Stored HSTs Running Out Of Time To Avoid Scrap
The Owners of the Great Western Railway HSTs say time is running out unless they can find a realistic franchisor to take them on.
Over 200 Mk 3 Coaches and 22 power cars have been put into storage at Long Marston & Ely after being withdrawn from regular passenger service with Great Western Railway earlier this year.
The ‘Inter City 125’ as it was known then entered service in Mid 1976 running various services throughout the country. Great Western Railway withdrew all of their HST 2+8 Sets in May, but many still remain with other operators. London North Eastern Railway have commenced passenger service of their new ‘Azuma’ HITACHI units and are planning to withdraw all of their Inter City 125 sets by next year.
Scot Rail Took On 54 Class 43 units and plan to run them on InterCity routes from Edinburgh Waverley & Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen and Inverness.
High Speed Rail Freight has been suggested as an innovative new plan, and would be ideal for Parcel & Logistics work from far distances and would be more efficient than taken by road or ‘slow’ freight. Parcels running at 125mph could actually be the new next day delivery!
The Owners, Angel Trains are worried about the future of the HSTs sets and fear that they could be lost as they are getting very expensive to store.
Could the stored HSTs be going to Scrap?
Author: matt
Owner of Rail Record
No way
East Midlands Railway ones apparently also being replaced in 2020, there can’t be that much room left at Ely before they’re chucked in the bin
As most of the HST’s were re engineered 10-12 years ago most of the power units have probably got another 25-20 years of life in them. So no I don’t think they will be scrapped but used either for high speed freight or in shortened 2+4 form regional passenger services replacing some or all the older diesel trains used on these regional lines.
Wast Midlands could do with using HSTs on the Nottingham to Liverpool route via Hope Valley, the 158s they are using now are normally crowded.
Cross Country could well do with taking 10-12 Class 43 and shed load of coaches – cos
trains are so over crowded what if one of these Class 170 sardine can has a smash.
Then those Txxxxx at the DFT would do something about then.
Regular rider on the Sardine Cans
The class 43 is with out any doubts the best trains I have ever travelled on. I use to work on the 43 they were the most reliable trains. I have travelled on most trains in the UK none are in the same league as the 43 .
I’m sure the 43 could be kept in service on many other lines from Liverpool Manchester many more places. Also on cross country services. The 43 has at least another twelve to fifteen years in them.