These work solely out of Kings-Cross to destinations such as Newcastle and Aberdeen. Used to go on hire to Virgin for Summer-Trains but this no longer happens.HST's now no longer find use on the ECML but several ex-LNER Power cars now find use on NR-Test Trains.
Todays monthly Test Train from Derby-RTC (07:46 off) to Bristol-Kingsland Road via Weymouth '1Z22' was handled by Ex-LNER 43257 leading with Ex-EMR 43274 on the rear of the 4-coach set.Just a glimmer of weak sunlight to raise the light as it was passing.
..24 january 2023..
As '1Z22' the tester from Derby-RTC(07:49 away) to Brisol Kingsland Road via Weymouth had slowed down considerably to negotiate Clink Road Junction going onto the Frome station loop. I was able to nip across this pretty busy road to grab a 'GAW' of 43257 on the rear with EMR-43274 leading.
..8 november 2023..
Todays monthly 'Test Train' from Derby to Bristol-Kingsland Road via Weymouth is pictured at Fairwood nr Westbury.Ex-LNER 43251 leads with 43272 on the rear.This one will lead on its return run to Bristol from Weymouth.
..9 august 2023..
Looking even more careworn than ever ex-LNER 43251,now with Colas slows for Clink Junction in Frome with '1Z22' the 08:04 from Derby-RTC to Bristol-Kingsland Road via Weymouth.This is the regular test train working on this line. Ex EMR 'Purple' 43274 was on the rear.Of note this working was 71 minutes late at this stage due to hold-ups at Washwood Heath and Worcester.
..19 april 2023..
Still no luck with this fairly regular Test-Train.Last time it ran it failed in Frome with stuck brakes just a mile or so from this location.The previous time it ran very early so missed it then.Today however it was just a case of a large cloud blotting out the sunlight on an otherwise very sunny day..What can you do?.... Anyway here is a pair of ex-LNER Power-cars now owned by Colas and on hire to Network Rail.A pretty work stained 43272 leading with 43257 bringing up the rear..Only another month to go before yet another attempt at this working which is '1Q18 the 07:19 from Derby-RTC to Bristol-Kingsland Road via Weymouth.
..13 july 2022..
..
Today's Tester '1Z22' from Derby-RTC (07:47 off) to Bristol Kingsland Road via Oxford/Swindon/Weymouth and Westbury runs down the straightaway from Trowbridge at Heywood Village. Ex-LNER 43251 c/w its large diamond 'Colas' logo led with Ex-EMT Purple 43274 on the rear.Shame the sun died about 15 minutes before its passing! ..26 january 2022..
Scruffy Ex-LNER Power Cars are now the normal power for this NMT-Set.43290 leads with 43299 on the rear of '1Q23' the 05:56 from Reading to Salisbury via Exeter,Salisbury (twice) and Westbury.Battlesbury Hill nr Warminster forming the backdrop.
..13 january 2022..
After a quick reversal at Westbury '1Q23' the 05:56 from Reading to Salisbury via Exeter and Westbury Test-Train is seen once again,now returning to salisbury at Hollybush Road in Warminster.43290 led this time and 43257 being now on the rear.of note is this PC is labelled as 'Network Rail' whilst 43257 carries a 'Colas' ownership sticker.
..16 december 2021..
Another new addition to the Colas Fleet of Ex-HST P/C's is 43257,an ex-LNER Unit.Here partnered with 43290 they were working '1Q23' the 05:56 from Reading Triangle Sidings to Salisbury via Exeter and Westbury.Here seen shortly after passing through Warminster at Hollybush Road in rather dire lighting requiring use of a 35mm prime lens.At least it wasn't raining!
..16 december 2021..
Having run down to Westbury from Salisbury with 43274 leading it has quickly reversed for the trip back to Salisbury with 43290 now leading with 43274 on the back.The train being '1Q23' the 05:56 from Reading to salisbury via Exeter and Westbury.Viewed at Arn Hill just over the crest of the Upton Scudamoe Incline.
..18 november 2021..
This train '1Z01' the 09:38 from Derby RTC to Exeter-Riverside Yard was today powered by a pair of ex-LNER Power-Cars owned now by 'Colas'.43251 leads with 43272 on the rear.Seen at Masters Farm Crossing nr Fairwood Junction.They were certainly going very well,indeed at this point this train was 52 minutes early.
..16 november 2021..
These two ex-LNER Power-cars continue to work,albeit temporarily for Network-Rail on the NMT.So here is a pretty work-stained 43290 leading '1Q23' the 05:56 from Reading Triangle Sdg's to Salisbury via Exeter,Salisbury and Westbury.Viewed passing through Warminster on the final leg back to Salisbury from Westbury.43299 being on the other end of this NMT working.
