Former Grand Central HSTs now with EMT

[TheBigD]

Deleted

 

[Leyland155]

Ah okay, thank you for the reply LowLevel Hopefully the lower seating capacity of the ex-GC coaches won't create too many issues in terms of the seat reservation system.

 

[Crossforth]

I saw 43484 plus a MK3 rake and another power car at Neville Hill this afternoon.
43484 had lost its nameplate, the MK3 rake had no branding and neither did the other power car. Anyone know what the second power car was?

 

[xotGD]

I saw 43484 plus a MK3 rake and another power car at Neville Hill this afternoon.
43484 had lost its nameplate, the MK3 rake had no branding and neither did the other power car. Anyone know what the second power car was?

43465 - please see this thread...

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/grand-central-hst-moves-to-neville-hill-for-new-life.158767/

 

[Iskra]

Due to some journey times being lengthened it means that some minimum turnaround times cannot be met... As a result EMT needed extra trains...

Thank you for the information.

 

[MMLLuton]

Does anyone know if the HST sets will be liverised into full EMT livery or a neutral sort of branding?

 

[mushroomchow]

The basher in me wishes they had some spare VP185s lying around Neville Hill. For... uh... fleet homogenisation?

Gonna be weird seeing buffer units around these parts - not seen them regularly since the days when Virgin XC sets would occasionally be routed via the MML in the summer, back during the horrors of "Voyagerisation".

Strange question, but can they work in multiple on service trains? I only ask as I recall during a holiday at Dawlish back in the early 2000s seeing four 43s coupled together running to Laira for servicing each evening, sans coaching stock.

 

[whhistle]

Does anyone know if the HST sets will be liverised into full EMT livery or a neutral sort of branding?

I'd would think they will have EMT wording at least but I don't know if they'll end up in full Stagecoach livery. I'd expect so as the franchise is still a year and a few months off renewal - that's a long time to be in temporary colours.

 

[cactustwirly]

I'd would think they will have EMT wording at least but I don't know if they'll end up in full Stagecoach livery. I'd expect so as the franchise is still a year and a few months off renewal - that's a long time to be in temporary colours.

I don't think they'll be kept for very long, just the duration of the Thameslink works. Therefore I think they'll be kept as is, possibly with exterior EMT vinyls.

 

[HiPa]

At Etches Park & Neville Hill... third set booked to arrive at Etches tonight

 

[greyman42]

Does anyone know if EMT plan to keep the de-classified first class coach in service?

 

[cactustwirly]

Does anyone know if EMT plan to keep the de-classified first class coach in service?

Probably reclassified and inserted next to the other first class coach.

 

[Alan2603]

Having travelled down to Kings Cross on a GC class 180 today, I am missing their HST's already.

Although they are generally getting a bit long in the tooth and are without the latest facilities, their comfort, particularly in first class, was superb.

 

[43096]

Strange question, but can they work in multiple on service trains? I only ask as I recall during a holiday at Dawlish back in the early 2000s seeing four 43s coupled together running to Laira for servicing each evening, sans coaching stock.

HST sets cannot work in multiple - there are no 36-way sockets on the power car front ends.

That’s why they are not multiple units.

 

[43096]

I don't think they'll be kept for very long, just the duration of the Thameslink works. Therefore I think they'll be kept as is, possibly with exterior EMT vinyls.

I think you misunderstand. The change that requires the extra stock is permanent as it is as a result of the new Thameslink timetable from May. TL takes preference over everything - it being a high profile DfT project with plenty of potential for it to degenerate into a shambles.

 

[Mugby]

Could someone tell me the current configuration of the ex-GC HSTs please?

I saw one on Saturday in Derby but most of it was hidden behind the mound of earth opposite the PSB so I couldn't count the carriages as my train went past.
Are they five standards plus one first?

