Train Operating Company, Grand Central, will be saying farewell to its fleet of three High-Speed Trains this month.

The Class 43 HST Fleet is 41 years old this year. They will go into retirement when the lease ends this month.

GCs 43s currently operate on the North East route but will be withdrawn on New Years Eve. Class 180s will take over the two routes from Kings Cross, in London, to the North East and Yorkshire. The trains will be calling at 15 Stations.

Five of the Class 180s have been sub-leased to Great Western Railway. This is due to the delay in the electrification programme, but will go into operation for Grand Central during 2018.

Grand Central ‘Farewell HST’ Railtour

To Mark this occasion, Grand Central will be operating a farewell charity railtour on Sunday 17th December.

It is hoped the railtour will raise around £25,000. This will be then split between the Railway Children charity and Railway Benefit Fund.

The tour will take an unusual route, including pick-ups at Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool, York, and Doncaster, with a midday leg stretch break at Sheffield.

The train tour will take in some unusual freight lines, including Roberts Road Depot (Doncaster).

The train will take a scenic trip via the Hope and Calder Valley routes on the journey from Sheffield to Manchester.

Click here to find out more and to book a seat.

What did the officials say?

Dave Hatfield, Grand Central’s Fleet Director, said: “Our HSTs are well-loved by our customers, colleagues and rail enthusiasts and we’ll be saying a fond farewell to them at the end of this year. Coinciding with our 10th anniversary, this is both a landmark and a major milestone in Grand Central’s history. We’re looking forward to 2018 when we can offer a more modern, fully refurbished fleet with greater capacity and flexibility for the benefit of our customers.”

• Visit the Grand Central Website
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