GWR looks to HST sets to cover for ‘Castles’ delay
Up to ten ‘classic’ High Speed Train sets will be used by Great Western Railway to cover for ‘Castle’ sets that are not yet in traffic.
GWR plans to use them on duties that its 2+4 HSTs were due to operate.
The first ‘Castle’ was delivered last year and entered traffic in the spring. So far, it is the only such set in passenger traffic. A second set has been delivered, but this is being used for staff training in the Bristol area.
While several Class 43 power cars have been modified to operate the ‘Castle’ stock, most are still employed on longdistance HST duties.
The modification of the power cars and coaches is being carried out by Wabtec Rail, Doncaster. The ‘Castles’ are fitted with controlled emission toilets and accessible interiors, as well as an accessible toilet. They also have
sliding doors. This enables them to operate beyond December 31 this year.
Two ‘classic’ sets has been formed, using 43056 and 43159 with Trailer Standards (TS) 42041/067, 42348 and Trailer Guard Standard (TGS) 44013 on one, with power cars 43042 and 43188 powering the other, which is formed of TS 42332/364, 42514 and TGS 44093. More vehicles have been identified for these duties, with TS 42583 and TGS 44060 due to be in the third set.
A GWR source confirmed that the measure will be temporary until sufficient ‘Castles’ have been delivered.
The trains are needed to boost capacity on routes currently served by diesel multiple units, such as Cardiff-Taunton, GloucesterPlymouth and Penzance-Plymouth. This will allow GWR to free up its DMUs to boost other routes in the far South West. The plan also remains to remove Class 143 Pacers from traffic, which is only possible by having enough shortformed HSTs.
The HSTs are being made available by the introduction of the Intercity Express Trains, although there is no fixed date for the end of long-distance HST duties with GWR.
The operator has previously hinted it would be prepared to keep HSTs beyond their original lease date, to cover for the transition to IET operations.
ScotRail is due to receive 26 similar sets, but so far only has two. The work has been delayed at the Doncaster facility due to staff shortages as well as the condition of the Mk 3s.