GwR HSTs to be stood down

[Bornin1980s]

There appears to be one final morning working according to RTT: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G05298/2025-12-13/detailed

Thanks, but I didn't manage to see it from my vantage point because of a thick fog. I heard it, though.

 

[321362]

Was sent this by @37884 I'm hoping some of these don't happen but thought it was funny and wanted to share

Completely forgot to write an image description!

Image shows a 5x5 bingo board titled HST Last Day Bingo. From left to right and top to bottom it reads:
"Can I get in the cab please?"
TikTok Veg
Begging for tones
Shouting station staff
"Get out of my shot!"
[New line]
Wedge Ex
Lynx Africa
Writing on the locos
Upcountry veg
Souvenir hunting
[New line]
Chanting
"Last proper traction"
Drunks
Bashers quotes
Something fails
[New line]
Crying veg
Misogyny
Screaming
Someone tries to hang guard window
Veg kicked off
[New line]
"What's so special?"
Someone gets lost
People bring their models
Broken camera
Fight

 

[Cach17]

Thus ends 49 years, 2 months and 9 days of HSTs on the Western Region...

 

[Anonymous10]

Thus ends 49 years, 2 months and 9 days of HSTs on the Western Region...

I will miss them on my trips to cornwall. Always were my preference as they were quiet and could do some work.

 

[cjw714]

Thus ends 49 years, 2 months and 9 days of HSTs on the Western Region...

Incredible to think that I would have first travelled on one in 1978 or 1979. Was very fortunate to get one last ride this summer along the Dawlish sea wall.

 

[sh24]

First in 1978 Swindon-Chippenham-Didcot. My last run was in the summer, Plymouth-Par. Truth be told the final refurb wasn't kind to the HST but still quite the sight and sound.

Hopefully one day the preservation group will get a Valenta powered pair on a full set for a 125mph run down the GWML. I'd love to be lineside to hear the scream of turbochargers and the howl of the cooler group.

 

[John R]

I first rode an HST about three or four weeks after launch in Nov 76, when BR had a “125 for 125p” fare between Cardiff and London.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Was sent this by @37884 I'm hoping some of these don't happen but thought it was funny and wanted to share

Sadly there was a fight of some sort on 2C42. A small lad was also noted with his Hornby HST, people trying to unscrew the GWR roundels off the seat backs, writing on the power cars and now a rumour of one going to Newquay vice 150 failure.

 

[321362]

Sadly there was a fight of some sort on 2C42.

I saw a clip of that. Looked awful.

 

[TonyW590]

I first rode an HST about three or four weeks after launch in Nov 76, when BR had a “125 for 125p” fare between Cardiff and London.

Aye, me too. Many trips to Cardiff (and Bristol) for £1.25 return. And many "125 Burgers" consumed as a result.

 

[Peterthegreat]

I believe the rest of the day's service on the Newquay branch will be operated by HST!

 

[The_Train]

I believe the rest if the day's service on the Newquay branch will be operated by HST!

Yep. Not a great look for GWR that they are relying on a HST set to cover diagrams on their farewell day. What will they do next week if this happens?

I don't know what the situation is with them being sent off lease, but whilst they won't have any scheduled diagrams, I wouldn't be surprised to see a set out covering again and ruining the lives of those desperate to be on the very last one

 

[Anonymous10]

Sadly there was a fight of some sort on 2C42. A small lad was also noted with his Hornby HST, people trying to unscrew the GWR roundels off the seat backs, writing on the power cars and now a rumour of one going to Newquay vice 150 failure.

It is a shame that these events happen on such workings.

 

[Mike395]

Enough about the incident earlier please, let’s move on.

 

[F Great Eastern]

So 43198 as last built will bring the curtain down as last in service?

The fact it is last built is not the reason it was selected though, it was a happy co-incidence.

It was picked because of the two name plates it had as a lasting tribute to the two staff who died in service for FGW

 

[Peterthegreat]

Well it may be the last service will be the 21.22 Newquay to Plymouth due 23.14.

 

[Liam L]

Yep. Not a great look for GWR that they are relying on a HST set to cover diagrams on their farewell day. What will they do next week if this happens?

