Scotrail REFURBISHED Inter7City HST to the Highlands!

[@josephturner4047]

I used to drive 156 and 158 units to Perth from Glasgow, probably before you were born. They were horrendous. They replaced the pushers on which I had been a guard. They replaced mk1's on which I was guard. I loved those. Big comfy horse hair seats. Compartments. Steam heating. And off loading the mail at Arrochar on a winter's morning was like something out of a movie. You could barely see the length of the train for escaping vapour. I was at Perth when they filmed a Tennants lager ad. An old waiting room had been converted into a bar. I wish though that they had retro fitted all the mk3's with sliding doors. Got into Queen st on the last train one night. A woman came up to me and said she couldn't get off at Falkirk because she didn't know how to open the door. I asked her if it was her first time on the train. She said that she travelled every day but the doors were always open. Isaac, the station supervisor, told her she was onto plums for a taxi for being stupid. He said to one woman who wanted to use the (closed) toilet early one Sunday morning "should huv had a shite before you come oot the hoose". He made one drunk idiot get on my train one night to get him out of the station. I had to take him back because he lived in Glasgow. They were days.

[@EssexWolf1993]

It’s great to see these HSTs getting a new lease of life.

[@DylansTravelReports]

I agree!

[@robertofraser101]

@@DylansTravelReports me too previous modern dmu done good job done this journey aberdeen Edinburgh visa versa and seats higher up than dmus so feels more comfortable proper train like yes good old HST 125 7 go girls

[@laurieharper1526]

Absolutely. I travelled on one for work to South Wales very shortly after they were introduced. The speed seemed astonishing for the time and it was all achieved in comfort. Some are, or were, still running out of St. Pancras. I was waiting on Kentish Town station last year and an original HST pulled up at the next platform whilst the driver waited for a signal. His door was open - it was a warm day - so I chatted with him briefly. He told me that he'd originally seen HSTs whilst still at school and had determined that he'd drive them one day.

[@dw620]

@@DylansTravelReports To think that the HSTs were already a good age when we still had double-header 26s running the Kyle line (2x20s even, sometimes in summer...). Excellent refurb and so much better to have a step back in time vs decades of Sprinters, etc., on the EDB-INV run. 😉

[@MemeReviewer]

I agree, I hope they will last as long as they can!

[@jamesnunley1241]

11:05 Classy how they cordoned off those seats with duct tape.

[@MarmiteCrumpets]

I wonder, are these refurbished HSTs coming from e.g. GWR and East Midlands? Nice to see this lovely scenery again. The last time I did the journey between Pitlochry and Inverness was on a mammoth tour in 1974. My parents were living in Cornwall, and courtesy of an Army 1st Class Rail Warrant I was able to make the journey between Penzance and Thurso. An amazing experience, with 2 overnight stopovers on the outward journey, at Preston and Inverness. I got talking to 2 American girls when we were in the Highlands, and they were amazed that in the Buffet Car, "High Tea" was available (so was I in fact). So we ordered it. It consisted of fried fish, sauted potatoes, lots of bread and butter and a pot of tea. There were then 3 daily return journeys between Inverness and Wick/Thurso, and the motive power appeared to be almost exclusively Class 27s (?). On the the return leg, I caught the first train out of Thurso, and connected with the "Clansman" direct Euston service at Inverness. Lunch was taken in the dining car, all silver service, fantastic cooking, and not too shabby on pricing. I ended up at Birmingham New Street, and hauled by Western Emperor back to Cornwall as I recollect.

[@DylansTravelReports]

They are all ex-GWR.

[@cabbepe]

I went to Inverness by this route in 1982. Could have been a Class 43 or 50. Don’t remember. I’m from Östersund, Sweden. Inverness is the Östersund of Scotland. Both have history, culture and monsters. Folk music and clothes. (I bought a Black Stewart scarf. Have lost it, though. It will have to do with a Hufflepuff scarf for now.) Nessie is supposed to be the mother of Birger. There was a display of our monster in the Loch Ness museum. They might have a small Birger there. Tell me if you see him. We also share Nordic words like “hem” (hem), “bairn” (barn), and a few more. And we’re patriotic! I’d love to come back!

[@nkt1]

I don’t think the HST was running to Inverness as early as 1982, but I could be wrong. It almost certainly wasn’t a Class 50; a 47 would be much more likely.

