British Rail Class 43 (HST) - Replacements

Replacements

Built between 1975 and 1982, the fleet is now in its fourth decade, and a replacement for the High Speed Train is being sought. The project, the Intercity Express Programme (originally known as the HST2 Project), is being spearheaded by the Department for Transport. A consortium headed by Hitachi will design and build the replacement trains, now known as the Hitachi Super Express Train. Two models are to be built, an all-electric version and a bi-mode diesel-electric. Some routes on the Great Western franchise area are set to be electrified to enable the running of the all-electric trains. They will also be used on the East Coast Main Line which is already electrified. The bi-mode version will also be capable of operating on both electrified and non-electrified lines. It will have diesel engines located under the carriage floors that can be removed to save energy when running on a fully electrified line. Proposals for an all-diesel version were scrapped. The contract contains an option for further units that could be used to replace the Intercity 225 trains.

To a lesser extent the HST fleet has been replaced by high-speed DMUs from the Bombardier Voyager family such as the Class 220 (Voyager), Class 221 (Super Voyager) and Class 222 (Meridian). Alstom's Coradia family may also replace some HST trains but only the Class 180 (Adelante) is capable of reaching the same top speed of 125mph. Increasing electrification has also displaced HSTs from some routes, although all HSTs are currently still in use.