49. 'Hoorah' for the HST-14.07.23

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2023 > 49. 'Hoorah' for the HST-14.07.23

With the imminent demise of the HST from CrossCountry's routes that has now been reduced to two daily diagrams Andy and I decided to travel on them for what will probably be the last time. Heading south west to Bristol also gave us the opportunity to travel on some of GWR's Castle sets that are also due to be withdrawn even though the confirmed date for this appears to be a little fluid. The day was marred slightly by some appalling and unseasonally wet weather.

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Images 1-43 of 43 displayed.

66771, 02.20 Felixstowe South-Birch Coppice (4M01, 15L), Northampton station
A smart looking (as they usually are) GBRf 66771 'Amanda' passes northwards through Northampton leading the 02.20 Felixstowe South to Birch Coppice 'liner. Whilst it was still dry here at our starting point for the day out, the clouds in the background look ominous and indeed, within an hour, it was raining heavily, something it did for the rest of the day!
Keywords: 66771 02.20 Felixstowe South-Birch Coppice 4M01 Northampton station Amanda

350404, LN 06.42 Northampton-Birmingham New Street (2Y07, 1E), Northampton station
The first train of our day out to the Bristol area sits in one of Northampton's two north-facing bay platforms. Andy and I travelled aboard 350404 that was to work the 06.42 to Birmingham New Street. It is always good to be able to travel on a 350/4 former TransPennine Express set as the interior is roomier due to a different seating configuration than in the other two subsets. However, intensive use by London Northwestern has begun to show with the formally smarter interiors of these ten units now beginning to deteriorate and take on that distinctive interior odour that the class 350's seem to have; has anybody else noticed that or is it just me?
Keywords: 350404 06.42 Northampton-Birmingham New Street 2Y07 Northampton station London Northwestern Desiro

172331, LN 08.00 Birmingham New Street-Hereford (1V22, 10L), Birmingham New Street station
Sheltering from the rain at New Street station I managed a photograph of West Midlands Trains' 172331 that was preparing to leave working the 1V22 08.00 service to Hereford. It is sobering to think that the Class 172 Turbostars have been in operation now for thirteen years! I still consider them to be the 'new kids on the block' whenever I see them around the West Midlands!
Keywords: 172331 08.00 Birmingham New Street-Hereford 1V22 Birmingham New Street station West Midlands Trains

323213, LN 07.09 Lichfield Trent Valley-Bromsgove (2O10, 1L), Birmingham New Street station
The Class 323s have been a part of West Midlands life for over thirty years now but their time is nearly up with the Class 730s about to replace them. With the units having been refurbished relatively recently and with Northern changing their stock strategy many of the West Midlands Railway sets will be heading north for further use. 323213 leaves Birmingham New Street with the 07.09 Lichfield Trent Valley to Bromsgrove cross-city service.
Keywords: 323213 07.09 Lichfield Trent Valley-Bromsgove 2O10 Birmingham New Street station

220033, XC 06.35 Bristol Temple Meads-Edinburgh Waverley (1S35, RT), Birmingham New Street station
Arriving at a very wet Birmingham New Street CrossCounty's 220033 works the 06.35 Bristol to Edingburgh 1S35 service. Unfortunately, these dreadful trains will be with us for the foreseeable future (as if twenty-two years isn't long enough!) with their ranks strengthened as the worn-out cascaded Class 221's arrive from Avanti later this year! This will precipitate the removal of HSTs from their network with them having worked on these interregional lines since 1981!
Keywords: 220033 06.35 Bristol Temple Meads-Edinburgh Waverley 1S35 Birmingham New Street station CrossCountry Voyager

43301, XC 06.12 Leeds-Plymouth (1V44, 4L), Birmingham New Street station
This is what Andy and I have come to Birmingham for having to make an early start from Northampton! 43301 comes to a halt at platform ten with the 06.12 Leeds to Plymouth service. With CrossCountry's refurbishment, they still look fresh and purposeful and a train that the travelling public instantly recognises. However, close inspection does reveal cracks and signs of water ingress in places! Andy and travelled on the 1V44 service as far as Bristol enjoying the luxury of a Mk. III coach even if the automatic sliding door behind us would not close making it a little louder than normal. There was much interest on the platform including from the ROG driver seen to the left of the train. He told us that there were talks ongoing regarding the CrossCountry sets possibly going to either Mexico or South Africa after they are returned to Portobrook at the end of the summer. If they go to the latter, the HSTs will need to be re-gauged which would be interesting!
Keywords: 43301 06.12 Leeds-Plymouth 1V44 Birmingham New Street station CrossCountry HST

