Railway Herald
Prior to entering BR service a brand new HST formation is seen departing Darlington on a test or training run. Having arrived from the York direction the unit had stopped alongside Darlington MPD, top left of picture, and is now returning south. The leading power car, marked as Class 254 No. 254022, is either No. 43098 or 43099 and this looks to be it's first journey on BR metals. The same can be said of the first 5 coaches which are all Trailer Seconds. However the final 3 coaches are all catering vehicles which makes for a unique formation. Bringing up the rear is a power car from Class 254 No. 254020, either No. 43094 or 43095. The image was taken on 25th August 1978 and nearly 37 years later all the above power cars are still hauling services around the UK with No. 43094 and 43098 operating out of Paddington for First Great Western while No. 43095 and 43099, now renumbered as 43295 and 43299, still serve on the ECML with Virgin Trains East Coast. Stabled in the yard to the right are 3 Class 08's, a Class 31 and a Class 37/0 while a Class 101 DMU can just be seen on Darlington MPD.
Bob Woolnough