..29 july 2021..
Ex-LNER pairing 43299/43290 currently deputising for the usual yellow Network-Rail owned versions passes Arn Hill nr Warminster with '1Q23' the 05:56 from Reading Triangle to Salisbury via Exeter/Salisbury and Westbury testing duty.43299 leads with 43290 in the rear.
..29 july 2021..
The pair of ex-LNER power-cars 43290 and 43299 may look pretty tatty and work stained but they are in perfect working order underneath,quite capable of working reliably for many years to come (If allowed too).Here they are powering the NMT on '1Q18' the 18:57 from Taunton going up to London Paddington.Sadly the evening lighting was quite dire requiring 800-iso to aid exposure!
..2 july 2021..
Todays NMT '1Q23' from Reading (05:56 off) to Salisbury via Exeter,Salisbury,Westbury then back to Salisbury passes 'Bear Close Cottage Overbridge' at Upton Scudamore during the climb away from Westbury towards Warminster. Ex-LNER 43290 leads with 43299 on the rear.
..1 july 2021..
This NMT test-train the 05:56 from Reading '1Q23' has just visited Westbury via the Wylye Valley from Salisbury. Here it is seen climbing up through Upton Scudamore on its return to Salisbury.This time ex-LNER 43299 leads with 43290 on the rear.
..3 june 2021..
Todays NMT used a pair of ex-LNER HST-Power Cars.A fairly tatty looking 43290 leads here with 43299 on the rear which will lead when this train reverses at Westbury to return to Salisbury.The working is '1Q23' from Reading (dept @05:56) going to Exeter then Salisbury then Westbury before returning to Salisbury.Pictured passing Arn Hill nr Warminster having just traversed the Wylye Valley from Salisbury.
..3 june 2021..
Currently the redundant Ex ECML Power-car 43299 is finding some employment with the NMT-Test Train. Here viewed at Clink nr Frome with '1Q18' the 18:57 from Taunton returning up to Paddington.43062 'John Armitt' a long time regular on this formation is on the other end.
..7 may 2021..
Ex-ECML Power Car 43299 which is currently finding employment with Network Rail on the NMT passes Arn Hill nr Warminster with '1Q23' the 05:56 from Reading to Salisbury via Exeter,Salisbury and Westbury.Another case of 'No Cigar'.I stood here for 40 minutes in full sun.Naturally the lighting collapsed shortly before this working made its delayed appearance! 43062 'John Armitt' in the normal NR-yellow was on the rear.
..6 may 2021..
Today over the August Bank Holiday Weekend Arriva-XC hired in a pair of LNER HST-Sets to bolster passenger capacity.Here is the returning 15:25 away from Plymouth going to York as '1E63'.It is viewed passing Yate Common north of Bristol running about 45 minutes down on timings.43367 'Deltic 50 1955-2005' was leading with 43290 'MTU-Facination of Power' on the rear.
..24 august 2019..
The standout event of the August Bank Holiday Weekend was the use by Arriva-XC of a couple of LNER HST-Sets down to the West Country.This one being '1V50' the 06:06 from Edinburgh going to Plymouth.43290 'MTU Facination of Power' with 43367 on the back-end.The sets being shortened by one coach to meet Arriva's needs.Here seen speeding down through Standish Junction south of Gloucester.The line diverging to the HST's left goes down the Golden Valley to Swindon and Paddington.
..24 august 2019..
Here is a nice pose of HST Power Car-43257 hammering north at Claypole with '1S24' the 16:00 from Kings Cross going all the way to Aberdeen.This journey taking nearly 7 1/2 hours to complete.43307 was on the rear of what is Virgin East Coast's longest journey.
..7 may 2018..
'1S22' the 15:00 to Edinburgh from Kings Cross speeds past some long redundant farm machinary at Claypole.43309 leads with 43208 tagged on the back.
..7 may 2018''
HST-set 43306/43274 runs northwards past Claypole with '1D18' the 14:35 from Kings Cross going to Leeds.
..7 may 2018..
HST pairing 43296 & 43206 are seen south of Newark North Gate with '1A36' the 14:45 from Leeds to Kings Cross.Not being very familier with this line I am unsure if this HST replacement of a Class-91 and coaches is a regular happening!
..7 may 2018..
