Scotrail HST - Express Review

by oorail.co.uk

This week saw the arrival of the Scotrail Inter7City livery Class 43 HST by Hornby and with it the return of quick reviews to oorail. The new express review is designed to give fellow railway modelers a look at new locos and rolling stock. Our goal is to inform, not influence.

Pre-order

We acquired R3698 Scotrail Class 43 HST Pack on pre-order from Hattons. This model is currently widely available from multiple retailers at a cost of £260. As we are outside the UK / EU, we are not subject to VAT and so our cost was £217.50. The Mk3 coaching stock in Inter7City livery is expected to be released sometime this Autumn by Hornby.

Scotrail HST

Scotrail HST Driver Training started September 11th 2017 - Courtesy of Derek Hoskins

Scotrail started HST driver training runs in September 2017. A total of 54 Class 43 HST power cars are being operated by Abellio Scotrail using a shortened 4-car and 5-car formation.

The Scotrail HST services provide passenger services to the seven major cities in Scotland:

  • Aberdeen
  • Dundee
  • Edinburgh
  • Glasgow
  • Inverness
  • Perth
  • Stirling

Hence the new striking Inter7City livery:

Scotrail HST in Inter7City Livery - Courtesy of Derek Hoskins

This new livery features two different silhouette of landmarks from the seven cities, with Scotrail branding and the words "Scotlands Railway" in Scottish and English.

Era

The Scotrail HSTs went into service in October 2018 and are currently providing services.

Formations

The new HST services will run a shortened formation that consists of:

Four car (power cars at both ends):

TGFB - TSD - TS - TSL

Five car (power cars at both ends):

TGFB - TSD -TS - TSL - TSL

These coaches are:

TGFB - Trailer Guard First Buffet (First Class with Mini-Buffet and Guard seating)

TS - Trailer Second (no toilet)

TSD - Trailer Second (with wheelchair accessible toilet)

TSL - Trailer Second (with small toilet)

Scotrail are not the only operator to run shortened HST services, GWR run four car services with the HSTs also. The Scotrail HSTs replace Class 170s, while the HSTs are coming from First Great Western where they were replaced by Class 800/801/802 sets.

Running Numbers

Hornby have selected 43033 and 43183 as they hold special significance. The 43033/43183 pair ran the inaugural 12:55 Aberdeen to Edinburgh press launch of Inter7City on October 10th 2018. These locomotives also represent Class 43 HSTs from the first and last production runs respectively.

Refurbished Coaches

Hornby are releasing re-tooled Mk3 coaches in Inter7City livery that correspond to the refurbished Mk3 coaches operating in Scotland. The refurbished coaches feature slide doors instead of the traditional slam doors that HSTs are known for. Scotrail currently operate seven four car sets in Inter7City livery that have been refurbished. These are HA20 thru HA26.

Mixed Liveries

Inter7City HST paired with First Great Western Livery Coaches - Courtesy of Derek Hoskins

Scotrail currently operate a mix of slam-door and refurbished slide door mk3 coaching stock. The slam-door formations consist of TFD-TSD-TSL-TGS with power cars on either end. The Inter7City livery HST power cars can be paired with First Great Western Blue Neon/Dynamic lines as seen in the photograph above, minus the branding, First Great Western Blue, minus the branding or Great Western Dark Green, minus the branding. Scotrail will continue to operate these mixed liveries while sets are being refurbished.

Maintenance Depots

The HST sets are being maintained out of the HA Haymarket Depot, and IS Inverness is being used to maintain coaching stock.

Express Review and Running Session

You can find out more detailed information at http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/page/HST+ScotRail+Fleet