InterCity 125 designer Kenneth Grange knighted in New Year Honours

[whole diary]

[old original]

The designer behind the 125 get a knighthood...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20860592


Moderator note: Edited to change link to a whole article about Kenneth Grange's knighthood. bignosemac

[anthony215]

Just seen this online and have to say this is one award that is deserved.

To me the HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) is still an iconic symbol of the railways in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) although I still think they look better in the intercity swallow livery something I hope we will see return  to the uk rail network before the hst's are finally retired from most of the GW^» (Great Western - used as an abbreviation for the area / lines under the Great Western franchise, as opposed to FGW which includes "First", the company operating them too. For tickets - about) services

[trainer]

Hooray! Someone thought beyond sport and showbiz to a person who has had a more subtle but very real positive impact on our lives.  Well deserved.

[JayMac]

A well deserved gong. I think I may change my forum signature to include a picture of a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)).

[old original]

A well deserved gong. I think I may change my forum signature to include a picture of a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)).

If I were you I'd change your avatar. That old bloke in the hat should be falling out of favour these days for building on a flood plain!!! ;-)

[bobm]

How about HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) 43003 - named after the great man?

[Phil]

A well deserved gong. I think I may change my forum signature to include a picture of a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)).

Agreed; well deserved. But (before someone else points it out) isn't that technically a picture of a model of an HST?

[JayMac]

The only HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) picture in profile of a decent size and resolution I could find. With a mirror image and pasted 'Inter-City 125' for the right hand portion.

And I suspect Sir Kenneth Grange only ever built a model of the HST to go with the design drawings. 

[Brucey]

Always good to see honours being made to those involved in engineering, science, technology and medicine.  The sort of advances that affect the lives of thousands, maybe millions, who would otherwise go unacknowledged in the public eye.  Much more preferable, in my opinion, than honouring celebrities or sports stars who have already been given their five minutes of fame.

[anthony215]

How about HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) 43003 - named after the great man?

Surprised a hst hasn't been named after him already no doubt it is something that needs to happen

[bobm]

Errrr it has - 43003 is named IKB^▸ (Isambard Kingdom Brunel) - or were you suggesting bignosemac? 

[anthony215]

Errrr it has - 43003 is named IKB^▸ (Isambard Kingdom Brunel) - or were you suggesting bignosemac? 

I meant Kenneth Grange or perhaps we could ask FGW^▸ (First Great Western) if they would name one of their hst's after Bignosemac I am sure he would very honoured 

[JayMac]

Yes please! 43143 for preference. 14 and 3 being the day and month of my birth. That's if the people behind 'Stroud 700' don't mind giving up their nameplate. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Here you go - see http://www.flickr.com/photos/21611052@N02/4430398282/ - and in swallow livery, for anthony215! 

[JayMac]

'Swallow' only comes fourth in my favourite HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) liveries. First is the original production BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) colour scheme, second is Great Western Trains' 'Merlin' and third is Midland Mainline's 'Teal and Tangerine'.