HST's in weird or strange places

[martyn29]

Has anyone got any instances of HST's being on lines or stations (like small stations or lines!) that they wouldnt normally be on? Even better if you have photos!
I have seen Cross country HST's go through Leicester, South wigston, Hinckley, Nuneaton, which they dont normally do. And A voyager terminated at Leicester once.

 

[anthony263]

I have seen HST'S at Tondu and at Barry

 

[MCR247]

The EMT Skeggy HST

 

[martyn29]

thats a good oen the EMT hst to Skegness!

 

[HSTfan!!!]

I have seen HST'S at Tondu and at Barry

I wouldn't say Barry is totally unusual? Happens a few times a year at least in my experience. Whenever there is engineering on the mainline to bridgend, the VOG is the diversionary route, and when we had the floods not so long ago it was a life saver! I recall not so long ago a freight breaking down on the mainline hence a few HSTS diverted via the VOG.

 

[ukrob]

Are we talking 'strange' as in today or 'strange' as in through their whole life?

 

[generalvegitable]

how about newquay on the 1st of august?

 

[theblackwatch]

Last year when I wrote a piece about the EMT Valenta farewell trip, I mentioned various locations HSTs have visited on tours - Stranraer, Aberystwyth, Severn Beach and Whitby being four passenger branches, whilst freight branches have included Heathfield, Eastgate and High Marnham.

 

[Failed Unit]

I think the HST has now covered every line in Lincolnshire now.

Skegness - Nottingham is a current working,
Nottingham - Lincoln has been done in the Christmas market, but in the early 1980's their used to be a HST from Lincoln to Reading hock:
Peterborough - Doncaster used to be a frequent diversion route including the avoiding line. Hopefully it will be used again even without the avoiding line.
Newark - Cleethorpes in the days of the Humber-Lincs Executive, sometime it diverted via Scunthorpe.

In Scotland you can sometimes see a HST on the Inverness - Aberdeen via Elgin route for diversions. Dundee - Perth and Ladybank - Perth sometimes see them as well as the Edinburgh suburban line.

 

[MCR247]

Line already mentioned

 

[krus_aragon]

I wouldn't say Barry is totally unusual? Happens a few times a year at least in my experience. Whenever there is engineering on the mainline to bridgend, the VOG is the diversionary route, and when we had the floods not so long ago it was a life saver! I recall not so long ago a freight breaking down on the mainline hence a few HSTS diverted via the VOG.

If they went to Barry Island, that would be unusual!

I assume that such diversions would see significant cancellations of regular Barry/VoG services?

 

[route:oxford]

I do recall, and this would be over 20 years ago, an HST being accidently routed to Methil docks.

Can't find anything on Google about it. It was reported in the "Dundee Courier and Advertiser" at the time.

 

[Techniquest]

In Scotland you can sometimes see a HST on the Inverness - Aberdeen via Elgin route for diversions. Dundee - Perth and Ladybank - Perth sometimes see them as well as the Edinburgh suburban line.

Inverness to Aberdeen hasn't seen a HST run over it for many years!

Dundee to Perth and Ladybank to Perth is indeed used on occasions. The Fife Coast has had blocks on it recently (this weekend included IIRC), meaning HSTs diverted via Dumfermline. Been there, done that on the 2026 Aberdeen to Edinburgh on 9th December 2008 with 43285 and 43357

The Edinburgh suburban line is also one that gets occasional use, although I've not heard of it being used by HSTs since December 2008. Again, been there and done that with 43285 and 43357 on the 2026 Aberdeen to Edinburgh on 9th December 2008

Skegness is one of the more unusual destinations of this millenium that I've finally been to. A lot of places I have been to on HSTs I only have on Mini DV tapes (Dumfermline and the Edinburgh suburban line are two perfect examples), so I have no evidence to provide for this thread. Scarborough is another unusual destination I've had the pleasure of going to and until summer 2008 Glasgow Central was rare.

Photos I have online:

Skegness with 43055 and 43073 on 18th July 2009:

Yeovil Junction (I was staying onto Exeter, but had time for this phot) with 43185 and 43037 in November 2008:

Honiton (again, stayed on to Exeter but pathing requirements allowed this photo) with 43185 and 43037 in November 2008:

43002 at the helm of the 1122 (IIRC) from Exeter Central, ex-Plymouth IIRC, for London Paddington via Yeovil Pen Mill due to engineering works:

More photos of HSTs on The Mule in November 2008:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/43019/The Down and Up Mule November 2008/

43064 at Scarborough on EMT's special The Scarborough Valenta/Valenta Venturer, 26th July 2008:

43081 at the other end of the set used on 26th July 2008 at Scarborough. Foolishly I didn't go for the classic shot at Scarborough!:

More photos from the trip revolving around EMT's Valenta Farewell:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/43019/EMT Valenta Farewell July 2008/

43080 at Cambridge on the 0641 (IIRC) Sunderland to Cambridge due to engineering works at Stevenage that had been postponed from the New Year on 14th March 2009:

43068 at Cambridge on 14th March 2009 with the 1125 Cambridge to Sunderland:

Just a few places I've been to on HSTs since 2005 (when I became a basher proper).

