HST speed record vinyl name

 

43299, having been recently repaired the front end is now red in places where it was white/black, making a big difference to the overall look. 43238 also now carries an all-over red livery, however I was unable to get a decent photo of this in the dark at speed.

 

43274 Spirit of Sunderland - to my knowledge the last LNER 43 to carry a cast nameplate

 

Jack