Rebuilt Mk 3 High Speed Train vehicles are entering traffic with First Great Western, having been converted and renumbered at Wabtec Rail’s Kilmarnock facility. The work is enabling FGW to increase Standard Class capacity, as agreed with the Department for Transport.
On June 7, 42564 entered traffic. This is a Standard Class (TS) trailer converted from a First Class trailer (TF). It was originally 41051, and is owned by Angel Trains.
The previous day 42562, previously 41037, had left Kilmarnock by road, bound for Laira (Plymouth).
FGW Engineering Director Andy Mellors said: “The basic principle is - 42501-42520 Standard Class converted buffets (single toilet); 42551-42583 Standard Class converted First Class vehicles (single toilet); 46001-46018 composite vehicles (single toilet).”
He added: “41004 (OC36), 41116 (LA11), 41137 (OC38) & 41103 (LA06), which are the coach H vehicles in the first four sets that have gone through C6 overhaul at Kilmarnock, have had the trolley store removed and toilet reinstated, and will become First Class spares eventually.
“The additional Standard Class vehicle for these sets will come from within the existing Standard Class vehicle spares pool (including the recent 42516 to 42520 conversions).”
On June 6, TFs 41021/023/031 were at Kilmarnock being converted into 42558/559 and 42561 respectively, while another First Great Western HST set (LA75) was undergoing a C6 overhaul that involves its interiors being refurbished.
It contains Trailer Restaurant Buffet First (TRFB) 40210, TF 41022, TS 42030-42032 and Trailer Guard Standard (TGS) 44010.
The vehicles are also being repainted. One vehicle from this set (TF 41021) is being converted into a TS.
This work follows the conversion of five HSTs to Trailer Standards for FGW. These were 42516-42520, and were converted from redundant TRFBs (RAIL 744).
The vehicles were previously 40723/745, 40403/416/434 respectively.
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