HST’s in Preservation

[43096]

What’s HST50 please?

The 50th anniversary of the HST's launch in 1976.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

What’s HST50 please?

It's 50 years since HST services started in 1976.

 

[pdeaves]

What’s HST50 please?

50 years of the HST, I suspect (introduced 1976?)

 

[50002Superb]

Unless I misread it the way it was written implied some celebratory event or events?

 

[northernbelle]

Unless I misread it the way it was written implied some celebratory event or events?

No it's not been done specifically for the 50th anniversary, but does coincide nicely with it.

Nice to see an authentic application, right down to mimicking the yellow headlight cover frames, which 43063 and others had when in Swallow livery.

I know a lot of effort went into to the nightmare job of getting the stripes correctly laid out and they look pretty good to me!

 

[gazthomas]

What’s HST50 please?

50th anniversary of going into service

 

[alco801]

A few other changes / additions to the main list.
41204 is being used as a cafe in Bellingham station in Northumberland
41209 near Ely is owned by one of the 125 Heritage directors
41206 is parked on track coupled to 41209 but separately owned.
41207 is now an air B&B called Stannington Pullman, and is for sale.
40701 - TRFB - VTEC at Weardale is now owned by 125 Preservation
40711 - TRFB - VTEC behind my house in Northumberland is owned by 125 Preservation
41095 - TF - VTEC behind my house in Northumberland is owned by 125 Preservation
42353 - TS - FGW blue at Cockshute storage is owned by Dave Shell of 125 Preservation

Craig

 

[Loadhaul60059]

43048 has been repainted.

43048 has been revealed in its new livery just in time for our Diesel Gala, running from 5–8 March. Resplendent in fresh Midland Mainline livery, this iconic HST power car will be a real highlight of the event.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/NeneValley...livery-just-in-time-for-our/1207743944799840/

Also 43025 in Intercity, and 43060 in GNER.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/1000799107...sTT2sEsXU2CuobFRzS2Yq2QyNKktGUS2vt1ZMLrSsLvl/

 

[Ted633]

Cracking choices of livery there. Nice to see the early privatised liveries being represented (especially GNER!)

 

[50039]

They look great! I’m a bit confused about the NVR diesel gala - their own website says sat/sun 07/08, but the fb post mentions 05-08?

 

[31160]

Wowsers wasn't expecting that, fantastic job

 

[Strathclyder]

Belting selection of liveries there. As @Ted633 notes, it's good to see the early privatisation liveries being represented, GNER especially would've been high on my wishlist. Top work by all involved.

 

[Derbyshire Gra]

They look great! I’m a bit confused about the NVR diesel gala - their own website says sat/sun 07/08, but the fb post mentions 05-08?

I believe it is service train operation on March 7th and 8th with a driver experience day on the 5th (and 27th)

 

[cats_five]

Belting selection of liveries there. As @Ted633 notes, it's good to see the early privatisation liveries being represented, GNER especially would've been high on my wishlist. Top work by all involved.

I loved everything about the look of GNER, especially the crockery & cutlery in the restaurant.

 

[ExRes]

048 looks amazing, I didn't think that Bambi would ever make it back onto the tracks

 

[Davester50]

43048 has been repainted.



Source: https://www.facebook.com/NeneValley...livery-just-in-time-for-our/1207743944799840/

Also 43025 in Intercity, and 43060 in GNER.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/1000799107...sTT2sEsXU2CuobFRzS2Yq2QyNKktGUS2vt1ZMLrSsLvl/

Gold GNER branding would have been nicer, always though that was the best colour scheme after privatisation.
Never rated the MML one.

 

[43096]

Gold GNER branding would have been nicer, always though that was the best colour scheme after privatisation.

As I understand it, the white version of the lettering was used because that was the version GNER used during the transition from InterCity to GNER livery - so is better matched (historically speaking) with the trailers it will work with. And, yes, the GNER lettering is an original.

 

[50039]

I believe it is service train operation on March 7th and 8th with a driver experience day on the 5th (and 27th)

Thanks - makes sense

 

[Davester50]

As I understand it, the white version of the lettering was used because that was the version GNER used during the transition from InterCity to GNER livery - so is better matched (historically speaking) with the trailers it will work with. And, yes, the GNER lettering is an original.

Fair, but as it's an ex-MML machine, history is being slightly twisted to put it in a new to it livery anyway.

 

[fgwrich]

Fair, but as it's an ex-MML machine, history is being slightly twisted to put it in a new to it livery anyway.

But it’s one of those situations where the owners can do what they want to (speaking of which some are on here), plus aside from 102 at the NRM, none of the former Craigentinny machines have either been made available for or have entered preservation, being highly lucrative and useful machines for Angel & Romic whereby they have found further use elsewhere either in Mexico, Nigeria or remaining in the UK for Colas & Network Rail. Compared to the Western region fleet, the East Coast machines have faired well.

 

[DarloRich]

Paint wibble: All 3 power cars look superb! Good work. Well done!

