Crossing The Country On A 47 Year Old Intercity Classic! CrossCountry HST First Class Review

With their pending withdrawal looming, it’s time for a look at CrossCountry’s Intercity 125 sets, which supplement their Voyager trains on the South West to North East route. These trains are some of the best remaining in passenger service in Britain today, though it’s a shame the same can’t be said about the service provided in first class… nevertheless, join me on this scenic ride as I quite literally cross half the country en route home!
Journey details:
Date of Travel - September 2022
Operator - CrossCountry
Train Type - Class 43 HST/Intercity 125
Origin - Plymouth
Destination - Birmingham New Street
Price - £96.20 (off peak single including a Seatfrog upgrade of £50 and Railcard discount of 1/3)
Duration - 3 hours, 28 minutes
Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed the video!
Music from EpidemicSound and is used under license.
A massive thanks to the following for their contributions to this video:
@Ardonix - check out his channel for some awesome content!
@LiamsTransport1 - check out his channel for some awesome content!
Miles and Chains - check out his amazing photography here: / miles_chains
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Link to the CrossCountry menu: crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media/6491/a4-menu-copy.pdf
#crosscountry #hst #intercity125 #plymouth #birmingham #tripreport #arriva #vlog #birminghamnewstreet #travel

[@BibtheBoulder]

I am a former HST train driver. Spent 30 years on HST's, and signed many other types of traction. The HST's were/are a class apart. Nothing else like them.

[@richardwills-woodward5340]

Many drove these in passenger service pushing 135mph and on the Great Western with 2+7 sets there was the '140mph club'. Did you join ;-) All in the days where Intercity trains were actually Intercity and not Inter-village as they now seem with far too many stops to be taken seriously on the Great Western. Other mainline are better in this regard. Nothing comes close to the comfort of the HST and the new trains don't even come close to the standards expected for long-distance comfort and service.

[@andybray9791]

Did it have a speed limiter at 125mph ?

[@richardwills-woodward5340]

@@andybray9791 Not in the 1970's to 1990's. Even then, limiters (like Pendolino in the West Coast) has a limit to 129mph. Today they limit the 800's much lower to 124.8mph (meaning they are driven at 123mph in reality, just like taking a Pendolino to 128mph but not 129mph. So trains are going slower today by top speed measurements!

[@BibtheBoulder]

@@andybray9791 no

[@BibtheBoulder]

@@andybray9791 The Valenta engine had an over-speed switch which cut power if the speed reached 140mph.

[@Greg-pi7xx]

There’ll never be anything like them, the magical engine sound, the speed, the comfort of the seats…. Just wonderful trains an iconic piece of British engineering

[@yellowa4725]

Isn't it annoying that a 45 year old train set is the best thing on our rail network atm 😮

[@frogandspanner]

I loved the HST when it was introduced. I travelled every few weeks between Huntingdon and Leeds, and these trains were fast and comfortable, and air conditioning was a novel experience. What I want in a train: 1) Non-airline seats 2) A seat with a window (i.e. seat pitch = window pitch). If I travel by train I want a view. 3) Seats where the coach curvature is not such as to cramp one's shoulders (as happens in the Pendolino) 4) Luggage space close to my seat (e.g. behind my seat) 5) Buffet car where you can get freshly made bacon butties The original HST gave me these facilities. Could we have them back, please!

[@SteveSmithRailways]

Will never be beaten in my eyes...had to take a trip from Somerset to Suffolk recently and used the railway. A class 800 or whatever they are, as modern and nice looking as it is, it is one of the most uncomfortable trains I've ever ridden on and if I had to go to London from Somerset again. unfortunately, I would either drive or take an exec coach. The HST's will be sorely missed. That was a great trip out for you.

[@manomaylr]

You’re not the only one to complain about the class 800 series seats. It’s worst on GWR. The LNER “Azuma” (what they call their class 800/801) seats aren’t brilliant either, but they’ve added more padding and more amenities too. LNER trains have a proper food counter instead of just a trolley, but also have an on-demand service to order food hand-delivered to your seat. If you’re in first class on many trains you can get a hot meal at no extra cost, which just makes the experience that bit better compared to the GWR ones.

