Virgin Cross Country HST memories - Part 3

Hired-in from sister company Virgin West Coast, HST power cars 43123 and 43098 depart Stafford on Virgin XC's 0817 Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street on May 22nd 2004.

43123 had been withdrawn from traffic the previous night and was due to have run empty to Leeds Neville Hill for decommissioning, but after the scheduled Voyager failed on depot at Manchester, this HST was used as a replacement. On arrival at Birmingham, the set ran empty to Neville Hill depot, 43123's Virgin career consigned to the history books. Power car 43098 remained on short-term hire to Virgin Cross Country for the summer holidaymaker trains, whilst 43123 was transferred to Midland Mainline's 'Rio' fleet just 2 weeks later. It is now part of the Grand Central fleet and retains a Valenta engine.

Note that the train passes another HST in the Down Sidings outside Stafford - this was the set for the final ever HST to Holyhead later the same day.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• HST
• Virgin
• Trains
• Stafford
• 43123
• 43098
• 125

[petes125]

As a postscript, 43123 went on to become the final Valenta engined HST power car in service, lasting until December 22nd 2010 when it bowed out of service for re-engineering and fitment with an MTU engine, bringing to an end nearly 40 years of the Paxman Valenta on Britain's Railways.

[railwaylive]

Excellent film. I wish I could see this loco once back in Holyhead.

[Virgintrainsuk]

Bloody amazing video, really enjoyed.

[DelticMattV2000]

my lordz 123.

5 stars mate

[globalcentralline]

43123 is in the Grand Central Fleet

[kostas903]

Old good times:D

[supremedalek24]

great video

[GRANDCENTRAL43067]

43123 is still working, now 4 GRANDCENTRAL and its still great!!

[rorymacve]

43123, the beast of the buffered HST's. It was a common visitor down in the south west. Leaving Teignmouth station, the noise and clag were immense. Fond memories now, Priceless vid m8!

[mrhighspeedtrain]

CLAG