I’m losing track of how many times I’ve watched this particular episode now. It’s brought back lots of memories. I wanted it for Christmas in ‘78 but it was always sold out and had to wait until my birthday in ‘79 for it. Still got it on the packaging dated 17/04/79
Despite the box needing tape to hold it together, I was amazed to see just how pristine everything was when you took it out. She runs beautifully too. You would be hard-pressed to find one of these in such immaculate condition these days. What an absolute treasure. Thank you for this video.
I have this set. She doesnt run as strongly as she did back in the day but she only only occasionally comes out as her gearing is very worn and loose, with retaining clip barely keeping the gears in place. Ran this one more than any of the others, as a child. Lights still work!
Thank you Oscar for another blast from the past. All that seems to be missing is a Hornby size Bernard Cribbins helping to ouch the car over the track with the 125 thundering down the track. Nice one.
Ian Dunsford great to ad back in the day , who remembers the plastic floppy 45 rpm single of Bernard cribbins yon got with each horn by set at the time ?
My first train set for Christmas 1980. I’ve still got it and givev it an occasional run on the layout. A special very well loved Hornby HST. Thanks for posting and all the best, Colin
The 1977 hornby catalogue is my all time favourite look at the way each model and train set is shown with scenery superb Christmas 77 got the inter city 125 set along with the dock shunter and a texaco tank wagon ,turntable and the main line station set that came with the footbridge ,the novelty of the headlights on the 125/HST and shunter was superb was it really 42 years ago ......... nice one as always Oscar and thank you for bringing back such happy times I owe you one mate 👍🏻😊
I would agree, I still have my '77 catalogue from an early age, which is much worse for wear, but refer to it every now and again for exactly the same reasons: superb scenery, a fantastic line-up of locomotives, rolling stock, and of course .... action! Great review as always Oscar, thanks very much!! Kind regards, and of course Merry Christmas from down-under, NZ, Cheers, Greg
PS, don't laugh, but I cherished receiving the noted Mk3 open coach, new, at that age while on holiday with my Dad, only to pull it around on the track by the old faithful Tri-ang BR Black Class 08 shunter; until we managed to acquire the actually IC set some years later in good used condition; but what a set it was for a young fellow back then!
the HST really is an icon in BR history, and Hornby not only captured the essence of the prototype with their model, but it's such a cheap cheery model that anyone can afford. I think about Bachmanns blue Pullman, a stunning model but not an everyday model, the old Hornby HST is so right on so many levels. love the video, your enthusiasm is contagious
Hi Oscar, The intercity 125 is one of those "iconic" trains of British Railways. I've always been interested in high speed trains, the HST is no exception. This older model by Hornby is one of my favorite models. It's right up on my list with the Flying Scotsman and the English Electric type 3 diesel. Thanks for such a nice surprise on this very chilly morning. P.S. At the 10:52 mark, your points are set against the HST. I held my breath in anticipation of a derailment. I'm surprised she didn't derail. Lisa
@@muir8009 No, The HST isn't the heaviest model Hornby has ever made. Those old points look more solid than they are apparently. I really thought the HST was going to have a mis-hap when I saw the points lined for the other track. Lisa
Hi Lisa, Thanks for pointing that out I hadn't noticed that whilst watching the footage back. I must have knocked the switch. yes, I am surprised too that she didn't derail. Those points are very heavy especially with the switch attached to control the signals. Thanks for watching. Oscar
I can hear the grin in your voice as you talk of the model! I think it was one of those "everybody got one" models at the time. Certainly we could run about six sets on the school layout at the time, quite impressive with the lighting which was quite the new thing. Memory tells me that the coaches were a window bay short and that the subsequently available Jouef Mk 3s were a better bet on scale. Nobody minded shoter than scale, it was all just so much fun. Thanks for sharing that one.
The coaches were short on scale, Hornby's reasoning that they would otherwise foul line side accessories on tighter radius curves. Later releases had the extra window added by adjusting the window spacing. Those gazing strips were amazingly flush and in some respects never bettered, though prone to scratches and gaps along the edges.