[@cabbepe]

@@nkt1 I think you’re right! Class 43 must have been to Edinburgh. Memories fade. I remember now that we went to York from London and had a good lunch in the first class diner which you could order from second class. I was amazed of the comfort,being new to high speed. I also liked the sound of those old diesels. We went to Kyle of Lochalsh by a Class 37, if my memory is right, to see if Michael Palin really bought the Station sign. He did! There’s wasn’t anyone on the station house.

[@petefell2206]

Well done, I like the way your comments stay on screen for a reasonable time.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@blackmask38]

Travelled on a 125 back in the late 70s from Newcastle to Kings Cross, loved it, I sometimes think they could go on forever. Superb video, Thank You

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@richardcrossley5581]

I travelled on them many times from Bristol to the North East during the early 1990s, I thought they were awesome. So sad to see them be replaced, the HST sets were always good.

[@TheGWRailfan]

brilliant! although one thing, 2:30 while they were originally 125 mph sets, when ScotRail shortened them they were limited to 100 mph

[@scottishtrainspotter7209]

I do love the railway line up to Inverness, the Scottish Highlands is the best part of Scotland for the railway lines up there.

[@KempSimon]

The stretch of the East Coast Main Line between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, via the Forth and the Tay Bridges, is far from unattractive. Especially the run along the coast north of Dundee, when the train hugs the spectacular coastline and passes through the picture-postcard fishing villages of Montrose and Stonehaven.

[@louislegrand2865]

Thanks, Dylan! As usual, it's always a pleasure to see your video. I love the landscapes of the UK. Everything is well explained, station, trains, remarkable places on the line. Thanks to you!

[@Teddystream.]

I have noticed how quiet and smooth the Mk 3 and Mk 4 stock coaches are compared to the newer trains no wonder passengers don't like to see them go and it shows that after 40 years train makers have learned nothing and the passengers have been spoilt.

[@danielptfcs]

that’s units for you!

[@sylviaelse5086]

I too have wondered why we can't just find a design that works - and the Mk 3s certainly did (never rode in a Mk4, so can't opine on that) - and stick to it, with just refinements from then on.

[@typhoon-7]

Mk4s aged better than Mk3s in comfort and refinement. It's not that train makers haven't learned, it's that trains are built to a contract. That contract is usually drawn up by a large committee of people from all aspects of the business from legal and engineering to commercial and operations. It's often now part of a committed obligation via a bid for a franchise too. So there will be tight timescales to meet and manufacturers like Siemens and Hitachi etc will have "off the shelf" designs that can be adapted to fit the needs of the customers bid proposal. But they aren't totally bespoke. If engineers were left to the job, yes you'd probably end up with something like a mk3 but with newer tech. But it would probably cost far too much to be profitable. Track access charges and timetable demands dictate that units are the solution for ease of operation, maximising passengers per ton of axle load and metre of length etc... It's not that we have forgotten how to design trains. It's just that the world has different demands now and everything is a compromise.

[@BibtheBoulder]

Passengers weren't spoilt, they are just now being crapped on...

[@barrielui]

Multiple Unit Trains (xMUs) have traction components distributed across the passengers carriages instead of all being integrated at the locomotive engines. It is quite inevitable for passengers to hear the noise which was previously only from the locomotives. While for the ride, HST and their coaches were one of the most advanced trainsets in the world, while the new fast trains UK ordered aren't even the top of their product line. Hitachi Class 395 and 80x trains are based on their commuter express trains instead of high speed trains, and so are CAF Civity and so on. Multiple unit trains are a good change moving forward, they provide better efficiency, better acceleration and traction which are keys to increase frequency and capacity. Pendolino is quiet and smooth despite being an EMU, and of course because it is more premium and expensive rolling stock than Hitachi and Civity.

[@richardclarke376]

Love to see that these are still going. Built by a bunch of guys that had nothing more than a slide rule and some stale cheese sandwiches on a budget of forty quid. Amazing engineering.

[@bradmack8953]

I love the inclusion of pictures for reference, it really make a difference to the viewing experience. Well done Dylan. xx

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@thatcarguy4771]

I love the little signs on the staff doors, like "tartan paint room" and "bagpipe lesson room"

[@DavidMarfe]

England called they want their HST back class 800 are terrible.

[@RussianSevereWeatherVideos]

Such a lovely mood, weather, and scenery! Thanks for sharing this video with us.

[@stevehallam0850]

Excellent piece of recycling, Scotrail. A great way of travelling on one of the best scenic routes.

[@Crepello100]

I love that rhythmic thud of jointed rails, or in this case I think it was old 60ft rails soldered together. It reminds me of happy trips in the 1970's.

