XC HST fleet temporarily sidelined due to low staff availability

CROSSCOUNTRY’S high speed train sets saw a period out of service from late November.

It is understood that having fewer staff available than usual following the expiry of a rest day working agreement, combined with only a small proportion of crew being HST-trained, was behind the decision. As negotiations continued with rail union ASLEF over what CrossCountry described as “a number of matters”, it warned of disruption and cancellations. Some services which would generally have utilised a pair of Class 220 and Class 221 Voyager sets were worked by single units.

PAUL BIGGS Before their temporary removal from service, a CrossCountry HST set led by No. 43207, with No. 43378 trailing, heads through Besford, Worcestershire, on November 22 with the 08.08 Edinburgh-Bristol Temple Meads service.