EMR purple livery for HST power car’s final month on the MML

WITH the use of HSTs due to cease on the Midland Mainline on May 15, East Midlands

Railway is ensuring the sets finish in style by having re-liveried power car No. 43274 in its purple branding.

The power car was released into traffic on April 14, paired with its other specially painted Class 43, the InterCity Swallow branded No. 43102, and has been active between Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham and St

Pancras during April. Although there are set diagrams for the HSTs, there has been some deviation with an additional 11.05 St Pancras-Nottingham and 13.12 return operating on some days in April, replacing a

Meridian Class 222. Operation of HSTs is due to cease on

May 15, but with no Saturday diagrams, they are expected cease the day before, bringing the curtain down after just over 38 years of use on the MML.

It was on October 4, 1982, when HST passenger services began between Sheffield and St Pancras, using five ex-Cross Country sets.

By the following May, virtually all MML workings were HSTs.

CHRIS MILNER Leading the 15.34 St Pancras to Nottingham train past Kilby Bridge, near Leicester, on April 14 is EMR-liveried power car No. 43274, with 43102 on the rear.