CrossCountry are to begin a phased removal of its HST fleet from the May timetable.
HSTs have been in use for over 40 years, but the train operator says that from the next timetable change in May, they will be making some changes to their fleet of trains.
XC says that it will enable them to run a more efficient service, which will require fewer trains to deliver the same number of seats, and means a phased removal of its High Speed Trains will begin.
A CrossCountry spokesperson told RailAdvent: “While our High Speed Trains have served us well, they have been in use for over 40 years. We are making some changes to our fleet when the next timetable change is introduced in May. This is to enable us to run a more efficient service that also reflects the way people are now travelling for business and leisure and requires fewer trains to deliver the number of seats customers need at present. As such, there will be a phased removal of the High Speed Trains from the CrossCountry fleet.”
As a retired Cross Country driver/instructor I feel that management had little choice but to withdraw these beautiful machines, yes they were getting on a bit but could do the job and had plenty in reserve. Unfortunately when the political will isn’t there it’s game over. I had the privilege of training drivers on these trains for many years and got much pleasure in doing so, a week in the classroom and two weeks handling, never tired of doing those courses. And, when driving them in service l can honestly say not once did they let me down., even on one engine. That was alleviated when the MTU power units were fitted and it was rare that 4500 horsepower wasn’t available when in notch five. It’s so sad to see these iconic trains melt into memories but when the times up, it’s up. A big personal thank you to making a long career a very happy one, RIP.
would they ever come back
Is there a timetable for these until May? Hard to tell from the usual published timetables
Will Crosscountry replace the HSTs with the Class 221 Voyagers from Avanti West Coast and Class 222 Meridians from East Midlands Railway. And could also replace the XC Class 170 to EMR.
They’re not being replaced. If you read the article, it says theat XC will be able to get along with fewer trains, meaning in practice, no HST replacement.
Thanks. Much appreciated.
The HST is Quiet, Smooth and Comfortable. Voyagers are Uncomfortable, Smelly, and Rattle and are often 4 coach overcrowded DMUs. The public deserve better and not Hitachi 800s. Mark 3 and Mark 4 coaches are the best.
Ok cross country are phasing out the hst sets. Don’t. Ok leave them alone.i came over from new Zealand in 2007 and ride on a few of the X C hst trains they were bloody fantastic. In new Zealand we had the twin set railcars used on many regional services all were taken out of service in the late 70’s some were converted to A C cars as loco hauled stock but not the best. Never replaced these railcars, so be very careful how X C goes ahead with it’s proposal to phase out these magnificent prices of British Rail marvels of railway technology.
Cheers from new Zealand
These old ladies will outlive any of this new plastic crap that’s replacing them. Long live these iconic beasts..xx
The HST cannot go on forever.Cross Country Trains are in a unique position to offer a , comparatively, change free travel experience.The stock does need serious upgrade and change.The obviously thing is a timely refurb to Voyagers and then to order some versions of Atachi 800 series, using bimode.
Agreed. I love the HST, they’re my favourite train, but they’ve had their day. The Voyagers also need to go simply because they are so fuel hungry, eneffient, and polluting. It’s time to bring in the AT-300’s. A mix of 5, and 9 coach sets. The days of running diesel under the wire are over too.
While I do feel that the HST is overdue a replacement, I feel that XC should keep the HSTs just for the fun of it. In North America, our HST equivalent would be the budd/pullman streamliners of the 40s and 50s. While most were retired from regular passenger service in the late 90s, some refurbished cars are still in daily use on the VIA rail Canadian. The last full streamliner in service. The cars on those trains are upwards of 70+ years old, and could have been replaced with newer, more efficient coaches years ago. The only reason VIA hasn’t replaced them is for the nostalgic aspect of it. I just think it would be nice for XC to keep one daily service on a HST, purely as a means to experience rail travel, and as an operational train, just for the fun of it.
Britain doesnt do things for fun. Only for profit.
GWR did this and the new stock is already tatty nowhere near as good as the 125’s
Well as they say, all things have to come to an end, eventually (most posthumously) for the good ol’ intercity 125, I do hope a few more of these remarkably iconic high speed passenger trains make it well into preservation.
only taken an xc hst once, but my god it was the quietest, most comfortable xc journey I’ve ever been on. can’t stand the voyagers
I was able to catch one on Wednesday only a short run but it was smooth and quick, far better train imho
Am I mistaken or are all modern trains narrower than HSTs and indeed the coaching stock used previously? The modern designs all seem to taper their sides inwards meaning there is less width across the coach for the seats. Coupled with ironing board hard seats this makes for much reduced comfort in the new trains.
Yes the new trains are nowhere near as good or comfy .I’d be very surprised if they lasted as long
Sides tapered inwards to allow tilting. Not used by XC’s Voyagers.
A well proven reliable class. If it ain’t broke leave it!!! Air n amps and comfort ………Another icon gone. All for the sake of money.
Oh well let’s see what slippy sliding lightweight piece of technology is now going to line the money men’s pockets!!
Retired Driver.
What trains do XC intend to replace with HSTs with?
Their comments regarding the number of people traveling are questionable as Voyagers are often very overcrowded. So Voyagers are not the answer.
Surely better to retain a few HSTs to provide additional seats for Summer services until suitable like for like new trains are introduced.
Voyagers are no Spring chickens and at the least are in need of refurbishment.
They aren’t getting replaced.
😥
Bruh
Leave the hsts alone
A sad day!
Monsters!
Is this another part of the plan to encourage travel by car instead of by train. With no comfortable seating in Voyagers, I shall certainly drive Derbyshire to Plymouth several times a year after May.
And Voyagers smell of raw sewage overfill if sit near the toilets! It wasn’t pleased.