Ride an Intercity 125 with a Contactless Card

[@poggs]

This is the textbook definition of 'niche'. Sir, I salute your dedication to the cause for staying overnight in Luton to film this video!

[@einbaerchen2995]

Uuh Luton is an actually city and not only a fake London Airport? 🙃

[@DentalHygieneTipsUk]

Oxford Dictionary definition of 'niche': Geoff Marshall

[@tobeytransport2802]

@@einbaerchen2995 yep it’s actually a town, albeit a big one... but it’s a horrible place.

[@magdalenavonschilling3494]

🤣🤣

[@TransportForLuka]

@@einbaerchen2995 fake airport? Its not and is very close to London

[@DurhamGooner]

SLIDEY WINDOWS SLAMMY DOORS. I feel a T-shirt coming on..........

[@2H80vids]

"Slidey Windows, Slammy Doors!" Count me in for a T-shirt too.👍👌😁

[@TheChipmunk2008]

I'd buy one!!! Also, aren;t intercity 125's new? (end childhood memories :( )

[@apeami8953]

I don't understand why everyone is in love with slam doors. I prefer automatic sliding doors that they have on the voyager and other modern trains. They just look better, unlike the dirty, broken slam doors.

[@anthonylloyd6094]

Plus one here for a t-shirt.

[@2H80vids]

@@apeami8953 Don't think I've 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 seen a "broken" slam door and how is a slam door dirtier than a plug door? The reason for their popularity among enthusiasts is simple: you can lean out these windows. This gives you a breath of air and lets you see, hear and smell the loco. Not important to a "normal" passenger but how many "normals" watch Geoff's videos?

[@benjamintery7847]

on the last day of these trains, i expect you to wear a SLIDEY WINDOWS SLAMMY DOORS shirt.

[@michaelgreen1515]

For so long was one of the best things about Greater Anglia main line.

[@benjamintery7847]

@@michaelgreen1515 GA got rid of all it's good trains, sadly. The HSTs on the GWML are the ones I miss the most :(

[@jamesrobinson9194]

@@benjamintery7847 yep doing 120 Paddington to Reading and Didcot with the window down

[@benjamintery7847]

@@jamesrobinson9194 even better: an 8 car HST showing up at small stations like Colwall🥰

[@josh_43189]

Geoff: I heard emr are using some old lner hsts Also Geoff: RIDING ON A LNER HST

[@tiraminess]

hi geoff i wanna say i really appreciate your videos, right now im in year 11 and i really love learning about trains and they've become my passion so thank you for your videos they really educate me

[@TransportForLuka]

Same I'm in year 11 now actually in my Christmas holiday I really lived trains now and they have become my passion all because of Geoff and I am so grateful for him to make these great videos!

[@AAAyyyGGG]

I never thought I'd miss the HST (Class 43) sets, but seeing nothing but the new Hitachi units on the GWR these days, watching this video made me realise that I really do miss them! Thanks Geoff for another great video! ;-)

[@carolinegreenwell9086]

Love your niche videos. Even though I'm not a rail enthusiast I find your fascination with all things rail and train fascinating.

[@geofftech2]

thanks Caroline, very kind!

[@Leoleo-dz2xs]

Its truly amazing the amount of knowledge Geoff has on railways Fascinating And always enjoyable

[@bomb-de-dyl]

Regarding the pricing between contacless and paper tickets, Travelling from St Albans and Harpenden, it can work out significantly cheaper to use contactless for one way and open return journeys, but significantly more to do so for day return journeys. For example, an anytime single (the only one available) from StA to StP is 12.90, but contactless is around 10.00peak/8.00off-peak. The same applies between these two stations where an open return isn't an option with a paper ticket, so you just have to do two single tickets. But then say you used contactless on the return it'd be 16.00, when you could have paid 13.50 for a super off peak. So even if you have a railcard, it can end up cheaper using contactless rather than a paper ticket. Same for West Hamstead, and many other stations within boundaries zones 1&2, Gatwick Airport etc as well. Kinda stupid and confusing but then that's the ticketing system for you...

[@andrewholloway231]

A super niche video featuring the legendary HST. Thanks Geoff, really appreciate it.

[@jamesrobinson9194]

I stayed last night in Luton Somebody has to 🤣🤣🤣 Geoff you're getting funnier with age mate!

