HST trailer numbering

[HST Mainline]

Hi all,

I am looking into collecting a rake of Mk3's and put together a HST. Since I will probably not be able to afford all the needed trailers when available, I am planning to piece the rake together over time.

On the prototype: Is there any logic to the numbering of the trailers? I assume that most HST's ran in more or less permanent setups with the same trailers between the power cars.

My question is: Is there anything to be aware of when putting together a prototypical HST with regards to the trailers (numbering etc.)?

I am looking into building a HST in InterCity livery around somewhere in Era 8.

[atom3624]

I would guess that initially, the numbering would be consistent, but over 40+ years' operation, several failing, replacements required to resume the service, they would have become pretty mixed up.

Others will typically provide additional information, that was just my opinion.

Al.

[Rallymatt]

I think there was a change in the numbering on coach stock when they changed to Executive livery. The early era 7 Blue grey livery there were W and E numbered coaches and the ‘Sets’ had a specific number on nose of Power cars, 253 XXX being West Coast 7 car sets + Power Cars and 254 XXX East Coast 8 car + 2 Power Cars. I think that although HST’s were incredibly reliable the sets soon got split and mixed so much they abandoned the Set numbers and west/east indicator of the coach numbers. From memory of 70’s-80’s on ECML, two first class on London end, Buffet and remainder Stadard class. They later introduced the Guards coach as the original guards section at tail of the Power Cars was too loud. How this affected the make up of a set I don’t know as I don’t think there was a 1st Guards coach, only Standard.

[96RAF]

I have a book about HSTs but it will be well out of date by now especially with regard to trailer sets being shuffled.

[AndyMac1707817969]

Unless you are going to renumber and re-letter the coaches, Hornby's last offering of MK3 coaches in BR swallow livery only provided for one option, coaches lettered from A to H, see below. I don't think any previous sets of Mk3s in this livery had enough unique numbered coaches to even form an 8 car set, they just had one first (R4853), one TSO (R4854), one buffet (R4851) and one TGS (R4852)

   Hornby R40005 BR Mk3 Trailer Guard Standard Coach A 44055

   Hornby R40003C Mk3 TS trailer Standard Open Coach B 42103

   Hornby R40003B BR Mk3 Trailer Standard Open Coach C 42167

   Hornby R40003A BR Mk3 Trailer Standard Open,Coach D 42168

   Hornby R40003 BR Mk3 Trailer Standard Open, Coach E, 42169

   Hornby R40004 BR Mk3 Trailer Buffet Coach F 40703

   Hornby R40002A BR Mk3 Trailer First Open, Coach G, 41086

   Hornby R40002 BR Mk3 Trailer First Open, Coach H, 41085

[Barry-350851]

They later introduced the Guards coach as the original guards section at tail of the Power Cars was too loud.

 

 

Who could possibly get bored of or not want to be deafened by a Valenta on full power? lol

[Rallymatt]

@Barry, I think it was a ‘union killjoy’ 🤣 I remember putting my bike in there as a kid to travel to races, even on tick over at station it was loud!

[HST Mainline]

Thank you all for the valuable information. It is much appreciated!