From first runs to the final farewell:
The HST story in the South West
Jon Hird
The following article has been prepared for CRS with information gathered from a number of contributors, to whom I am most grateful for their knowledge. The information we have worked from is over 40 years old, so please do excuse any inaccuracies - if you spot a mistake, please let us know.
Today, GWR 'Castle Class' short-formed HST sets make their final runs, and with that High Speed Train operation in England comes to an end. In this short article, compiled with the assistance of CRS contributors, we take a look back at how the Class 43 HST first arrived in the South West.
Their introduction in the late 1970s was far from a single launch moment; instead, it unfolded gradually through trials, excursions and limited diagrams before the trains became a daily feature and ultimately a defining presence on the Great Western main line for more than four decades.
The HST story in the West Country began not with the later production sets, but with the prototype “252” power cars. According to enthusiasts’ records, the prototype first reached Cornwall as early as 18 March 1975, making a notable demonstration run west of Plymouth. That appearance was followed two years later by the first advertised HST passenger working to the region — a Paddington–Plymouth trip on 10 April 1977 using a '253' production set.
Full regular service, however, remained some way off. The autumn of 1978 saw a flurry of crew training and test movements. We know of at least two early runs on 4 and 8 November 1978, with further activity continuing into December, including sightings of set 253007 reaching Penzance on 21 December. These were, for locals, the first frequent glimpses of the futuristic new trains on Cornish metals.
After the training programme, some famous 'named trains' began transitioning from locomotive-hauled stock to HST operation. 'The Golden Hind' and' The Cornish Riviera' moved over to HSTs on 6 August 1979 - a symbolic moment that underlined the new trains’ long-term role on the route.
From that point onward the South West could claim a small but consistent HST presence—typically just two diagrams a day into early 1980. By March 1980, that number had increased to around three diagrams, and on 17 May 1980, a significant expansion finally signalled that the full transition to HST operation was under way. The high-speed sets soon became the dominant face of long-distance travel to Cornwall, and remained so well into the 21st century.
With today’s retirement of the Castle Class, that long era finally closes. What began quietly with a prototype appearance in 1975 ends with a final scheduled turn nearly half a century later, drawing to a close one of the most recognisable chapters in West Country rail history.
Today, GWR 'Castle Class' short-formed HST sets make their final runs, and with that High Speed Train operation in England comes to an end. In this short article, compiled with the assistance of CRS contributors, we take a look back at how the Class 43 HST first arrived in the South West.
Their introduction in the late 1970s was far from a single launch moment; instead, it unfolded gradually through trials, excursions and limited diagrams before the trains became a daily feature and ultimately a defining presence on the Great Western main line for more than four decades.
The HST story in the West Country began not with the later production sets, but with the prototype “252” power cars. According to enthusiasts’ records, the prototype first reached Cornwall as early as 18 March 1975, making a notable demonstration run west of Plymouth. That appearance was followed two years later by the first advertised HST passenger working to the region — a Paddington–Plymouth trip on 10 April 1977 using a '253' production set.
Full regular service, however, remained some way off. The autumn of 1978 saw a flurry of crew training and test movements. We know of at least two early runs on 4 and 8 November 1978, with further activity continuing into December, including sightings of set 253007 reaching Penzance on 21 December. These were, for locals, the first frequent glimpses of the futuristic new trains on Cornish metals.
After the training programme, some famous 'named trains' began transitioning from locomotive-hauled stock to HST operation. 'The Golden Hind' and' The Cornish Riviera' moved over to HSTs on 6 August 1979 - a symbolic moment that underlined the new trains’ long-term role on the route.
From that point onward the South West could claim a small but consistent HST presence—typically just two diagrams a day into early 1980. By March 1980, that number had increased to around three diagrams, and on 17 May 1980, a significant expansion finally signalled that the full transition to HST operation was under way. The high-speed sets soon became the dominant face of long-distance travel to Cornwall, and remained so well into the 21st century.
With today’s retirement of the Castle Class, that long era finally closes. What began quietly with a prototype appearance in 1975 ends with a final scheduled turn nearly half a century later, drawing to a close one of the most recognisable chapters in West Country rail history.
The prototype HST at Penzance. 18.03.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
GWR Castles - The penultimate day
12.12.2025
Clive Smith, Jon Hird, Martin Scane, Barry Etheridge & Julian Stephens
The masses are gathering and it definitely feels like the end. Crowds at Exeter St Davids taking all sorts of photos, young and old as well as staff and myself though I'm too shy to include my own photo. The power cars are 43093 and 43198 spending half an hour in glorious sunshine after having worked the 2E06 07.45 from Penzance and about to return there on the 2C20 11.28 departure. 12.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Last-built 43198 and an audience at Exeter. 12.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
It's hard to imagine a world without smartphones nowadays, but 49 years ago you'd have not photographed a HST with one! 12.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Stop boards soon to be redundant. 12.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
43093 emerges from Parsons Tunnel with the 1128 Exeter St. Davids - Penzance. 12.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The penultimate working of a Castle Class HST set from Exeter Westwards was run today with 43093 and 43198. Here is the train approaching Shaldon Bridge right time at 11-45 shortly after the Teignmouth station stop. 12.12.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
At Ivybridge the words scrawled on the the grime on 43093 sum it up. 'End Of An Era'. 12.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
43004 leads the 1312 ECS out of Laira. 12.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
After reversing, 43186 heads to Plymouth with the ECS. 12.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43186 and 43004 are seen again crossing Coombe by Saltash viaduct with the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance. 12.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43186 and 43004 further west, passing Dowgas with the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance. 12.12.2025, copyright Julian Stephens.
43189 and 43156 pass Dowgas with the 1315 Penzance - Plymouth. 12.12.2025, copyright Julian Stephens.
43189 and 43156 cross Forder Viaduct with the 1315 Penzance - Plymouth. Another Castle in the background! 12.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
A view from aboard the 1315 as it approaches the Royal Albert Bridge. 12.12.2025, copyright Barry Etheridge.
Journeys end for the 1315 ex Penzance. PLY, where the driver was kind enough to let me take one final shot of the Cab of 43189 to say thanks for all the wonderful HST memories. 12.12.2025, copyright Barry Etheridge.
43198 leads the 1515 Penzance - Plymouth past Carlyon in the last dregs of light. 12.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Finally, 43004 calls at St. Austell with the 1552 Penzance - Plymouth. 12.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks for the coverage, all. A wonderful day on the weather front. What will today bring..
Re: Mystery Nancegollan Cargo
Andrew Jones
Yesterday, we published a question from a reader, who was curious to know what the load in some wagons pictured at Nancegollan station were. We were delighted to receive the below theory from Andrew:
Ref the mystery photograph, it looks like the wagons contain water pipes or possibly gas pipes for a local project. I think it's possible that the pipes were something to do with Stithians dam construction in 1962....just a thought.
Ref the mystery photograph, it looks like the wagons contain water pipes or possibly gas pipes for a local project. I think it's possible that the pipes were something to do with Stithians dam construction in 1962....just a thought.
Nancegollan Station from the bridge, August 1962 (click for an enlargement). Copyright Kit Miles.
Many thanks Andrew - the dates line up - it's a good idea.
Par & Plymouth
Clive Smith
43186 arrives at Par with the 2P16 13.15 Penzance - Plymouth with 43004 on the rear. 11.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
43004 on the rear of the ECS leaving platform 8 at Plymouth with 43186 on the front. 11.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks Clive - I imagine you'll be doing a bit less travelling after today.