[@lesigh1749]

These things are still better than everything they brought in to replace them, and British made too.

[@VladimirPutinIsGood]

I Miss These

[@ZZ-tw1eh]

Inspired by this video I had a HST day yesterday travelling between Bristol TM and Plymouth. I traveled on both GWR and XC HSTs, and, actually spotted the Midland Pullman HST in Bristol TM, twice! One more thing, the XC HST in my case reached 180kph for quite a while on the Exeter to Bristol line.

[@alexanderlopezcastaneda2282]

Hello guys, I greet you from Mexico!🇲🇽 I would like to know how great and good these trains are for you English people who have lived with these trains for more than 40 years. Recently the president bought these cars to reactivate them. the passenger train after decades of not operating, I would like to know if these trains still offer a good experience, I have read that these trains are very loved in your country, greetings!

[@BS-ge4ne]

They are reliable if maintained well. Presume they are being re-engined for Mexican use?

[@johnkeepin7527]

Glad you enjoyed it! A minor correction re the canal alongside past Bourneville - it’s the Worcester & Birmingham canal, not the Grand Union. That aside, I’ve travelled a lot on those since 1977, when they were new - mostly on the GW main line, totting up the total mileage - roughly about a million. Apart from the obvious absence of any underfloor engines, the Mk3 stock had a well designed suspension, and it could cope well without being too ‘hard’ on various types of track.

[@RoManiAC_979]

Do EMR Corby to London next

[@splitters2477]

Those engines sounded awesome when they were powering up to take off....

[@michellebell5092]

As ever a extremely concise, informative and entertaining too review of a train.

[@zalikaandfamily]

Good video about the crosscountry HST's,Thanks for sharing

[@ReubenAshwell]

Brilliant video about the CrossCountry HST's, I did ride one at the start of May and I'm glad I got the chance before they all go, it will be a shame to see them withdrawn. I do like the interior on these ones. :)

[@kevinellis8869]

It's worrying if XC are going back to using single Voyager units, overcrowding is endemic on all parts of their network. Until 2018 I used to travel Bournemouth-Birmingham a couple of times a month and lockdown permitting Derby-Birmingham on a weekly basis until last year the problem is that the trains have to cater for short hop commuting as well as long distance travellers. As well as the unusual Bristol TM-Stansted working you mention they also do an early morning Nottingham-Bournemouth service.

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

I never miss an HST video!!! One day I hope to be able to ride one!!!

[@jakemoxham7371]

Teignmouth is one of the nicest places in Devon I travel from Crawley to Teignmouth quite often

[@keithdawe8521]

I live in Plymouth and try to avoid travelling on Voyager trains as i find sitting on a concrete floor more comfortable. Traveled on HSTs since there inception and as a kid always got excited when i saw that was what we were traveling on.

[@simonpegler9942]

Thank you for this!

[@intercity125fan2]

2:50 me walking down the platform

[@Sh4un1r1k]

Love the colour scheme, looks very cosy and inviting. Amazing transformation and modernisation of those mk3 plus automatic doors, that would have been costly to retrofit. It'll be very sad if these HSTs are planned for retirement, most of the running gear is relatively new. Plenty of life left in them.

[@ChilternTransportProductions]

365s from the 90s were scrapped, so it’s very much possible!

[@j3xk72r9]

It is a tragedy that the trains that replaced these wonderful trains are a major step backwards for passenger comfort. I've gone back to driving some trips because I just can't face the discomfort of the Hitachi IET's.

[@barrieshepherd7694]

Probably what the DfT were hoping for - remember they really want rid of railways and their complaining customers.

[@OnTheRailwayOfficial]

I find the IETs very comfortable

[@BS-ge4ne]

​@@OnTheRailwayOfficialtry an hst

[@OnTheRailwayOfficial]

@@BS-ge4ne I have, I didn’t find them as comfortable

[@YTdannycookevids]

Managed to snag some XC ones on video while I was down Bridgwater a little while back - shame GWR shortened all of them they had and all and sent them down west... I genuinely miss the HSTs around the PAD lines!

