Bristol Temple Meads HST service in 1977

[al20a]

Could some kind person fresh my very old memory. Does anyone have any info on what HST services where running in and out of Bristol Temple Meads in Feb 1977 or is my memory playing tricks on me and they only operated out of Parkway in Feb 1977.

regards
Albert

 

[dk1]

Gosh!! Hard to nail it down to Feb 77. Didnt GW get the HSTs first back in 76 followed by EC in 78?

Would have thought Temple Meads-Paddington would be the obvious route to start things off.

 

[Darandio]

Well, they were certainly some based at St Phillips Marsh in 77. This seems to throw some light on it, particularly the HST workings scan.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=34464

 

[Polarbear]

HST's commenced operations on the GW mainline as from 4 October 1976. From that date, the majority of services between London, Cardiff, Swansea & Bristol were transferred to HST operation.

There were still loco hauled diagrams on some turns on these routes during the timetable Oct 76 - May 77 though, due to late delivery of the HST's. Usually a 47 or a 50 & Mk2's.

The West of England line didn't receive HST's until May 1979 & even then, it wasn't on every service.

Can anyone produce a photo of a HST standing next to a 52 in service - that would nail it to before February 1977?

 

[SWTCommuter]

For what it's worth, here's a photo of the first HST I ever travelled on, taken at Weston-super-Mare in June 1977. The amount of muck on it suggests that it had already been in service for a while.

 

[SF-02]

Does anyone know how long the average London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads trip took back then, and the quickest? I've heard it was common to be at least 15 minutes than todays 1.45hr without all the padding, and maybe even as quick as 1.20hr.

 

[Rugd1022]

HST's commenced operations on the GW mainline as from 4 October 1976. From that date, the majority of services between London, Cardiff, Swansea & Bristol were transferred to HST operation.

There were still loco hauled diagrams on some turns on these routes during the timetable Oct 76 - May 77 though, due to late delivery of the HST's. Usually a 47 or a 50 & Mk2's.

The West of England line didn't receive HST's until May 1979 & even then, it wasn't on every service.

Can anyone produce a photo of a HST standing next to a 52 in service - that would nail it to before February 1977?

Here's D1023 next to a new fangled HST at dear old Padd on 23rd October '76... Fusilier was working the 'Tour 52' special that ran from Taunton - Bristol - Brum - Padd - Newbury - Plymouth - Taunton. I know this was a railtour, but Westerns were still working the odd service train as late as this though, IIRC there was a Padd - Plymouth still booked for one and the Westbury - Padd early morning commuter was too...

 

[Masbroughlad]

I remember going on a trip as a 6/7 year old in 1976/7, put together by the Sheffield Division Merrymaker office.

Was a train to Bristol from Sheffield, 125 Bristol to Paddington (remember it well!) and then St. Pancras to Sheffield (All service trains). Those were the days

 

[Polarbear]

Our school organised a charter train to London in Spring 1977 or thereabouts.

Such was the demand, we had 2 loco hauled sets from Upton by Chester halt to London! Mk1's & Cl 40's on the front, with a quick swap at Crewe for electrics.

As part of my London day out, my dad took me on a 125 to Reading & I was most impressed! I recall being at Reading station when a 125 was starting up en-route to London, about the same time as Concorde flew overhead - it was a bit noisy!

Yes, those were the days......

 

[Bald Rick]

Does anyone know how long the average London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads trip took back then, and the quickest? I've heard it was common to be at least 15 minutes than todays 1.45hr without all the padding, and maybe even as quick as 1.20hr.

It may have been 15 mins quicker, but then the quick ones didn't stop at one Didcot / Swindon / Chippenham, some even missed out Reading. And at 125mph, each station stop adds 5 mins to the schedule.

 

[Oracle]

I was at Bristol Polytechnic in Feb 1977 and used to catch HSTs from TM occasionaly back home (change at Reading for the SR) though I used to l generally used to leave Friday afternoon direct from by college then by bus to Parkway, changing at Reading. After the weekend I used to come back Monday morning after a lift to Feltham and get off at Parkway then take a bus or taxi direct to college. I think it was Feb '77 when I saw my last Class 52, which ran on the Filton to TM line which ran light heading towards TM.

For those who might be interested a return to Feltham from Parkway was at the time I think £6.30 with a student railcard. Today that equates to about £30! It was worth it for the free food, no cooking and the laundry being done.

 

[al20a]

Thanks Guys, I think that answers my question with few interesting snippets in between.

much appreciated
Albert

 

[Greenback]

For those who might be interested a return to Feltham from Parkway was at the time I think £6.30 with a student railcard. Today that equates to about £30! It was worth it for the free food, no cooking and the laundry being done.

That reads as though you had free food and a laundry service on the train for your £6.30!