Good evening Andrew, Definitely great fun this group of models, they probably got a lot of people started in the hobby irrespective of accuracy. Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching. Oscar
Thoroughly enjoying this. I never had an HST but I remember my excitement when I saw the cover of the 1977 catalogue for the first time when it came out. Full marks to Hornby for getting their model to market within a year of the HST entering service. Love seeing the older models in other videos too, and the older catalogues remind me of a book I have somewhere: The Hornby Book of Trains
Good morning Paul thanks for watching it’s great to hear you enjoyed the video and seeing these iconic models in action. I remember the catalogue very well from the time, I didn’t have the model at the time either. The Hornby book of Trains I think is a much underrated book. It’s a terrific time capsule. Stay safe. Oscar
Thank you Oscar - I certainly did enjoy it. As an aside the National Railway Museum has the preserved power car 'Sir Kenneth Grange' on it's turntable display at the moment. It looks superb in fully restored condition. Again thank you for making this film.
Hi Oscar, On the run up to Christmas this is the best video ever! I remember the excitement of waiting on Reading Station for my first ride on a 125 and it was a breathtaking sight as it arrived for the dash down the mainline into Paddington. The Mk 3 coaches seemed like riding in a futuristic space ship from Thunderbirds and I was obsessed with the automatic doors at he end of each coach- endless fun! There was also a toxic burning smell each time the train braked which would put you off your bacon roll (washed down with Maxpax coffee of course!) The ‘Flying Banana’ became an instant fave and I’d spend hours pouring over that 77 catalogue on the run up to Christmas. The Xmas list that year included an Action Man Scorpion tank, Subbuteo Table Football (Floodlight edition) and of course Beano, Beezer and Dandy annuals. On the big day Santa didn’t disappoint and the 125 won the day:-))
I've wonderful memories of seeing two full 7 coach sets of these operating on a fully automated model railway attraction in Western -super Mare when these were released. Another fantastic video, thanks for sharing.
Hi Graham. That must have been great to have seen those operating. I am not sure a full seven car set would make it up the incline on my layout. Thanks for watching. Oscar
Thanks for a great video. I got the HST train set in this livery when I was 6 years old - many hours of fun watching it race around the room. I know you don’t like them but my favourite boxes are those in the strange shade of brown with the blue ribbon logo on them. It’s not the most attractive of colour choices but I guess I like them because that’s what they were like when I started in the hobby. My first few trains came packaged that way. Keep up the good work, I love your videos, full of nostalgia
Hi, Andrew its terrific you've had fun with one of these brilliant sets and your spot on with the boxes, it's what we grew up with which is a big part of it for many of us. My brother and I were lucky enough to have been given in the mid 70s a railway collection which was no longer wanted by another family member (they had grown up!) this was all Tri-ang Railways/Tri-ang Hornby a lot of it still with the boxes. So those are the boxes that do it for me. I suppose we all have favourites and good reasoning to with them. Great to hear you've been enjoying the videos and thanks for taking the time to comment. Oscar
Great video as always Oscar. Fantastic models and the real things were quite fantastic too. The high pitched squeel as the Paxman engines reved up as they moved out the station, quite different from anything else on the railway at the time . The real mk3s looked streamlined and stunning too. In that respect the Hornby model didn’t quite capture the look . They were too short , if they had been the correct length I think this would have been a stunning train . I had to buy the full length Joueff Mk3s to run with my HST that I got at Christmas 1977. I still have her, now joined by a few more variants . Difficult to believe that these trains are now being retired. I’m feeling very old!
Hi Russell great to hear you enjoyed the video and that you still have your original HST from 77 in your collection. I never did have one these sets as a child, but remember looking at them for hours in the catalogue. Thanks again. Oscar
Great video Oscar, I purchased a HST125 off eBay a few years ago. The running no's are the same as in video.So I now have some idea of the year they came from. I have a few Triang trains as I been modelling since 1960 thanks to my dear grandad. Regards Stewart
Hi Stewart glad you enjoyed the video and found it interesting. It’s definitely an iconic set of models. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Oscar
I can also see you smile in your voice Oscar, it is a superb model and I would love to get one. I have the 225 in Swallow livery that someone gave me 20 odd years ago. It does not like even second radius curves or points, but I do love it.
Your calm voice and measured tones are the perfect antidote to all the Brexit stuff on TV at the moment! Please keep these videos coming as they are very much appreciated. Thank-you.
