The last one
Extra Cross Country Wkg.
Guy Vincent
Extra Cross Country Wkg.
Guy Vincent
Extra Cross Country HST working Sunday 17th September 2023
This morning (17th) an unscheduled VSTP path was inserted into the day's train plan. This was for a 5Z43 0923 Neville Hill (Leeds) - Laira empty stock movement consisting of: 43366 'HST 40', set XC03 (41194 45001 42038 42053 42052 42380 44072) & 43303. However, due to late running of the 1V52 0935 York - Plymouth (220008), 5Z43 was put into passenger service from Birmingham New Street as 1Z52 1212 BHM - Plymouth. Despite the heavy rain and very poor light I decided this working had to be recorded so here are two photos taken from the footbridge at Bradford on Avon station at 1427hrs. Ten minutes later the rain reduced to light drizzle. I believe that on arrival at Plymouth the HST set was due to run empty to Laira to be retired from service.
It is hard to believe it was 41 years ago this month that HSTs took over most workings on the NE-SW corridor, a subject previously covered by CRS on this site (branded as 'Heart Line'). This in turn displaced many class 45 / 46 'Peaks' from class 1 duties, with relegation to freight and parcels duties, or withdrawal. For many years the HSTs were largely ignored and often avoided by many enthusiasts (myself included!) in preference to 'proper' trains hauled by a locomotive. This gradually changed with the loss of traditional loco and coaches formations and the eventual near-domination of passenger services by modern multiple units. The HSTs were arguably the finest trains ever used on British Railways and the fact they have lasted as long as they have is proof of this. Indeed, were it not for outside interference the industry would probably have carried on using them for several more years. Somehow I doubt the class 220 & 221 Voyagers will be as fondly remembered when their turn for withdrawal comes around. Time, as they say, will tell.
Regards, Guy Vincent.
This morning (17th) an unscheduled VSTP path was inserted into the day's train plan. This was for a 5Z43 0923 Neville Hill (Leeds) - Laira empty stock movement consisting of: 43366 'HST 40', set XC03 (41194 45001 42038 42053 42052 42380 44072) & 43303. However, due to late running of the 1V52 0935 York - Plymouth (220008), 5Z43 was put into passenger service from Birmingham New Street as 1Z52 1212 BHM - Plymouth. Despite the heavy rain and very poor light I decided this working had to be recorded so here are two photos taken from the footbridge at Bradford on Avon station at 1427hrs. Ten minutes later the rain reduced to light drizzle. I believe that on arrival at Plymouth the HST set was due to run empty to Laira to be retired from service.
It is hard to believe it was 41 years ago this month that HSTs took over most workings on the NE-SW corridor, a subject previously covered by CRS on this site (branded as 'Heart Line'). This in turn displaced many class 45 / 46 'Peaks' from class 1 duties, with relegation to freight and parcels duties, or withdrawal. For many years the HSTs were largely ignored and often avoided by many enthusiasts (myself included!) in preference to 'proper' trains hauled by a locomotive. This gradually changed with the loss of traditional loco and coaches formations and the eventual near-domination of passenger services by modern multiple units. The HSTs were arguably the finest trains ever used on British Railways and the fact they have lasted as long as they have is proof of this. Indeed, were it not for outside interference the industry would probably have carried on using them for several more years. Somehow I doubt the class 220 & 221 Voyagers will be as fondly remembered when their turn for withdrawal comes around. Time, as they say, will tell.
Regards, Guy Vincent.
Bradford on Avon 43366 XC03 43303 1Z52 12.12 BHM-PLY. 17th September 2023 (1). Copyright Guy Vincent.
Bradford on Avon 43366 XC03 43303 1Z52 12.12 BHM-PLY. 17th September 2023 (2). Copyright Guy Vincent.
Big suprise and many thanks to you guy.
1Z52 the last HST westbound
Exeter
Martin J. Duff.
Exeter
Martin J. Duff.
A bonus feature / Easter egg today was the use of an otherwise empty HST being put in passenger service thus being the final westbound InterCity 125 (full length) working in the West Country. The HST was diagrammed to run 5Z43 Neville Hill - Laira however at Birmingham was stepped up to be 1Z52 the 12.12 to Plymouth. Unusually too the HST ran via platform 3 at Exeter due to another train being overtime in adjacent platform 4 A few photographs included. Cheers for now, Martin Duff
43366 at Exeter St Davids. 17th September 2023. Copyright Martin J. Duff
43303 at Plymouth. 17th September 2023. 17th September 2023. Copyright Martin J. Duff
Memorabilia - part of the Martin Duff collection including a last day ticket.. Copyright.
At Exeter St Davids. 17th September 2023. Copyright Martin J. Duff
The big prize - one woders who can afford this plate which will no doubt fetch a high price! 17th September 2023. Copyright Martin J. Duff
Many thanks indeed a valuable selection. Just the ticket!
The last southbound X country working at
Exeter St Thomas
Paul Barlow
Exeter St Thomas
Paul Barlow
43366 leads the last southbound Cross Country HST though Exeter St Thomas. 17th September 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
And 43303 brings up the rear on the last southbound Cross Country HST though Exeter St Thomas. 17th September 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul.
The next to the last day
Jon Morley
Jon Morley
43321 heaading into Plymouth. 16th September 2023. Copyright Jon Morley
A fine view as 43378 leaves Plymouth on the penultimate day. 16th September 2023. Copyright Jon Morley.
