Farewell to the Cross Country HSTs

Hello again! :D
On September 18th, 2023, the High Speed Train bowed out of service on the Cross Country network after 41 years, bringing an end to the last long-distance passenger operations for these venerable trains.
HST sets first appeared on the Cross Country route between Scotland, Northern England and the South Coast during late 1982, whereupon these machines revolutionised travel on a sector of the British Rail network commonly forgotten by the management.
While there was a brief stint of withdrawal for these trains during the mid-2000s, when Virgin Cross Country replaced them en masse with the Class 220 and 221 Voyager units, they were soon back on hire from the likes of GNER and Midland Mainline, before finally seeing a full reintroduction in 2008 by Arriva Cross Country, who acquired ten Class 43 powercars to create five rakes of 7-car sets.
Now, though, the HST's have met their final demise. Therefore, in thanks to nearly half a century of dedicated service, I have spent the last few weeks returning to my old ways, capturing Cross Country HST operations across the Trent Valley, with most of these clips being during diversions via the Cross-City Line between Lichfield and Birmingham:
00:25 - Heading south with a diverted Leeds to Plymouth express are InterCity Executive liveried 43184, and BR Blue and Grey liveried 43007. Three powercars had been returned to heritage liveries to mark the end of HST operation with Cross Country.
01:00 - On the same day, a regular Cross Country set works south with the afternoon Edinburgh to Plymouth train, again diverted via Lichfield.
01:38 - With the extractor fans whirring in the background, a Cross Country set departs from the cover of Birmingham New Street into the wind and rain of a late August day.
02:55 - Speeding across the Trent Valley with the evening Plymouth to Leeds service are heritage liveried 43007 and 43008. This was 43008's first day in traffic wearing InterCity Swallow colours.
03:35 - Passing south through Lichfield is a diverted HST, seen in the company of a Class 323 at the currently closed high-level platform of Trent Valley Station.
04:15 - On a glorious late summer day, 43008 leads 43007 on a southbound diverted service between Lichfield and Shenstone.
04:56 - Amid the construction works being undertaken at Lichfield Trent Valley high level, a northbound set accelerates over the West Coast Mainline.
05:24 - Passing a Class 323 set south of Trent Valley Station, 43008 again leads 43007 on a southbound service along the Cross-City line towards Birmingham.
05:55 - Finally, at the end of the very last full week of Cross Country HST operation, we see the evening train from Plymouth to Leeds showing what it can do as it accelerates away from a stop at Tamworth, set against the fading light of a mid-September day.
Enjoy! :D

[@DIEMLtdTV]

Nothing has ever matched the passenger comfort of a Mk3 coach.

[@nig87101]

So sad. The 43's and mk3 coaches are still better than the new stuff in pretty much every way. Thanks for posting, Ruairidh.

[@leightonolsson4846]

They went as far as Pembroke Dock once a day, hard to fathom now....

[@BRI535D]

No amount of Voyager refurbishment can take the place of these comfortable quiet spacious sets in my opinion.

[@Shark30006]

It’s so sad that the HSTs are no longer operating on the East Coast Main Line anymore but hopefully they can be preserved as memories for their operations in the UK.

[@SamsTransportvideos]

125 group have some

[@macjim]

Come to Scotland and see our 125’s in Scotrail colours (Inter7city) in action and at Haymarket depot. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ttvvideos2050]

@@macjimeffort

[@kevfrombutterley]

​@@SamsTransportvideosMain line trip expected very soon!

[@ashleyjiscool]

⁠@@kevfrombutterleywhen?? I am a member so I can go on it 100%

[@cris_261]

The HSTs aged well. Still a modern looking trainset.

[@TheHylianBatman]

Aw, man. Those are some of my favorite trains ever.

[@therealjpster]

The Voyager finally has the last laugh. For now. I was lucky enough to go on the Modern Rail special last year, where they sent a Cross Country HST up the Severn Valley Railway. And shout-out to the lovely Cross Country staff who made sure I got to the pick-up point despite LNERs failings.

[@paulevans5071]

Farewell to a train that has done Britain proud.

[@saintuk70]

HST - still brining joy to us Scot's up here.

