class 43

Latest Class 43 News & Discussion

First Great Western class 43

The HST class 43 is one of the world’s most iconic trains. Built between 1975 and 1982, they have since been found all over the country.

Where to see class 43?

It wasn’t until around 2017/2018 that use of the class 43 fleet started to reduce. Whilst many have been withdrawn from service, there are actually quite a few class 43s about, you just need to know where to look.

  • Great Western Railway

GWR still have a number of 43s in service with them – just not on the GWML. The GWR hsts work the “castle” (sliding doors) and “classic” sets (slamdoors unrefurbished) between Plymouth and Penzance.

  • ScotRail

Quite a few GWR class 43s went to ScotRail. Scotrail tend to operate class 43 HST trains on the following routes.

  • Aberdeen and Inverness
  • Inverness and Ediburgh Waverley
  • Edinburgh Waverley and Inverness
  • Inverness and Glasgow Queen Street
  • CrossCountry

CrossCountry trains own 10 HST power cars (43207, 43285, 43301, 43303, 43304, 43321, 43357, 43366, 43378 and 43384). They’re used on CrossCountry services from North to South in conjunction with voyagers, but they don’t run to Bournemouth/Southampton area.

  • East Midlands Railway

LNER operated a number of class 43 trains, which were later transferred to EMR for use on their St Pancras to Sheffield, Leeds, and other Midland Mainline services.

  • Network Rail

Network Rail operate the NMT measurement train, which is a high speed test train that runs all over the UK where high speed trains are permitted.

Information correct as of 2019

Read below, the latest class 43 news and class 43 related articles…

Hull Trains & VTEC Diverts + Hire-ins This August Bank Holiday Weekend 2019

Hull Trains to run to St Pancras, CrossCountry LNER Class 43 Hire-Ins and LNER Diverts via Joint Line This August 2019 Bank Holiday weekend will see some interesting stock hire ins across the country including some rare opportunities to see diverted trains. Over the weekend of Saturday 24th August and Sunday 25th August. A dynamic …

Hull Trains & VTEC Diverts + Hire-ins This August Bank Holiday Weekend 2019 Read More »

TIMINGS: GWR Announce Class 43 HST Farewell Railtour

GWR Announce Class 43 HST Farewell Railtour Great Western Railway have announced a farewell charity railtour for their much loved Class 43 HST high speed trains. This follows the recent news of their recent upcoming termination for their service on the Great Western Mainline. GWR class 43s are expected to continue working on local services …

TIMINGS: GWR Announce Class 43 HST Farewell Railtour Read More »

Intercity 125 Departs Paddington for Last Time – 18th May 2019

Intercity 125 Departs Paddington for Last Time – 18th May 2019 Last weekend saw the last passenger service depart London Paddington to be hauled by a Great Western Railway Intercity 125 Class 43 train. Sir Kenneth Grange also joined as hundreds of enthusiasts and passengers lined the platforms at London Paddington, at around 17:30 on …

Intercity 125 Departs Paddington for Last Time – 18th May 2019 Read More »