158769, GW 09.45 Bristol Temple Meads-Salisbury (2O07, RT), Bristol Temple Meads station
The weather on arrival at Bristol Temple Meads was awful being more like November than the middle of July and not like I remember it back in my spotting youth, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/23615754604/basking-under-clear-blue-summer and this website's homepage. Sheltering under the canopy 158769 is seen about to work the 09.45 stopper service to Salisbury via Westbury.
Keywords: 158769 09.45 Bristol Temple Meads-Salisbury 2O07 Bristol Temple Meads station GWR Great Western Railway

43301, XC 06.12 Leeds-Plymouth (1V44, 4L), Bristol Temple Meads station
Even the staff are getting in on the act recognising the historical nature of the next six weeks or so prior to the demise of the HST operating as a full-length train that is on inter-regional services. This had been our guard on the 1V44 06.12 Leeds to Plymouth who crouches down in the pouring rain to take his own photograph of this iconic piece of British engineering! He was probably not born back in 1976 when they entered service between here at Bristol and Paddington (as well as South Wales of course) but such is their enduring appeal some forty-seven years later! I suspect that there will be many other people photographing the two CrossCountry diagrams over the coming few weeks prior to their demise.
Keywords: 43301 06.12 Leeds-Plymouth 1V44 Bristol Temple Meads station CrossContry HST

43285 & 43301, XC 06.12 Leeds-Plymouth (1V44, 4L), Bristol Temple Meads station
Having brought Andy and me down from Birmingham the 1V44 06.12 Leeds to Plymouth worked by 43285 and 43301 leaves Bristol Temple Meads. The train is passing under Bath Road bridge which gave its name to the once-busy diesel depot. The brightly painted houses on the skyline are in the area of Totterdown. This was once a grim and run-down part of Bristol but has, in more recent years, acquired a more chic and up-coming reputation to the point of being named 'fifth hippest place to live in the UK' by the Times newspaper in 2016.
Keywords: 43285 43301 06.12 Leeds-Plymouth 1V44 Bristol Temple Meads station CrossCountry HST

221141, 10.00 Bristol Temple Meads-Manchester Piccadilly (1M33, 23L), Bristol Temple Meads station
CrossCountry's 221141 waits in the pouring rain at Bristol Temple Meads. Soon it will leave working the 10.00 service to Manchester Piccadilly. Who in their right mind would want to travel all that way in what is, after all, just a four-car DMU?
Keywords: 221141, 10.00 Bristol Temple Meads-Manchester Piccadilly 1M33 Bristol Temple Meads station CrossCountry Voyager

43172 & 43029, GW 09.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance (2C69, RT), Bristol Temple Meads station
43172 'Tiverton Castle' (rear, nearest camera) and 43029 'Caldicot Castle' (front) wait at Bristol Temple Meads working the 09.00 Cardiff Central to Penzance service. Andy and I would have liked to have taken this service to Weston-super-Mare but we were to yet purchase our Freedom Travelpass that was only available from the ticket office....what will happen when they all close I wonder! Notice the number of GWR staff about to board the train with their shiny new and clean bags. It appeared that they were on staff training so with all that going on it was perhaps best that we did to take this train!
Keywords: 43172 43029 09.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance 2C69 Bristol Temple Meads station GWR Tiverton CastleCaldicot Castle

43029, GW 09.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance (2C69, RT), Bristol Temple Meads station
The things that we do in the pursuit of our hobby: in absolutely torrential rain 43029 'Caldicot Castle' is captured waiting to leave Bristol Temple Meads with the 2C69 09.00 Cardiff to Penzance service. Having taken the shot with hopefully the right camera settings and reasonably well-composed I dashed back to the shelter of the canopy! Notice that these services carry a Class 2 prefix in their reporting number classifying them as an 'ordinary passenger train'. It seems a bit of a demotion for the HSTs that would have carried a Class 1 prefix throughout their previous working lives.
Keywords: 43029 09.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance 2C69 Bristol Temple Meads station GWR HST Caldicot Castle

