ScotRail steps up High Speed Train driver training programme

A third High Speed Train set has moved to Aberdeen for the purpose of training ScotRail drivers, ahead of HSTs coming into service in May.

Ex-Great Western Railway 43037 and 43135 and a rake of four Mk 3s will be used, ahead of the HSTs starting work between Aberdeen and Edinburgh Waverley from the new timetable.

SR has 43021/037, 43126/ 132/135/179 for training, although as this issue of RAIL went to press 43021 and 43132 were due to move to Wabtec Rail’s Brush Traction Loughborough facility for overhaul, joining 43012/033, 43143/146/148/168/169/183.

The first overhauled pair is due to be released this month (43033, 43148).

The first refurbished rake of Mk 3s for SR is also due out of Wabtec’s Doncaster Works this month for training. These coaches will be Trailer First (TF) 41032, Trailer Standards (TS) 42045, 42561 and Trailer Standard (Disabled) (TSD) 42207.

As this issue of RAIL went to press, the next four ex-GWR Class 43s due off-lease are 43169/183 followed by 43168 and 43032. All are bound for ScotRail.

After those four, the remaining GWR ‘43s’ due to leave for SR will be 43003/015/026/028/030/031/ 034/035, 43124/125/127/128-131/ 133/136-142/144/145/147/ 149-152/164/175-177/181/182.

The HSTs are being released from GWR by the introduction of Class 800 Intercity Express Trains.