[@DIEMLtdTV]

You realise how good the Mk3 coaches are when you travel on a Class 221/222 and the even incredible uncomfortable class 80x. I once went to a very good quality management CPD lecture from the chap who used to design the coach interiors for BR and said the main passenger interface is their backsides, so make trains comfortable to sit on.

[@Zuuu40]

Awesome video

[@ArcturanMegadonkey]

I have a week off work first week in August, going to buy a 7 day east midlands rover and spend some time at Rugby and Nuneaton

[@TrainsWithEthan]

Favourite train!

[@MerseyTransport]

HSTs are amazing

[@top40researcher31]

the Australian XPT where the train got its inspiration from the HST will be 41 years old this year

[@Del-bm]

I love the old classic HST's

[@colinlambert882]

Very informative video but if you mentioned the Lickey incline what about the Devon Banks? The 3rd, 4th and 7th steepest on UK main Lines. At one point, Dainton Bank is even steeper than the Lickey! The HSTs do a fine job but are no match for the GWR class 802S when tackling banks from a standing start out of Newton Abbot and Totnes.On the Hermerdon Bank route from Plympton you have spectacular views across the edges of Dartmoor.

[@zahrans]

12:17 That sky though... What's over there? Mordor?

[@ElrosTar-Minyatur]

Hahahahahahahahaha most definitely! 😂

[@corpsimmons575]

What speedometer app are you using to tell you the line and such?

[@Melbournelost66]

Those locomotives run in Australia too, the XPT. A modified version.

[@doctorbastard2912]

Knew the GWR HSTs was being withdrawn in Sept /Oct. But not tge XCT as they are currently undergoing there C6 at Wabtec Doncaster

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

With the advances of HS2, it is bizarre that previously closed lines in the 1960’s under the Beeching cuts are having to be re-opened - one thing that is badly needed and long overdue is a direct rail route across the North of England from Hull, York, Leeds, Manchester Victoria and onto Holyhead - this does not need to be high-speed, first class nor express, but it must be direct

[@ragnerlothbrookflippinghel2292]

FYI the line speed does reach 110mph on this route, just before highbridge and as far as up hill junction 👍🏻

[@BernardSo801]

i think why there were so many train enthusiasts at Bristol is because the XC HSTs are getting retired at the end of this year

[@AquaFonic]

CC are also going end of 2023 government will own it

[@artfuldodger4850]

@@AquaFonicdidn’t know that but best news today, perhaps Chesterfield might get at least it’s NE/SW hourly service with evening stopping trains back, having been promised this when COVID problems ended.😊

[@user-tq8hk6dh1i]

Can u do the tyne and wear metros when the new metros come out

[@philipstewartcouk]

Wait a train direct from bristol to standstead need to know about this more

[@robertpearce2244]

I’m coming from New Zealand in September, how can I get one last chance to travel on these beauties? 🙏🤩

[@Wishful-Thinking]

I remember watching Intercity 125’s coming into York station. They were SERIOUSLY noisy to the point ear defenders would have been useful.

[@Ash-928]

They sounded awesome though.

[@zigwoo999]

Ive travelled on gwr trains since 2013 and nothing beats a good old hst!! We had flooding at nailsea one year and no trains could get through except these amazing machines,reason being the engine is high up and not underslung! These old tanks fight on no matter what and once they have all gone a true british icon will be lost to history 😢 and what are we now left with?! Hitachi fisher price gen z cucumbers which i have never liked from day 1 and i never will!!

[@andybray9791]

What’s the difference between seat frog and getting a seat upgrade, directly from the company

[@ElrosTar-Minyatur]

@Midland London: I’m planning to travel to the UK in mid September. Can you tell me where the HST125 still is scheduled to ride? So Plymouth to Birmingham but which other services?

