HSTs go off-lease

The first of the Class 43 High Speed Train power cars for which there are no future plans are sent off-lease by GWR.

THE first of the Class 43 High Speed Train power cars for which there are no future plans have been withdrawn.

Four power cars have been taken out of traffic and sent off-lease by Great Western Railway. Two are owned by Angel Trains (43017 Hannahs discoverhannahs.org and 43174), and the other two by Porterbrook (43053 University of Worcester and 43069).

Angel Trains spokesman Annabelle Duke told RAIL that the rolling stock leasing company was continuing to explore opportunities to secure future leases for the power cars. She said that this was commercially sensitive, and declined to comment on the discussions.

The AT power cars will be stored at Potters Group facility at Ely, where off-lease Mk 3s have also been stored over the past few months. Duke added that should another location be found, they could also be stored there.

A Porterbrook source confirmed that the company was also looking at new homes for the HSTs, but declined to comment further. The power cars arrived at Long Marston on February 16.

A campaign has been launched for HSTs to be leased by CrossCountry, to enable trains to continue operating west of Exeter in poor weather. This is because

SIMON ROBINSON. On hire to Hull Trains, Great Western Railway 43010 waits to leave Hull with the 0823 to London King’s Cross. This was the first use of the GWR High Speed Train by the open access operator, following several weeks of training. On the rear was 43190. The High Speed Train is sub-leased to HT from GWR, to cover for failed Class 180 diesel multiple units and to offer contingency to HT’s fleet. A second set is due to be used by HT, ahead of the introduction of Hitachi Class802/3s by the end of the year.