Created 18-Jul-21
Modified 18-Dec-22
I have been a follower and admirer of the High Speed Diesel Train / InterCity 125 / HST since its inception in the early 1970s. Now they have disappeared from long distance express services, the HSTs are beginning to acquire for me the status of other non-steam transport icons, like the Deltics, the Routemaster bus and Queen Elizabeth 2. So any new incarnation of the HST has to be followed up, and the reincarnation of the striking blue and white Midland Pullman is an outstanding example.
It is unashamedly a luxury service with prices to match. Also, in these Covid times, one had to book a minimum of two seats, so I nominated Mr John Smith. Then I had to find someone who would answer to that name and pick up a large slice of the cost: luckily this was successful. The itinerary chosen was the Heart of Wales Pullman, which from various North West destinations would head down through the Marches to Newport and Cardiff, then head on almost to Llanelli before turning back north over the remarkable Central Wales line to Craven Arms.
We arrived at Crewe in warm sunny weather, but our first surprise came as the train pulled in: not a bright blue and white power car but one in dark green and silver. This was about to start on the Staycation Express over the Settle and Carlisle line but had clearly been a last minute substitution for today’s run. The rest of the train was as advertised and we were soon settled in our ex GWR first class seats (two on a table of four) and supplied with tea and coffee by a small army of young and charming liveried stewards.
We set off on time towards Shrewsbury and on south through the Marches. Performance was not going to be an issue along this stretch so I sat back and enjoyed the scenery and my breakfast. Speeds were in the 50s, 60s and 70s regardless of terrain: we were over Llanfihangel before I had noticed! I had hoped we might have a burnup along from Newport to Cardiff but we never hit three figures. Cardiff station was bristling with young people out for the day, and red-shirted rugby fans headed for Wales v Argentina in the Principality Stadium next door.
With the sun still shining we set off west again, past the industrial desolation on the coast then turning off at Briton Ferry to head through the hills and pick up our return route at Pontarddulais. The single line was often in a green tunnel but Network Rail must have had the strimmer out as our beautiful glossy paintwork was barely touched by vegetation. On through Llandeilo and Llandovery and we began the climb up to the Sugar Loaf. We had become used to frequent stops for the RETB signalling, but noticed after a while that we had been a long time at Cynghordy. Looking out of the window I could hear the rear power car purring away (the air con worked perfectly all through this hot day) but the front power car was silent, and staff were fussing to and fro around it. This continued for over an hour until the train manager advised that the power car wouldn’t restart, the engineers would continue their efforts, but just in case, a relief loco was on its way from Crewe. Three and a half hours away! I will spare you an account of the thoughts that were thought and shared in our carriage, but the cool kids continued with the meal service as if they hadn’t noticed a problem. Finally, after two and a half hours, we were under way again and blasted up to Sugar Loaf summit as if nothing had happened. Apparently the power car had ‘just started again’! The scenery was still beautiful and the sun was starting to set as we headed on past the spa town of Llandrindod. Reaching Craven Arms at dusk, we were back on the main line and we could now believe we would get home before dawn!
We had hoped the HST would show us some speed up the main line but it was not to be – it was 50s 60s and a few 70s again. But we regained a few minutes to Crewe and I was home by midnight.
A beautiful train, very good food, and excellent service from the team whilst riding through some of the prettiest parts of Wales and the Borders would have made for a perfect day out. Shame about the uncertainty we had to tolerate for nearly three hours!
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© Peter Hewitt's Transport Pictures