Videos from The Scarborough Valenta/Valenta Venturer and The Anglian Grand Central are available for viewing at http://railwayforum.tv/KingtonTramBasher/

Plenty more photos (and I know it's a shameless series of plugs, but I hardly ever do it!) at http://photobucket.com/techniquest

 

[voyagerdude220]

How about one heading through the Heart of Wales line in January 1994?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H59pTkGhfQ

 

[mumrar]

Don't have the specific date, but in September 1997 as we were passing out with our conductor coaches. They got a call as no-one else could cover route they knew of!! So we all went Leamington to Stratford and back with an 8 coach HST. It even called at Wilmcote in both directions. Happy days

 

[flymo]

I seem to remember a direct train Newcastle - Waterloo when the Channel Tunnel services started, this was about 09:00 from Newcastle. This was an HST the time I saw it leaving Newcastle. Aint got any photos to prove it though and I don't think it lasted too long - maybe 6 months or so.

Then again I guess Waterloo has been used a few times when parts of the GWML has been closed so not too unusual.

 

[156499]

Tyne valley diversions Carlisle-Haltwhistle-Hexham-Prudhoe-Metro Centre-Newcastle :P
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Been known at Weymouth as well latley!

 

[GNERman]

well in the 80's a set made it up the swinden quarry branch with a charter from the home counties...

on the topic of HST weird formations you could have -

GC 4 car training runs
VXC running as three coaches due to stock problems at the beginning of their franchise
VXC running 2 car HST's on Man Pic - Airport shuttles

any others?

OH and Hornby's stupid HST packs with 2 coaches

 

[Techniquest]

Been known at Weymouth as well latley!

Once a HST has been to Weymouth this millenium. How they managed to scramble a SSL set together at relatively short notice I don't know. Only wish I'd known about it when I was at Eastleigh that day!

Of course, we can't forget that we've had two FGW HSTs from Fratton now in connection with providing additional capacity for football matches in Portsmouth. HSTs were never very common down that way either in the ICXC or VXC days.

Sheringham is another place that a HST has been to a fair few years ago on a charter. Evidence of this is on the Intercity 125: The Need for Speed DVD and on YouTube.

 

[delt1c]

most unusual working I recall was back in th 1980's before the ECML electrification. Due to a DMU shortage a full East coast rake was used for an Edinburgh North Berwick service, and
had the Buffet staffed and in use. This was before the station was resited.

 

[MCR247]

well in the 80's a set made it up the swinden quarry branch with a charter from the home counties...

on the topic of HST weird formations you could have -

GC 4 car training runs
VXC running as three coaches due to stock problems at the beginning of their franchise
VXC running 2 car HST's on Man Pic - Airport shuttles

any others?

OH and Hornby's stupid HST packs with 2 coaches

How are these places/lines?

 

[Daimler]

No one's mentioned the run last year to Minehead on the WSR, I don't think - I'd have enjoyed going on that!

 

[Mystic Force]

Back some years ago the MoD would charter HSTs for marines at Lympstone Commando that must have been an interesting working on the single track Avocet line and the platform could have only taken 2-3 coaches so must have taken a while to fill.

 

[Stonesourscotty]

Manchester is now odd with it being a Summer only destination. what about the freight lines the rio sets used to run via?

 

[GNERman]

How are these places/lines?

On the topic of wierd formations you could have -

I didn't





I was only talking about them because of weird HST stuff, just thought I would start a new conversation...

 

[EltonRoad]

I've got two photos in front of me, what a shame they're prints (rather than digital)!

HST at Meole Brace Shrewsbury on 26/3/94, Hertforshire Railtours 125 Special from London St Pancras to Welshpool. Lovely sunny day.

Then another 125 Special at Blaenau Ffestiniog on 9/4/94. I travelled on this one - great day - started at Derby, went via Leicester to Birmingham New Street, then to Llandudno (reverse) and to Blaenau. Great shot of the 125 at Blaenau with the slate mountains in the background.

No-one's mentioned Pembroke Dock - there are two HSTs on summer Saturdays to Paddington. I travelled on one about 5 years ago and it was virtually empty by the time it got to Pembroke. Are these trains well-used?

Virgin ran an HST to and from Blackpool North to Euston for a while.

FGW started the early morning Hereford to Paddington HSTs back at Abergavenny for a while but they've now been pulled. There was no return working.

As an aside, is anyone aware of an HST ever making it to Fort William?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also - InterCity used to run a service from Cleethorpes to King's Cross.

And from Milford Haven to Paddington.

 

[Techniquest]

No one's mentioned the run last year to Minehead on the WSR, I don't think - I'd have enjoyed going on that!