[@lunatictravel444]

The HST inter City 125 one of the best trains ever built lovely to see them still in use 44 45 years after they were introduced and still feeling as good as any modern train. The Scotrail. ones are pretty much the same inside as the GWR ones except for the colour scheme (not really surpris'ing as they are ex GWR ) that are still plying the rails of South West England in some considerable force even though they no longer run into Paddington

[@radders261]

Brilliant as always! Have to say that your narrative gets better and better, nice one mate! Looking forward to the next trip.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@roundandroundmyworld]

LOL at the "authentically Scottish" temperature in your coach!

[@wilouxwiloux7164]

Wow, I really want to go to scotland now. Was a really good video, as always, thank you!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! It's defiantly worth a visit 😁

[@KempSimon]

@@DylansTravelReports - I defy (sic) anyone to suggest otherwise!

[@davewright7512]

Atleast these glorious trains are still running somewhere!

[@peterwhitaker4038]

this is a good trip on a wonderful train. can't help thinking @ 6:51 if there was an aircraft coming towards you down Edinburgh runway how spectacular that would be!

[@manmeetsinghmahajan6183]

Nice one enjoyed a lot.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@fintytin5771]

"Authentically Scottish" - quality. !!!!

[@tedcoates402]

In 1971 I had a train pass and was riding around the British Isles. When I arrived in Inverness I couldn't find a Bed and Breakfast so I ended up on a London train for a place to sleep. Had a 1st class room to myself and it was fun. My wife has relatives from the Orkneys and may end up back visiting.

[@iankemp1131]

Remember doing the same on a railrover ticket in the 1980s. Left Glasgow in a seat on an overnight train to Inverness, got out at Pitlochry at 2 am, got the southbound train 20 minutes later and ended up in Edinburgh in the morning! Got some sleep and saved the hotel cost.

[@keithwhtan]

I just adore this video, Intercity 125s and a Scottish rail journey! Thanks for sharing this experience with us. Your handheld shots with the Go Pro are really steady. I initially thought you were using a gimbal of some sort. Well done.

[@John_Fugazzi]

The train looked relaxing with the blue interior and soft seats. I liked the description of your first car as "authentically Scottish" - how nice of ScotRail to provide an authentic experience. I'm glad they're keeping these trains running considering the few passengers, it must be costing them a lot.

[@KempSimon]

"Key Workers" still need to travel during the Covid-19 pandemic and the taxpayer will be picking up the bill £80 million per month - for all of these empty trains which are running across the whole network. I paid £30 to renew my Network Railcard on 1st January 2020 and used it just four times that year because of the lockdowns and travel bans. I 'm not entitled to any refund in respect of the four months when I couldn't travel. so Boris Johnson has (in effect) taken a minimum of £10 from me under false pretences.

[@bobtyler8374]

@@KempSimon Holy shit he took 10 punds from you, better call the media.

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

Normally they can be quite busy - in the summer I've had to stand from Perth to Pitlochry! The Scottish Government has been discouraging travel during the Pandemic, which is why the train was not busy. At the moment it's illegal to travel outwith your local authority area except for essential purposes. Railway deficits are being covered by the governments at this time.

[@benalowery]

I'd happily swap the Inter7City sets with the LNER Azumas. I can't see them lasting 10 years, let alone 40+!

[@DennosManCave]

The 125 sets will still be running when the first 80x series are retired...🤣

[@peterwhitaker4038]

just out of interest ,Azuma means 'East' in japanese and Avanti means 'forward in italian. where did we go wrong?

[@ds1868]

Agreed. The Azumas are rubbish.

[@TheSpotify95]

The Azumas had to be taken out of service recently due to structural faults - that's less than 2 years!

[@Martindyna]

@@TheSpotify95 One type of cracking affects the aluminium lifting points and the other the yaw damper, which is linked to the suspension. The metal involved is 7000 grade aluminium, and the briefing warns that this ‘requires highly specialist welding to the point it will have to be overseen by The Welding Institute’. Source :- Railnews.

[@CreativeEm]

Thanks for another great video, Dylan! I'm very happy to see the introduction of Edinburgh Gateway as a vast improvement to the bus I had to take from the airport into the city some 25 years ago

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@kiwitrains]

It is fantastic to see the HSTs still running and they look so good, I wish I could see them in the Perth where I live.

[@stevesteffen7001]

I love the shots of the old stations, beautiful.