I have 2 full HSTs of this vintage, I thought about getting the new ones but its all about budget and they definitely look the part so I'm going to keep them. Good video, enjoyed it.
Another very interesting and informative video Oscar. I can imagine how exciting it would be for any child to recieve one of these at Christmas or birthday. Although mainly a steam fan this came after my chilhood train set days and before my serious adult era began. Still a very impressive model.
Hi, Chris great to hear you enjoyed the video. I think this locomotive and the model Hornby produced of it has had an enduring impression on many of us. Thanks for watching.
Hi,my name is Phil Holt.I started on the footplate at edgeley shed on the 4th of April 1961as a fireman I did 50yrs on the footplate finished my time out at longsight as a driver and I drove a number of them in my time Regards.Phil
Hi Phil. Thanks for sharing your experiences, you must have some great memories from back in the days on the footplate. It must have been thrilling to drive one of these iconic locomotives for the first time. Oscar
I remember having one of these when I was a kid. Great video and I like these older Hornby models as well as the newer stuff :). That model in the video is almost as old as me and it runs like new!
i was born the end of 74 so i think i would be too young for the original but my one & only set as a kid was the Intercity 125, not sure how old i was when i got it. ive honestly never been into train sets but have been getting the urge to buy one recently, must be my age lol.
I must have spent hours studying that catalogue when I was small. I hadn't sern It since but watching this video, I can remember some of the pictures clearly. The front cover facinated me, with the motion blur. Then Father Chrismas brought me the rail blue class 37, which I still have (boxed but a non runner).
Hi Richard, lovely memories you have there. Great to hear you still have your original rail blue class 37. I am sure it could be brought back to life easily. Thanks for watching Oscar
@@oscarpaisley And indeed my 37 is now runnng again thanks to some TLC from the bloke at my nearest model shop. Now I just need to build a layout to run It on ... Is your layout DC, Oscar? It's very impressive.
I had this when I was a child had great fun with it I still have them and still looks outstanding I remember the 1977 catalog very well would be great if you could go through the pages for us .🇳🇿
Grear to hear you enjoyed the video Alexander. Even better to hear you still have your original models. I am sure I will be looking at another item from this catalogue in the near future I will go through some of the pages next time. Oscar
Wonder as ever, Oscar!! My late father bought me a set in 78/79. Mine are numbered 253001/2 and had one standard coach. Thank you for evoking some great memories from my childhood.
@@oscarpaisley your videos are my Sunday treat. I moved from the U.K. and own a fitness centre in Okahandja, Namibia... i watch them after ive opened up. I really must take time off to assemble my train set i boxed before we moved, that and the 1971 Marina, i brought to restore!! All the best my friend.
Good evening David, Iconic Locomotive and an Iconic model, especially with those directional lamps. There should be plenty of coaches around to chose from, possibly a better price at a swapmeet/show than on that auction site! Thanks. Oscar
that just took me back to my childhood... wow what a set... i remember too that the MK3's were so long and the train did not fit the station correctly... no one cared no one bothered 'cos' we had an HST set on the layout and it was a child / teenager "king of the rails"... I could hear the smiles and perhaps checky grin as the HST ploughed across your bridge... one of the best cheerful vids ... and to top it off it is my BDay today... gonna have to try and get one now for my current layout... none of your latest GWR or Virgin stuff an original Coparte blue Intercity, just to bring the kid in me back like no other set can... Cherrs Oscar for that... Yours Neil from Dunkirk... ( now where"s that orange TGV?)
