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Last of the GWR HSTs

  • 18-05-2019 11:25am
    #1
    devnull
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,744 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Today marks the end of passenger service of the legendary High Speed Trains working on the Great Western Railway mainline from Paddington following 43 years of magnificent service.

    By a complete coincidence I found myself on one of these trains this morning and may make it back to Paddington in time for the events that will take place this evening. .

    480592.jpg

    Expected to be a line-up of 4 HSTs side by side in Paddington later tonight to allow photos to take place and a ceremony and carriage labels and posters are being sold off for charity.

    The last train is planned to be formed of power cars 43002 (First built, with a nameplate for Sir Kenneth Grange who designed the HST) and 43198 (Last built. with nameplates for Driver Stan Martin and Driver Brian Cooper who lost their lives in the crashes at Ladbroke Grove and Ufton Nervet).

    Unfortunately the trains that replaced them are not fit to lace their boots in my opinion.


Comments

  • #2
    devnull
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 11,744 Mod ✭✭✭✭devnull


    Video on the event:


    Rear cab footage
    https://twitter.com/GWRHelp/status/1130105722447040513
    Kenneth Grange, designer of the HST was there for the event with loco 43002 named after him on the back of the train with 43198 (named Driver Stan Martin / Driver Brian Cooper) on the front. The families of both of these drivers were present for the event.


  • #3
    Jamie2k9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,796 ✭✭✭✭Jamie2k9


    I was on it, just happened to be over with work for a few days. Still plenty of them around elsewhere.

    The new 800s might have competition in 2020/2021 with LNER Mark IVs running an hourly London-Cardiff via open access. The LNER 800s are an slight improvement on GWR.


  • #4
    Grandeeod
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭✭Grandeeod


    That was the aaage....... of the train! A lovely bus. Soon gone altogether. I guess the turn out is a throwback to the fact that it was the bigtime HST workhorse after the APT disaster and being an early European leader. Also designed and built in the UK by BR. Patriotism pre Brexit.:D


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