[@pineappleroad]

There are services to and from Edinburgh Just be aware that the withdrawal date is the 18th September, with the last services being to and from Edinburgh, if I remember correctly

[@ElrosTar-Minyatur]

@@pineappleroad oh really! Thank you for the information!

[@swtrains1499]

Very nice, I believe there is a small section where they are actually permitted to 110mph, however I may be mistaken. It's just after Bridgwater, believe i tracked 110 ish when i did the same journey to Bristol Parkway a few months back, somewhere between Bridgwater and Highbridge & Burnham

[@swtrains1499]

On the Taunton to Bristol stretch, obviously they can do higher in other places but i believe that's the only part of that portion of the journey where they go over 100mph ^^

[@nathanpetrie6156]

Anyone know the services that still run from Penzance to Edinburgh? really want get one from Bristol to Edinburgh later this month before they leave us

[@davecoates5204]

HST coaches were / are comfortable and spacious. Why aren't more recent XC trains as comfortable/spacious??

[@bhuvaneshserene-blake9540]

Cross country tickets are grossly expensive even as advanced singles

[@mycomputer9703]

We sold our best of the hst to Mexico just watched few videos of them in Mexico and they are running on track beds tht have bn rebalised Which means fast fspeeds like they did in Britain MAYBE even able to sustain a faster speed than in great Britain My question to our government is why did they sell and not use hst and bought hatchie trains for our long distance travel in Britain How much did our government get for these sales of train It's not only Mexico Getting hst trains Nigeria is to These trains I grow up with I cam home on one from penzance to Paddington overnight 17 January 2024 when down to Cornwall on a Hitachi train from Paddington to penzance Best train Hst 40186 All hst best fastest diesel train in the world now running on new tracks in Mexico and Nigeria And we can't get even make our next step for our trains Hs2 Good luck mixico Sorry about bad spelling

[@mattashman4040]

Did you know a version of the iconic 125 HSTs still run in Australia

[@cjmillsnun]

They're withdrawing the XPT soon.

[@Martindyna]

@@cjmillsnunNot any more, they have another 3 years according to the Sydney Morning Herald due to delays to the delivery of the new CAF Civity trains.

[@neiltaylor6645]

Don’t you miss the old 125 engine noice

[@mariadelmarjimenezarroyo2656]

Why are they limited to 100 mph

[@charliescott3624]

Sometimes it’s line speeds or speed restrictions

[@mariadelmarjimenezarroyo2656]

@@charliescott3624 MANY THANKS

[@liviajumara6423]

This is the same as Scotrail's and GWR's short HSTs.

[@TKK_BXF]

They can still run at 125 between Birmingham and Tamworth/Derby, rode one on that section 2 days ago and measured 125mph on my phone GPS speedometer

[@nkt1]

@@liviajumara6423 ScotRail's sets don't travel anywhere with >100mph running. Plus the shorter sets have reduced braking capacity, so they're restricted to 100mph anyway.

[@danielreynolds6498]

XPT s still running in new south whales

[@poppyland74]

Definitely not worth the £50 upgrade for a larger seat and some crisps - standard is comfortable and did not look at all busy.

[@andrewbutler6477]

Looks good but cross country offer a poor service to South Wales no train's from Scotland or north of England which is really poor while west of England has a regular service only a service to Nottingham from Cardiff with. Tatty 170 units which have been cancelled regularly recently between Cardiff and new street 😡

[@TamasKiss-bv9hz]

💗🤍💚👍👍👍

[@Ash-928]

The HST doesn't look like a train that is approaching 50. If I was to picture a train that is near its retirement, and facing (I hate to use this word in the same sentence as HST) Scrap, this isn't it.

[@organisten]

Have BEGUN to operate. Not have began [sic] #2:47 Speak proper English!

[@MidlandLondon]

Me mechanic no speak English, but he know what me mean when me say “car no go”, and we best friends - so me think, why waste time speak good English when bad English do trick?

[@organisten]

@@MidlandLondon Thou hast answered thine own question. Too many of you want to BUTCHER your language. That leaves it degraded, and unable to do the same things as it once did.