Hi Neil hope you had a great day, really pleased to hear you enjoyed the video. You will have to write a swift letter to the man in the red suit with reindeer, there's still time! Thanks Neil. Oscar (Grande gare nécessaire pour le TGV)
I had one of those when I was a boy, with a full layout a shunter, mallard, a 47 and a 58. I sold the lot for £100 when I was 19 so I could go to the pub! I regret that so badly now i'm 38 and getting back into my boyhood hobbies! :'-(
Hi Oscar I have just purchased the Hornby R696/833 Intercity 225 set and I wondered if you had done a video on this/these? It was in my local model shop and it was a bit of an impulse buy. It is a very nice looking train. Kind regards Brian
Hi Brian funny you should mention that set, I had my eye on one at the train collectors Society show in Leicester just the other week, but it wasn't to be on this occasion. Hope you have fun with yours it's a terrific looking group of items. Thanks again take care. Oscar
Very good these are as of 3 days ago I got the newer tooling hst however I will always like the original ones also the tooling for the original ones got modded around 2005 or 2002 where the cab is separate from the body and the headlights are better
Hi Oscar, I've had a thought or two about that marking inside the power car shell. I think it's not an interaction with the plastics, rather that diode is pointing up on the end. I believe the diode is wearing that groove into the plastic every time the train goes through the curves. I think it would benefit from being made level inside the power car. Might not hurt to de-solder the wire and slip a piece of heat shrink over the wire. Once re-soldered, then the heat shrink can be shrunk over the sharp end of the diode lead. Second, I wonder if HORNBY R449 coach lighting kit could be fitted to the HST coaches? Lisa
@@oscarpaisley Hi Oscar, Thanks for the responses. Watching the wiring being sorted might be an interesting video. Might be worth making any modifications to both power cars. Maybe fitment of Hornby R439 to the 3 coaches could be part of the same video. The HST set is one train that coach lighting would look really good running around the layout. I'm going to keep an eye out for R439 kits and install them to my HST coaches. Lisa
A great video review of the original HST - surely one of Hornby Railways best and most successful achievements . An LED upgrade works really well on these , although this may not suit those who prefer originality . Seriously good stuff Oscar .
Just another note ,in the set I got for Christmas 77 the Mk3 coach bogie was a bogie from the Mk2 coach hornby I believe changed to the correct B10 later in 78/79 ,and your right the light lenses were not a snug fit later models I have using the same mould are better ,they changed to fully painted in 1980 too I got another set from my grandmothers littlewoods catalogue that was painted version and the shine was superb inlaid weekly a £1 Pocket money for the set also cane with extra coach and track the deals sometimes you got on these Mail order books ,love the way your models run smoothly Oscar ,are you planning a rebuild bec of the warping ?
Hi, that's interesting information on the bogies. I was quite surprised at the poor fit of the light lenses. I had been thinking about a change of layout for some time and the possibility of enlarging it to enable some longer runs without point work which would be much more fun with the mail coaches and of course to build in an unloading bridge. The warping has not really caused a problem yet, just annoying. Oscar
Hi Oscar. a really beautiful HST, Inter-City 125, for his age. I won three auctions on eBay yesterday... older but really new Hornby LMS locos in maroon livery, a Jinty, the Patriot Class Duke of Sutherland, and the Coronation Class Duchess of Sutherland. All in the package livery as yours.
Good evening Norbert glad you enjoyed the video. Sounds like you have won some great items. This period has some very interesting models. Thanks again for watching. Oscar
Morning Oscar. Again, your videos conjure up happy memories. Many years ago I decided it would be a good idea to buy up all the coaches to create a full set, convert to close coupling, replace the lighting unit and DCC fit the old hornby HST. Was good fun as a project but it made a very long train that some what dominated the layout and cost far more than I'd like to admit to. Just out of interest, when the catalogue number was changed for the coaches. Was that when the tooling for the full length coaches was released to replace the shorter early versions or did that happen later?
Oscar Paisley I just missed an APT set in a model shop in Warrington. The new Hornby railroad HST looks very good, I think it’s based on the Lima tooling as the lights on the front are a much better fit and the roof detail seems improved. Still in the classic flying banana livery .
Only just seen this looking for HST info as I'm thinking of buying a secondhand blue-yellow HST set. I really like the directional lighting but I've heard that not all HST models had it (maybe non-Hornby models?). Does the dummy pick up power for lights via its wheels from the track? I've heard that perhaps there were later Hornby HST models e.g. "super-detailed", Railroad? And did Lima also manufacture an HST set (maybe when it merged with Jouef and the other european train makers) and if so how did it compare with the Hornby model(s)? By the way, being a massive Beatles fan, I recently had to buy the new Hornby Beatles Eurostar - great model with incredible printing but what a shame Hornby did not continue with directional lighting in their Eurostar models. So many questions, sorry!
