Hi Keith,
Returning from London to Redruth yesterday afternoon I was delighted to find the pristine GWR-liveried HST (43188+LA15+43187) waiting in Platform 3 at Paddington ready to form 1C86, the 15.06 to Penzance. The joy was short-lived however, as just a few minutes into the journey the rear power car was shut down with a power module fault. A fitter came aboard at Reading in a bid to rectify the problem, and a spare parts were waiting for the train at Exeter St Davids, but it was all to no avail. The train continued through Devon running on one power car, struggling up Dainton and skipping the scheduled stop at Totnes for a decent run at Rattery. The train terminated 39 minutes late at Plymouth and passengers for Cornwall transferred onto 1C87, which rolled in a few minutes behind the stricken train. The train crew did a great job of keeping passengers informed, but overall not a great day for the new GWR brand!
Kind Regards Keith Barrow
Many thanks to you for the excellent report and pictures.
Returning from London to Redruth yesterday afternoon I was delighted to find the pristine GWR-liveried HST (43188+LA15+43187) waiting in Platform 3 at Paddington ready to form 1C86, the 15.06 to Penzance. The joy was short-lived however, as just a few minutes into the journey the rear power car was shut down with a power module fault. A fitter came aboard at Reading in a bid to rectify the problem, and a spare parts were waiting for the train at Exeter St Davids, but it was all to no avail. The train continued through Devon running on one power car, struggling up Dainton and skipping the scheduled stop at Totnes for a decent run at Rattery. The train terminated 39 minutes late at Plymouth and passengers for Cornwall transferred onto 1C87, which rolled in a few minutes behind the stricken train. The train crew did a great job of keeping passengers informed, but overall not a great day for the new GWR brand!
Kind Regards Keith Barrow
Many thanks to you for the excellent report and pictures.
Plymouth. The failed HST sits in disgrace! 23rd September 2015 Copyright Keith Barrow
Plymouth The failed HST 23rd September 2015 Copyright Keith Barrow