HST rundown
First ‘125’ for scrap
HIGH Speed Trains are being sent for scrap, with two former LNER rakes due to be dispatched to South Wales for dismantling.
These are the first HST vehicles (including power cars) ever to be scrapped, other than those written off in the Southall, Ladbroke Grove and Ufton Nervet accidents.
Speaking to RAIL on November 20, LNER Engineering Director John Doughty explained that the company had withdrawn two sets from traffic over the weekend of November 16/17 (including EC64), while it had also sent set NL65 back to East Midlands Railway after more than a year sub-leasing it.
It is the latter that should be first to move to Newport for scrapping, with power cars 43061 and 43075. As this issue of RAIL went to press, NL65 was due to be followed by set EC64, which is also the only ex-LNER set owned by Porterbrook that is not destined for EMR. That set is currently in warm store at Tyne Yard.
A spokesman for the rolling stock company confirmed that while it is looking at opportunities for its offlease HST fleet, it still plans to send redundant vehicles for scrap.
Doughty told RAIL that the last planned passenger service with LNER will run on December 15, after which a four-day charity charter will operate on December 18-21 (see Network News, pages 18-19).
The remainder of the HST fleet is leased by LNER until December 31, although several sets are to move to Gascoigne Wood for temporary storage before either moving to EMR or heading for scrap. This is
because the operator needs depot space for its remaining Class 91/ Mk 4 sets, as well as its new Class 800/801 fleets that are being introduced.
In the meantime, work is still being carried out on the sets and power cars.
Doughty told RAIL that on November 20 there were two Class 43s undergoing F-exams, which included bogie overhauls.
He explained that there had been no extra work needed ahead of their impending cascade to EMR - all that has been commissioned by the Department for Transport is the fitting of Passenger Information Screens (PIS) to the Mk 3s, although this will not be used by LNER. So far, one set (EC61) has been thus fitted, but that is out of traffic having been involved in a shunting accident at Neville Hill (see Network News, pages 16-17).
Following the start of withdrawals on November 16/17 (and then two more on November 23/24 and two on November 29/30), three more are due to go on December 7/8 and five on December 14/15.
Those not moved to Gascoigne Wood will be scrapped. All sets must be debranded and returned to their owners in suitable condition.
Of the 13 sets left, three are owned by Porterbrook (EC61-EC63) and are destined for EMR, while ten are owned by Angel Trains (of which six are destined for EMR, although identities have yet to be confirmed).
That leaves four sets that are likely to be scrapped, although Angel Trains has previously stated it would send them to Ely for storage.