Good morning Steve, I'm unsure about the models of the HST by the other manufactures as I don't have examples to compare. I have read that the early Hornby model that I have is not quite as accurate as it could be and that perhaps later modes by Hornby and other manufactures produced more realistic examples. But this could be said for many models in the range over the years. The original is a terrific item with its directions lighting the dummy car has its own pick up for this independently of the power car it's a great feature possibly a bit of a sales gimmick and maybe not used when Hornby wants to keep the cost of production down. The Hornby Beatles Eurostar looks like an interesting item one that will be quite a sort after as time moves on. Thanks for watching stay safe. Oscar
Hi oscar another great video mate I still use the old hornby class 43 hst power cars on my layout today but with new 5 pole motors and LEDs head & tail lights in them and running with lima or the newer hornby mk3 coaches in 5 mk3 coaches trains I got my first hornby class 43 power cars in 1977 and they are still with me today I have 7 hsts power cars 3 hsts trains 1 in blue/grey/yellow 2 in intercity livery and 1home make hst/dvt conversion with buffers on do you have the hornby Apt train I have 2 hornby 8 cars APTs on my layout goodbye for now clive
I have an old intercity 125 model...probably over 30 years old...kept boxed, but now that I've got a new layout I can't get it running. I saw online that people have been switching a cd drive motor for the original motor. Have you heard about that? Any other suggestions for getting it operating? Regards
Good morning Brian yes I've seen a number of people online experimenting with the CD motors they do look like quite a good option. I think sometime this old Hornby ringfeild motors just get very worn out and beyond practical repair. In some instances the magnet in the motor becomes very weak and it ends up putting a lot of strain on the amateur/windings and they could become burnt out. If a light clean & lubrication of all the obvious parts and a check over all the contact points/pick ups doesn't bring it back to life it may be worth considering a replacement motor or one of the CD motors you mention. I have not done one of these conversions myself but I do have a motor from a class of 37 which is beyond repair, I have been considering having a go, take a look at these links they are quite informative. Thanks for watching take care. Oscar th-cam.com/video/FZ4arAaiNYs/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/TSWjMIxKGc8/w-d-xo.html
Hi Oscar. a really beautiful HST, Inter-City 125, for his age. I won three auctions on eBay yesterday... older but really new Hornby LMS locos in maroon livery, a Jinty, the Patriot Class Duke of Sutherland, and the Coronation Class Duchess of Sutherland. All in the package livery as yours.
I’m losing track of how many times I’ve watched this particular episode now. It’s brought back lots of memories. I wanted it for Christmas in ‘78 but it was always sold out and had to wait until my birthday in ‘79 for it. Still got it on the packaging dated 17/04/79
Hi, great to hear you still have the set and are enjoying the videos.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
Despite the box needing tape to hold it together, I was amazed to see just how pristine everything was when you took it out. She runs beautifully too. You would be hard-pressed to find one of these in such immaculate condition these days. What an absolute treasure. Thank you for this video.
Hi thanks for watching glad you enjoyed seeing this great model in action.
Stay safe
Oscar
I have this set. She doesnt run as strongly as she did back in the day but she only only occasionally comes out as her gearing is very worn and loose, with retaining clip barely keeping the gears in place. Ran this one more than any of the others, as a child. Lights still work!
Being a kid in the 80'es, I would have loved a HST like this. The HST is one of my favorite British trains. Greetings from Denmark!
Hi, glad you enjoyed seeing that, it’s a terrific looking locomotive.
Take care.
Oscar
Thank you Oscar for another blast from the past. All that seems to be missing is a Hornby size Bernard Cribbins helping to ouch the car over the track with the 125 thundering down the track. Nice one.
Ian glad you enjoyed the video. those old adds are great fun to watch.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
Ian Dunsford great to ad back in the day , who remembers the plastic floppy 45 rpm single of Bernard cribbins yon got with each horn by set at the time ?
My first train set for Christmas 1980. I’ve still got it and givev it an occasional run on the layout. A special very well loved Hornby HST. Thanks for posting and all the best, Colin
Hi thanks for watching and great to hear you’re still have your original set. Definitely a terrific looking and very important model for Hornby.
Oscar
The 1977 hornby catalogue is my all time favourite look at the way each model and train set is shown with scenery superb Christmas 77 got the inter city 125 set along with the dock shunter and a texaco tank wagon ,turntable and the main line station set that came with the footbridge ,the novelty of the headlights on the 125/HST and shunter was superb was it really 42 years ago ......... nice one as always Oscar and thank you for bringing back such happy times I owe you one mate 👍🏻😊
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks, Oscar
I would agree, I still have my '77 catalogue from an early age, which is much worse for wear, but refer to it every now and again for exactly the same reasons: superb scenery, a fantastic line-up of locomotives, rolling stock, and of course .... action!