Many thanks Jon. Jon's comment - "Need I say more".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cross Country HST
Farewell
Clive Smith
Farewell
Clive Smith
As the last Cross Country HST service is scheduled to depart Plymouth to Leeds at 16.27 on Monday 18th September here are some memories from the last few weeks of this iconic train in its pomp running the length of the country on frontline services. The 126 mph is a screenshot from a speed app taken between York and Darlington as I took a trip on one from Plymouth to Edinburgh a fortnight ago. Enjoy our Castle Class 255s while we still had them.
Regards, Clive Smith.
Regards, Clive Smith.
(1) 43239 emerges from Parsons Tunnel on a glorious afternoon with the 1V50 06.06 Edinburgh - Plymouth with 43303 on the rear . I've been using some new locations recently but you can't beat this classic location a sunny summer day with people on the beach. I never tire of it. (23/08/23) Copyright Clive Smith.
(2) Newly emerged Inter City swallow liveried 43008 was on its second day on the Cross Country network seen here just after leaving Newton Abbot station with the 1V48 08.11 Leeds - Plymouth, 43007 is on the rear. (27/08/23). Copyright Clive Smith.
(3) High shutter speed for this at Teignmouth as I've been caught out here before with a slight blur on these more side-on shots as trains come hurtling around the corner. 43007 looks mightily impressive on the front of the 1S51 12.27 Plymouth - Glasgow Central with 43008 on the rear. I was hoping for a bit of cloud to diffuse the sun as this direction is not ideal at 13.15. Thankfully that occurred.(28/08/23). Copyright Clive Smith.
(4) 43303 is the rear loco at Plymouth on the 1V62 11.05 Edinburgh - Plymouth with 43357 at the other end. The driver is about to take the empty train to Laira. A rare night shot of these trains as they usually were down west in the afternoons. (03/09/23). Copyright Clive Smith.
(5) Looking superb in this early September heatwave, 43007 brings up the rear of the 1V44 06.12 Leeds - Plymouth leaving Totnes. 43008 is on the front.(04/09/23). Copyright Clive Smith.
(6) 1V56 09.08 Edinburgh - Plymouth running 15 late at Aish with 43321 & 43378. Perfect light.. Couldn't ask for anything more as the end is now just a week away for XC HSTs (10/09/23). Copyright Clive Smith.
(7) 43303 & 43304 at Blatchford Viaduct near Ivybridge with the 1E63 15.27 Plymouth - Leeds . Annoyingly the viaduct has two trees above parapet level at either end. Fine for 2+4s and the NMT but getting a complete GWR 2+8 set in shot was a non-starter back in 2019. This was my first go at a XC 2+7 here and I wasn't optimistic at squeezing it all in and I didn't. (11/09/23). Copyright Clive Smith.
(8) It ain't over 'til it's over . After the obituaries were written the previous day for southbound XC HST passenger services here is 43366 heading the 1Z52 12.12 Birmingham New Street - Plymouth additional service through Teignmouth with 43303 on the rear. The set was en route from Neville Hill to Laira with an ECS following a failure two days previously but a southbound Voyager was running considerably late so the empty train was seconded to run as a passenger train . Definitely the last ever south bound Cross Country operated HST passenger service and via Bath and Westbury too (17/09/23).. Copyright Clive Smith.
The 126 mph is a screenshot from a speed app taken between York and Darlington as I took a trip on one from Plymouth to Edinburgh a fortnight ago. Mid/late August. Enjoy our Castle Class 255s while we still had them. Copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks Clive for an excellent article and collection of photographs.
Forthcoming feature?
Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway
Ed Hooper
Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway
Ed Hooper
We received this very intersting letter from Ed Hooper.
Dear CRS,
26th Sept 2023 marks the 200th anniversary of the official opening of the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway.
My brother and I cycled the route of this fascinating horse-drawn tramway in July and I am finishing a report with photos. I would welcome the opportunity for you to publish this on your website for the interest of your readers.
Please find attached a view of "Tyrwhitt's Wharf" the surviving stables at Clearbrook, which you are welcome to publish as a taster. (copywrite Ed Hooper).
I should be able to email you the report by 23rd September for publishing on the 26th. Let me know if you have a preferred resolution for photos on your website. I have around 50 photos to tell the story which I have currently embedded in a word file at 150ppi. I'm guessing it could go as a special features article.
Let me know if of interest.
Many thanks, Ed Hooper
Dear CRS,
26th Sept 2023 marks the 200th anniversary of the official opening of the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway.
My brother and I cycled the route of this fascinating horse-drawn tramway in July and I am finishing a report with photos. I would welcome the opportunity for you to publish this on your website for the interest of your readers.
Please find attached a view of "Tyrwhitt's Wharf" the surviving stables at Clearbrook, which you are welcome to publish as a taster. (copywrite Ed Hooper).
I should be able to email you the report by 23rd September for publishing on the 26th. Let me know if you have a preferred resolution for photos on your website. I have around 50 photos to tell the story which I have currently embedded in a word file at 150ppi. I'm guessing it could go as a special features article.
Let me know if of interest.
Many thanks, Ed Hooper
Tyrwhitt's Wharf, Copyright Ed Cooper
Many thanks Ed for your letter and offer but time is short. We will be in contact.