The last HSTs to leave Paddington in passenger service - 18 May 19

[whole diary]

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Have to say that the Saturday HST^▸ (High Speed Train) event brought back a few memories.  In 1976 I was fortunate enough to be an Engineering Assistant in the HST section at CMEE Paddington, before moving to OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) a couple of years later.  I did the 6 week technical course split between Bath Road and OOC (as I suspect Electric Train did, and does anyone else remember ex RAF^▸ (Royal Air Force) instructor George Longley going through all the electronic circuits in minute detail and expecting us to understand?).

Following the successful launch of the HST’s Leslie Lloyd, the formidable General Manager of the Western Region at the time, organised a “thank you” event at the Castle Bar BRSA^▸ (British Rail Staff Association) to which wives etc were also invited.  He even organised a special DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) from Castle Bar back to Reading (via West Ealing West Curve).

Many of the early problems with HST’s have been mentioned before in the forum, but I haven’t seen any references to, for example, trailer car axle box and lateral control rod failures, power car yaw dampers become partially detached and hitting shunting signals etc., and power car guard’s van doors falling off and being found by the track.  There were many other technical problems which will be remembered by fewer and fewer people as the years go by.

They were interesting times for those of us lucky enough to have been involved.

[JayMac]

My videos from the day.

First, two of the four sets arriving at Paddington.



A brief chat with Sir Kenneth Grange about how to approach dogs!


A few words for this forum from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Managing Director, Mark Hopwood.

(Yes, I know the prototype was 1972 - I had been conceived!)

And finally, the last HST^▸ (High Speed Train) departing Taunton, almost synchronised with a departing IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train). The old bows out, the new has a hard act to follow.

[TonyK]

A very well written and practiced speech by Mark Hopwood there. And an impressive bit of reversing in the first clip.

[Robin Summerhill]

One of my best shots from the day was when I got back to Chippenham, and I have now posted it on Flickr.

The caption is a bit contrived given the comparison I've made, but you'll see that if you read it...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/93122458@N08/47907171771/

[GBM]

One of my best shots from the day was when I got back to Chippenham, and I have now posted it on Flickr.

The caption is a bit contrived given the comparison I've made, but you'll see that if you read it...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/93122458@N08/47907171771/

Flickr not letting me for the last 20 minutes; will try later.

[Robin Summerhill]

One of my best shots from the day was when I got back to Chippenham, and I have now posted it on Flickr.

The caption is a bit contrived given the comparison I've made, but you'll see that if you read it...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/93122458@N08/47907171771/

Flickr not letting me for the last 20 minutes; will try later.

The site is down for maintenance at present. They run on Pacific time so they think it's half past one in the morning at the moment...

[Bmblbzzz]

One final nerdy fact. The final train was powered by 43198 and 43002. Respectively the last and first production Class 43 power cars out of the factory.

That might be a nerdy fact, but it's neat and I like it. 
(And I think it might technically be "geeky" rather than "nerdy" )

[JayMac]

One year ago today that the final four GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) scheduled passenger services left London Paddington, on the evening of 18th May 2019.

I'm actually missing them. But happy memories of the day. A highlight being meeting Sir Kenneth Grange and having him sign a couple of souvenir booklets for me.

[grahame]

I'm seeing so many reminiscences of. year ago ... yes, sad they're not still around.  A tear, but a look forward.

My final view of a full length GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) ... a couple of weeks earlier

[Bmblbzzz]

Looks to me like four different liveries on one train there! 

[grahame]

Looks to me like four different liveries on one train there! 

Well spotted ... Harry Patch on the front

[RichardB]

A year ago today, I went on a lovely day trip from Plymouth to Exmouth, calling in at Topsham and Starcross and including the last service HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) from and to Plymouth.  Weather was good, like it has been today.

[Electric train]

Certainly iconic, played a major part in the keeping British Rail alive and competitive.  They certainly served well, as a stop gap until full network electrification.

However, they were not without their reliability issues, especially in the early days.


But still a British railway engineering great

[TonyK]

Certainly iconic, played a major part in the keeping British Rail alive and competitive.  They certainly served well, as a stop gap until full network electrification.

However, they were not without their reliability issues, especially in the early days.


But still a British railway engineering great

They were indeed a wonderful stop-gap measure, although sadly the gap wasn't stopped during the 40 years of their expected 25.We'll get it right one day.