Great review as always Oscar, thanks very much!! Kind regards, and of course Merry Christmas from down-under, NZ, Cheers, Greg
PS, don't laugh, but I cherished receiving the noted Mk3 open coach, new, at that age while on holiday with my Dad, only to pull it around on the track by the old faithful Tri-ang BR Black Class 08 shunter; until we managed to acquire the actually IC set some years later in good used condition; but what a set it was for a young fellow back then!
the HST really is an icon in BR history, and Hornby not only captured the essence of the prototype with their model, but it's such a cheap cheery model that anyone can afford. I think about Bachmanns blue Pullman, a stunning model but not an everyday model, the old Hornby HST is so right on so many levels. love the video, your enthusiasm is contagious
I happen to own one of these from the 1978 catalogue. Truly iconic trains !
I agree. Great to hear you have one from this era.
Oscar
Hi Oscar,
The intercity 125 is one of those "iconic" trains of British Railways. I've always been interested in high speed trains, the HST is no exception. This older model by Hornby is one of my favorite models. It's right up on my list with the Flying Scotsman and the English Electric type 3 diesel.
Thanks for such a nice surprise on this very chilly morning.
P.S. At the 10:52 mark, your points are set against the HST. I held my breath in anticipation of a derailment. I'm surprised she didn't derail.
Lisa
well spotted about the point. I'm guessing they must be spring loaded, but even then I don't recall the HST as being the heaviest items on the menu
@@muir8009
No, The HST isn't the heaviest model Hornby has ever made. Those old points look more solid than they are apparently. I really thought the HST was going to have a mis-hap when I saw the points lined for the other track.
Lisa
Hi Lisa, Thanks for pointing that out I hadn't noticed that whilst watching the footage back. I must have knocked the switch. yes, I am surprised too that she didn't derail. Those points are very heavy especially with the switch attached to control the signals.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
I had 3 car set 78/79 my aunt gave me a coach older type i hated it but had to be grateful for it
Great to hear you had the three car set.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
I can hear the grin in your voice as you talk of the model! I think it was one of those "everybody got one" models at the time. Certainly we could run about six sets on the school layout at the time, quite impressive with the lighting which was quite the new thing. Memory tells me that the coaches were a window bay short and that the subsequently available Jouef Mk 3s were a better bet on scale. Nobody minded shoter than scale, it was all just so much fun. Thanks for sharing that one.
The coaches were short on scale, Hornby's reasoning that they would otherwise foul line side accessories on tighter radius curves. Later releases had the extra window added by adjusting the window spacing. Those gazing strips were amazingly flush and in some respects never bettered, though prone to scratches and gaps along the edges.
Good evening Andrew, Definitely great fun this group of models, they probably got a lot of people started in the hobby irrespective of accuracy.
Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching.
Oscar
Thanks for the information Graham.
Thanks for watching
Oscar
Thoroughly enjoying this. I never had an HST but I remember my excitement when I saw the cover of the 1977 catalogue for the first time when it came out. Full marks to Hornby for getting their model to market within a year of the HST entering service. Love seeing the older models in other videos too, and the older catalogues remind me of a book I have somewhere: The Hornby Book of Trains
Good morning Paul thanks for watching it’s great to hear you enjoyed the video and seeing these iconic models in action. I remember the catalogue very well from the time, I didn’t have the model at the time either. The Hornby book of Trains I think is a much underrated book. It’s a terrific time capsule.
Stay safe.
Oscar
Thank you Oscar - I certainly did enjoy it. As an aside the National Railway Museum has the preserved power car 'Sir Kenneth Grange' on it's turntable display at the moment. It looks superb in fully restored condition. Again thank you for making this film.
Thanks Ian, glad you enjoyed it. Wish I could get to York to see that.
Oscar
Hi Oscar,
On the run up to Christmas this is the best video ever! I remember the excitement of waiting on Reading Station for my first ride on a 125 and it was a breathtaking sight as it arrived for the dash down the mainline into Paddington.
