WHAT has been hailed as the world’s most successful traction of all time celebrated its 40th birthday at the National Railway Museum.
On Sunday, October 2, visitors had the unique chance to see the original HST Class 43 power car in its now-restored blue/yellow livery, as it would have been seen for the first time in 1976.
GWR HST Class 43 power car No. 43002, the first production example, was at the St Philips Marsh depot open day in May aptly named after Sir Kenneth Grange in honour of his creation of its exterior styling of the power car nose cone, interior layout of the HST, and the train’s aerodynamics.
Enjoy more Heritage Railway reading in the four-weekly magazine.
Click here to subscribe & save.
Sir Kenneth himself was on hand to take part in a plaque presentation cremony in the Great Hall. After welcoming the power car into the museum, he was joined by Great Western Railway engineering director Andrew Mellors, who presented a commemorative plaque to the museum which was accepted by head curator Andrew McLean. The plaque design was produced by Great Western Railway’s graphic designer Paul Gentleman.
Read more in the latest issue of HR
Advert
Enjoy more Heritage Railway reading in the four-weekly magazine. Click here to subscribe.