[@loco4loco]

You lucky scots

[@Cantthinkofanamelad]

@@loco4locoWe hit the Jackpot with the HSTs, something to make the railways a bit more unique compared to the sprinters and turbostars.

[@mattevans4377]

Nice sarcasm. From what I've heard, Scotrail has made a right pig's breakfast out of the whole thing.

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

@@mattevans4377 In what way?

[@MyUnoriginalUsername]

​@@Cantthinkofanameladlove the Scottish HSTs took one down from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, boarded a 221 back to Birmingham. Shame it couldn't be a 125 they're alot more comfortable to be in for long periods of time

[@toomanyuserids]

Yank here...spent much time on the HSTs over the years they were stunningly reliable (no bitching on the UK side, we have Amtrak), comfortable, and made good noises. Always tried to get some Brunel in my route.

[@LethalJizzle]

That shot at 3:10 is beautiful

[@Kochiha]

A fine salute to a venerable train, off into the sunset after performing their duties with dignity. It's fantastic to see you able to capture history as well as you report on it.

[@pipandkitty2004]

Absolutely wonderful piece of filming …this has made my day

[@ChineseTrainGuy]

RIP HSTs, hope their duties in Scotland continues.

[@maimadha]

The CrossCountry HSTs will be missed

[@mrrolandlawrence]

40+ years of service is a good innings by anyones standards :)

[@yui4779]

That class 323 at the start needs an Oscar

[@andrewharrison5983]

Very sad day, like many others, I loved travelling on the HST's.

[@HistoryNeedsYou]

Farewell faithful stalwart. Worthy successor to the mighty Deltic.

[@Racist_Railfan_Productions]

Interestingly enough, an HST trainset got sent to Mexico recently for a new passeneger rail service of theirs. Guess they're not completely dead lol

[@Clagman37]

End of an era! You will be missed HSTs

[@richardcrossley5581]

I feel a close association with HSTs. As a child we lived in a house with an excellent view of the South Wales Main Line and Dad had an extra window installed so he could watch the trains. I remember the sound of the Paxman Valenta engines, so different to the regular diesels. I used travel on the Cross Country route when at University. I was studying in the North East of England and had the opportunity to enjoy these trains. Also relatives lived in Yorkshire so another reason to travel on the Cross Country route. It’s sad to see them being retired from long distance service. I can understand people who are passionate about steam. I wonder how many will make it into preservation.

[@neilcollin4269]

R.I.P HST you did Britain well.

[@JBFlytography]

They’ve not disappeared all together…

[@prodigalretrod]

Just think how many miles those locos must have travelled over the decades.

[@TheMerlinRailway]

I travelled on one last week. Getting off I tapped the side knowing that I may never ride a HST again. 😢❤🕊️

[@leesheehan4245]

Farewell to the HST's. Great tribute video. Thank you 😔

[@mikemidulster]

Beautiful filming!

[@joecurly3637]

I really hoped I could see them again, but sadly things haven't been going according to plan this year. Really sad that the era of HSTs on the cross country route has now ended permanently; gone but not forgotten.😰♥️

[@rogue5ive]

Seeing a 125 with the swallow is very nostalgic, use to get very excited seeing them cross the Redruth viaduct years ago.

[@user-sd3ik9rt6d]

There is something about the original yellow and blue paint job.

[@kevinchun5242]

That use to take me to uni for 2 years. I had good news on it, bad news. It was my study space. It will be missed. I hope it's preserved so I can show my children it.

[@MrJimheeren]

There is already a motor car in the rail museum in York. And I’m sure one of these will be kept in drivable condition

[@lukeslocomotives]

​@@MrJimheerenThere's 43002 at York, but Locomotion also has 43102 and the prototype 41001

[@amsterob]

used.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

🎶 This [was] the age.., Of the train.🎶

[@zyancuerdo1615]

Damn after decades from saving dwindling passenger numbers to an British rail classic like the steam locomotives these hst really left a mark on Britain's railway

[@alonsodelgadopons5450]

Hey good news i heard some 11 Hst units are going to be send to México maybe You won't probably see them again in the UK running on the mainlines or doing service's anymore, but at least some of those got a new Home. (And by they way México already has 2 lines i'm which may test the Hst units in there)

[@SSccaanniiaa]

I sadly haven't seen a 43 ever! So there goes my chance. 😢

[@LadySophieofHougunManor7325]

Bye bye sweet hsts hello modern traction like Azuma s

[@calex007]

Brilliant cinematography on this one. Hopefully there were not too many bugs while you were out filming, the weather looks lovely.

