HSTs stored and scrapped - but some find new employment
STORED High Speed Trains continue to experience mixed fortunes, with some set to return to passenger traffic while others are being used for testing equipment that will ultimately replace them.
Additionally, the first power car for charter duties has been identified and moved for repainting. However, a further 23 HST Mk 3s have been scrapped following a period in store, including all three former Grand Central catering coaches (see separate story).
On June 16, Great Western Railway sent 43009 and 43010 from St Philips Marsh to Wabtec Rail, Doncaster, moving Trailer Standards (TS) 42005/015/016 and Trailer Guards Standard (TGS) 44005.
These had been stored at the GWR depot since the end of last year, at which point they no longer complied with accessibility regulations. Leased from Angel Trains, they are to be converted into a ‘Castle’ set as GWR seeks to boost capacity on its network.
RAIL understands that as many as three additional ‘Castle’ sets could be introduced by GWR.
The operator currently has 11 four-coach modified High Speed Trains in use. These are fitted with sliding doors, passenger information systems and meet accessibility standards required for use post-January 1 2020.
Sources have told RAIL that more sets would be useful, to boost capacity once passengers return to public transport. However, there is understood to be growing frustration because the project to convert more Mk 3s as well as Class 43 power cars requires Treasury approval, following the introduction of the Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs) on March 23 to protect franchises during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GWR stopped using nonaccessible Mk 3s at the end of 2019 and sent the majority for storage ahead of possible further use, although many have since
been scrapped (see separate story). Others have been cascaded to ScotRail for use in its Inter7City sets.
Meanwhile, three redundant Class 43s are returning to the Midland Main Line from store at Long Marston, having been withdrawn by East Midlands Railway earlier this year.
Owned by Porterbrook, 43052/054/066 will be used as part of the electrification test train running on the MML. They are needed so that the train can run at 125mph while also using diesel power. They are now based at Leicester and will be operated by Rail Operations Group, which crews the train.
The ‘43s’ were withdrawn by EMR earlier this year and replaced by ex-LNER classmates. The electrification that they are involved in testing will power Hitachi Class 810 bi-mode units that will eventually render HSTs redundant on the MML.
Another former EMR ‘43’ stored at Long Marston (43083) has moved to Arlington Fleet Services’ Eastleigh Works for repainting, having been acquired by Locomotive Services Limited.
LSL is planning to use two HST sets for its charter business, with the vehicles and ‘43s’ coming from Porterbrook. The company also has 23 coaches, with Trailer Kitchen Buffet First (TFKB) 40801/802, Trailer Guards Standard (TGS) 44078 and Trailer Composite
(TC) 46006/014 moved south to Eastleigh with 43083.
LSL already has TFKB
40707/755, Trailer First (TF) 41059, 41108/162/169/176/182 at the Hampshire site.