BR HST CLASS 43

The High Speed Train (HST) fleet, was built between 1975 and 1982 and were first introduced in 1976. The HST set is made up of two power cars, one at each end of a fixed formation of carriages. The train can operate at speeds of up to 125 mph in service. They have a maximum speed of 148 mph. Initially these trains were classified as Classes 253 and 254. The power cars have now been fitted with new engines. The prototype of this class was the APT but the first production power car, numbered 43002, was delivered in late 1975 and had a different appearance from the prototype.

The HST brought vast improvements in services across British Railway and is a huge success.