Passing of an era - HST - Leeds

[Yorkshire Dave]

The last LNER branded HSTs are running on the ECML Friday 20/12 (Edinburgh 09.37, Berwick, Newcastle, York and Leeds 16.20) and Saturday 21/12 (Leeds 11.01 to KX 15.09 and stopping at most of the major stations on the way). Grab your cameras!

The LNER HST Farewell – UK Railtours

This is one of my photos (unprocessed) taken at York not long after their introduction.



I was chatting to a RAIB inspector on my way back from Bristol a fortnight ago who informed me the LNER Mk iv sets are now heading for scrapyards.

 

[oldravendale]

I'm pleased to say that two power cars have been presented to the GCR (North) by Porterbrook. Unfortunately the prototype HST has been returned or is being returned to York. I don't know how many MkIV vehicles the GCR has at its disposal but certainly the prospect of a full HST in preservation is there. There's also consideration of retro fitting a Valenta engine to one of the power cars but as I'm firmly in the steaming kettles department I've no idea whether this is practical, possible, or whether enough bits still exist to build a whole engine.

A most recent addition has been a 144 unit, although why anyone would want to preserve one of those I've no idea unless it's to demonstrate how to transport people in the east favourable circumstances! Possibly best displayed alongside a 20th C cattle truck.

Brian

 

[Temeraire]

I'm pleased to say that two power cars have been presented to the GCR (North) by Porterbrook. Unfortunately the prototype HST has been returned or is being returned to York. I don't know how many MkIV vehicles the GCR has at its disposal but certainly the prospect of a full HST in preservation is there. There's also consideration of retro fitting a Valenta engine to one of the power cars but as I'm firmly in the steaming kettles department I've no idea whether this is practical, possible, or whether enough bits still exist to build a whole engine.

A most recent addition has been a 144 unit, although why anyone would want to preserve one of those I've no idea unless it's to demonstrate how to transport people in the east favourable circumstances! Possibly best displayed alongside a 20th C cattle truck.

Brian

You're confusing Mk4 with Mk3 coaches. MK4s work with the class 91's and the MK3s with the HSTs.

Unlikely any Mk4 will be preserved (though never say never). Some are destined for further use with Transport for Wales I believe though happy to be corrected on that. The only Mk4s being scrapped at the moment are some of the TFs as not as many are needed in Wales.

 

[oldravendale]

Thanks for clarifying that. As I said earlier, my knowledge of current railway operations is very sketchy. I know GCR (North) has some Mk3s so it sounds as though a full HST is indeed a probability.

Brian

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

A most recent addition has been a 144 unit, although why anyone would want to preserve one of those I've no idea

Why not? Remember our surprise at the number of donated relatively new buses we saw at the Acton LT Museum.

On the other hand it does provide the GCR with a relatively cheap to maintain and an on call passenger unit. No messy start up procedures, marshalling, run arounds etc.

 

[Chris Veitch]

No messy start up procedures, marshalling, run arounds etc.

If indeed they can get it to start. I seem to recall from several utterly miserable years of relying on them for my daily transport that mechanical reliability wasn’t their strong suit.

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Snapped it on my phone (hence the poor) quality on my way home from work in Leeds tonight. The entire set is in Inter City 125 blue grey livery.



253 on this end



254 on this end.

 

[Neil]

Some photos of it here in York; doesn't it look stunning.

 

[Jordan]

Some photos of it here in York; doesn't it look stunning.

Said it before - will say it again:- Ex-works BR Blue, with blue/grey coaches, was as smart a livery as any. And this version of it on the HSTs was the best livery they ever carried, too.

 

[Neil]

Thought that too when I looked at the images. Certainly knocks spots off the current Trans Pennine Express livery, train dressed in a shell suit.

 

[Eastsidepilot]

Thought that too when I looked at the images. Certainly knocks spots off the current Trans Pennine Express livery, train dressed in a shell suit.

View attachment 115607

What ! no yellow warning panel.

 

[Jordan]

Thought that too when I looked at the images. Certainly knocks spots off the current Trans Pennine Express livery, train dressed in a shell suit.

View attachment 115607

Pass me the sick-bag...!!

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

What ! no yellow warning panel.

Trains are either cancelled or travel so slowly across the Northern network you don't need one!

 

[76043]

Apparently it started with the Crossrail units, someone decided the lights are so powerful you don't need one. Makes you wonder why they didn't just build a lighthouse on the front of 60 diesels.