Shortened HSTs to begin service with GWR, September 2017 *unconfirmed*

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

From a Facebook post on the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) Enthusiast Group page:

6th September, Exeter to Penzance, if all goes to plan, first 2+4 HST with sliding doors and CET^▸ (Controlled Emission Toilet) toilets enters service.

All but eight of the 24 power cars being converted are known. The twelve First Group owned examples plus 12 Angel owned. Four of the Angel ones are already painted in green, they are staying.

11 sets being converted with 4 spare vehicles. Eight diagrams a day on the Exeter-Penzance and Cardiff-Taunton/Exeter axis once all are in service.

So 2nd September OC Open Day, 6th September, HST second life begins. Could be a very interesting month.

Whilst this isn't from an official source, I've no reason to disbelieve it. One set of Mk3s with CE toilets and power doors is nearing completion, and two Class 43 power cars have already been modified for operation with power door Mk3s. More converted HST sets will come on stream as the first few Class 800/0s enter passenger service from this summer.

[grahame]

But will they still be known as "High Speed Trains"?

[JayMac]

But will they still be known as "High Speed Trains"?

Humdrum Short Trains? 

[LiskeardRich]

I question the source immediately as there is 6 green power cars for starters.

[Western Pathfinder]

It may well be the case that these short formed HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) sets will be classed as 43 01 04 17

[PhilWakely]

I question the source immediately as there is 6 green power cars for starters.

Only two of these have been modified for power door operation.

[NickB]

And there was me thinking it was an April Fools joke...

[LiskeardRich]

And there was me thinking it was an April Fools joke...

I'm in 2 minds as it's something that's actually happening. The only joke is the start date if anything. 2 power cars and 4 carriages are in the process of being converted for trials.

[grahame]

And there was me thinking it was an April Fools joke...

I'm in 2 minds as it's something that's actually happening. The only joke is the start date if anything. 2 power cars and 4 carriages are in the process of being converted for trials.

A sea of fantasy on a bedrock of truth?

[John R]

I question the source immediately as there is 6 green power cars for starters.

It didn't say that there are only 4. It said that 4 owned by Angel are in green, it may well be the other 2 are owned by First.

Curious if it is an April Fool, because as noted the only thing that is in doubt is the start date, and the date chosen is perfectly plausible.

[phile]

From a Facebook post on the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) Enthusiast Group page:

6th September, Exeter to Penzance, if all goes to plan, first 2+4 HST with sliding doors and CET^▸ (Controlled Emission Toilet) toilets enters service.

All but eight of the 24 power cars being converted are known. The twelve First Group owned examples plus 12 Angel owned. Four of the Angel ones are already painted in green, they are staying.

11 sets being converted with 4 spare vehicles. Eight diagrams a day on the Exeter-Penzance and Cardiff-Taunton/Exeter axis once all are in service.

So 2nd September OC Open Day, 6th September, HST second life begins. Could be a very interesting month.

Whilst this isn't from an official source, I've no reason to disbelieve it. One set of Mk3s with CE toilets and power doors is nearing completion, and two Class 43 power cars have already been modified for operation with power door Mk3s. More converted HST sets will come on stream as the first few Class 800/0s enter passenger service from this summer.

It is a fact although I wouldn't place too much reliance on numbers at at this stage.