Great Western Coffee Shop

There's a regularly scheduled class 1 train that's timetabled to make the journey from Exeter St David's to Paddington in exactly 120 minutes, non-stop, including recovery time.

I suspect this is very obvious to many of you, but what is it?

Wouldn't be the yellow peril Network Rail HST Measurement train that I saw in the yard at Exeter this morning would it?

I'm not sure that is a class 1 service.
The quickest passenger service is 2hr 4 mins.

Class 1.Express passenger train, nominated postal or parcels train, breakdown or overhead line equipment train going to clear the line or returning from there (Code 1Z99), traction unit going to assist a failed train (1Z99), or a snowplough going to clear the line (1Z99)

Spot on, Bob. Whilst testing it runs under a 1Qxx headcode: the Q indicates to signallers that it's a test train that must run on its booked route and not be diverted without a very good reason. Booked to run from PLY to PAD via the Berks and Hants tomorrow morning/lunchtime.

Not particularly rapid considering the 1006 / 1206 will fairly easily do Paddington - Exeter in 2 hours if they get a decent run down the B&H, with the stop at Reading!

Well, that's the booked time... I suspect given a clear run and in the absence of the Reading call it may be somewhat quicker. Will keep an eye on TRUST tomorrow and report back.