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InterCity 125: Hundreds take last HST from London Paddington | InterCity 125: Hundreds take last HST from London Paddington |
(about 16 hours later) | |
Hundreds of people travelled between London Paddington and Exeter St Davids on the last scheduled InterCity 125 journey to the West country. | Hundreds of people travelled between London Paddington and Exeter St Davids on the last scheduled InterCity 125 journey to the West country. |
The sold-out trip was attended by hundreds of railway enthusiasts, including the train's designer, 89-year-old Sir Kenneth Grange. | The sold-out trip was attended by hundreds of railway enthusiasts, including the train's designer, 89-year-old Sir Kenneth Grange. |
He said for many commuters the train had become part of their life. | He said for many commuters the train had become part of their life. |
The 1970s icon is being replaced with the bullet-style electric InterCity Express Trains. | The 1970s icon is being replaced with the bullet-style electric InterCity Express Trains. |
"All sorts of people have got to know this thing as part and parcel of their life, particularly those who had used it frequently for commuting," Sir Kenneth said. | "All sorts of people have got to know this thing as part and parcel of their life, particularly those who had used it frequently for commuting," Sir Kenneth said. |
"It's more familiar than their motor car." | "It's more familiar than their motor car." |
The 18:30 from Paddington to Taunton had been extended to run to Exeter St Davids due to demand, and was reservation only. | |
It rolled into Exeter at 22:00 on Saturday. | It rolled into Exeter at 22:00 on Saturday. |
All along the route, enthusiasts gathered to take photos and get a last look at the train. | All along the route, enthusiasts gathered to take photos and get a last look at the train. |
The InterCity 125 engines are now destined to run in Scotland and local routes in Cardiff and Cornwall. | The InterCity 125 engines are now destined to run in Scotland and local routes in Cardiff and Cornwall. |
Others will be scrapped after nearly five decades of service. | Others will be scrapped after nearly five decades of service. |
On board: Jonathan Holmes, BBC News Online | On board: Jonathan Holmes, BBC News Online |
As far as railway journeys go, this was certainly one of the more unusual trips I've taken. | As far as railway journeys go, this was certainly one of the more unusual trips I've taken. |
The atmosphere was one of celebration as hundreds of railway enthusiasts turned out en masse to mark this occasion. | The atmosphere was one of celebration as hundreds of railway enthusiasts turned out en masse to mark this occasion. |
Alcohol was free-flowing in the buffet car, which was also doing a brisk trade in souvenirs such as window stickers and posters. | Alcohol was free-flowing in the buffet car, which was also doing a brisk trade in souvenirs such as window stickers and posters. |
The designer of these iconic engines was on board. Sir Kenneth Grange told me that although it was a sad occasion, he was delighted his 1970s design had endured for so long. | The designer of these iconic engines was on board. Sir Kenneth Grange told me that although it was a sad occasion, he was delighted his 1970s design had endured for so long. |
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