Woah, how'd I forget about that one?! 43132 and 43071 did the honours and put in a mighty fine performance, especially on the non-stop run from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard! The driver was really making the power cars work well on the tour, a thoroughly enjoyable run!

I have plenty of photos from the tour on 10th May 2008, but none of them are on my Photobucket account currently. If anyone's interested, I'll prioitise the upload of them tomorrow.

Plenty there EltonRoad that no-one's mentioned previously in this thread. Pembroke Dock still sees summer Saturday only services, of which I intend to try and do this summer. Milford Haven was pulled in 1994 IIRC. Cleethorpes might have been about the same time.

Fort William, well it was in the beginnings of being talked about before Heartland Rail was finished. Would have been quite nice to get that in! Maybe in the next couple of decades...

I was going to mention the Hereford to Paddingtons starting at Abergavenny for a timetable period or two. I had the delightful pleasure of getting 43002 from Abergavenny on its last Valenta day, nothing but thrash on that and thoroughly enjoyable.

I have photos of Pembroke Dock HSTs somewhere from the RailUK meet that was held in 2005, I'm sure Dennis, Jim or a number of other members may have photos somewhere too. Photos I have of HSTs at Abergavenny on 3rd January 2008, for some reason the photos are not online. Again, I shall get on with uploading these now!

Video footage of 43002 at Abergavenny and on the 0511 to London Paddington is about somewhere, I shall see if I can find it and get Movie Maker to actually work properly.

EDIT: Oops, almost forgot to add some photos from the Rio HSTs on what I appear to have recorded as 9th September 2004. Seems so long ago!:

43180 at Manchester Piccadilly before working the 11xx Manchester Piccadilly to London St Pancras:

The 'Rio Glory' stick-on nameplate attached at the time to 43180:

Approaching Dore South Curve, the feather for the junction as well as the countdown markers for the junction can be clearly seen in this blurry (due to full zoom being used at some sort of speed!) shot:

Taking Dore South Curve:

About to re-join the mainline at Dore South Junction:

43197 at Stockport on the 16xx Manchester Piccadilly to London St Pancras:

 

[EltonRoad]

One more that's just come to mind - InterCity used to run an HST service from Glasgow Queen Street to King's Cross. If memory serves it ended around the time the East Coast was electrified to Edinburgh.

IC Cross Country used to run a Summer Saturdays HST from Glasgow Central to Scarborough and return. It was never in any of the leaflet timetables. The only reason I knew about it was because I worked summer holidays at a BR travel centre and it came up on the computer system. It was however in Table 51 of the BR Passenger Timetable. Seem to remember it stopped at Newcastle and York to pick up only, then reversed to Scarborough.

ICXC also used to run two separate trains from Blackpool North to Glasgow and Edinburgh on summer Saturdays, reversing at Preston, and stopping there to pick-up only. They were loco-hauled though. The same applies for a summer Saturday service from Rose Grove in Lancashire to Paignton. This was when the services were branded InterCity Holidaymaker. I just thought I'd stick that in as I remember busting a gut to see those trains in the hope they would be HSTs, but they turned out to be 47s + a rake of Mark 2 coaching stock.

 

[Techniquest]

Indeed, the HST to Queen Street ran until the early 1980s from what I've seen. Looks odd in Hellfire to see a HST to Queen Street!

Daft they were not to advertise the Scarborough one more fully I reckon, but there we go.

One I had also forgotten about whilst looking through photos on the laptop (most of my photos are on my flash drive, CDs or on the PC which I got booted off earlier to allow my brother onto instead) was the daily Frome to London Paddington and vice versa services which kicked off in December 2008. Previously such a service had been in the hands of 180s, so I had taken the chance in mid-January 2008 and sure enough, I was treated to 43185 and 43088 on the Frome-bound service! Quite the nice ride, especially as the TM wanted us to all sit in the buffet car (due to short platforms and/or knowing how many people he had on board were reasons given). Which was slightly annoying for me as I needed one of the TS vehicles for travelage, but it was nice to be allowed to travel in First Class for no extra charge. Only the second time that's happened for me now! Photos then:

I seminar first of all next to 43185 shortly before the shunt forward took place (due to the rear of the set fouling the signal block, so a short shunt took place to enable the set to return on the short passenger working to Westbury, from where the set went empty to St Phillips Marsh):

Two photos next of the set under the overall roof at Frome, one blurrier than the other but trust me, it wasn't overly warm that night and my tripod was a little broken:

More photos from this trip, including detail shots of the very last train in Regional Railways livery and of Wessex Trains' livery on 150s and 153s, and more, can be found at:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/43019/Frome HST January 2008/

Some captions have been done, the rest will be done eventually.

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

VXC running 2 car HST's on Man Pic - Airport shuttles

Better than that!

Copyright; S Vaughen
43078 leads 43070 on 1S54 0556 Manc Airport - Edinburgh