[@geecee310]

That’s for editing those perfect shots of the viaducts you crossed. Great to get the context.

[@vishweshkamat]

Excellent video. In 2014 i had the opportunity to visit Scotland. I stayed in Edinburgh, Inverness, Dundee for a day each and went around sightseeing. I saw the Edinburgh Castle, which you showed in the initial part of your video. I stayed in Aberdeen for 4 weeks. Visited distilleries in the Highlands. Amazing place. Video helped me to recollect my stay. Thanks.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed your trip to Scotland 😁

[@EuroScot2023]

With a review of Scotland like that, you should get Honorary Scottish Citizenship! Glad you liked our country.

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

A good video thanks - I've used these trains several times and they are great - albeit with some quirks! Before they were all re-furbished, the conductors on unre-furbished units had to give lengthy announcements before each stop on how to open the doors - which to someone my age was quite hilarious. Another thing was that when there was a trolley service, the trolley couldn't go into Coach A as it has only one exit door, and if the train stopped at a station, de-boarding passengers could be marooned by the trolley. So you had to give your order to the catering staff who would then bring it tou your seat. The cycle accommodation could be better, given the Lands End-John O'Groats market - in fact this was debated at length in the Scottish Parliament, as the original plan was to convey cycles in the power cars, but only for through journeys to/from Inverness, due to possible delays at intermediate stations. Which meant you couldn't hop on with a bike at intermendiate stations. I believe this idea was dropped following pressure from Hamza Yousaf MSP, at the time Minister for Transport and the Islands. I look forward to my next trip on one, especially given the lengthy roadworks on the A9 due to the Dualling project for the next few years.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Ik right! It's not as though slam doors were a new concept or anything 😂

[@j3ojos]

I so miss the HSTs on the Great Western Main Line. The seats on the new IETs are so uncomfortable for the three hours from London to Swansea!

[@EM-yk1dw]

The seats are like chopping boards and the coaches look unfinished with the germ spreading equipment on the roofs.

[@RD-ht6go]

GWR's refurbished HSTs have the same kind of interior.

[@CurvedGD]

IETs are based on the MUCH BETTER javelin

[@EM-yk1dw]

@@CurvedGD I hardly think the Javelins are an improvement on a HST

[@CurvedGD]

I meant IETs are based on the much better javelin but the HST is better

[@misterpaulgg3231]

Thank you, dylan for this wonderful video. We mede this trip back in 2016 to spend some days in inverness and then continue touring all the contour of scotland by train. You are good as a tour guide. Keep on. Thank you.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@alejandrayalanbowman367]

My first visit to Scotland, way back in 1967 took me via Edinburgh and Aberdeen to Inverurie, now that was a really great journey with lovely scenery.

[@andrewdales8136]

I am pleased to report I found this video in good working order so I will give it a 10. Happy New Year and keep safe.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@carlfromtheoc1788]

In the earlier part of May 2019 I made that exact same trip, except at the pass, there was snow on the ground and a bit of snow falling. Inverness was fun and lots to see and all within easy walking distance of the train station - except Culloden Battlefield, but there is a bus for that. Took an earlier train, spent the day, came back to Edinburgh that night. Thank you for the video and the memories. There is also a light rail line that runs from Edinburgh Airport (as in a 200 - 300 meters from the airport) into Edinburgh. I took it when I arrived and it was helpful in that it enabled me to see where Waverley Station was in relation to my hotel.

[@D.music85]

My comment has been listened to. So happy!!

[@simonc7947]

InterCity 125s are some of the best trains I've ever travelled on. It's good that they're being refurbished, although I found the slam doors nostalgic so it's a pity that they've had to go.

[@TheSpotify95]

Sadly the loss of slam doors was a requirement for PRM compatibility, so they had to go. The IC125s are a great train and I've used them many a time on the Midland Mainline.

[@ironmantrains]

One thing to note about the seats is that they're old First Great Western ones just with different seat covers, but the HST seats were way better than today's IET!

[@martinross5521]

Hi Dylan, thanks for making the journey and for showing us Waverley and the new trains. I’m sure they are shortened former First Great Western sets which ran out of Paddington, but with welcome disability compliance improvements and replacement of slam doors. You’ve scored with the super comfy seats which we miss so much in the SW. Now we’ve got suburban plywood ones in shabbily built sets made in Italy to the lowest possible spec thanks to the Department of Transport. There is no way they’ll last like the BR ones. On the backs of your seats there’s a plain metal disc replacing fgw ones. I was able to travel with my folded Brompton bike in front of me due to the massive legroom. Cheers 🍻

[@DylansTravelReports]

Yes, all ex-FGW.