 

[Intercity Exec]

Powercar + Trailer First + Trailer Standard + Trailer Standard + Trailer Standard Disabled + Trailer Restaurant Standard Buffet + Trailer First + Powercar. All 3 sets are the same formation and one trailer first (non-refurbished) has been being used as standard class accommodation. All of the Trailer First, Trailer Standard and Trailer Standard Disabled vehicles are converted Mark 3 loco hauled stock and the Trailer Restaurant Standard Buffet vehicles are original Mark 3 HST vehicles. Strangely the sets have no Trailer Guard Standard carriage unlike all other HST sets operated currently (this may change with redeployment to Scotland and GW short sets, someone who knows their future formations may be able to clarify this).

 

[43096]

Powercar + Trailer First + Trailer Standard + Trailer Standard + Trailer Standard Disabled + Trailer Restaurant Standard Buffet + Trailer First + Powercar. All 3 sets are the same formation and one trailer first (non-refurbished) has been being used as standard class accommodation. All of the Trailer First, Trailer Standard and Trailer Standard Disabled vehicles are converted Mark 3 loco hauled stock and the Trailer Restaurant Standard Buffet vehicles are original Mark 3 HST vehicles. Strangely the sets have no Trailer Guard Standard carriage unlike all other HST sets operated currently (this may change with redeployment to Scotland and GW short sets, someone who knows their future formations may be able to clarify this).

ScotRail sets will not have a TGS. Retained GWR sets will be formed TGS-TSD-TS-TS.

 

[yorksrob]

What are the chances of spare trailers from the GW shortened sets being used to strengthen the ex-GC sets to standard EMT length ?

 

[MMLLuton]

I think they're keeping them with 6 coaches so they can match the timings of the 222's but i'll need someone to confirm that.

 

[LowLevel]

What are the chances of spare trailers from the GW shortened sets being used to strengthen the ex-GC sets to standard EMT length ?

We've not been given any indication that the formation will change or at least lengthen (there's a shortage of TS vehicles as it is with most days featuring an extra TF declassified in at least one set) - at least some of the services being worked are currently diagrammed for class 222 so I imagine they'll want the acceleration.

 

[yorksrob]

We've not been given any indication that the formation will change or at least lengthen (there's a shortage of TS vehicles as it is with most days featuring an extra TF declassified in at least one set) - at least some of the services being worked are currently diagrammed for class 222 so I imagine they'll want the acceleration.

Ah thanks. So presumably they will be standing in for some of the Meridian services that currently terminate at Sheffield ?

If so, I wonder if these will be in fixed diagrams appearing in the timetable as HST's ?

 

[richieb1971]

I assume these will come through Bedford.

 

[jopsuk]

It would be tricky for them to operate to/from St Pancras on the MML without going through Bedford

 

[richieb1971]

It would be tricky for them to operate to/from St Pancras on the MML without going through Bedford

I only saw that it they would cover services terminating at Sheffield. I didn't read the whole thread.

 

[Hairy Bear]

They are pencilled in for 2 diagrams, 1 is a Sheffield semi-fast the other is an evening Hst diagram from Nott'm(can you smell something burning) to London.
But that could all change between now and May.

 

[yorksrob]

They are pencilled in for 2 diagrams, 1 is a Sheffield semi-fast the other is an evening Hst diagram from Nott'm(can you smell something burning) to London.
But that could all change between now and May.

Ah,That's one Sheffield !
Cheers for the update

 

[hwl]

Presumably EMT are keeping them till Corby is electrified releasing some Meridians? Or will they keep them longer till the bi-modes start arriving?

 

[XCTurbostar]

I’m hearing various sources state that 43467 without a nameplate is being repainted now, can anyone confirm/deny this?

 

[mushroomchow]

Presumably EMT are keeping them till Corby is electrified releasing some Meridians? Or will they keep them longer till the bi-modes start arriving?

That's dependent on them pulling their finger out and having electric units lined up for the point the route is actually electrified - certainly none of my ITK contacts have heard anything about a plan for the interim! It's probably going to be the case that they just wait for bi-modes to start arriving and put them to work on the Corby service.

Could stir the pot here a bit and make the suggestion - off-lease 90s and Mk. 3s from GA will be available at roughly the same time as the wires to Corby go "live" for the first time. Make it happen, EMT. I like my local patch becoming a retirement home for ex-BR stock, even if the average commuter is unlikely to agree!

(inb4 RVAR)