RAIL enthusiasts have just days left to see the classic HST and InterCity 125 models being run by CrossCountry Trains, including some which go through Bromsgrove.
Reports on social media suggest Monday, September 18, is the final day of CrossCountry using an HST through Bromsgrove Station.
It is believed that the final working one will be the 6.06am Edinburgh Waverley to Plymouth (Headcode 1V50), which is booked to pass through Bromsgrove at 11.29pm, arriving at Plymouth at 3.48pm.
This service then works back with the 4.27pm Plymouth to Leeds (Headcode 1E73). It is booked to pass through Bromsgrove at 8.36pm, arriving in Leeds at 11.34pm.
There is thought to be some HSTs set to run through Bromsgrove tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday, September 17.
The HSTs have been replaced over a number of years by the more modern Voyager trains now working through Bromsgrove.
But, among rail enthusiasts, the HSTs and InterCity 125s are both held in high-esteem and bring back fond memories and much nostalgia for many.
In the run-up to the decommissioning of the trains, some HSTs have been returned to their previous, much-loved livery.
Power car number 43007 has returned to its original InterCity Blue livery that it first sported during the 1970s and 1980s and HST Power Car – number 43008 – is now sporting the InterCity Swallow livery.
The Standard contacted CrossCountry Trains about the discontinuation of the models.
A CrossCountry spokesperson said: “While our High Speed Trains have served us well, they have been in use for over 40 years.
“We made some changes to our fleet when the timetable change was introduced in May.
“This was 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 has been a phased removal of the High Speed Trains from the CrossCountry fleet.”
Picture by Steve Tucker. s