I don't know what the situation is with them being sent off lease, but whilst they won't have any scheduled diagrams, I wouldn't be surprised to see a set out covering again and ruining the lives of those desperate to be on the very last one

Aren't alot of the sets and powercars left owned by fristgroup anyway?

 

[The_Train]

Aren't alot of the sets and powercars left owned by fristgroup anyway?

That sort of knowledge is beyond my brain, I'm afraid. Either way I suppose it will depend on agreements with the new owners, what work is required on them before handback and the planned schedules to get them over to Yarmouth

 

[REVUpminster]

This has really been badly handled by GWR. They should have been left to fade in the memory by exchanging them for 175s before today.

 

[VP185]

This has really been badly handled by GWR. They should have been left to fade in the memory by exchanging them for 175s before today.

It hasn’t been handled badly by GWR.

GWR have been left with no choice.

 

[REVUpminster]

It hasn’t been handled badly by GWR.

GWR have been left with no choice.

They have had 2 175s at Laira for a year. If they had started training even a month earlier the HSTs could have been gone by now.

 

[321362]

I suppose there's no chance of an 80x or something getting subbed for the HST on Newquay services to preserve the fact that 1Zwhatever-it-is will be the last HST in England?

 

[VP185]

They have had 2 175s at Laira for a year. If they had started training even a month earlier the HSTs could have been gone by now.

The training isn’t the issue. The condition of the 175s was, and still is, the issue.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I suppose there's no chance of an 80x or something getting subbed for the HST on Newquay services to preserve the fact that 1Zwhatever-it-is will be the last HST in England?

I really doubt that’d be a great use of planners’ and drivers’ time.

 

[brad465]

This has really been badly handled by GWR. They should have been left to fade in the memory by exchanging them for 175s before today.

They did well with the farewell in 2019, and I was one of The Flying Banana farewell tour passengers, but I've personally moved on from them since they became fixed to Cornish locals; not just because I haven't used them since they did this, but they don't need a dozen "retirement events".

 

[Chester1]

They did well with the farewell in 2019, and I was one of The Flying Banana farewell tour passengers, but I've personally moved on from them since they became fixed to Cornish locals; not just because I haven't used them since they did this, but they don't need a dozen "retirement events".

I was a bit surprised by Telegraph's coverage for this reason. Its only the withdrawal of tiny number of mini sets. The withdrawal of the full length GWR fleet in 2019 and then the final withdrawal of the last mini sets in Scotland are the only big moments. This feels a little OTT when there are 26 sets in service in Scotland.

 

[michael74]

It never fails to amuse me that some enthusiasts feel that the railways should absolutely revolve around their hobby as opposed to providing a service to the paying public. The good people of Newquay deserve a service if it means spoiling a photographic opportunity for an absolute vast minority, then so be it. The class 43 had it's swan song at the end of the 2+7/8, everyone knew the 2+4 was a stopgap.

 

[321362]

Completely forgot to write an image description!

Image shows a 5x5 bingo board titled HST Last Day Bingo. From left to right and top to bottom it reads:
"Can I get in the cab please?"
TikTok Veg
Begging for tones
Shouting station staff
"Get out of my shot!"
[New line]
Wedge Ex
Lynx Africa
Writing on the locos
Upcountry veg
Souvenir hunting
[New line]
Chanting
"Last proper traction"
Drunks
Bashers quotes
Something fails
[New line]
Crying veg
Misogyny
Screaming
Someone tries to hang guard window
Veg kicked off
[New line]
"What's so special?"
Someone gets lost
People bring their models
Broken camera
Fight

I've been at Penzance station for 5 seconds and I've already ticked off two items on the board

 

[Peter C]

Just wanted to pop on here to say a quick thank-you to the various forum members who've posted updates about the 2+4 HSTs over the past few months as I've been very interested in reading them. I also don't suppose that there's anyone from GWR reading this, but I think the line-up at Plymouth sounds like a lovely idea and, if nothing else, should make for some very nice and interesting photos with three sets gathered together.

-Peter

 

[321362]

I've been at Penzance station for 5 seconds and I've already ticked off two items on the board

Just ticked off a third as station staff have just shouted at two youths who were cycling down the platform

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Dec 2025 ==

2C53 hasn't moved in a few minutes according to RTT, any gen on what's going on?