[@martinross5521]

@@DylansTravelReports thanks Dylan - hope you enjoy them for many years to come. They’re well built and easily upgraded

[@luath5579]

Great to see these being refurbished and put to good use. I hope you like living in Inverness. Three branches of my family lived in houses in Southside Road (one is now a doctors' surgery, with a vets in the old stables - the gt gt grandfather who was Superintendent of the Line of the HR - and the other is a dentists - that's the one who was Engineer in Chief of the HR and designed Pitlochry, Kingussie and Aviemore stations and doubled the HR Main Line in places amongst other projects). Another owned the Albyn Hotel - now the much smaller Albyn Bar, which you probably walked past in Huntley Street in the preamble to one of your trips down south.

[@stephenskorupa8983]

Thanks for a great video.I like how you added the photos aswell.nice touch.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@davieheitman893]

I can't wait to ride on this. 🙂 HST's are a big part of Railway history and it's amazing to see them still running.

[@brianj6969]

Done that journey and the scenery is fantastic especially in winter months with snow on the ground...stunning. Note you say on your introduction that you were on your way home to Inverness !!...Nice place to live and what happened to Yorkshire....lol...

[@rosstaylor8954]

I also saw his video where he reviewed the Class 802 from Paddington to Penzance, mentioning that he was going "home" to Exeter St. Davids...

[@dayoutwithchris292]

Did a GwR sleep cabin in 2019/2020 from Paddington to Edinburgh and it was amazing

[@michaelformaini7053]

Wow, Dylan! This review almost replicates my journey from Edinburgh to Inverness of two and a quarter years ago (apart from the 'Authentic Scottish' climate - my journey was in the Scottish version of an Indian Summer - early September before the storms) (and the train type - I had a Class 170). Loved the climate reference by the way - shows you have a witty sense of humour. I never had the chance to check out the interior of the Inter7City sets as only a few were undergoing driver training at the time and the one stationary set I encountered in Aberdeen still had unrefurbished First Great Western carriages. So thanks for adding this to my library of videos to complement the still photos of my travels. About the only thing you could have added would have been the short walk down Union Street to my digs - The Waverley Guest House on Level 1 of No.25 (just across the alleyway from the Barclays Bank). (Funny about that - from Waverley at Edinburgh to one in Inverness - and home for me downunder is in the Melbourne suburb of Mount Waverley. As always, you are thorough in your journey and rolling stock review. These refurbished sets are a most welcome addition for rail travel in Scotland. Hope more become available, both for Scotland and the English West Country, instead of being thrown on the English scrapheap. Marvelous what a carefully thought out refurbishment can achieve (of course, subject to the business case, finance, willpower and skill of the tradespeople). I certainly hope another becomes available to replace that lost in the tragic Carmont accident. Thank you for the views along the way of significant landmarks, complemented in the case of Culloden Viaduct by a sunny ground view photo. I was interested to see the former Haighs factory at Markinch, a view of the river bridge with castle abutment towers, the refurbished picket fence on the Down Platform at Pitlochry and your thoughtful inclusion of the Killicrankie Gorge at the river tunnel. Druimuachder Summit, Dalwhinnie Distillery, the quick view of the semaphore departure signal at Kingussie, the somewhat grand station buliding at Aviemore and the rainforest type vegetation in the vicinity of Tomatin crossing loop all brought fond memories of my several journeys along parts of this route (I did a day return from Inverness to the Strathspey Steam Railway followed by afternoon tea at Pitlochry; also repeated the north bound section from Perth to Inverness on the grand round trip to Aberdeen and the east coast).One very minor correction though - the station at South Queensferry is called Dalmeny (I paused the play at the Totem Nameboard just to check it hadn't changed. Finally, glad to see you have passed the 60k mark with subscribers. Here's to 100k sometime this year. Stay safe and hope to view you without a face mask in the not too distant future. As always, cheers from Michael downunder in Australia.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks a lot! Glad you enjoyed 😁

[@dataintensive4199]

Really enjoyed this. I was a frequent traveler on this line until the pandemic intervened. Have not been on this train for almost a year. Good report, made me feel pretty nostalgic.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed 😀

[@onkarshinde2041]

Brings back sweet memories. Travelled on this route in April 2014, one of the most scenic journeys I ever had in UK. If I remember correctly, there are parts of the route where there are mountains on either side and depending on time of the year mountain tops will be covered by snow. :-)

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

They're covered in snow now, mate!

