HSTs Off The Beaten Track

[Whistler40145]

Occasionally you hear of HSTs working Charter Trains to obscure locations. I would like to know since their introduction to traffic, where off the beaten track have HSTs ventured to on service trains, be it due to stock shortages, bad weather, accidents etc?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

There are hundreds of answers to this question in this thread :- HST's in weird or strange places.

and on this thread :- HST - Where haven't they been?.

Enjoy !

 

[fairysdad]

In my old stomping ground, both Barnstaple and Exmouth have seen HSTs visit them.

This might be of interest to you too - although not an unusual location for HSTs to visit, possibly the most unusual passenger working of one!

 

[Whistler40145]

Does EMT ever divert Sheffield HST services via the Robin Hood line?

 

[MCR247]

No, not possible without a reverse at Worksop IIRC, and I doubt drivers will sign it

 

[Old Timer]

Probably the first case of an Eastern Region HST was in the summer of 1978 when a HST ran on a special from Kings Cross to Norwich via Cambridge and Ely.

I have a photograph of that somewhere in the loft.

 

[Tomonthetrain]

HSTs appeared in April 2011 at Stourbridge Junction after being diverted through there because of emergency works at Bromsgrove

 

[Class172]

HSTs appeared in April 2011 at Stourbridge Junction after being diverted through there because of emergency works at Bromsgrove

Ah, yes remember those and the voyagers at Droitwich — it's not uncommon for them to come this route; after all there are a couple of diagrams that are routed this way.

 

[Whistler40145]

Did any HSTs ever get diverted from Worcester via Kidderminster, Stourbridge Jn & Bescot to Brum?

 

[Class172]

Did any HSTs ever get diverted from Worcester via Kidderminster, Stourbridge Jn & Bescot to Brum?

Yes, look two posts above yours.

 

[NightatLaira]

This has got to be one of the best HSTs in random places shot IMO. Blaneau Ffestiniog on a tour from Kings Cross. I'm fairly sure the blurb on the webpage is wrong however, there is a picture of an HST in blue and yellow BR intercity colours somewhere in the Ffestiniog Railway Magazines from the late 80s/early 90s but I can't find it...

 

[Temple Meads]

HST's appear to be regularly working to Frome from Westbury now, 1 service in the evening at least.

 

[brompton rail]

A Virgin XC HST once, famously, went into Ferrybridge Power Station (West Yorkshire). Having been diverted from it's normal route between Sheffield and Leeds it was sent up the S&K line through Pontefract Baghill. At Ferrybridge is was signalled into the Power Station (perhaps the signalman thought it was a Merry Go Round coal train?) and unfortunately the driver went in! Took some time to get back out and go to Leeds.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Here's an unusual image, an HST in 1993 on the Weardale Railway at Woolsingham, now a privately owned Community railway.

Taken from the Weardale Railway website

 

[Whistler40145]

When I was talking about Worcester to Brum via Stourbridge, I wasn't clear. I meant when the freight only line via Round Oak was open!

 

[Class172]

I don't know about that, that's way before my time.

It was partly my fault for not recognising Bescot Jct.

 

[rich.davies]

This has got to be one of the best HSTs in random places shot IMO. Blaneau Ffestiniog on a tour from Kings Cross. I'm fairly sure the blurb on the webpage is wrong however, there is a picture of an HST in blue and yellow BR intercity colours somewhere in the Ffestiniog Railway Magazines from the late 80s/early 90s but I can't find it...

Ive seen a picture of that very train coming out of the tunnel as it comes into bleanau. Imagine what a fuss it would cause if a pendo or voyager did it today!!!

 

[Bittern]

Would be quite a sight if a Pendolino managed it. Coasting all the way to Bleanau would be some achievement.

 

[NIMBUS]

This thread seems to have got "off the beaten track" itself.

The OP referred to HSTs on charters going to strange places but specifically asked where they have been on service trains (presumably as the result of diversions?).

 

[richw]

Was 43043 a special hst, as seems to feature in both photos above at unusual locations.

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

 

[robschopper]

I'm sure a Voyager came up to Blaenau a copy of years ago on a test. Trying to find the photo.

 

[Whistler40145]

I don't know if this counts, but here goes.

London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly via Stafford, Stoke on Trent, Crewe & Styal.

This was a HST throughout in the early 1990s & all were booked stops & not a diversion.

 

[robschopper]

I have also seen a picture of an Intercity HST at Pwllheli.

 

[Yew]

Does EMT ever divert Sheffield HST services via the Robin Hood line?

I wish, The drivers might sign the robin hood line, but unfortunately the Worksop - sheffield line is northern operated, so unless they tried to put a northern driver in the cab too (ideally if the drivers signed a 156/3/8 to give them some common ground)

Also the platform at worksop cant be more then 90m long, and its right on a level crossing so they couldnt stick the power car off the end ( it would have to take a robin hood line service too, as there arent enough paths to run this as extra to the standard service

 

[Whistler40145]

Have St Pancras to Leeds HSTs ever been diverted from Sheffield via Barnsley?

 

[43021HST]

seen a a picture of a HST on the Wallingford branch shortly before it closed.
I wish I could find the book I saw the picture.

 

[syorksdeano]

Have St Pancras to Leeds HSTs ever been diverted from Sheffield via Barnsley?

Yes. I have been aboard a few times when this has happened

 

[Whistler40145]

Did the Manchester Piccadilly to London St Pancras HST get diverted via Ashburys/New Mills or Guide Bridge?

 

[DJ737]

G'day

A Bounds Green-St Pancras ECS HST ended up at Broad Street one day in 1983 due to a points failure at Junction Rd. Jct. lack of driver knowledge and a signalman who wrong routed the thing. (Me )

Cheers
DJ737
Melbourne, Australia

 

[callum112233]

I once saw a HST near Greenfield going over the Diggle viaduct towards Huddersfield. No idea where it was going. I assumed it had come from Man picc.