HST withdrawals

GWR is to cease using its remaining fleet of 2+4 High Speed Trains by December 2023. Over the next 12 months, the fleet is to be withdrawn on a phased basis in alignment with timetable changes, leaving the following in traffic: 10 from December 2022 (two maintenance and eight in passenger service); seven in passenger service from May; three in passenger service from September; and complete withdrawal by December 2023. The pace of the plan is more rapid than previously anticipated. The decision has been made to reduce costs and carbon emissions. The diagrams will be covered by redeploying IETs and the remaining diesel fleet. No announcement has been made regarding the CrossCountry HST fleet, but no redundancies are anticipated at Laira depot in Plymouth as GWR has been scaling up commercial work.