[@andrewwilson6240]

I did that once (early flight). I know exactly what you mean!

[@RogueCylon]

Nobody...nobody, stays there by choice.

[@blahblahwhatblahblah]

I've paused the video at that point to come look at the comments. Poor Geoff - I did it once, never again!

[@russeljohn3471]

I live in Luton and it really is a world class sh#t hole.

[@Andy-ju8bb]

I miss slidey windows and slammy doors so much. Was very sad to see the last bubble car retire, and will be even sader to see the 125 go.

[@davidoliver1169]

Another great video Geoff. Please keep them going as they are so well produced.

[@jamesgreen3417]

When you filmed the HST set arrived in Luton airport it was EMR but was clearly a ex LNER set

[@mrfust]

Which he confirmed in the video...

[@jamiehawker7345]

Geoff: There is a rumour that EMR have the old LNER set trains Me: You are riding on one with red LNER seats and LNER displays and engines Also I live near the midland mainline and I've seen a lot of LNER trains locally recently, branded as EMR's. So I don't think this is just a rumour

[@grex9101]

He mentions this in the video around the 06:40 mark. Watch the bloody video before you start hammering impotently on your keyboard.

[@elliesanders885]

grex 9101 angry much

[@grex9101]

@@elliesanders885 Not really. Thanks for asking. Presumably, you were asking. Difficult to tell when you can't be bothered to punctuate.

[@kdmedia1534]

grex 9101 Because we’re not all aggressive arrogant arseholes trying to act hard?

[@anniesoernym]

Yes, Geoff, this is a properly niche video BUT your obvious enthusiasm for what you are doing is just lovely to see and offsets any and all disinclination towards a chosen topic. Oh, and of course: SLIDEY WINDOWS, SLAMMY DOORS!

[@NaenaeGaming]

9:15 43 423, former Grand Central Class 43, the last to be powered by a Paxman Valenta (hence the nameplate) and my personal favourite HST Power Car!

[@falken_gt4]

Formally 43123 before the buffer refit, I got a picture of me in it’a original BR Blue Intercity colours in Dundee when I was 7, my first up close with one after getting the Hornby set!

[@IainShepherd1]

I remember the Valentas fondly but also having working ears is nice too

[@NaenaeGaming]

Andy MacRae I thought the renumbering was when it was re engined

[@falken_gt4]

Naenae Gaming - AdelanteGuy you are right, my mistake

[@oc2phish07]

Fair enough, "Slidey Windows, Slammy Doors". Loved the video Geoff.

[@eastlondonventures]

I miss these HST's on GWR.. So nice, I love hearing them from the inside!

[@ahoyittttt7802]

I hated the switchover from fgw, why get rid of an amazing livery with amazing trains, such a bummer

[@eastlondonventures]

@@ahoyittttt7802 I know right?

[@Mergatroid]

These are the kinds of videos (along with least used and request stops) are my favorites from you

[@CitytransportInfoplus]

When Virgin Voyager trains were first introduced on their (then) CrossCountry service I travelled on them from East Croydon to Kensington Olympia using a zones 2 - 6 paper one day Travelcard ticket! The route travelled was entirely outside Zone 1. Before travelling I did first confirm that Travelcards were accepted on Virgin Trains.

[@tobeytransport2802]

9:39 those pads are for National rail smart cards only, such as the southeastern key. You can’t touch oyster or contactless on them. Notice how they have a different symbol than the oyster ones. I travel regularly within Kent and these are all over the place down here and everywhere in Britain in general

[@mattscarf]

Conversely, there’s an equivalent of the oyster/contactless pad independent of the gateline, for NR smartcards. At Hitchin there’s one of these for the Thameslink Key smartcard for when the gateline is closed outside staffed hours, and you have to go out of the side exit. You need to touch that with the Key to complete a pay as you go or season ticket journey.

[@tobeytransport2802]

@@mattscarf where I am I don’t always need to touch on a reader but you can validate the ticket using your phone or a ticket vending machine.

[@ravenfeeder1892]

I remember when the HST's were introduced and we all hated them for replacing Deltics. Still have some resentment towards them for that.

[@mbrady2329]

Funny, because I was really excited by the new HST, whilst still loving Deltics.

[@ionobelisk]

Celtics better, no contest

[@williammoore9609]

I worked on deltics on ships would like to know how they sounded on rail, is there any videos of them running on KZbin?

[@ravenfeeder1892]

@@williammoore9609 try searching KZbin for Deltic Roar, or even just Deltics. Try this one on for size kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYibdaqpp9iVfLM It was the sound that really set them apart

[@williammoore9609]

@@ravenfeeder1892 thanks you

[@reubenmckay]

"Slidey Windows, Slammy Doors!" Please keep making the niche videos.

[@abdullahhakim4409]

"It's got slam doors, It's got slidy windows, non of this electric nonsense", Thats what i like to summaries trains as and what most should be like, but without the diesel smell though

[@srhvideo]

That's quite something, Class 43 HST sets on routes that previously run Pacers

[@javelinstar3956]

There's a special blue pullman hst rail tour leaving St Pancras at 0900 14 november

[@TheChipmunk2008]

WOW...

[@anthonylloyd6094]

That'd be worth a trip into town.

[@jamiecullen9075]

TheChipmunk2008 I’ve found you from bigclivelive... 😁

[@peterscutt2253]

Yes and i'm on it, cant wait

[@jonahyudkindibdin4208]

@@peterscutt2253 are you making a video?

[@andyash5675]

Feels like you're properly back Geoff. Really glad to see it. :-)

[@TheMrTomkennedy]

"Slidey Windows, Slammy Doors" os such a good name for a band!!

[@MrIkon83]

Why am I watching these videos. No interest in trains but here I am subscribed and watching every new video

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

EMR HST's set to continue until roughly May 2021

[@fresusjeak]

I enjoy these niche videos! Having never been to the UK, there's a chance they could be hard to understand, but having watched many of your other videos I feel there's a good context. I also appreciate your usage of the printed maps and the hand drawn maps to further illustrate your points.

[@unclenolly3207]

Slidey Windows, Slammy Doors. 7:52 glad to see that it’s not only me that ends up with more sharpie on my hand than the paper! Be as niche as you want - love it.

[@darkshines800]

These are the kind of videos that have me coming back to the channel every week month after month, year after year. Going to ride this train as a Christmas treat I think :)

[@alanreader4815]

"Slidey Windows, Slammy Doors!" oh the memories.

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

So (a) you paid TWICE to travel from Luton Airport Parkway to STP and (b) you stayed a night in Luton beforehand. I salute your dedication to the cause of niche but fascinating transport videos 😁

[@davidstone408]

I remember when “Real” trains had a loco at the front and HST were considered modern rubbish

[@grex9101]

I remember* when "real" trains were drawn by horses with a signalman walking in front, and Stephenson's Rocket was considered modern rubbish. *not really

[@Martindyna]

Funny comment but I'm not sure the IC125 was ever considered modern rubbish, it was just so stunning when introduced, especially for me the way you wouldn't notice that the train was already on the move when departing (although now they're older you get the carriages bumping into each other a bit when departing). My parents' Dutch friend was very impressed and thought that safety belts should be considered, they were so fast.

[@sick9990101]

now the HST are old rubbish.

[@mudchute4dlr]

i bet the IET will be considered amazing in 30 years time

[@andrewrcoggins]

Ben Goldachre. Two hero’s in one video. Thx for cheering us up Geoff

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

When I've been on the Scotrail 125's the conductors make a long announcment explaining how to open the window, open the door, shut the window again, for the benefit of younger passengers who just stand there waiting for the doors to open automatically! Having to do something for themselves is a new experience for some of them!

[@TheMysticDave]

Yeah, we’re losing basic skills to technology at an alarming rate.

[@316hicks]

@@TheMysticDave There have been very few if any Scotrail trains that weren't electric or pneumatic sliding doors since the 60s. I was in my mid 20s before being on a slam door train in London in the 90s

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

@@TheMysticDave Yes, like people walking around town with their eyes glued to the arrow on their phone telling them where to go - yet when presented with a map of Great Britain are unable to correctly place the ten major cities (Leeds, Liverpool etc.). I could go on......

[@Alan_UK]

Lots of times in the past arriving at Bath on HST seen foreign tourists looking for the button to press or the handle to turn in order to get off. And then pannicing. Welcome to olde world England where you have to push the window down and lean out to open the door!

[@-Benedict]

@@Clivestravelandtrains BACK IN MY DAY

[@juliestockmeyer5871]

Slidey windows, Slammy doors!! Well done Geoff!! I hope the HST’s don’t disappear before I come there in 2021. 🚅✈️

[@sepper707]

"are they taking those away?" "they they're taking our 12.....FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS!" XD

[@KarimElhoussami]

The oyster readers by the EMR platforms were there in August 2019 which was before we the new oyster/rail map came out. On Sundays they don't run Thameslink services through the Tunnel so the ones going up to St Albans leave from those platforms

[@arthurmatthews9321]

I drive 40 miles from where I live to the north York moors railway just to ride on mk1s with slam doors and sliding windows.

[@micdonnelly7399]

Thanks a lot Geoff. I absolutely love those Class 43's. I had a friend who was an engineer for British Rail and I was allowed to take a hst set from Kings Cross to Bounds Green depot. Great fun!

[@lv-ag6129]

It’s a shame that loads of HST’s Are Retiring From Service But Scotrail, Cross Country, And East Midlands Railway Still Have Their 43’s

[@JakeyG-eq1un]

And GWR still have them in the west

[@alexanderstevenson6484]

Round here, GWR are using shortened 4-car sets as local stopping services. The intercity services are now operated by 800/802s. Sadly, the Mk3 carriages have had their slam doors replaced with electric ones.

[@ToilerOnTheSea]

Scotrail have done away with the slammy doors and slidey windows.

[@JakeyG-eq1un]

@Max-Leo Amberg 4 coaches and electric doors

[@ravenmusic6392]

@@alexanderstevenson6484 Some of them are 8 car sets which come through Bristol down to Plymouth. It's also probably the fastest you'll be able to go on one post GWML retirement, they hit around 110MPH on some parts of the line now.

[@Lulu-jl5zd]

One of your best Geoff... when you are happy we all are happy too! Can it be that long ago when I first saw a 125 sweeping round the curve into Berkhamsted - just magnificent! They were brand new then and now they are going - but they are still brilliant plus the sheer terror of people not being able to find a door handle as the train comes to rest at their station was always a joy :D

[@norbitonflyer5625]

125s didn't run through Berkhampsted very often, a handful on the Holyhead services, and certainly not when they were brand new. (they first appeared on the Great Western and East Coast main lines, and didn't appear on West Coast Main line services until some of the ECML units were displaced by IC225s)

[@IainG81]

No recorded announcements. Everything is great about a 125.

[@agent_605]

Which is illegal under modern regulations since many disabled people (such as those with visual impairments) rely on consistent audible announcements

[@monkey7431_]

Alasdair Clift Not recorded =/= inaudible

[@agent_605]

Jordan Quite often it does, particularly on these sets considering the announcement system is essentially unchanged since they were built

[@thetelephoneprankster4254]

I love the recorded announcements

[@emjayay]

On older NYC subway cars the announcements are occasionally good, but usually too quiet, sometimes so loud the speakers distort, and very often at a good volume and clear - but totally indecipherable. Apparently learning to speak clearly or without so much of a foreign accent not a word is understandable is not a skill they teach. Then there's the woman on a train I ride a lot who makes the announcements like she's screaming at a bunch of third graders on the playground. Again, no speech training.

[@briangentle5515]

Niche is fun; it's what we have come to expect from you. Great tradition; a bit like Bill Frindle's cricket statistics on the radio!

[@amtrakmidwest4830]

Slidey Windows, Slammy Doors!

[@jonathanoneil9460]

Geoff I love seeing all of your videos no matter the topic. I am an American who was stationed over in the UK for 3 1/2 years and miss it all.

[@SildenYT]

25 years ago, my mission was to try and catch an Intercity train using just a basic one day travelcard. I managed it, with a ride from Kensington Olympia to Clapham Junction. Imagine if that train was still about now, Jeff would be doing a video "Today, the only way you can catch an Intercity using a basic one day travelcard."

[@FenneXanthous]

When did HST's run along that line?

[@SildenYT]

@@FenneXanthous Not all Intercity trains were HST, some were loco-hauled, including most intercity trains from Euston and Liverpool Street at the time. Kensington Olympia had six such trains, one each way from Folkestone Central to Manchester Piccadilly, one each way from Brighton to Manchester Piccadilly and one each way from Brighton to Glasgow Central and Edinburgh.

[@davidgottlieb2782]

once i was trying to get a intercity from kensington olimpia to clapham junon

[@gavinathling]

Slidey Windows, Slammy Doors! Did the oyster update?

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

"Sometimes you just have to catch a proper train" Well said. And it's sad to see these 125s go. Also, seeing Luton Airport reminded me of the Airline series from 1998, I loved that show

[@Whiggism]

Hello

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

EMR running HST's until mid 2021

[@scuzzy983]

Arthur TV on KZbin has several clips from _Airline_ - search ‘Arthur TV airline freak outs’. He also occasionally looks back at the show with Leo, who was one of the airline check-in crew featured in the show. As you say it’s a great series 👍😀

[@sm6allegro]

Looks like a smooth, quiet and altogether delightful experience

[@andrewsimpson8680]

The readers on the gates at St Pancras were updated on 21 October to do contactless pay as you go (and no, it wasn't because of this video - it had been planned for some time but was more complicated to sort out than it might seem!).

[@FredIsMyName22]

Geoff I'm literally in Canada, no plans of going to the UK any time soon. And I love your niche videos the most.

[@fetchstixRHD]

For a moment I forgot that HSTs have been gone from the GWML (Paddington-Reading) for some time... 🤯

[@AlexL1805]

Over a year now, 18th May 2019

[@petervaughan9111]

I want those comfortable chairs back, the new trains are horrendously uncomfortable!

[@alternativeprovisioneducator]

@@petervaughan9111 I've nick named them the Borg, due to the black pipes and they're so noisy!.

[@Fan_of_flying]

So great to have a small number of these iconic trains still running for the time being at least. I believe EMR are the only operator to have the VP185 engined power cars. Smashing video as always Geoff!

[@lrander]

What do you mean "niche"? I'm not even british, and I still subscribe to your channel, loving every second of it!

[@axolotlgamer615]

realised youve been to luton atleast 3 times, Rest In Pieces Geoff Marshall.

[@gibbo9089]

"Slimey windows Slimey doors! "

[@ncandrew9159]

Niche? I like niche. It tastes good.....Oh wait, that’s quiche. I like that too. Especially when served through a slammy door! Great video once again Geoff!😉

[@western_alex]

Geoff: I heard EMR are getting LNER sets. Geoff, your riding in a ex-LNER set!

[@terrier_productions]

Western Champion Man 2008 I believe that’s the joke

[@nw24153ns]

I would not refer to your videos as weird but eclectic but call them what you will. Either way you make interesting and enjoyable videos. Thanks! Of course I live in a city with NO underground, overground, tram or other but instead we have buses and one passenger train that leaves a nearby city around 6 am and goes up the east coast stopping in places like Washington DC, NY and Boston. I was blessed once several years ago to come to London and enjoy what trains I could get to in an afternoon.

[@johntauren]

I'm here for the niche stuff. MORE TRAINS.

[@barrymonchez9043]

GWR own the 2+3 sets and the 2+4 sets and some of them haven’t been adapted yet. Unfortunately I don’t have the TOPS number of the coaches. Great video as always Geoff!

[@agent_605]

None are 2+3, they’re all 2+4 sets

[@williamPearcewill]

6:26 I live near here jeff and I can confirm the electric cables have been installed through Kettering then up the Corby branch line at Glendon Junction BUT do not go further then Glendon up to Market Harborough and Leicester.

[@michaelpilling9659]

Super video Geoff - thank you. Brought back many memories of many journies to and from York to King Cross in the late 1970s and early 80s, after the Deltics had finished

[@MarkMaddyGriff]

Geoff! Excellent video. I can only assume the readers at St Pancras are only calibrated for Thameslink and EMR smart cards? Which brings me on my question Geoff. Have you any experience with Train Operator own Smartcards? I.E the key from Southern and South Eastern or Touch by GWR and SWR?

[@gregkiteos1936]

FYI the 'slidey windows' are called droplight windows. I don't know why that is but I learnt it at the East Anglian Railway Museum.

[@countertony]

I was /properly/ confused when I saw the title, thinking "surely you can buy a ticket with contactless at any staffed station, so long as the fare's under £30 (or £45 if it's changed like supermarket contactless limits have)?" I've been out of London too long... (as an aside, if you give the ear-loops of your mask a half twist so the loop on each side forms a figure-eight you may find you get a better fit at the top and sides )

[@TheSm0wman]

There's effectively no contactless limit using Apple/Android Pay apps on your smartphone as Geoff did.

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

It's nice to see you use the line with which I am most familiar (Bedford - St. Pancras), and on a 125, too!

[@icefahrer]

An HST🤗🤗 And the best: SLAM DOORS😍😍😍 I´m so sad, that I can´t travel to England in the Moment...

[@MaxPulse1]

I am also praying to the God of Beeching, that when can we travel again to the UK that there will be a few left to ride. 1st trip back to the UK in 1979 brought nothing but high speed joy. Last time in 2012 was on GWR and the leather bound 1st class cars were brilliant. Oh the agony!

[@aran9952]

I guess you're in Germany? Same here, I just hope I'll be able to get there before they are a thing of the past

[@lifebites21]

Apart from the slam HST doors, your not missing much.

[@NextSound170]

Dan Case Word Dan!

[@Alteshaus21]

Why cant you? Germany is in the Travel corridor.

[@tonywilkins6090]

Last time I checked XC 's 5 HST sets, There is one that is still has the "classic" doors. Reason being is that unit is kept as a spare unit so it rarely goes out. If you see the unit it means another HST failed. Now I'm not sure if that set has been updated or not, but that was the case a year ago. EMR had about 15 sets (3 EX-GC sets + 12 ex-EMT sets) at start of franchise with some surplus powercars and mk3 carriages. LNER had sent roughly 11 sets over with surplus powercars and carriages. I know someone on a facebook group for EMR mentioned they have currently 15 HSTs sets which are mix and match of LNER carriages and EMR carriages. At London St Pancras, the yellow touchpads, are for the EMR smartcards rather than oyster cards. I'm surprised that Network Rail (who manages St Pancras) didn't change the gateline to allow both oyster and smartcard to be used on the gateline.

[@Quasihamster]

Next: Using bottlecaps to buy a NYC subway ticket.

[@liamarmstrong2142]

He needs to clear college park station first ;)

[@apeami8953]

Funny

[@Quasihamster]

@@apeami8953 Pah! Just wait how funny it will sound 50 years from now!

[@bxcsf9408]

@@Quasihamster I don't understand this joke.

[@Quasihamster]

@@bxcsf9408 That's a pity.

[@Sim0nTrains]

I was face palming and yelling at the screen when you said there was rumours that the LNER HSTs are coming to East Midlands Railway and you was on one! but I like how it was quickly recovered it and noticed that you was on one, but it also a great video, The only HST that you were missing is the Flying Banana, Network Rail Measurement Train but technically you can't ride on that one.

[@geofftech2]

i know right! ha ha ... this proves i'm not a Trainspotter! see? but i did realise when i stood up as i suddently thought "hang on .. high backed seats .. LNER set!" and then went on to talk about it. :-)

[@JordysRailVideos]

The countrylink XPT (the Aussie HST 125/Class 43) used on the Sydney to Melbourne services (ST2X) is usually 2x6 (2 power cars and 6 carriages)

[@oliversharpe4645]

So technically you will be able to ride them until post 2024 when the new regional train comes.

[@thefountainpendesk]

Slidey Windows, Slammy doors Here from twitter ;)

[@freebeerishere]

im from australia and the last time i went on the tube let alone england was when i was 12. yet i love these niche videos of yours, i just find them so fascinating even if im not always quite sure whats going on. slidey windows, slammy doors!!

[@AAAyyyGGG]

That sounds like a good combination: "Two power cars at either end" (4:30). Double-headed HST here we come :-D (forgive me for the interpretation but couldn't resist it!!)

[@JakerPlayer101]

xD

[@100SteveB]

Great to see a real nerdy type video, Geoff, I love em! I also love the HST's, great to see you on a 'proper train' - can't beat them! And living down in Devon, it interests me to hear that GWR are still using a few class 43's, albeit in different configurations to the HST, I shall keep my eye open for them - would be most strange to see one of them making an appearance at my local station in Barnstaple!

[@AndrewLuckett22]

GWR have 13 sets 4 carriages + power cars running between Penzance and Cardiff. GWR also have 2 spare power cars . Maintained a Laira depot

[@100SteveB]

@@AndrewLuckett22 I'm not going to see one on the Barnstaple branch then, I will have to go down to Tiverton Parkway to get my class 43 fix.

[@lachd2261]

There is one more place you can rise the HST - in Sydney Australia, the XPT sets for long distance regional trains in NSW are still running!

[@dodgy4]

The rumor is true, you're sat on an ex LNER HST set :)

[@BenKata23]

Yes he did say it’s an ex LNER one in the video

[@DerekHartley]

As he says in the video.

[@richardhughes515]

Carriages refitted for East coast line when Virgin ran franchise I think. Hence colour.

[@scottjm0682]

But why is there an ex-Grand Central set on the thumbnail?

[@anthonylloyd6094]

Good morning Geoff. Just watching this video for the umpteenth time whilst sitting in a class 43 (low back seats) about to leave St Pancras. Totally awesome 👌

[@anthonylloyd6094]

@@Bungle2010 Ok. Sitting on a seat in a carriage being pulled by a class 43.....

[@JosephDawson_]

I still want to go on an HST, being too young to have ever been on them and living on the WCML, might have to try this out soon, just want to hear that satisfying door slam

[@andrewwilson6240]

I guess the question is where on the WCML. There is still an hourly crosscountry HST from New Street.

[@timothyleberl6617]

Fascinating fact Geoff and yes that is an ex LNER/Virgin Trains East Coast HST as the outside and has the red colour and red livery!

[@benjamintery7847]

Geoff, you're probably the only person this year who got on at LTN - but who didn't get on a plane.

[@dcmansfield]

Except those of us who live in Luton and do this journey every morning?

[@benjamintery7847]

@@dcmansfield correct me if I'm wrong, but you'll get the train from Luton - not Luton Airport Parkway which is COMPLETELY in the middle of nowhere.

[@dcmansfield]

@@benjamintery7847 no I use Parkway, lots of people do, there's a load of new builds next to it now and flats in progress so it will get busier. It is a bit out of the way between Vauxhall and a retail park though. I actively avoid Luton station because it's horrible! The DART is coming on well so Geoff may need to revisit when that opens!

[@benjamintery7847]

@@dcmansfield doesnt the DART only connect the station to the Airport (maybe with a stop at the hotels)? And I didn't know some people lived close to Parkway.

[@dcmansfield]

@@benjamintery7847 yeah it's just a shuttle service

[@Outfrost]

Even when the line is electrified up to Kettering, EMR will still be running diesel sets, including 125s, because their services terminate further north, in Nottingham, Leicester and Sheffield. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@bobtyler8374]

5:11, syas theres a rumour that they are taking old LNER sets, I dont think its much of a rumour Geoff, YOU are on one.

[@ametrinemoon]

Will miss the LNER HSTs up here in Aberdeen as I went to uni with the valentas. Still waiting to travel on an LNER azuma. They've started the clear-up operation down at Claremont. Will be eery passing there I have to admit.

[@christophersanton]

Yes a proper train - with seats which match up with windows.

[@duncanwatson9054]

What a great video. Interesting and wonderful trains. Keep up the good work. Love the slides windows and slammy doors.

[@TDlovestrains]

Geoff is a legend. Coming up with crazy ideas. Legend

[@john.chung_]

According to TfL's single fare finder, the peak contactless fare from LTN to STP do cost £13.5 so I think Geoff u should be charging the correct fare (p.s. the off peak contactless fare is £9.9) But the interesting thing is according to National Rail's journey planner, even an anytime ticket from LTN to STP only cost £12.1 though

[@awesometrainsandbuses]

Slidey windows, slammy doors, This is a HST with original MK3s

[@southerntransport466]

Yes ❤️❤️❤️❤️ HSTs

[@greekrailways2681]

Also, HST's still run around the northeast mainline I can confirm as my house is a few minutes away from the mainline and I go trainspotting once in a while.

[@alanbowes1307]

Used to live by that line just past the Elstree tunnels and train spot the 43 class

[@Ashish_Sharma239]

Hello Geoff Luton is my second home as I spent three years while studying at the University of bedfordshire. I used this train numerous times to commute between Luton and London and I must say this is a great service by EMR takes 24 minutes to reach London.

[@nutsnproud6932]

"Slidey Windows, Slammy Doors!"

[@Silverthorne94]

Awesome! Love these kind of videos Geoff!!