On This Day, 4 October 1976 - British Rail began its new 125mph High Speed Train (HST) service

[whole diary]

[Robin Summerhill]

Whilst innocently Googling to remind myself of the inauguration date of the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) service between Bristol and Paddington, I came across this thread.

I've just spent a few minutes reminiscing, and I thought that some others might like to do the same!

[Reginald25]

Turned up at Reading station for a trip to London in 1976, and travelled on the prototype which was running in place of a Loco hauled train as a trial. totally unexpected.

[PhilWakely]

I was at university in Bath in  the mid-70s and returned for my second year in late September 1976. As a keen rail enthusiast and member of the uni Photographic Club, I was tasked with 'Make a Portfolio of "the new trains"', so spent a wet Saturday at Swindon in early October.

Do you recognise yourself in any of these  ..............






and add in a 'proper' locomotive  ...

[bradshaw]

I had to go to Cardiff back then to be examined for a PhD. I was able to catch the prototype HST^▸ (High Speed Train)  from Paddington to Reading. Then get the Cardiff train from there, which was routed via Bath.
Sadly the day went downhill from there.....

[Western Pathfinder]

I remember nipping off school for the morning to see the first service arrive at Temple Meads .

[SandTEngineer]

Yes, those were the days.  Long hair, flared trousers, notebook in hand and no mobiles.....