New HST Book Release - HST: In the Fifth Decade

BRAND NEW BOOK DUE FOR DELIVERY MID-JULY - SPECIAL PRE-ORDER OFFER


HST: In the Fifth Decade

High Speed Train developments from 2016 to 2025

The period between 2016 and 2025 saw a huge change in the High Speed Train fleet across the UK rail network. HST: In the Fifth Decade tells the story of this fascinating chapter in the history of the iconic train fleet.

In 2016, 194 of the 197 Class 43 HST power cars were in service on high-speed routes across the UK, but by the end of 2023, the fleet had been removed from those services that had been the mainstay of their work since 1976, with those surviving examples operating regional services in Devon and Cornwall for GWR and in Scotland. The book has been carefully researched and produced with the assistance and cooperation of many people who have worked with the trains over the past 10 years, telling the inside story of this important period for the train fleet.

Preservation of HST vehicles has also seen a number of Class 43 power cars and Mk. 3 trailer coaches bought by preservationists, securing the future of these vehicles for future generations.

HST: In the Fifth Decade is a 260-page A4 portrait-format softback book, containing 23 chapters, covering all of the operators that have used the HSTs between 2016 and 2025. Written by former Railways Illustrated editor Andy Coward, the book is a comprehensive record of the HST fleet during the most recent period of its operation. The chapters are as follows:

Chapter 1: The story so far ...
Chapter 2: CrossCountry
Chapter 3: Grand Central
Chapter 4: Great Western Railway
Chapter 5: The GWR Castle Class HSTs
Chapter 6: Virgin Trains East Coast
Chapter 7: London North Eastern Railway
Chapter 8: First Hull Trains
Chapter 9: East Midlands Trains
Chapter 10: East Midlands Railway
Chapter 11: ScotRail Inter7City
Chapter 12: Network Rail
Chapter 13: Colas Rail
Chapter 14: Data Acquisition & Testing Services
Chapter 15: Locomotive Services Ltd
Chapter 16: Rail Charter Services
Chapter 17: RailAdventure
Chapter 18: Romic Group
Chapter 19: Exports
Chapter 20: West Coast Railway Company
Chapter 21: Preservation
Chapter 22: The Celebrity Power Cars
Chapter 23: Storage & Scrapping
HST Class 43 Power Car List

Profits generated by sales of the book will be donated to the three main HST preservation groups - 125 Group, 125 Heritage and 125 Preservation - to support the vital work they do in continuing to operate and maintain these historic rail vehicles for our enjoyment.

The book is currently being printed and is expected to be available for dispatch in mid-July 2026. HST: In the Fifth Decade is priced at £30.00, but for anyone pre-ordering a copy before it is delivered can secure a copy for the specially discounted price of just £25.00 (plus postage and packing). This discounted price is only available on pre-orders received prior to the book being delivered from the printers, at which point it will be offered for sale at the RRP.

PLEASE NOTE: OVERSEAS PURCHASERS SHOULD CONTACT SELLER FOR A POSTAGE QUOTATION AHEAD OF BUYING

The book can be ordered through the following ebay link https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/278134159495 Please note that the ebay link says dispatched in two working days - I was unable to change this and all copies will be sent as soon as they are received back from the printers in around two weeks time.