THE start of the winter timetable in mid-December marked the end for LNER’s HST fleet, as the operator completed the introduction of Class 800 bi-mode ‘Azumas’ to all its non-electrified routes. There was to be one last day of transition, however, meaning that Sunday, December 15 – the first day of the new timetable – was the last actual one for booked HST use on the East Coast Main Line out of King’s Cross.
The day saw three sets in use starting from Leeds, Aberdeen and Harrogate (see table). Nos. 43257+43318 worked LeedsDoncaster-Edinburgh-King’s Cross before the final departure from the capital with the 19.35 to Leeds. Nos. 43316+43238 ran from AberdeenKing’s Cross-Harrogate before forming an additional 21.10 to Leeds (instead of the usual empty stock working direct to Neville Hill depot); and Nos. 43317+43290 worked a one-way late afternoon trip from Harrogate to King’s Cross, which was the final arrival into the capital.
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