ArchieWoodbine
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I like your optimism!
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Remaining GWR HST Diagrams
- Thread starter cactustwirly
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R
RailUK Forums
Well, that’s all folks
Nice touch on the FB live broadcast to film from the back cab (43002) as it departed Paddington.
Can I thank you, FGW_DID, and everyone else for providing so much information about the last movements of these iconic trains? I was personally very grateful to get one last proper trip on an HST to Exeter two weeks ago - that wouldn't have been possible without the information provided here.
Indeed, I think GWR deserve great commendation for how they've managed this withdrawal - it would have been far easier to do it quietly and without any fanfare, but they chose a proper send-off, with platforms at Paddington planned weeks in advance, and (miraculously) it went without a hitch.
I will miss the intangible things most of all - the sound of the engines, and the smell of the brakes...
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F Great Eastern
Established Member
All very well planed, from the selected locos, moving of nameplates, the platforms, the invited guests (industry figures, Kenneth Grange, families of Stan Martin and Brian Cooper) and the efforts that went in to make it all run smoothly and last but not least all the GWR engineering, operations and other staff that made it happen.
The fact that Mark Hopwood is an enthusiast though meant that I am not surprised at all with the above.
I'll be honest - I was in tears. It's all a bit emotional. So many memories.
I watched the final few depart Paddington. To given credit to GWR, they did a good job of giving them a proper sendoff, all lined up together on platforms 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Just wished I'd known about the final diagrams sooner and got myself a ticket on the 18:30 to Taunton. Proper enforcement at the barriers to Platform 4, BTP and all, you weren't getting on if you didn't have a seat reservation. More than mildly ironic given the number of people standing at commuter time!
It's inappropriate for me to share my gripes with the IEP on this thread, but, needless to say, it's the end of an era.
As with Concorde's final flight in 2003, the HST feels like a museum piece like no other - an engineering marvel, unparalleled to this day.
I'll leave you with a photo I took after a wedding in Somerset last year, sat up in the field watching a few HSTs pass through Castle Cary before my return to Paddington.
I watched the final few depart Paddington. To given credit to GWR, they did a good job of giving them a proper sendoff, all lined up together on platforms 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Just wished I'd known about the final diagrams sooner and got myself a ticket on the 18:30 to Taunton. Proper enforcement at the barriers to Platform 4, BTP and all, you weren't getting on if you didn't have a seat reservation. More than mildly ironic given the number of people standing at commuter time!
It's inappropriate for me to share my gripes with the IEP on this thread, but, needless to say, it's the end of an era.
As with Concorde's final flight in 2003, the HST feels like a museum piece like no other - an engineering marvel, unparalleled to this day.
I'll leave you with a photo I took after a wedding in Somerset last year, sat up in the field watching a few HSTs pass through Castle Cary before my return to Paddington.
Devonman2014
Member
Just passed Taunton on the 18:03 Padd to Plymouth and there does not appear to be anything at Taunton for the arrival.
A few photographers on the platform etc but It’s still a bit early though so things may get set up.
Benjaminmorgan
On Moderation
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I'm sad that The HST are gone from GWR
diffident
Member
It would be a shame if the last arrival in service was a damp squib!
Wilts Wanderer
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Slightly unusual working at Bath Spa, presumably to wiggle the extra HST into the timetable. 2008 to Frome crossed over and used P1, passing 1C26 at Bathampton Jn which had run bang-road from at least Thingley Jn and was heading for Bath P2. Avoided delaying either service, nice bit of slick planning that made good use of the bi-di signalling capability.
It's the little details like this (and 1000 others) that are the difference between 'nearly' and 'nailed it'. Excellent stuff.
It's the little details like this (and 1000 others) that are the difference between 'nearly' and 'nailed it'. Excellent stuff.
Thank you very much to every single person on this thread for helping others. Thank you for posting the diagrams. Thanks for making the final day of the HSTs a special one for me and everyone else. Thanks to the people on this thread, I have had an amazing afternoon out at Didcot watching the trains. I managed to get a HST part way there and part way back as well.
