A Simple Brilliant Idea
In 1972 the prototype High Speed Train (HST) began operation on Britain's railway. It was a stunning idea, simply a locomotive at both ends of the train - so no uncoupling, just a walk for the driver from one end to the other.
fbb remembers that some time earlier the design was revealed, complete with non working model, on the BBC's top technology TV programmes Tomorrow's World.
The presenter, Raymond Bedstead ...
... told us, with subdued stiff upper lipped awe, that the train would run at 125mph. A youthful fbb was amazed; the fastest he had ever clocked by timing the mileposts was an optimistic 90 mph!
The production version, with a new front end ...
... started operation out of Paddington. Then came the East Coast main line with trains eventually cascaded to the Midland Main line and Cross Country. fbb took a party of teenagers from his Bible Class in Sheffield for a ride to Peterborough (change at Doncaster) and even the young gells were excited and or impressed.
The Midland Main Line sets, pre and post privatisation were enjoyed between Sheffield and St Pancras.
fbb's last ride was c/o Cross Country from Birmingham to Exeter.
The ride and the ambiance was so utterly much better than a Voyager!
He also enjoyed several rides with Grand Central as guest of a certain Mr Fearnley, then boss thereof.
Occasional Great Western sets were enjoyed, also from Exeter.
As the inferior 800 Hitachi series came on stream, the HSTs were put into store.
First Great Western adapted some to form shorter 4 car "Castle" class units for secondary routes - and a great delight they were,
Scotrail did much the same with their acquired City sets.
They were, fbb tries to remember, five cars. Both shoty Scotrail and the shorter GWR units still had a loco at each end - super power indeed.
But these sets quickly fell out if favour and withdrawal came far too quickly. They were, said the DepArtment For Transpory (DaFT) far to expensive to maintain and run. So they had to go.
Some went to Mexico ...
... where they have suddenly become economic to run and where they offer good value for the rail operator!
Australia have their XPT trains which look somewhat familiar ...
For modellers, Hornby have produced HST units in various liveries. Their latest offering is a retro box set; in the original British Rail paint scheme ...
Also available are HSTs in the growing TT120 range.
But for the keenest HST operator, a must have is Bachmann's set of prototype power cars (only one motorised) to allow the proud owner to add their own Mark III coaches.
Nice but pricey!
Mention should be made of Sir Kenneth Grange who designed the iconic 'nose' for the production run. 
The change was born of necessity as the Unions were not happy with the restricted front only view. Sir Ken provided a wider front screen and side glazing to overcome objections.
But rather that a necessitious bodge of the prototype, Sir Ken's front end design lifted the original lumpy slab into the realm of industrial beauty.
Sir Ken died last year but his legacy had outlasted him, even if it is in Mexico.
Particularly enjoyable was this remake of an iconic Southern Railway poster.
And here's the original.
HSTs never ran in normal service on the "Southern".
But the story yet has a couple of twists.
More tomorrow.
Next HST blog : Thursday 27th Nov
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