The Mk 3 coaches seemed like riding in a futuristic space ship from Thunderbirds and I was obsessed with the automatic doors at he end of each coach- endless fun!
There was also a toxic burning smell each time the train braked which would put you off your bacon roll (washed down with Maxpax coffee of course!)
The ‘Flying Banana’ became an instant fave and I’d spend hours pouring over that 77 catalogue on the run up to Christmas.
The Xmas list that year included an Action Man Scorpion tank, Subbuteo Table Football (Floodlight edition) and of course Beano, Beezer and Dandy annuals.
On the big day Santa didn’t disappoint and the 125 won the day:-))
Hi Ned, fabulous story and probably rings true for a lot of us.
Thanks for sharing it.
Oscar
I got a HST for Christmas, lots of fun, The Modern Power car & dummy power car sets are (at full RRP) over £300.
Your video of the HST compliments superbly the one you released the following year on 06/06/21. ( A fantastic archive ) 🚆🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Thank you Tim glad you enjoyed that.
Take care.
Oscar
Another great video. I look forward to every Sunday for your next. HST was every small boy dream back in the 1970's
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
I've wonderful memories of seeing two full 7 coach sets of these operating on a fully automated model railway attraction in Western -super Mare when these were released. Another fantastic video, thanks for sharing.
Hi Graham. That must have been great to have seen those operating. I am not sure a full seven car set would make it up the incline on my layout.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
Thanks for a great video. I got the HST train set in this livery when I was 6 years old - many hours of fun watching it race around the room. I know you don’t like them but my favourite boxes are those in the strange shade of brown with the blue ribbon logo on them. It’s not the most attractive of colour choices but I guess I like them because that’s what they were like when I started in the hobby. My first few trains came packaged that way. Keep up the good work, I love your videos, full of nostalgia
Hi, Andrew its terrific you've had fun with one of these brilliant sets and your spot on with the boxes, it's what we grew up with which is a big part of it for many of us. My brother and I were lucky enough to have been given in the mid 70s a railway collection which was no longer wanted by another family member (they had grown up!) this was all Tri-ang Railways/Tri-ang Hornby a lot of it still with the boxes. So those are the boxes that do it for me. I suppose we all have favourites and good reasoning to with them.
Great to hear you've been enjoying the videos and thanks for taking the time to comment.
Oscar
Great video as always Oscar. Fantastic models and the real things were quite fantastic too. The high pitched squeel as the Paxman engines reved up as they moved out the station, quite different from anything else on the railway at the time . The real mk3s looked streamlined and stunning too. In that respect the Hornby model didn’t quite capture the look . They were too short , if they had been the correct length I think this would have been a stunning train . I had to buy the full length Joueff Mk3s to run with my HST that I got at Christmas 1977. I still have her, now joined by a few more variants . Difficult to believe that these trains are now being retired. I’m feeling very old!
Hi Russell great to hear you enjoyed the video and that you still have your original HST from 77 in your collection. I never did have one these sets as a child, but remember looking at them for hours in the catalogue.
Thanks again.
Oscar
Converted my dummy car to a power car as have a full set of coaches, it flies along
Great video Oscar, I purchased a HST125 off eBay a few years ago. The running no's are the same as in video.So I now have some idea of the year they came from. I have a few Triang trains as I been modelling since 1960 thanks to my dear grandad. Regards Stewart
Hi Stewart glad you enjoyed the video and found it interesting. It’s definitely an iconic set of models.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Oscar
I can also see you smile in your voice Oscar, it is a superb model and I would love to get one. I have the 225 in Swallow livery that someone gave me 20 odd years ago. It does not like even second radius curves or points, but I do love it.
Hi Philip, yes it's a great model.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
Your calm voice and measured tones are the perfect antidote to all the Brexit stuff on TV at the moment! Please keep these videos coming as they are very much appreciated. Thank-you.
Thanks for the kind comments.
Oscar
Wittersham Road I agree ..this is much more interesting than Brexit !
loved my HST when i got it but i went for a rake of Jouef Mk3s. still love it
Great to hear that.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
I have 2 full HSTs of this vintage, I thought about getting the new ones but its all about budget and they definitely look the part so I'm going to keep them. Good video, enjoyed it.