Also, and I know that they may not be reading this, but thanks to the people on the last HST to Hereford. They were so lovely and it was really something to hear the driver blow the horn as the train left the platform at Oxford for the large group of enthusiasts, all climbing around for the best shot!
Thanks once again. I hope that we can give the 800s, as much as people dislike them, a send off like this when the time comes.
-Peter
Also, and I know that they may not be reading this, but thanks to the people on the last HST to Hereford. They were so lovely and it was really something to hear the driver blow the horn as the train left the platform at Oxford for the large group of enthusiasts, all climbing around for the best shot!
Thanks once again. I hope that we can give the 800s, as much as people dislike them, a send off like this when the time comes.
-Peter
Sean Emmett
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- 9 Mar 2015
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- 496
43162 + 43172 on 18.15 ex PAD reached full 125 at Langley, Cholsey and Uffington.
18.30 ex PAD now booked P3 at Temple Meads.
18.30 ex PAD now booked P3 at Temple Meads.
i watched the last one live on railcam.....blink and you would have missed it, was going it a bit
but yes sad to see, see theres a couple of railtours planned for them later in the year tho
Do you know any more details about these railtours? Thanks!
Devonman2014
Member
01st June is the 1st one - Bristol to Padd , Padd to Carmarthen and return followed by non stop run Padd to Plymouth.
Trains named the flying banana
F Great Eastern
Established Member
You can buy a ticket for the whole tour starting 6am in Bristol and getting into Plymouth at 22.30 for £148
Note however it includes free travel from anywhere on the GW network to Bristol on 31st May and free travel from Plymouth to anywhere on the FGW network on the 2nd June which increases it's value somewhat!
BRX
Established Member
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I went to watch them leave paddington. Nice to see a decent turnout to see them off, and that GWR made an effort to do it properly. The WR is not really my patch but the HST has been part of my life since i was born. A wee bit emotional as they sounded the horn on the last departure... I'll be more so when they finish up on the EC too.
On a more positive note let's look forward - hopefully - to a preserved set being reborn with its proper Valentas at some point.
Thanks to everyone who has shared info on this thread.
On a more positive note let's look forward - hopefully - to a preserved set being reborn with its proper Valentas at some point.
Thanks to everyone who has shared info on this thread.
swt_passenger
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- 31,385
There’s a thread about it in the railtours sub-forum:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/gwr-hst-farewell-railtour-timings.181145/
judethegreat
Member
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- 21 Mar 2011
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- 157
diffident
Member
So it appears Taunton gets the accolade of the last station to receive a HST in revenue service for GWR. 1C92 has arrived at Plymouth. 1C26 is approaching Taunton now.
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R G NOW.
Member
I am sad to read, that the last H.S.T. has left Paddington. I wanted a last ride on these, but due to illness, was unable to. Also thought they were going to go in December.
Has the ones from Cheltenham spa tp Paddington gone also?.
Has the ones from Cheltenham spa tp Paddington gone also?.
SteelWeelApeal
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- 24 Sep 2017
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I think that will be Hereford (at least, full length GWR HST). 1W08 doesn't arrive there until 2135
diffident
Member
Scratch that, 1C26 is apparently becoming 1Z43 and continuing to Exeter!!!
F Great Eastern
Established Member
They're gone fully on GWR Mainline duties, apart from the Flying Banana tour on 1st June.
diffident
Member
43192+43002 were definitely on 1C26
judethegreat
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Echoing the thanks to everyone who shared info on here, and to GWR for doing it well (short of repainting whole sets which could have been nice, but given everything I guess that's just picky.. ).
).I am currently in Scotland and it's really odd to see all these ex GWR/FGW HST Power cars scattered around. It may be the end of the HST (apart from the GTi) on Western, but it's only the beginning in Scotland!
F Great Eastern
Established Member
Was always the plan.
It's:
43002 Sir Kenneth Grange
43198 Driver Stan Martin / Driver Brian Cooper
diffident
Member
Ah, cheers for clarifying that, thought it was running empty from Taunton.
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