43098, GW 05.40 Penzance-Cardiff Central (2U10, 1E), Bristol Temple Meads station
Another HST working that we would have taken but it would have taken us straight out of our Freedom Travelpass validity area waits at Bristol Temple Meads. 43 098 'Walton Castle' will lead the short set working the 05.40 from Penzance to Cardiff. Notice that the grand trainshed in the background is covered with plastic sheeting as it undergoes a huge renovation and cleaning that is just a part of the wider regeneration of the station and its surrounding environs.
Keywords: 43098 05.40 Penzance-Cardiff Central (2U10, 1E), Bristol Temple Meads station Walton Castle

43040 & 43098, GW 05.40 Penzance-Cardiff Central (2U10, 1E), Bristol Temple Meads station
The 2U10 05.40 Penzance to Cardiff central leaves Bristol Temple Meads worked by 43040 'Berry Pomeroy Castle' at the rear and with 43040 'Walton Castle' leading. The scene at the eastern end of Temple Meads has changed over the years with recent developments to my left transforming its appearance. However, one thing that has not changed is the delightful Bristol TM East GF (Ground Frame) seen to the right. Quite how this has survived over the years is a surprise being such an anachronistic piece of infrastructure that I photographed looking exactly the same back in 1977, see...... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/23615765204/you-can-see-that-this-negative-has
Keywords: Walton Castle 43040 & 43098, GW 05.40 Penzance-Cardiff Central (2U10, 1E), Bristol Temple Meads station Berry Pomeroy Castle GWR HST Castle set

166211, GW 09.00 Worcester Shrub Hill-Bristol Temple Meads (2C61, 4L), Bristol Temple Meads station
One of the handful of Turbo units that still wears its First Great Western livery and branding arrives at Bristol Temple Meads with the 09.00 terminating service from Worcester Shrub Hill. With the works underway to transform and repair the grubby trainshed roof a huge false roof has been installed so contractors can undertake their work safely, see....https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/bristol-temple-meads-historic-roof-refurbishment-to-enter-next-phase
Keywords: 166211 09.00 Worcester Shrub Hill-Bristol Temple Meads 2C61 Bristol Temple Meads station GWR First Great Western Turbo

158768, stabled, former Motorail ramp, Bristol Temple Meads station
GWR's 158768 is seen stabled under a dark rain-leaden sky. The unit is at the far western side of Temple Meads in what is officially called Bristol TM Plat 2 Motorail according to RTT. The rather primitive concrete ramp in the foreground was used by drivers to gain access to the Motorail flats that would have been marshalled into the bay platform. With the forthcoming redevelopment and transformation of this part of the station, I suspect that this ramp will be removed sometime soon.
Keywords: 158768 former Motorail ramp Bristol Temple Meads station GWR

158768, stabled, former Motorail ramp & entrance, Bristol Temple Meads station
With 158768 stabled for the day in Bristol Temple Meads' platform one, dubbed the Motorail platform, the ramp can clearly be seen that cars used to drive up on to the open cartic flats. In addition, the gated entrance through the side of the station is seen that permitted car drivers and their vehicles access to the loading ramp. The thing that strikes one is the size of the entrance, back in the 1970s it would have been fine for a Ford Cortina or an Austin Maxi but would today's MPVs get through; I'm not so sure!
Keywords: 158768 former Motorail ramp & entrance Bristol Temple Meads station GWR Great Western railway

168005, GW 10.10 Weston-Super-Mare-Severn Beach (2K22, 1L), Bristol Temple Meads station
Having bought our Freedom Travelpass Andy and I decided to have a run out to Severn Beach as this was a virgin route for Andy. With it still raining hard 168205 arrives at Bristol Temple Meads working the 10.10 Weston-super-Mare to Severn Beach service that we traveled on all the way. These refurbished units, despite being twenty-five years old, are smart, comfortable and well-equipped with us able to charge our 'phones.
Keywords: 168005 10.10 Weston-Super-Mare-Severn Beach 2K22 Bristol Temple Meads station GWR Great Western Turbo