[@onkarshinde2041]

@@Clivestravelandtrains I should hope so. At the time when I travelled it was sunny sky and snowy mountains, hence one of the most scenic journeys :-)

[@kenmalone6733]

Great video! Thanks for this...beautiful scenery.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you enjoyed 😁

[@joananderson3328]

I would love to take the train from England to Scotland. I just love the scenery. I have done it before and I would do it again.

[@colanitower]

I travelled on one of these before... in its original form in the 1980s, London to Edinburgh. Spectacularly fast at the time. Very smooth, quiet ride. Then it was on to Inverness in something older I don't remember, but it's still one of my best train journeys ever. Long live HST.

[@timspencer6912]

What a great advert for train travel through Scotland. Its been a long time since I had the pleasure as I live in southern England and I rarely get the chance but here's hoping that the Inter7City trains will last long enough for me to get up there again. If I may add one constructive criticism, it's that I would like to have seen a little more of the stations, especially Aviemore (one of my favourites). I know that's not practical when you're on the train but you did manage to show a nice shot of Culloden Viaduct and of course the mighty Forth Bridge. All in all, great video.

[@JacobsTrainVideos]

What a great recycle of GWR's old HSTs! Great video Dylan! And congrats on 60k!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😃

[@matthewbull7]

Great video Dylan definitely inspired me to take a Inter7city HST when I’m allowed to ! I did see one come out of Doncaster Wabtec and it looked very smart

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@garysalmon1519]

About 20 years ago I took the train from Edinburgh to Inverness, much nicer now. Hope to do the trip again when things open up.

[@D.music85]

Also noticed that the engine turned off when you got out :)

[@westy6214]

Very nice video! The scenery is simply stunning putting it to words also it’s great to see the HSTs getting a new lease of life and they are most definitely equipped for the new routes they serve now also not to mention a masssssive improvement from a turbostar capacity and quality of travel wise. Also, congrats on 60k 😃 👍

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@christopherhunter2892]

Enjoyable video. I remember the days when you could get on a DMU and get a seat up front and get the driver’s eye view crossing the Forth Railway Bridge. Waverley looks a bit of a jumble now. Many years ago , the booking office sat underneath the dome and you could drive into the station and even park for a limited time.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 👍

[@AkramAzeez]

Much Awaited! Thanks a Lot, Bro. You're inspirationaL & Video is Awesome Like aLways.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@KempSimon]

Dylan - Thanks for allowing me to travel vicariously in a Scotrail Inter7Cities shortened HST set. I tried for a long time to ride in one on the Edinburgh to Aberdeen route but because the refurbishment programme took much longer than expected (corrosion in the bodywork - who would have guessed?) every time I booked a Fist Class advance purchase ticket, a Class 170 Turbostar turned up instead of an I7C. A nice train to travel in - especially in First Class - but still not an HST! Are you sure that the top speed on your journey to Inverness was 90mph? The Highland Main Line is known for being one of only two single-line railways in Great Britain with a line speed of 100mph, the other being the scenic North Cotswolds Line between Oxford and Worcester, and if the train concerned is capable of "doing the ton" (or more!) then that's what the driver is expected to drive to. If a train is neither standing at a station, nor accelerating or braking, then it should be running at the maximum permitted line speed. Is there any particular reason why you prefer to occupy an airline-style seat rather than one in a bay of four around a table? In my experience, when passengers are boarding an empty train, the seats around a table are always the first to be occupied. Notwithstanding the fact that, since privatisation during the late 1990's the number of bay seats around a table has been reduced in new rolling stock, in favour of cramming in more and more airline-style accommodation.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you enjoyed! The only section of track I'm aware of where there was a 100mph speed limit was just after Kingussie so I doubt the train would have time to accelerate to 100mph. Honestly, not sure why I prefer the airline style seats. Maybe just because I was travelling alone.

[@ChangesOneTim]

@@DylansTravelReports There are some further stretches of 100mph track. In pocket rocket formation, these trains can certainly attain it soon enough! Good video.

[@uk1922]

Happy New Year Dylan. Good to see you are still safe.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Happy new year to you too.

[@chrutnz]

Well done. I’ve recently found your channel and subscribed. ‘Appreciate the effort that goes into making these informative VLOGS.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@EM-yk1dw]

The HSTs were lovely with the original seats. Now they have been ruined, and that film on the windows makes it impossible to see at night where you are.

