Ilkeston - St Pancras and return HST tour 28/10

[43066]

Doesn’t seem to have been mentioned on here - was it any good?

I got a shock earlier when it appeared out of of Ampthill tunnel on the fasts heading northbound. I hadn’t realised it was running, so did a double take and for a second thought I’d entered a time warp.

Fantastic and evocative to see, albeit the EMT liveried HSTs were such a familiar sight on the route until quite recently, that it didn’t look at all unusual.

 

[trainswitheddy]

First of many hopefully, and hopefully some make it down my end of the ECML soon! Miss the VP185s on NL65

 

[LowLevel]

I saw it briefly running into Nottingham as I departed on another service and just for a second it was back to the good old days. I'd forgotten how much I miss them.

 

[trainswitheddy]

I saw it briefly running into Nottingham as I departed on another service and just for a second it was back to the good old days. I'd forgotten how much I miss them.

Yeah, I really do miss seeing the HSTs at Nottingham on the early trains. I must admit I got quite sad waiting at a level crossing for an 801 where 4 years previous an HST would've shown up

 

[LiftFan]

I was on the tour yesterday- it was very good and I certainly hope they keep running them now that they’ve started!

 

[trainswitheddy]

I was on the tour yesterday- it was very good and I certainly hope they keep running them now that they’ve started!

I think I'll definitely have to get on next time they do one.

 

[43066]

I think I'll definitely have to get on next time they do one.

Likewise. Albeit something of a busman’s holiday in my case.

 

[baz962]

Likewise. Albeit something of a busman’s holiday in my case.

I didn't have you down as an enthusiast
I was on platform one while one came in platform two.

 

[43066]

I didn't have you down as an enthusiast
I was on platform one while one came in platform two.

My enthusiasm seems to be inversely proportional to the amount of time I spend at work.

I was on platform one while one came in platform two.

You got a better view than I did. Great to see an HST plying the route again, and a pity you missed out on driving them. For those of us who grew up on modernish units, they really were something else.

 

[trainswitheddy]

Likewise. Albeit something of a busman’s holiday in my case.

Hoping for one down the ECML! Would love for an LNER set to be preserved but sadly I think that time window is closing swiftly.

 

[43096]

Would love for an LNER set to be preserved but sadly I think that time window is closing swiftly.

There's some vehicles preserved at the Nene Valley and Colne Valley railways that are operational. Other than that there's some as static vehicles in various places. But only two stored at Ely and they are likely already spoken for. So little chance of a full set, and even less on the main line. 125 Group chose its vehicles carefully to get those in best condition it could.

 

[trainswitheddy]

There's some vehicles preserved at the Nene Valley and Colne Valley railways that are operational. Other than that there's some as static vehicles in various places. But only two stored at Ely and they are likely already spoken for. So little chance of a full set, and even less on the main line. 125 Group chose its vehicles carefully to get those in best condition it could.

Sad, but the way of things now. Glad some have been saved, maybe with todays move of ex-LNER powercars someone might nab one or two...