HST on test, HST on tour
Ian Thomas
This weekend made a welcome change from the usual monotony of service trains, in the shape of two HST workings over two days.
First up was the monthly sortie with the yellow test train HST. It starts off late Thursday afternoon from Derby and runs via the Midland line to Bristol. From here, it does a tangle of lines around the area before heading to London Paddington, arriving at around 04.20 in the morning.
A short break, then it is away westwards along the GW main line, through the Severn Tunnel and on to Cardiff and Swansea. From here, it retraces its steps back to Cardiff and through the Severn Tunnel, before turning northwards onto the Midland at Westerleigh and heading back towards Derby, passing Coaley at 12.30, reporting number 1Q20.
The second bite came on Saturday morning, when the eye-catching "MIDLAND PULLMAN" was working "THE LORD OF THE ISLES PULLMAN", 1Z32, 06.05 Exeter St Davids to Inverness, and is seen here arriving, calling and departing from Cam & Dursley at 08.30.
It spends two days/nights in Inverness and offers a trip to Kyle of Lochalsh and return on Sunday, before heading back home on Monday.
These tours do not include accommodation; that is for the punter to arrange, and it costs £500+ for ordinary First Class and £900 for dining. Not cheap, but having done this train over the S&C a few years ago, I can tell you that it is worth it. A good day out to celebrate an occasion, say.
Just to add, next month (October) it will be exactly 50 years since the Inter-City 125 (aka HST) entered service. Services started on the Western Region from London to Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Cardiff and Swansea on Monday, 4th October 1976.
Next up was the ECML in the autumn of 1978, with full service from May 1979, followed by Cross Country (NE/SW route as was) from October 1981, with an almost full service from May 1982.
Finally came the MML in October 1982, with THE MASTER CUTLER being the first, followed by full service from May 1983.
First up was the monthly sortie with the yellow test train HST. It starts off late Thursday afternoon from Derby and runs via the Midland line to Bristol. From here, it does a tangle of lines around the area before heading to London Paddington, arriving at around 04.20 in the morning.
A short break, then it is away westwards along the GW main line, through the Severn Tunnel and on to Cardiff and Swansea. From here, it retraces its steps back to Cardiff and through the Severn Tunnel, before turning northwards onto the Midland at Westerleigh and heading back towards Derby, passing Coaley at 12.30, reporting number 1Q20.
The second bite came on Saturday morning, when the eye-catching "MIDLAND PULLMAN" was working "THE LORD OF THE ISLES PULLMAN", 1Z32, 06.05 Exeter St Davids to Inverness, and is seen here arriving, calling and departing from Cam & Dursley at 08.30.
It spends two days/nights in Inverness and offers a trip to Kyle of Lochalsh and return on Sunday, before heading back home on Monday.
These tours do not include accommodation; that is for the punter to arrange, and it costs £500+ for ordinary First Class and £900 for dining. Not cheap, but having done this train over the S&C a few years ago, I can tell you that it is worth it. A good day out to celebrate an occasion, say.
Just to add, next month (October) it will be exactly 50 years since the Inter-City 125 (aka HST) entered service. Services started on the Western Region from London to Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Cardiff and Swansea on Monday, 4th October 1976.
Next up was the ECML in the autumn of 1978, with full service from May 1979, followed by Cross Country (NE/SW route as was) from October 1981, with an almost full service from May 1982.
Finally came the MML in October 1982, with THE MASTER CUTLER being the first, followed by full service from May 1983.
HST test train passing Cam & Dursley running as 05.34 - London Paddington-Leicester (via Swansea) 1Q20. 11.09.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
MIDLAND PULLMAN HST arriving at Cam & Dursley with the 06.05 Exeter St Davids-Inverness 1Z32. 12.09.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
MIDLAND PULLMAN HST departing Cam & Dursley with the 06.05 Exeter St Davids-Inverness 1Z32. 12.09.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
Many thanks Ian, another fine article from you - much appreciated.
The Britannic Explorer
Jon Hird, Mick House, Mark Lynam, Andrew Triggs & Joe Birchall
Belmonds luxury land cruise, 'The Britannic Explorer' once again visited Cornwall over the weekend of 12/13th September. Hauled by regular locos 66744 and 66748, the train made its way from Bishops Lydeard - Penzance, and then to its overnight stop at Fowey Docks.
66748 leads 66744 and the Britannic Explorer stock through the reverse curves at Trenowth, en route to Penzance from Bishops Lydeard. 12.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66748 and 66744 passing Wheal Busy crossing, Scorrier. 12.09.2026, copyright Mick House.
66748 and 66744 passing Wheal Busy crossing, Scorrier. 12.09.2026, copyright Mick House.
1C02 near journeys end as it passes Marazion. 12.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66748 leading 66744 on the single line section at Longrock working 1C02 09.00 Bishops Lydeard-Penzance. 12.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The GBRf duo propelling 5C03 14.26 Penzance-Penzance away from Platform 1 towards Slopers. 12.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The Britannic Explorer ECS stabled at Slopers, viewed from the Station wall at Penzance. 12.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
A closer view of the stabled train. 12.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
GBRf 66748 with 66744 running off Slopers, prior to running round the Britannic Explorer ECS. 12.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The pair of locos return from Long Rock where they have been serviced. 12.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66748 heading east through Redruth en route to the trains overnight stop at Fowey Docks. 12.09.2026, copyright Mick House.
66744 on the rear at Redruth. 12.09.2026, copyright Mick House.
66748 once again leads as the Penzance - Fowey leg passes Apex Bridge, Scorrier. 12.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66748 leads the Penzance - Fowey leg through the outskirts of Truro. 12.09.2026, copyright Joe Birchall.
The South Coast juts out into the sea in the background of this drone picture of 66748 leading the 1730 Penzance - Fowey past Carlyon Bay. 12.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
A ground-level shot at Carlyon. 12.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The tide is in and the sun has set as 66744 leads the train along the Golant Causeway en route to its overnight stop at Fowey. I should imagine that this will be the final opportunity this year to photograph the train this late into its journey. 12.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks all.
There are a few more visits due from this train before the end of the year. Details in our Railtour Calendar.
There are a few more visits due from this train before the end of the year. Details in our Railtour Calendar.
September 1976
Part 13
Roger Winnen
Three Class 47s and one Class 50 at Penzance Shed. 05.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Peak climbing out of St Erth approaching Arch Lane Bridge. 11.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.