Trains - How to get on a Class 43 HST?

[miniman]

BrotherMouzone said:

I do like that Great Western has kept the odd one in classic InterCity livery.

There are two, one in blue / yellow and one in grey / beige "Swallow" livery.

Edited by miniman on Friday 16th February 17:20

[Zad]

There is a Paxman Valenta engined Class 41 (HST prototype) in preservation that is due to run this weekend and next weekend, taking paying passengers from Nottingham.

http://www.125group.org.uk/prototype-hst-february-...

[Viperzs]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Grand Central, they still operate some of these too. A cool benefit of them is that they use a First Class carriage as standard class access with unreserved seating. It's a pretty old interior so looks quite cool! York-Sunderland for a trip to the NE Coast would be a nice trip.

[Gareth1974]

Viperzs said:

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Grand Central, they still operate some of these too. A cool benefit of them is that they use a First Class carriage as standard class access with unreserved seating. It's a pretty old interior so looks quite cool! York-Sunderland for a trip to the NE Coast would be a nice trip.

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/15691744.Charity_tour_to_say_goodbye_to_trains/

[Flying Phil]

They are still running on the Midland Main Line on some St Pancras / Sheffield services, they still look great and have a smooth quiet ride....despite being about 40 years old!

[Viperzs]

Gareth1974 said:

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/15691744.Charity_t...

I didn't know that I seriously dislike the Class 180 as well, looks like I'm avoiding GC now!

[Rich1973]

BrotherMouzone said:

I do like that Great Western has kept the odd one in classic InterCity livery.

It was painted in the original livery last year to mark the 40th anniversary of the HST. There was an open day at St Phillips Marsh depot where 43002 was unveiled in the original blue/yellow, with a talk by Sir Kenneth Grange who was one of the original designers.

It was a great day apart from it came on to rain heavy.

[steve-5snwi]

Viperzs said:

I didn't know that I seriously dislike the Class 180 as well, looks like I'm avoiding GC now!

Have they retired them though ? I'm fairly sure i saw one 2 weeks ago.

[demic]

Yes their last day was 31/12/17. They’ve been transferred to East Midlands trains. The one you saw was probably yet to visit the paint shop and still in our colours.

[blueg33]

I am currently sitting on a GWR class 43, on my way to Reading from Evesham. Sadly standard class, but more legroom and bigger fold down tables than any Voyager or Pendalino

[steve-5snwi]

demic said:

Yes their last day was 31/12/17. They’ve been transferred to East Midlands trains. The one you saw was probably yet to visit the paint shop and still in our colours.

It couldn't have been the HST then as it was the East Coast line just outside of Peterborough

[davepoth]

Zad said:

There is a Paxman Valenta engined Class 41 (HST prototype) in preservation that is due to run this weekend and next weekend, taking paying passengers from Nottingham.

http://www.125group.org.uk/prototype-hst-february-...

Standing on a platform just isn't the same without that banshee wail. And by "the same" I mean "so loud it causes physical pain".

[StefanVXR8]

You could always fly out here to the East Coast of Australia and have a trip on the 43’s Antipodean cousin...



I grew up in Cornwall in the 70’s/80’s and from memory saw every 43 that was around at the time, yes, yes, I had a spotters loco book, an Ian Allen one from memory.

Stef

[nn7man]

Shame they were all re-engined and no longer run the Paxman Valentas. Was one of the best sounding diesels ever

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ICcOu0NkM

[Aidancky]

Update - I managed to get on one unintentionally.

United Airlines decided to change our flight to Heathrow (instead of Manchester) and we last-minute had to get to London pronto.
I was in my element managing to get on one, it had the old slam doors too.

[Flying Phil]

Well done! Fortuitous circumstance - Fate!!

[Mr_C]

Last time we went to London all the notice boards etc said it was one of them new glorified sprinter things that we were going to get... my wife just couldn’t understand my excitement as an HST glided past, its big engine idling sweetly. Luckily the sprinter thing had broken down somewhere

[blueg33]

Aidancky said:

Update - I managed to get on one unintentionally.

United Airlines decided to change our flight to Heathrow (instead of Manchester) and we last-minute had to get to London pronto.
I was in my element managing to get on one, it had the old slam doors too.

Which route? I didn't think any Class 43's did the route from London to Manchester? Euston to Man Picadilly is mainly Pendalino.

Can't see that any line from Paddington makes sense top get to Manchester?

[43034]

blueg33 said:

Which route? I didn't think any Class 43's did the route from London to Manchester? Euston to Man Picadilly is mainly Pendalino.

Can't see that any line from Paddington makes sense top get to Manchester?

OP lives near York so I assume he got an East Coast one from 'home'.

[blueg33]

miniman said:

BrotherMouzone said:

I do like that Great Western has kept the odd one in classic InterCity livery.

There are two, one in blue / yellow and one in grey / beige "Swallow" livery.

Edited by miniman on Friday 16th February 17:20

I have just boarded the blue/yellow one. Sir Kenneth Grange. Boarded at Evesham heading to Paddington.