[@grahamdeamer128]

Now I know that I'm really old, I remember travelling on these things on the Swansea/Paddington run when then were fresh and new!

[@DrRock2009]

I used to love the door switch in the floor as a kid 👍

[@levelcrossing150]

A great tribute to the HST's. So much class about them which I think is lacking these days. My first sight of one thundering through Slough station during the early days will always be with me.

[@davidcrook5511]

Great to see you do a video like this again (i.e. all-action rather than documentary); I loved that shot at Wall; a real train-in-the-landscape clip and also the final shot heading into the sunset; a very apt ending. A Like! Of course....

[@matt44128]

Wonderful footage

[@butikimbo9595]

HSTs are actually just the motor cars as the formation itself could still running with other type of diesel traction as alternative and not be abandoned the loco hauled Intercity formation concept in the first place by replace them with more modern coaches such as ex LNER Mark 4. But the question is, where are efficient diesel and reliable locomotives to operate this formations? The answer might be "nowhere! And that is the issue. The only solution to replicate this Intercity Style interiors might come from ex EMR and Avanti Bombardier DMUs that i guess will still in operation for the future being as a quick alternative to "fleet crisis" on Express non-electrified routes such as Trans Pennines, Grand Central or even Scotrail IC7 when their ageing and sefety concerning HSTs fleet get out of service too. Thank you for sharing the video.

[@johnkeepin7527]

It’s not just the “motor cars” in the original HST formation. The power supply to the carriages was unusual c.f. loco hauled stock. In effect, it was variable frequency 3-phase (not standard ETH). They did have a small number of typical plug sockets here and there for cleaning kit, along with warning signs (well before the concept of customers actually wanting to plug things in!). They also had the wiring and electronics for working the two power units together, and the enhanced braking system to allow them to run up to 125 mph, with equivalent brake performance compared with 100 mph loco hauled. That was how it was possible to introduce them onto the Western Region with minimal signalling alterations in 1976/77.

[@kevinpennick3604]

End of an era.

[@Andrewjg_89]

At least ScotRail are keeping their Class 43 “Inter7City” HSTs. Very sad that CrossCountry aren’t going to keep them anymore and are replacing them with Class 221 Voyagers from Avanti West Coast. Once the new Class 805 IETs have entered service. Perhaps maybe some of the Class 43 HSTs could go to Chiltern Railways to add extra capacity especially on London Marylebone-Oxford, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham Snow Hill.

[@martingarrish4082]

Thank you so much for making this video of HST in service. Otherwise I would have just missed it.

[@Nathanplz]

I was there to see the final HST, at Barnt Green.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

It is very sad to see cross country now gone for good

[@Desiro360]

Excellent HST tribute video.

[@Froobyone]

Executive, Swallow and the original flying banana. You just can't beat those heritage liveries. Thanks for capturing their English swan song.

[@Masters14]

Well if you still want to see HSTs, come down to New South Wales, Australia. We are still running the XPTs (a licensed copy of the HST) for our intercity trains. Their replacement are still a couple of years away.

[@JBFlytography]

Or Scotland… it’s a bit closer 😂

[@roberthindle5146]

South Wales and Scotland aren't that far apart.

[@JBFlytography]

@@roberthindle5146 New South Wales….

[@alonsodelgadopons5450]

Or you can go to México, since 11 HST units are going to be sent over there.

[@JBFlytography]

@@alonsodelgadopons5450 or again… Scotland is closer😂

[@michaeloreilly657]

A fitting tribute. Beautiful video. Thanks.

[@butikimbo9595]

More sad than withdrawing HSTs is the lack of investment on modern coaching stock after yeras realising Multiple Units are not capable to handle over capacity in many Intercity Routes. Meanwhile british preservation wont le HST legacy to die and we still able to travel behind this motor cars on charter tours or simply to pay a visit to static exhibits.

