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| Traction & Rolling Stock Recognition - Illustrations |
| Class 43 HST | See Technical Data |
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| An early Western Region set, led by power car No. 43005 passes Lower Basildon between Didcot and Reading on September 28. 1975 with the 10.15 Bristol-Paddington. The train is formed of 2 FOs, a buffet car and four second class TSOs, all painted in the then standard blue/grey livery. CJM. |
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Left:
The first livery change came in the mid-1980s when trains emerged in
InterCity 'executive' colours. Power cars saw the new IC colours applied
at the inner end and the blue upper panel painted in graphite grey with
the InterCity 125 branding. Right: InterCity 'Swallow' livery was applied from the 1990s as shown here on No. 43197, this saw the base of the body repainted light grey with the Intercity name and swallow logo on the upper panel. Both: CJM. |
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| The eight buffer fitted power cars, modified by the EDU at Derby and Stratford works allowed conventional couplings to be fitted at the driving end. TDM remote control equipment was also installed allowing remote control from a suitable TDM fitted electric loco of Classes 89, 90 or 91. After their limited use on the East Coast was over the power cars retained buffing gear but had their TDM control system removed. All eight were transferred to the CrossCountry pool and are now operated by Virgin Trains . No. 43123 is illustrated at Glasgow Central. CJM. |
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| After privatisation, all the HST operators started to apply their own liveries. The most striking is Virgin Trains red, seen here applied to No. 43097. The change from red to graphite grey is achieved via an angled line in the radiator area. CJM. |
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| Great Western Trains were awarded the franchise of the former Western Region InterCity services and this company adopted a white and green livery, with a Merlin branding on power car and passenger stock body sides. This colour scheme was well accepted by the public who could see some of the past traditions of the Great Western in the style. However after a couple of years, the management owned company sold out to First Group, forming First Great Western, this led to a major revision of the livery as shown above right, the green upper body panel was retained, but the lower sections were banded with a deep gold stripe. Both: CJM. | |
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| Great North Eastern Railway won the franchise to operate Kings Cross-Leeds/Hull/ Edinburgh/Glasgow/ Inverness and Aberdeen services under privatisation. The company owned by Sea Containers selected deep blue as the house colour, off-set by a red waist height band and yellow panel front end. The company logo of GNER being applied to the driving ends of power car sides. The livery is shown on 43111 north of York, with a like coloured passenger rake. CJM. |
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| Midland Mainline services from St Pancras to Sheffield and Nottingham were taken over under privatisation by a part of the National Express Group trading as Midland mainline. This company adopted a Teal green, grey and orange livery for its HST fleet. The livery is seen on a northbound service at Loughborough. On the power car bodyside is a large Midland Mainline name and deer logo. CJM. |
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| HST power car inner end. A-buck-eye coupling, B-3-phase train supply socket (cable kept inside powercar), C-3-phase train supply socket (cable kept inside powercar), D-air pipe pipe, E-main reservoir pipe, F-air reservoir, G-former guards office window (many are now plated over, H-door into guards/luggage van with walkway to driving cab through engine compartment. Power car No. 43104 is illustrated. CJM. |
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| In mid-2001 another new livery started to appear, that of First Groups house colours of mauve/blue, white and pink being progressively applied to First Great Western power cars and stock. Power car No. 43029 (renumbered to 43001 for the roll-out) was the first to carry the new colours and is seen here at Bristol St Phillips Marsh depot. The 'F' logo on the nose end covering the horn grille was replaced by a standard assembly before the vehicle entered service. CJM. |
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| 43001 (43029) showing the first version of First Great Western 'purple' livery. CJM |
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| 43004 displays the short lived 'FGW Neon' livery. CJM |
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| Refurbished cab as fitted to 43004 and 43009. CJM |
| Last Updated: 30 August 2006 |
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