ECML HST's are usually 9 coaches plus a pair of P/C's unlike the WR versions that never exceed 8 coaches.Here is 43316 (originally 43116 before MTU convertion) heading north with 43251 as its partner.The train is '1D24' the 17:33 from Kings Cross to Harrogate. By now it was nearly 19:00 in the evening and with a 200 mile journey home and occording to the 'Sat-Nav' an optomistic 4-hour journey time (5 more like!) it was time to depart. So I left!
..25 july 2017..
43239 tails '1B89' the 17:54 from Newark-Northgate to Kings Cross past the fascinating array of abandoned redundant farm machinery here at Claypole.Indeed the old JCB reg-PBE605M dumped in the yard here is still on the DVLA computer as 'SORN'd although I doubt it will ever run ever again! Its age is now 43 year (1974),just a year or so older than the immaculate looking Power-Car passing behind it.The joke is there is a strong possibility that 43239 will end up scrapped before that old JCB!!!!
..25 july 2017..
'VTEC' operated 43272 partnered by 43306 speed north past Claypole with '1D21' the `16:06' from Kings Cross to Leeds.Anticipation that this just might be the other Class-90 on hire from DB-Cargo was high as this working has been a quite regular loco-hauled train.Still musn't grumble,the sun was shining and the nice bright livery really shows itself off in this excellent early evening light!
..25 july 2017..
A bit of a 'GAW' grab shot but the Power-Car 43238 on the rear of '1Y88' the 16:02 from York to Kings Cross just about made it worth while! It carries a 'vinyl' to mark the 40 years of the NRM.--'National Railway Museum 1975-2015'.Seen at Claypole on the ECML in superb evening light going south.
..25 july 2017..
'1A36' the VTEC operated 14:45 from Leeds to London-Kings Cross approaches Frinkley Lane crossing with 43314 leading,partnered with 43296.This ECML livery is so much more pleasing than the dire livery styles we have had to put up with down in the West Country.The latest GWR livery 'Durge-Green' is even worse!
..25 july 2017..
The venerable HST's are soon to be replaced on this route by more of those 'Plastic' IEP's within the next 18 months or so.Hence my visit over here to the ECML to picture a few of these now quite old machines before it is too late! Here is 43310 backed up by 43315 speeding south past Frinkley Lane Foot-Crossing with '1E15' the 09:52 from Aberdeen going to Kings Cross.A superb country spot with no sign whatsoever of any palisade fencing.Lovely!
..25 july 2017..
Virgin ECML HST 43312/43306 pass Marholm with '1D24 the 17:35 from London-Kings Cross going to Harrogate.These Hst's on this line are such a contrast to the dour looking versions I have to put up with in the West-Country.They are so much more photogenic,they really pop out of the picture!
..8 april 2017..
'1S26' the 17:00 from Kings Cross to Edinburgh passes Marholm in the glorious low evening light.43290 was leading with 43296 pushing for all its worth on the rear.Today was crystal clear from dawn to dusk hence I made the effort to travel over to this half of the country about 180 miles from home.Thankfully it has paid off photographically many time over.
..8 april 2017..
Five HST-PC's all looking completely different! 43048,43300,43013,43423 and 43172.Sadly the only Company operating HST's currently not to be represented was Arriva-XC.Lets hope their management are now hanging their heads in shame for being such obvious 'spoilsports'.Something that will be well remembered long after the Arriva-XC Franchise is consigned to the dustbin of railway history!!
..02 may 2016..
Network-Rail's NMT 43013 in its new revised livery style stands next to 43300 'Craigentinny 100 yrs 1914-2014'.This one is in the new style 'VTEC' East-Coast Virgin colours,albeit a bit more dressed up as it is a special version.This is my 1st encounter with the new ECML Operators colours.Hopefully I can visit that line later this year for a few action shots of these trains.
..02 may 2016..
ECML diversion '1E19' the 14:30 from Edinburgh heading for Kings Cross takes the Leeds route at Chuch Fenton-Junction.43310 c/w its new recently applied Virgin-Flashes heads the 'East Coast' liveried set of nine coaches with an 'out of sight' 43257 on the rear.
..18 april 2015..
The diverted '1E17' from Edinburgh (13:30 off) to London-Kings Cross speeds down through Church Fenton having diverged from its normal route at Colton-Junction a few miles north of here.The very colourful 43295 c/w its new Virgin insignia was paired with 43299 on the rear.
..18 april 2015..
ECML HST pairing 43208/43311 speed south through Church-Fenton with the diverted 09:15 from Aberdeen going to London-Kings Cross '1E15'.There is no missing the name of the new franchise holder on this route which until a few weeks ago was still effectively in National ownership.
..18 april 2015..
