HSTs to be preserved?

[reflector]

The fact that they are still going strong proves that they are really top class. It's essential that one at least should be preserved to demonstrate that we were still able to produce real quality in the last quarter of the 20th century and that comfort for the passenger was then paramount.

Ideally of course it would have been preferable to preserve one in original form before some of the recent refurbishments crammed in too many passengers and messed about the seat alignment with windows.

[Deathbyteacup]

I am sure that there is a rake or two of Mk3 coaches in origonal condition?

It might be easier to preserve two HST locomotives and do some minor modifications to one of these to make a new, almost origonal condition set.

[steam for ever]

I suppose they could be restored could they not?
That is what preservation is all about, as well as keeping them in current condition.
Somehow I dont think that all modernisations are for the better.

[Foxwall]

http://www.125group.org.uk/ For all things HST including preservation

[markb846]

The buffer fitted fleet of Grand Central power cars are likely to be the nearest thing to an original power car as they still have Paxman engines and Marston Cooler groups, but most of their coaches are modified loco hauled vehicles, and you can tell them from HST coaches. Having said that they still have the Inter City sector seats in them. The Network Rail power cars are expected to have MTU engines fitted. They still have Paxman engines but have Brush cooler groups.

[western52]

I remember seeing the first HST sets when under construction at a works open day in 1976, Derby I think. At that time they were seen as the first racehorses of the BR fleet since the Deltics. Of course they were faster and more streamlined than the Deltics, but not as aesthetically brutish as the shape of the 55s.
As for preservation, well this is a possibility, who would have thought that a Metro-Vick Co-Bo, or should that be BO-CO, would have survived in preservation. Maybe even a HST may find it's way to Sodor, who knows.