Now the HSTs are gone, what next?

[Kite159]

You don't need to be so lavish - a West Yorkshire day rover will do the job without the need to venture to the wet side of the Pennines. Not quite back to the days of hordes of 40 bashers charging through the Huddersfield subway between the Blackpool turns, but it will certainly be worth a day out.

Just make sure you don't fall foul of the evening peak restrictions

Besides only using a West Yorkshire ticket will miss out on the 68 noise* through the long tunnel between Stalybridge & Huddersfield [yes I know you have Batley tunnel as well]

(*That presuming you will hear anything with the Mk5 coaches*)

 

[sprinterguy]

(*That presuming you will hear anything with the Mk5 coaches*)

You'll need to shell out for first class for a chance of the best audio experience. TPE's revenue model must be based on cornering the basher market.

 

[Esker-pades]

Go to Scotland and continue bashing HSTs in much nicer scenery than the drab flatlands of the GWML?

What's wrong with Dawlish?
(I prefer Scotland to the South West.)

 

[Techniquest]

What's wrong with Dawlish?
(I prefer Scotland to the South West.)

Or South Wales for that matter? Or indeed the Malverns line? I know the trek between Oxford and Worcester, better known as Middle Earth in some circles, is a bit slow but it is much nicer to travel through than the line between Reading and Taunton!

I gave up HST bashing years ago, but as for some suggestions for what to do next, I'd suggest actually going exploring around Europe and seeing some of the more interesting sights. Top choices being:

Dombas to Andalsnes in Norway
Bernina Express between Chur (Switzerland) and Tirano (Italy) for the magnificent scenery that beats the West Highland Line hands-down. Same for the line I mentioned in Norway!

There's also Liege to Luxembourg using CFL Class 3000 locos which are surprisingly hellfire. Their Class 4000 locos are pretty good too. SNCB Class 18 and 19 are quite fun too, although any chance to take in their Classes 13, 21 and 27 MUST be taken as they're awesome. The 28s on Brussels to Amsterdam services are fun too.

Someone suggested the older EMUs in Belgium, I concur as they're really good fun

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

Well. In my opinion, the Class 80x fleet on GWR services are providdin

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

Ignore that last one, sent it by accident

Well in my opinion, the GWR IET's are providing a better or much better experience than the HST's. In fact, as much as I love the train of my childhood, the HST which for me "began" on CrossCountry routes, I'm slowly preferring IET's over the HST's.

East Midlands Trains have no plans to change their HST's which the 8-coach sets have Paxman VP185 engines. The engine sounds from these HST's give you a buzz!

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

XC routes being around 1995/1996 .

 

[Iskra]

Just make sure you don't fall foul of the evening peak restrictions

Besides only using a West Yorkshire ticket will miss out on the 68 noise* through the long tunnel between Stalybridge & Huddersfield [yes I know you have Batley tunnel as well]

(*That presuming you will hear anything with the Mk5 coaches*)

Morley tunnel Kite,

 

[xotGD]

XC routes being around 1995/1996 .

The final tranche of HSTs were introduced new to north east - south west crosscountry services in the early 80s. Bye-bye Peaks!

 

[route101]

The Class 90s MK3 sets are going soon arent they ?

Was in Cophenhagen other day and took a double deck diesel hauled train , must be going soon .

 

[xotGD]

The Class 90s MK3 sets are going soon arent they ?

Was in Cophenhagen other day and took a double deck diesel hauled train , must be going soon .

90 - hauled Mark 3s, Mark 4s and sleepers will all soon all be gone. Catch them while you can!

 

[route101]

90 - hauled Mark 3s, Mark 4s and sleepers will all soon all be gone. Catch them while you can!

Thinking of coming down from Scotland to do them next week !