168005, GW 12.01 Severn Beach-Bristol Temple Meads (2K25, 1E), Severn Beach station
Having arrived at Severn Beach just over half an hour earlier on board 168205 it is seen again waiting to leave with the 2K25 12.01 return service to Bristol Temple Meads that we would also travel on. In the intervening thirty minutes or so we found a great little café a short walk from the station where we took shelter from the relentless rain and wind; it was much appreciated.
Keywords: 168005 12.01 Severn Beach-Bristol Temple Meads 2K25 Severn Beach station GWR Turbo

43378, XC 06.06 Edinburgh Waverley-Plymouth (1V50, 9L), Bristol Temple Meads station
As we were approaching Stapleton Road station aboard 168205 CrossCountry's 1V50 06.06 Edinburgh to Plymouth HST service passed us on the fast line. We did not expect it to still be at Temple Meads when we arrived but were pleased that it was even if we were on the wrong side of the station. In this interesting view, which shows evidence of the massive refurbishment of the trainshed, the rear power car, 43378, is seen through a gap in the platform. Even though it looks a little brighter it was still raining, as it did for the whole of our day out really!
Keywords: 43378 06.06 Edinburgh Waverley-Plymouth 1V50 Bristol Temple Meads station CrossCountry HST

43239, XC 06.06 Edinburgh Waverley-Plymouth (1V50, 9L), Bristol Temple Meads station
The leading power car of the 06.06 Edinburgh Waverley to Plymouth service stands in the rain at Bristol Temple Meads. 43239 is a former LNER East Coast power car originally numbered E43039 that started its operational life back in 1977. It now has a few weeks left in operation with CrossCountry who will be withdrawing their HSTs at the end of the summer returning them to Angel Trains who will probably scrap them; an ignominious end for an icon of the railways!
Keywords: 43239 06.06 Edinburgh Waverley-Plymouth 1V50 Bristol Temple Meads station CrossCountry HST

43040, GW 12.00 Cardiff Central-Taunton (2C75, RT), Bristol Temple Meads station
In torrential rain that even made such a seemingly straightforward photograph tricky to take Castle Class (Class 255) 43040 'Berry Pomeroy Castle' waits at Bristol Temple Meads to continue with the 12.00 Cardiff to Taunton service. Andy and I took this train to Weston-super-Mare enjoying the smart and surprisingly refined interior. Running as 2C75 it stopped at every station excluding Weston Milton.
Keywords: 43040 12.00 Cardiff Central-Taunton 2C75 Bristol Temple Meads station Great Western Castle HST Berry Pomeroy Castle

800318, GW 13.26 Weston-super-Mare-London Paddington (1A23, 36L), Bristol Temple Meads station
Immediately on arrival at Weston-super-Mare Andy and I alighted from the comfort of a Castle set HST, crossed the footbridge and climbed aboard a GWR IET; the contrast was noticeable. We had intended to travel aboard the 13.26 from Weston to Paddington service as far as Bath. However, on arrival at Bristol, where 800318 is pictured here, something went wrong and the train was held with very little information given apart from an announcement that we would be on our way soon which did not happen. After ten minutes we decided to cut our losses, alight and cross to the adjacent platform to take a turbo unit to Bath; unfortunately, so did many other customers!
Keywords: 800318 13.26 Weston-Super-Mare-London Paddington 1A23 Bristol Temple Meads station GWR IET

158771, GW 13.30 Cardiff Central-Portsmouth Harbour (1F19, 3L), Bristol Temple Meads station
With the possible cancellation of an adjacent GWR IET service to Paddington passengers for Bath were encouraged to join the 13.30 Cardiff to Portsmouth Harbour service and this is what is happening here! Andy and I travelled on the 1F19 along with these other passengers and it was pretty crowded and steamy on this wet afternoon!
Keywords: 158771 13.30 Cardiff Central-Portsmouth Harbour 1F19 Bristol Temple Meads station GWR

800303, GW 13.28 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads, (1C16, RT), Bath Spa station
Yes, and still it pours with rain! 800303 arrives at a sodden Bath Spa working the 13.28 Paddington to Bristol train. Andy and I took this train back to Temple Meads having the coach towards the rear of the train almost to ourselves. This short journey reminded me how uncomfortable and austere the interior of these trains is. Yes, the coaches ride well and it is extremely quiet but my posterior feels somewhat differently!
Keywords: 800303 13.28 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads, 1C16 Bath Spa station GWR IET

