Richard Clinnick’s cab ride on 43277

On May 8 2018, I achieved a childhood ambition by travelling in the cab of a High Speed Train at 125mph.

Led by 43277, the 1308 London King’s Cross-York was to be my home from Doncaster to York.

A member of the 125 Group and a driver for 13 years, Leeds-based driver John Zabernik was in charge for the trip on the final leg of the train, having relieved a colleague at Doncaster.

What was most apparent was how quiet and smooth it was. The familiar roar of the Valenta engines may have long gone, following their replacement by MTU engines in the 2000s, but even allowing for the quieter engine it was still noticeable how quiet the cab was.

Then there was the smoothness. Many cabs have offered a ‘lively’ ride, but the ‘43’ was smooth, even when crossing points at linespeed.

Getting to 125mph was effortless, too. As soon as we ‘got the road’ from Doncaster, Zabernik applied power and the HST simply got on with the job - as it has ever since delivery.

Zabernik explains: “To drive the MTUs and Valentas is similar, although the MTU is more ‘uniform’ in the way they work. It’s like a good Valenta, but a really good Valenta is better than an MTU.”

As I praise the layout and visibility, Zabernik tells me he has yet to start training on the Intercity Express Programme trains, but speaks fondly of the HST: “I will miss these. Absolutely. They are a proper train - it’s iconic!”

Driving HSTs wasn’t a stated ambition of Zabernik’s, although driving trains was. “I always wanted to drive. I lived in Essex so we didn’t get them there, but I saw the pictures and had the Hornby model. The fact that they were so fast attracted me, too.

“Everybody is sad to see them go - every single person you talk to.”