Class 86 and Valenta HST action, 16/02/08. (re-edit)

A ride from London to Doncaster with the AC Loco Group's 86 101 and a rake of CargoD's Intercity Mk3 carriages, followed by a trip to York on board an HST complete with classic Valenta power car.

The true British Railways scene of BR blue 86 and Intercity stock was recreated thanks to Hull Trains hiring in the set for weekend use. Due to one of their Class 222 'Pioneers' being damaged after being dropped from lifting jacks, the loco hauled set was hired in to allow easier maintenance of the other '222s' without cancelling services. Top marks to HT for this one!

We start off at London kings Cross and view 86 101 arriving with the 5G03 08:36 empties from Bounds Green before taking our seats on the 1G03 09:34 departure to Doncaster - where punters were required to change to a '222' for stations to Hull.

After seeing the classic BR ensemble berthing up for that evenings return to London we boarded an HST to York with Valenta beasty 43 105 up front. Our journey South from York was with the new entrant to the ECML; Grand Central.

We boarded one of their immaculate six car HSTs complete with Valenta duo 43 067 and 43 080 for the 1A62 14:05 departure to Kings Cross. What a superb TOC Grand Central is, the staff are friendly and the quality of the stock is excellent with plenty of space and leg room available in both classes. Finally a company that thinks of passenger comfort! And what an ace livery too, much better than the rubbish NEX white that was about to appear on the East Coast.

Upon arrival at 'The Cross' we were greeted with the sight and sound of even more Valentas which were waiting to depart on National Express services. Vals were really starting to become scarce with more MTU engines being fitted to the NEX fleet.

After viewing some classic Valenta start ups on the buffer stops we finish by watching the Grand Central HST depart on the 1N28 16:50 departure to Sunderland followed by a couple of NEX screamers.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• HST
• Valenta
• High
• Speed
• Train
• Class
• 86
• Thrash
• Intercity
• 125
• Class86
• 86101
• BR
• British
• Railways
• Blue
• AC
• Loco
• Group
• Hull
• Trains
• CargoD
• Intercity125
• Class43
• 43105