Interior fittings, 14.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance (2C79, 30L), Bristol Temple Meads station
The Class 255 short-set HSTs (dubbed the Castle sets) were introduced by GWR in 2018/19 enabling the second generation DMUs to be withdrawn and/or moved on from the Cardiff-Bristol-Penzance route. The sets were completely rebuilt from the former Mk.III coaches by Wabtec at Doncaster and what a superb job they did. The interiors are quiet, comfortable and well appointed belighing the fact that the basic structure is nearly fifty years old! There are some nice touches such as the proper metal GWR roundel applied to the seat back seen here. I also scanned the QR code seen and it took me straight to a cut-down version of GWR's website hosted by whoosh.media. I used this site to post a positive comment about the guard of our train who gave out excellent and concise information over the train information system regarding our slightly delayed departure form Temple Meads.
Keywords: Interior fittings, 14.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance (2C79, 30L), Bristol Temple Meads station Castle Class HST

Interior, 14.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance (2C79, 30L), Bristol Temple Meads station
The smart and coordinated interior of one of the refurbished Mk. III coaches that form part of the Castle sets operating between Cardiff and Penzance via Bristol and Exeter. Whilst the seats are predominantly airline style there are some tables for four and most seats are window aligned. The spacing of the seating was good and all had access to a thirteen-amp and USB sockets. The lighting was terrific and the general fit and finish were excellent. It seems such a shame then that GWR has announced that the Castle sets are to be withdrawn at the end of the year to be replaced with the far inferior IET 800s; a retrograde step for the travelling public of the West of England if ever I have seen one.
Keywords: Interior 14.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance 2C79 Bristol Temple Meads station GWR HST Castle set

43153, GW 14.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance (2C70, 30L) & 43040, 15.13 Taunton-Cardiff Central (2U22, 2L), Weston-super-Mare station
Andy and I have just alighted from the HST Castle set to the right in this photograph being led by 43153 'Chûn Castle'. We had a slightly delayed run down from Bristol on the 14.00 Cardiff to Penzance caused by the leading power car shutting down at Temple Meads. It was soon restarted again once a couple of fitters atteneded. The train never quite made up its time arriving some thirty minutes adrift at Penzance. To the left, the rear of the 15.11 Taunton to Cardiff Central service is seen with 43040 'Pomeroy Castle' powering.
Keywords: 43153 14.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance 2C70 43040 15.13 Taunton-Cardiff Central 2U22 Weston-super-Mare station Chûn Castle Berry Pomeroy Castle

Nameplate, 43153 GW 14.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance (2C70, 30L), Weston-super-Mare station
The Class 255 Castle HST power cars carry proper nameplates on their flanks. The names all relate to castles throughout the area where they operate; a nice touch! The plates are quite ornate and very nicely produced in the best spirits of the GWR as seen here at Weston-super-Mare where 43153 'Chûn Castle' has paused working the delayed 14.00 Cardiff to Penzance service. Chûn Castle is a large Iron Age hillfort near Penzance built two and half thousand years ago; I doubt that the evergreen HST sets will quite match that age but they are doing pretty well approaching fifty!
Keywords: Nameplate 43153 14.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance 2C70 Weston-super-Mare station GRW Castle Class 255 HST Chûn Castle

43098, 15.13 Taunton-Cardiff Central (2U22, 2L), Weston-super-Mare station
The 15.13 Taunton to Cardiff Central 2U22 takes a slightly extended stop at Weston-super-Mare having arrived a little ahead of schedule. The leading power car is 43098 'Walton Castle' that, apart from earlier on this wet day, I last saw and photographed back in 2018 at Swindon also in the company of Andy, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/23812879404/x43098-1a12-swindon-station
Keywords: 43098 15.13 Taunton-Cardiff Central 2U22 Weston-super-Mare station Walton Castle

Former Weston-super-Mare signal box (B&E, 1866)
Despite having not signalled any trains for many, many years, the former Weston-super-Mare box still looks remarkably intact and in good condition. This is undoubtedly due to it being Grade II due listed by Historic England by dint of it being considered to be the oldest surviving signal box on the network. Built in 1866 by the Bristol and Exeter Railway the structure is built in their classic style from coursed-squared limestone with Bath stone dressings and a Welsh slate roof. When I last visited the box the public could still access it as it was in a car park but now it is fenced off being inside a Network Rail compound.
Keywords: Former Weston-super-Mare signal box B&E Bristol and Exeter Railway