Seniors Bridge with Knottingley South Junction in the distance is the location for this shot of '1E11' the Aberdeen to Kings Cross service diverted off the ECML between York and Doncaster due to Engineering work at Joan Croft Junction.43290 is leading with 43319 on the rear.Nice to see an ECML-HST out from under the wires!
..15 march 2014..
'East Coast' 43311 stands at the rear of '1E25' under the Trainshed at York with the 14:52 from Aberdeen going to Kings-Cross.The lighting in this part of the famous station is superb and the image requires little or no processing to produce a nicely colour balanced picture. ..14 march 2014..
The 16:01 from York to London Kings Cross was formed by an HST set led by 43312 with 43368 on the back. Seen passing the Gateforth New Road on the outskirts of Selby.This section of the ECML was only brought into use in 1983 avoiding Selby and possible subsidence issues from the newly opened Selby Coal Field .However by 2004 market forces rendered this entire operation uneconomic and it was closed! Oh well! life goes on!
..13 march 2014..
'On-Hire' 43310 heads a very late running '1V50' down past Gossington.Working is the 06:08 from Edinburgh going to Plymouth,Though technically it only got as far as Bristol.It continued from there as '1v52' Set was xc04 and rear power-car was 43378. You dont get many skies like this one! ..23 march 2011..
MTU fitted 43296 (formally numbered 43096) stands in Kings-Cross ready to head north up the ECML.This is wearing the butchered former GNER livery with the identities removed and the red striping crudely replaced with white.The new company for this franchise 'National Express' didn't last much longer than the old livery.It became 'East Coast' a few years later when NE realised there was no easy money to be made out of railways!
..08 november 2008..
Ex GNER with a white stripe 43313 leads a National Express HST Trainset working from Edinburgh into a very dull and damp Kings Cross.
..08 november 2008..
Quite a stark contrast between 43206 (GNER) and 43065 (Grand-Central) here at the buffer-stops at Kings-Cross.43206 renumbered due to MTU re-engineering and ex-DVT buffered 43065 still using the olderValenta power unit . ..08 november 2008..
Several Summers ago GNER/Nat-Ex HST's were hired in for weekend traffic.Here is 43316 with 43313 on the rear passing Frome with '1C02' from Bristol-TM going to Paignton.This was the only 'Hire-In' to pass this way,the rest went direct from Bristol to Taunton. ..23 august 2008..
'1V29' from Manchester to Newquay passes Wickwar north of Bristol.Valenta 43095 with 43314 unseen on the back.The GNER livery had by this time been ruined by the addition of a white-stripe instead of the original red one in a weak attempt by Nat-Ex to produce an interim corporate livery!------Pathetic! ..31 may 2008..
Virgin used to 'hire-in' a GNER-Set for use in the Summer down to Newquay but this now no longer happens.In fact this was the final GNER working away from the South-West.Here is '1E47' from Newquay going to Newcastle exiting the northern-portal of Whiteball-Tunnel south of Taunton.43108 leading and 43039 on the rear.No 'MTU's around at this time.Still good old Valenta's. ..08 september 2007..
Back in the days when the ECML HST's were adorned with a livery of some distinction! Summer Saturday workings from the North-East were formed with GNER 'Hire-In' sets.Here is '1E47' from Newquay going to Newcastle passing the 40-steps footbridge in Taunton. 43099 'Dioces of Newcastle'was leading with 43102 on the rear.------11 august 2007---------
After the demise of Loco-Haulage when Virgin became an all Voyager operation. Summer saturday extra's were dealt with by 'hiring-in' HST's from GNER and MML.This all stopped of coarse when Arriva took over the franchise and adopted HSTs themselves for the longer distance diagrams and summer duties. This is a 'hire-in' GNER working '1E46', the 10:32 from Paignton going to Newcastle.Here viewed running into Taunton with 43107 'Tayside' leading and 43300 'Craigentinny' on the rear. ..11 august 2007..
The GNER livery suited the ECML HST fleet very well.It is such a pity that it is no longer with us! Here is pre-MTU 43102 standing in York about to depart south for Kings Cross.
..23 june 2005..
After the end of 47 haulage to Devon and Cornwall Virgin-XC had to hire-in HST sets from MML and GNER due to capacity issues with their pathetic V-gers.This was to continue until Arriva took over the XC franchise and obtained some HST-sets on their own. Here is one of the borrowed trains from GNER working '1E34' the 09:25 from Newquay going all the way up to Newcastle.These classy trains certainly looked good in this original GNER style.43105 'City of Inverness' was leading with 43006 on the rear,seen passing through Parson Street in the western suburbs of Bristol. Both P/C's at this time were still Valenta powered. ..07 august 2004..