built : 1976-1982 by BREL at Crewe
weight : 70t
fuel capacity : 4680 litres
maximum speed : 125mph
train brakes : Air
train supply : Electric - Three Phase
route availability : 6
multiple working : Within Type Only
number range: 43002-198
nicknames: Flying Banana, Tram (complete HST sets)
The first High Speed Train emerged from Crewe Works in 1976.
The order was split up into two batches and they were split between the East Coast,
Cross Country and Great Western services. When delivered, the HST fleet was given a DMU prefix,
numbered as Class 253/254 units because it was thought that the sets would remain in fixed formations.
This soon changed because BR found that it was easier to dispatch the power cars, so the Class 43 (locomotive) prefix was adopted.
The power cars currently operate on Virgin West Coast, Virgin CrossCountry, Midland Mainline,
GNER and Great Western Rialways services.
The GNER examples mainly operate the services to London - Inverness/Aberdeen and Hull,
Virgin West Coast examples work the London - Holyhead services, the fGW power cars all operate out of London Paddington
on services to the South West, and the Midland Mainline examples operate from London St Pancras to the East Midlands and Yorkshire.
Before the 2002 Winter timetable came into force, the Virgin XC power cars were to be found almost everywhere on the XC network.
In addition to this, Virgin XC are to refurbish a number of their 2+5 HST sets as Class 255 'Challenger'
sets to work in addition to the Voyager trains.
The refurbishment will include new engines and a repaint into Voyager style livery.
The trailer cars will also be refurbished internally.