[@danielptfcs]

at least still in service

[@EM-yk1dw]

@@danielptfcs Very true but a shadow of just how really good they once were.

[@danielptfcs]

@@EM-yk1dw yeah, would prefer the original sets over anything but it’s better than a terrible plastic train

[@patrickswan4537]

I saw these Scotrail HSTs riding around when I was up in Scotland last summer. Great that you've got these superb trains up there now; our loss, your gain.

[@RHR-221b]

'It's really neat that they built the Castle so near the railway station ...' [Olde tourist-speak yarn.] Thank you again, D T R. I am gradually catching up with your fine output. All the best. Rab 🍻😎

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@Thomas1980]

Great video! Greetings from Switzerland

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@MekoUnknown]

The interior of those cars could not scream "Scottish" louder. They look so pleasing.

[@KempSimon]

What a shame that the standard-class carriages don't have window curtains which match the carpets! Serco Group plc has also tried to use Scottish themes in the furnishings of its Mark 5 Caledonian Sleeper coaches'

[@sjc14031974]

I see you crossed the Forth rail bridge on this trip. I did something similar in September 2019 and again in May 2022 en route to Dunfermline

[@robinjones6999]

Fantastic report Dylan The refurbishment of the carriages is fantastic - Again your in an area I know quite well - we normally stop off at Kingussie or Pitlochry on the way up and eat our sandwiches on the platform before more driving onwards. Its just so stunning and peaceful. Did you see the TESCO train?? As an aside with the cold carriage I had a similar experience on a Virgin train. I told the attendant there had been a theft - horrified she asked me what and where - I dryly replied that all the hot air had been stolen!! My bone dry wit didn't go down well. All the best my friend.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@Alan_Mac]

That was nicely done

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@Rachelvehiclespotting]

Great video Dylan. I do like the inside of the HSTs.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@davidscarrett3804]

Great programme if your down in the Westcountry you could do a comparison on the GWR version.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I have a review on GWR's HSTs filmed that I'll be releasing over the coming months.

[@KempSimon]

There's no First Class in the GWR's "Castle class" short-formed HST's and the Standard carriages have high-density seating! The "Night Riviera" Anglo-Cornish Sleeper train is now the only offering by GWR that isn't cheap and tacky. Their inter-city fares are unbelievably expensive and - in First Class - their complimentary offer is derisory, certainly compared to what you get on the East Coast and the West Coast Main Lines. The GWR First Class Lounge (or, if you are a native speaker of Welsh, "Lolfa Dosbarth Cyntaf") at Cardiff is a disgrace to the Capital City of Wales but at least there is one - unlike the great City of Bristol, where Brunel's magnificent Temple Meads station doesn't have a First Class lounge at all!

[@benjamintery7847]

Having travelled on similar full length and regional configurated trains on GWR I agree they are among the most comfotable trains in the UK! Great video :) (Also 1:39 ... I didn't know "semi-decent" was a word, I'm improving my English here)

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@Martindyna]

`reasonably decent' or `fairly decent' would be better haha

[@McSynth]

Your research and your knowledge is quite astounding !

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@paulheywood0309]

Thx great vid the price is good considering the distance and time must do this trip one day looks lovely scenery

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@johnburke5384]

Excellent Dylan...

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@Jack.harrison6]

Great review dylan! It is great to see scotrail giving hsts a brand new start :)

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I agree, saved from the scrap yard.

[@Jack.harrison6]

@@DylansTravelReports I would be heart broken if they were scrapped great that they are now a scotrail train running inverness - Edinburgh etc

[@josephine_lou89]

Really enjoyed this video. I'd love to travel up through the highlands by train, such beautiful scenery! Despite being part Scottish, I've never been to Scotland!!! But I'll get there one day 👍 Hope the new lockdown hasn't had too much of an impact on your train travels Dylan.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you enjoyed 😁

[@reluctantanorak]

I used to travel Bristol to Milton Keynes twice a week for some years, apart from the doors and new seat cushions these are exactly the same as in FGW and GWR service from Paddington for a very pleasant journey, although sometimes had to travel via Birmingham on a dreaded XC Voyager. Recall once or twice having to show people not used to train travel how to open a HST door by opening the window and reaching out, amazing they stayed like that for so long, of course it led to a lady being killed near Bath when she was leaning out of a window.