165205, GW 16.10 Weston-super-Mare-Severn Beach (2K46, 5L), Weston-super-Mare station
This is the second time that we have travelled aboard 165205 on this day touring the Bristol area having taken it out and back to Severn Beach earlier in the morning. The driver is preparing her train ready to work the 16.10 Weston-super-Mare to Severn Beach that Andy and I would take back to Bristol. Andy was particularly pleased to be on this service as it made a stop at the elusive Weston Milton station enabling him to alight, walk along the platform to the next carriage and rejoin the train to then be able to declare the station a cop!
Keywords: 165205 16.10 Weston-super-Mare-Severn Beach 2K46 Weston-super-Mare station GWR Turbo

165101, GW 15.59 Westbury-Gloucester (2E71, 3L), BristolTemple Meads station
A picture that tells a story that is all too common on our railways. We did not know it yet but the GWML Badminton route (from Wootton Bassett to Westerleigh Junctions) was shut due to signalling issues so passengers wishing to head for South Wales would face problems. However, at the point that I took this photograph, there was utter confusion with just an awareness for passengers that they would not be able to travel west from Bristol Parkway with no information as to what they should do instead. Whilst one GWR staff member attempts to help passengers the other walks away seemingly unable (or unwilling?) to help. It's come to something when control cannot inform their staff as to what is going on and tell them what they should be telling their customers. 165101 was full and standing working the 15.59 Westbury to Gloucester service with passengers who were eventually advised (some by Andy and me using RTT) to travel to Gloucester to then pick up either a CrossCountry service to South Wales or a diverted (via the Golden Valley) GWR IET if it was to make an additional stop; something that was unknown at this point. The lady that we helped was worried that her ticket did not cover the revised route with Andy and I reassuring her that this would not be a problem as the fault was not hers. It's come to something when a couple of railway enthusiasts end up helping and advising passengers ahead of the operating companies!
Keywords: 165101 15.59 Westbury-Gloucester 2E71 BristolTemple Meads station GWR Turbo

66504 & 66589, stabled, Bristol Parkway
Despite the grey skies it had actually stopped raining on arrival at Bristol Parkway. Freightliner's 66504 and 66589 are seen stabled in the sidings adjacent to the station. I have photographed both of these Class 66s close to home on the WCML such is their national operation. The more seasoned enthusiasts all remember the days of copping locomotives such as Class 47, 37 and 31 that were shedded away from our home areas that we would not normally see.
Keywords: 66504 66589 stabled Bristol Parkway Freightliner

66021, 14.25 Acton TC-Tytherington (4C90, 23L), Bristol Parkway station
Due to its routing via Bath and thus unaffected by the closure of the GWML from Wootton Bassett to Westerleigh due to signalling issues, the 4C90 14.25 Acton to Tytherington empty wagons service passes through Bristol Parkway led by 66021.
Keywords: 66021 14.25 Acton TC-Tytherington 4C90 Bristol Parkway DB Schenker

800020, GW 18.00 Stoke Gifford-Bristol Temple Meads (5E74, 4E), Bristol Parkway station
With the GWML closed east from Westerleigh Junction as far as Wootton Bassett there were no through services from Bristol Parkway to and from South Wales necessitating passengers having to go north to Gloucester. Those wishing to travel up to Paddington it was a little easier with them advised to head for Temple Meads. This GWR IET, 800020, was also heading to Temple Meads as the 5E74 empty stock move from Stoke Gifford that would then probably be heading to London carrying some of the displaced passengers. Parkway's iconic station building is seen in the background opened in 2000.
Keywords: 800020 18.00 Stoke Gifford-Bristol Temple Meads 5E74 Bristol Parkway station GWR IET

165102, GW 17.10 Gloucester-Weymouth (2O84, 5L), Bristol Parkway station
The clouds may be ominous but at least the rain has stopped....for the moment! GWR's 165102 arrives at Bristol Parkway station working the 17.10 Gloucester to Weymouth service. On arrival at Bristol Temple Meads, this service will reverse and head out east towards Bath to then head south at Bathampton Junction and onwards towards the coast via a wandering route through Westbury, Castle Cary, Yeovil and Dorchester.
Keywords: 165102 17.10 Gloucester-Weymouth 2O84 Bristol Parkway station GWR Turbo

43378, XC 15.27 Plymouth-Leeds (1E63, 14L), Bristol Parkway station
Could this be my final HST service train journey? CrossCountry's 43378 arrives at Bristol Parkway working the 15.27 Plymouth to Leeds service. Andy and I boarded the Mk. III coach to enjoy a little luxury, soft seating aligned with a window, and a quiet ambience with no obtrusive drum from an engine beneath the floor! The train made good time arriving at New Street on time after cresting Lickey at a laudable thirty-nine miles per hour (according to my 'phone app). I have not photographed this power car very much but I did back on a summer's day in 2015, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/28610910204/x43378-12-25-plymouth-glasgow-central
Keywords: 43378 15.27 Plymouth-Leeds 1E63 Bristol Parkway station CrossCountry HST

350404, LN 19.06 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (1Y66, 1L), Birmingham New Street station
Back at Birmingham New Street and it's raining cats and dogs again! Trying to keep the raindrops off the lens meant a quick walk up to the platform and a grab shot before seeking shelter again. Andy on the left of the image looks a little non-plussed by the rain too! We took 350404 back to Northampton working the 19.06 Birmingham New Street to Euston service. Coincidentally, this was the same set that we travelled out on earlier in the morning setting out on our 'grand grab an HST day', see...https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30043212774/x350404-06-42-northampton-birmingham
Keywords: 350404 19.06 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 1Y66 Birmingham New Street station London Northwestern Desiro

43378, XC 15.27 Plymouth-Leeds (1E63, 14L), Birmingham New Street station
Just look at the rain now! As it was so dark and miserable at Birmingham New Street I gambled on a rushed pan shot of the 15.27 Plymouth to Leeds 1E63 HST service as it left taken from the dry of the inside of a Class 350 Desiro through the open door. I actually quite like the effect with 43378 possibly being the last photograph that I take of an HST on a regular timetabled train service before their retirement in a month or so.
Keywords: 43378 15.27 Plymouth-Leeds 1E63 Birmingham New Street station Cross Country HST

Tickets, Northampton-Birmingham New Street-Northampton
I don't like using e-tickets as a rule but sometimes it has to be done. Due to the early start to the day from Northampton, our only option was the more expensive anytime-day return that did not load our two-together discount on the outward journey as it was before 09.00.
Keywords: Tickets Northampton-Birmingham New Street-Northampton

Tickets, Birmingham New Street-Bristol Temple Meads-Birmingham New Street
Like by far the majority of others (or so it seems) I do not support the plans to close nearly all ticket offices. But my take on the proposals is slightly different in that I blame the ticket structure that remains in place for the problems. There have been many proposals to reform the ridiculous ticketing system but nobody appears to have the guts to get on and put a plan forward. If I had rocked up to a ticket office and asked for the cheapest return ticket from Birmingham to Bristol the first battle I would have had would have been requesting a particular train, in my case the 1V44 outward and 1E63 return. I suspect that I would have been sold a pair of anytime-day return that would have come in at £228.84 with a limited two-together discount largely on the return journey only. I suspect that the person behind the window would not have had the time or inclination to drill down into the journey and look for alternative available fares in the same way that a ticket machine would also not be capable of. However, by using split ticketing myself online I immediately save a substantial £94. And, as for this proposal that staff would be brought from behind the screens and on to the platform, would they have any interest or ability to find and sell me the cheapest fares available, I suspect not!
Keywords: Tickets Birmingham New Street-Bristol Temple Meads-Birmingham New Street split ticketing

Freedom Travelpass (Bristol Area)
My Bristol area one-day Freedom Travelpass, which could only be bought from a ticket office, covers zones A to D within the Bristol area, see..... https://travelwest.info/tickets-travelcards/freedom-travelpass-bus-rail-passes/ Andy and I made good use of the card travelling a total distance of one hundred and thirty one miles that equates to a cost of just under fifteen pence per mile. This included fifty-seven miles of HST travel on three different Castle sets.
Keywords: Freedom Travelpass Bristol Area

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