Andy Coward has put together this detailed history of the InterCity 125 High Speed Train from the prototype HST to the present day.
It starts with the prototype HST, followed by the introduction of the production series sets, including copies of original British Rail publicity material, and their operations during the BR era and since privatisation, operator by operator. There are also chapters on Network Rail’s New Measurement Train, HST engines, and liveries, including lists of power cars painted in each of the post-privatisation colour schemes.
Towards the end the author looks at the recent farewell events for the Great Western and LNER HSTs, their remaining passenger operations on CrossCountry, ScotRail and the GWR Castle Class sets. The last few chapters cover the preserved HST vehicles, the 125 Group and the Midland Pullman set, which has been formed to make up for the lack of any preserved examples of another iconic British diesel train design, the legendary Blue Pullman sets.
130 pages. Over 200 colour photographs.