[@malcolmelliott1876]

Very nice... If only you could get a cabview of that trip to see the stunning scenery. The HST (class43+) sets were actually stopgap due to APT project failure, and yet have, along with the likes of class 37s, proved that well designed, well built and well maintained British engineering is solid enough to be upgraded effectively and also well suited to existing UK railways. Scottish railroutes present challenges which these 2 classes, along with the likes of 158/9s have tacked well over the years.

[@ronalddevine9587]

Absolutely beautiful. Hoping to be in Scotland in a few years. Planning on a tour of the distilleries. Is Waverly the station that connects to London? I loved the dome. Stay well Dylan

[@kaimitchell6517]

Waverley can Connect to Kings Cross with LNER

[@KempSimon]

@@kaimitchell6517 - Or Serco Group plc's overnight Caledonian Sleeper "Lowlander" service from London Euston?

[@EuroScot2023]

Or London Euston to either Glasgow Central or Edinburgh Waverley

[@steveschmitt2849]

Thanks Dylan , good video as always very informative and detailed, stay safe 😷

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@johnforrester9120]

In Australia there called XPT and are still used everyday to Brisbane Melbourne and Dubbo exactly the same

[@nhilltiger]

Like the video, but I can hear the noisy connections between the carriages, same as the last time I did Syd-Melb a couple of years ago. Very tiring over a long journey. At least the line between Edinburgh and Inverness seems in reasonable condition, The Syd-Melb line is rough as guts, knocked around by the freight trains and poor alignments

[@johnforrester9120]

@@nhilltiger yep the mud holes near Albury are murder they won’t fix it properly at this time maybe when the new inland railway opens next century l9l

[@Saphuria]

This is so cool! Once I can travel internationally again, I'd like to do some traveling outside Edinburgh. Turns out the town my dad grew up in is a few stops past Inverness, so this video gave me a good idea of what to expect! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@davidforrest4942]

They look good after refurbishment. Amazing what you can do with an old HST. Well done on 60 k. Always enjoy your videos

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@JBFlytography]

I've been travelling on these regularly since the damp FGW days! They've done a brilliant job at refurbing these, just wish we had more of them!

[@pshearduk]

Very handy that they built the castle so close to the Waverley and Haymarket ☺️

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Very enjoyable video Dylan, thanks. My partner who was born and raised to the east of Dundee used to cycle to Perth occasionally as a young lad to watch the trains there. This was during the last few years of steam in the 1960s. I'm curious to know why they've only used 4 of the Mk3 carriages per set with the two power cars. On the face of it, it doesn't seem very economical. But it's great to see the HSTs with a new lease of life in Scotland, and on the cross-country and GWR SW England services, having been replaced by what many feel are inferior Class 800 type trains on the services out of London

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you enjoyed! I'm not sure but I think they are upping it to 5 cars at some points.

[@EuroScot2023]

Shorter sets allow for stops at more stations where the platform lengths are not necessarily adequate for the full size HST. Plus on routes where the passenger numbers don't justify a full set then it allows faster acceleration and is more economical than hauling an extra 30+ tons per coach. You also have the option of shutting down 1 loco with the reduced train weight and the ability to maintain good speed if you have a loco failure.

[@likklej8]

Glad to see British Rail units still working and being used

[@TravelJack]

It's very fitting that the departure station is called "Waverly", and then a little bit later we see this: 10:42 LOL

[@CrazySquirrelProductions]

Waverly reminds me of Montparnasse in Paris. Can't wait to see Paris again ☺️. Thanks for a great video Dylan!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@CrazySquirrelProductions]

@@DylansTravelReports You're very welcome Dyan :-)

[@whyyoulidl]

Wow! Yr a new find for me! Love the style, akin to when Euronews do their 'no comment' sections. Got yrself a sub. Thumbs up :-)

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@CurvedGD]

Inter city 125s are spectacular! Considering I live in the south east next to luxurious speed down HS1 with the TVM430, the HST is a great symbol of the rest of Britain’s high speed trains from our home turf! Just a shame that there are no more slam doors (apart from EMR HSTs)

[@iancrawford1140]

i miss these trains from the oxford area.good quality travel.

[@ПарамонКорзухин-о7с]

Top channel, bro! Subscription. I'm from Moscow, Russia.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@ПарамонКорзухин-о7с]

@@DylansTravelReports The train stations were very impressed. Complete and accurate train reviews. Thank you!

[@ПарамонКорзухин-о7с]

@@DylansTravelReports Maybe you’ll be interested. It’s not me)) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnbKgIGiZbxlbMk