They weren't unless they were diverted. Early-mid 90s they appeared on certain XC and London-Holyhead runs. Lasted about 10 years when Voyagers came in.
HST did a Liverpool to Plymouth turn (I think did Bristol to Liverpool in the morning) in the 80s. Didn't do North Wales or WCML North though.
Indeed. Very sparse. BR at the time wanted shot of the line so just above the basic “Parliamentary “ level of service provided.
A friend of mine used to work with Freightliner up in Scotland in the 90s and told me the story of him ending up in the cab of a HST going to Carlisle, but as noted elsewhere here it was only doing this because of engineering works requiring a diversion. He was in the cab to provide route knowledge where the HST driver didn't have any from the region, and as it turned out it was actually the first time either of them had operated a HST. They both figured it was a simple job of brake on the left, throttle and reverser on the right, and went for it. Apparently they completely maxed out the throttle to see what it could do and arrived in Carlisle 16 minutes early where they got an earful from the signaller and had to sit and wait for their platform clearance. The 90s really were a different time.
Interesting, thanks for the reply! It hit me yesterday, that we still don’t have Dawlish / Riviera Line in this game, after 5 iterations (a crying shame)! If anyone could please the diehards like us, it’s them (JT), and arguably the best era for it would be well aligned with their current releases. Exeter St. David’s (+ yards) through to Plymouth (+ Laira), Exeter Central through to Exmouth, Newton Abbot through to Paignton (+ Kingswear for bonus points) and even perhaps west from Plymouth towards Saltash, including the Gunnislake branch (or to what extent that it was in the mid-80’s). Essentially a South Devon mix of Express, Local services but with scope for all kinds of traction from Railtours, Parcels, Depot Workings and (hopefully) Sleepers! A route built for the HST’s, with the Valenta scream (using the AP sounds), in a mix of BR Teal/Yellow, InterCity Teal/Grey and InterCity Executive!
Absolutely this. JT obviously have research data and people who know the area from their TSC work, so just need to bring them up to snuff with working in the UE editor. I know it’s not necessarily that easy, but they do have experience of the WC so not outwith their comfort zone. BR Classic era or late 80’s avoids licensing issues.
For me personally though Exeter to plymouth including the riveria line and maybe the avocet line should be done during the early 60s with mix of steam and diesel hydraulic traction as it would be perfect for the area.
Can't see it being somewhere 86s and 87s can't go, they are building a stable of stock, shifting region would halt that progress. GW region would need a Valenta HST which someone will come along and say that requires a total rebuild taking 253 years and will require an RRP of £125.00....
This would the best option but seeing DTG don't want to so much as look at steam traction. I think a Riviera based around Western Region Hydraulics would be the next best thing. Though I wouldn't turn down something a bit later featuring a Class 50!
1976 Riviera Line would be excellent, if the release went to Plymouth too, even better. The HSTs entered service in August 1976 and for a short time ran alongside Class 50s and 52s. The 52s finally bowing out at the end of February 1977. I can remember someone (probably AP) capturing good quality Valenta sounds from the refurbished prototype, so the sounds aren't an issue. Hoovers, Westerns and HSTs, the sea wall, the feeling of going on holiday, Devon scenery. What's not to love? I can almost taste the ice cream.
Not a fan? I'm from London and while Devon's pretty to look at and nice for a few days away. I think the slow pace of life would do me in if I lived there.
I really hope JT hit a route that includes an Hour to hour and a half run with the HST in the BR Era ofc. I love driving the HST and would love an Valenta one but I honestly don't mind. As long as it is a long one which I have full confidence it will be I know it will be amazing.
It makes sense for them to do some more WCML but I don't know if there would be a better stretch than the one they have done, as they have ruled out Carlisle to Glasgow and are unlikely to duplicate the route out of Euston certainly so soon after WCMLs was released. Unless they do a large chunk in the middle. Crewe to Preston and Rugby to Stafford I don't feel would be that fulfilling, especially the latter. Unless they added the branches off to Liverpool or Manchester for example. I wonder if NWC is a possibility as set around 1982 the stock is there.
Any reason why they chose not to Carlisle to Glasgow? Crewe to Preston would be quite interesting tbh. I have to say, I don't what they do because I know I will love it.
I think it's mainly due to the work required around Glasgow taking into account it's around 100 miles. That is what I recall from the stream. Crewe to Preston just seems a bit short, as part of a network it would be good. As you say though, whatever they do will be worth getting. I do hope they cover the same or a similar era.
It's a very long time since I've been (decades), and I couldn't even tell you where I went, but if I had to compare the experience, I would have to say it was very much in the style of Royston Vasey (accents notwithstanding)
I remember August...ish 2001, I had a Virgin Cross Country HST from Birmingham to Dundee that ran via Crewe, Manchester, Preston, Carlisle, reversal at Edinburgh and up to Aberdeen, I think it was from Bournemouth. I assume that was Loco Hauled at one point.
Completely understand, a friend of mine was desperate to move to Somerset because it's pretty and all that. She found herself in a village full of Countryside Alliance types who she described as "thick inbred racists". So I won't be moving to the West Country any time soon. She returned to Essex after a year to be around "normal people" again.
At a guess, probably a 47 Bournemouth - Birmingham, 85/86/87 Birmingham - Edinburgh and another 47 from Edinburgh.
That's what I'm thinking as well, I know Coventry had a few loco changes as well to ease pressure on New Street.