[@memediatek]

Multiple Units would be suitable if we bought good high speed DEMUs or we invested in electrification. Some of the best train sets in the world are MUs, including many of the ones 8 enjoyed travelling on most in Europe such as the ICE 3

[@JBFlytography]

Reading this sitting on one home from Edinburgh 😉

[@RichardDzien]

Pity they don't sound a cool as the Valentas. Bet they would have kept them if they sounded cool!

[@JamesMezzatrainboy]

Sad times

[@TallboyDave]

I might be primarily a Big Four enthusiast, but I have to admit, I really like the HST's, especially in either BR Blue and Grey or Intercity Executive "Raspberry Ripple"; post privatization liveries don't suit them, in my eyes.

[@gymnasiast90]

I think I like the Intercity Swallow livery best. I agree on the post-privatisation liveries point.

[@lukeslocomotives]

Bit of a different opinion,but I think the GNER blue livery, with that classy red stripe along the side

[@DC4260Productions]

What is XC using to replace HSTs, and what will happen to these veterans after retirement? I know they've also got 170s, 220s and 221s, but I didn't think they'd have enough of them to cover for the HSTs.

[@andrewreynolds4949]

Service cuts for now, there are rumors they might pick up the EMR 222s and/or some of the Avanti West Coast 221s

[@c3gfboy7]

@@andrewreynolds4949 it's been confirmed they are getting the avanti Voyagers.....but...7 of them

[@andrewreynolds4949]

@@c3gfboy7 What source is there for this? 7 doesn't quite make sense, Grand Central are looking at taking 10 which means 3 would be left over

[@c3gfboy7]

@@andrewreynolds4949 a new NRC contract was confirmed by Arriva and the DfT for both XC and AWC but the 7 was a speculation. Mainly due to the fact they the entire XC fleet (both voyagers and turbostars) are going to get a refurbishment apparently (that i might be wrong)

[@Trainman10715]

@@andrewreynolds4949 i think grand central are taking all 13 as they currently have 11 adelantes and 2 voyagers, 13 units in total

[@justandy333]

Thankyou for sharing these final glimpses of a treasured part of our railway heritage. Considering they were only intended as a stop gap measure, they've done very well and I think we can count ourselves lucky that they've been in service as long as they have. Still, it is a shame to see them go.

[@MatthewRailways50033]

Nice video 👍👍😀😎👍📷

[@MrMaguiresTrains]

RIP HST 🫡

[@pokeboi5438]

Long may they continue with GWR!

[@158alfie]

I can’t believe this

[@rexracernj7696]

So disappointed we never introduced those here in the US.

[@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomer]

I mean, hey, at least we have Brightline!

[@TrainspotterBarn2984]

I never got to spot a HST My time is running out

[@icarus_falling]

Wasnt there some kick off from spotters on one of the last services?

[@arthurvasey]

What’s going to run along that line instead?

[@DaveSCameron]

Spent many a lovely Ely/Liverpool rattle across this fair land abourd these hot/cold, delayed, decayed and minus facility junkets, sayonara 😂

[@Trainman10715]

i presume youre being satire as none of what you just said applies to the HST and theyve never operated to ely or liverpool

[@DaveSCameron]

@@Trainman10715 In fact I am not I'm was being totally sincere... From the small screen on my cell these trains look exactly like those I said that haul you from sea to sea... I see I was a little incorrect then. Excuse me for jumping in with both feet and I hope to do better in future...

[@DaveSCameron]

And to be fair the title does say cross country which added to my thinking these were those...

[@Suprahampton]

I thought the HST's had totally stopped

[@macjim]

Still working hard in Scotland for Scotrail (Inter7city)… 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@andrewreynolds4949]

Still on short sets for GWR

[@SunFlaws1]

they will probably find a replacement

[@a11csc]

a sad passing

[@qjtvaddict]

Why not dedicated intercity tracks

[@Bertie_Ahern]

What a waste. They've got at least another 50 years in them yet!

[@andrewreynolds4949]

50 years?! That’s REALLY optimistic!!

[@alonsodelgadopons5450]

Exactly that's why some 11 hst units are going to be sent to México.

[@maimadha]

​@@alonsodelgadopons5450why are the InterCity125 sets being sent abroad?

[@joesheppard9571]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊

[@True_NOON]

HST when HKA hopper : 😡