 

[Davester50]

But it’s one of those situations where the owners can do what they want to (speaking of which some are on here)

Of course they can do what they want. It's their toy box. I've never stated otherwise.

 

[fgwrich]

A few other changes / additions to the main list.
41204 is being used as a cafe in Bellingham station in Northumberland
41209 near Ely is owned by one of the 125 Heritage directors
41206 is parked on track coupled to 41209 but separately owned.
41207 is now an air B&B called Stannington Pullman, and is for sale.
40701 - TRFB - VTEC at Weardale is now owned by 125 Preservation
40711 - TRFB - VTEC behind my house in Northumberland is owned by 125 Preservation
41095 - TF - VTEC behind my house in Northumberland is owned by 125 Preservation
42353 - TS - FGW blue at Cockshute storage is owned by Dave Shell of 125 Preservation

Craig

Cheers Craig, list now updated.

43048 has now arrived at the Nene Valley and will be taking part in services soon, including the up and coming Diesel Gala on the 7th and 8th of March.

43048 has today arrived and safely been unloaded at Nene Valley Railway ahead of the upcoming diesel gala on the 7th and 8th of March Nene Valley Railway Spring Diesel Gala

43048 in its stunning freshly painted Midland Mainline Bambi livery is on long-term loan to 125 Preservation, whilst our power car 43060 is out on the mainline with 125 Group.

Don't forget there's still spaces available for our driving experiences.

HST Driving Experience | Nene Valley Railway Ltd

A superb day out for all the family from 5s to 95s!

nvr.org.uk

Pictures courtesy of Steven Jackson and NVR bar team.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Feb 2026 ==

43025 + 060 are currently doing some moves for Rail Adventure. They worked this yesterday from Bury to Joppa Straight (Edinburgh):

Realtime Trains | 5Q04 1005 Bury East Lancs Railway to Joppa Straight | 19/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q04 1005 departure from Bury East Lancs Railway to Joppa Straight on 19/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Joppa Straight to Haymarket:

Realtime Trains | 5Q24 0841 Joppa Straight to Haymarket Depot | 20/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q24 0841 departure from Joppa Straight to Haymarket Depot on 20/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

And will be working this from Haymarket Depot to Derby Chadd shortly:

Realtime Trains | 5M25 1207 Haymarket Depot to Chaddesden Sdgs | 20/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 5M25 1207 departure from Haymarket Depot to Chaddesden Sdgs on 20/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[trainswitheddy]

Thank you for your time in replying to my message. It just seems hard at times to face reality. 50 years is a long time to have something which at times is taken for granted, it feels like loosing a really good friend. It’s longer than most marriages !. But you are all correct, they are still with us, and will be for sometime to come. Apart from buying one, I do support the preservation movement as much as possible, my wife will testify to that. !

Maybe you and I can club together and buy one (Anyone else fancy chipping in?)
In all seriousness I'm 100% the same, feels bizarre that they're gone when they've been there since I was little (I used to think the ex-Nat Exp/East Coast sets were premium 1st class trains!!)

 

[Wyrleybart]

Maybe you and I can club together and buy one (Anyone else fancy chipping in?)
In all seriousness I'm 100% the same, feels bizarre that they're gone when they've been there since I was little (I used to think the ex-Nat Exp/East Coast sets were premium 1st class trains!!)

Why would you want to buy one though, when there are some really competent people out there working on them. Your efforts and money woild be far more beneficial to preservation than buying one yourself to stand in the garden.

The real issue for now is that 41001 has gone back to being a stuffed and preserved lump of metal instead of representing the very core of HSDTs in the UK - notwithstanding the Valenta scream - for those who remember it fondly.

 

[trainswitheddy]

Why would you want to buy one though, when there are some really competent people out there working on them. Your efforts and money woild be far more beneficial to preservation than buying one yourself to stand in the garden.

The real issue for now is that 41001 has gone back to being a stuffed and preserved lump of metal instead of representing the very core of HSDTs in the UK - notwithstanding the Valenta scream - for those who remember it fondly.

Who says I'd be standing it in the garden
Just a bit of fun unfortunately, tis but a dream !!

 

[BR Traction]

Who says I'd be standing it in the garden
Just a bit of fun unfortunately, tis but a dream !!

What is needed are some sleeping carriages that could be used to offer cheaper accommodation for people visiting diesel galas and multi day rail tours, ie The Gosh Ness Monster. The cost, availability and location of reasonable price hotels being something of a problem. A HST sleeper. Now that’s different!

 

[43096]

What is needed are some sleeping carriages that could be used to offer cheaper accommodation for people visiting diesel galas and multi day rail tours, ie The Gosh Ness Monster. The cost, availability and location of reasonable price hotels being something of a problem. A HST sleeper. Now that’s different!

That definitely isnt "needed".

 

[trainswitheddy]

That definitely isnt "needed".

Let us dream!!
Type of thing I'd of modelled on my train set when I was younger.