Hi, thank you for watching, great to hear you have two sets of those in your collection.
All the best.
Oscar
I sooooo need one of those, used to wave at those 30 ish years ago on the line down to Plymouth
Hi, I think in this livery they are such an iconic part of the Hornby history and they great fun on the track too.
Stay safe.
Oscar
Thanks Oscar, the HST is such a great looking train, despite the criticism Hornby captured the look perfectly and that's what counts
An iconic model for those of us of a certain age.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
another great video ,,, thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks again for watching Rob.
Take care.
Oscar
Another very interesting and informative video Oscar. I can imagine how exciting it would be for any child to recieve one of these at Christmas or birthday. Although mainly a steam fan this came after my chilhood train set days and before my serious adult era began. Still a very impressive model.
Hi, Chris great to hear you enjoyed the video. I think this locomotive and the model Hornby produced of it has had an enduring impression on many of us.
Thanks for watching.
Hi,my name is Phil Holt.I started on the footplate at edgeley shed on the 4th of April 1961as a fireman I did 50yrs on the footplate finished my time out at longsight as a driver and I drove a number of them in my time Regards.Phil
Hi Phil. Thanks for sharing your experiences, you must have some great memories from back in the days on the footplate. It must have been thrilling to drive one of these iconic locomotives for the first time.
Oscar
Enjoyable as ever thank you Oscar. Brought back some happy memories for me, although I remember mine being distinctly underpowered! All the best.
Glad you enjoyed it. I was quite surprised at the power available and it dealt with the incline.
Oscar
I enjoyed that I had the executive set in 86 with 2 coaches and still have them today
Great to hear you still have the models.
Oscar
I remember having one of these when I was a kid. Great video and I like these older Hornby models as well as the newer stuff :). That model in the video is almost as old as me and it runs like new!
There is a great variety in the range to collect over the years, there's something for everyone.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
i was born the end of 74 so i think i would be too young for the original but my one & only set as a kid was the Intercity 125, not sure how old i was when i got it. ive honestly never been into train sets but have been getting the urge to buy one recently, must be my age lol.
I must have spent hours studying that catalogue when I was small. I hadn't sern It since but watching this video, I can remember some of the pictures clearly. The front cover facinated me, with the motion blur. Then Father Chrismas brought me the rail blue class 37, which I still have (boxed but a non runner).
Hi Richard, lovely memories you have there. Great to hear you still have your original rail blue class 37. I am sure it could be brought back to life easily.
Thanks for watching
Oscar
@@oscarpaisley And indeed my 37 is now runnng again thanks to some TLC from the bloke at my nearest model shop. Now I just need to build a layout to run It on ... Is your layout DC, Oscar? It's very impressive.
I had this when I was a child had great fun with it I still have them and still looks outstanding I remember the 1977 catalog very well would be great if you could go through the pages for us .🇳🇿
Grear to hear you enjoyed the video Alexander. Even better to hear you still have your original models. I am sure I will be looking at another item from this catalogue in the near future I will go through some of the pages next time.
Oscar
Thanks so much, Fabulous, make you want one
Fabulous Oscar! I remember it well and now have the Mk2 “Executive Livery” (Not the modern offerings). Best Wishes. Bob
Good evening Bob, glad you enjoyed that.
Oscar
Hello Oscar, As you say these were fantastic models. I looked at some on my recent trip but managed to resist the temptation. Regards, David.
You will have to treat yourself next time.
Thanks for watching David.
Oscar
hornby should've done this for their centenary year lol
a really nice review though! I can see this is a very nostalgic set for many people
Hi, that would have great as this model carries a very powerful image for Hornby as you say.
Stay safe.
Oscar
Wonder as ever, Oscar!! My late father bought me a set in 78/79. Mine are numbered 253001/2 and had one standard coach. Thank you for evoking some great memories from my childhood.
Good morning Maurice, terrific to hear the video brought some great memories from my childhood.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
@@oscarpaisley your videos are my Sunday treat. I moved from the U.K. and own a fitness centre in Okahandja, Namibia... i watch them after ive opened up. I really must take time off to assemble my train set i boxed before we moved, that and the 1971 Marina, i brought to restore!! All the best my friend.
Great video Oscar that must have Been a brilliant set back in the day
I need to get some coaches for my HST as I only have the power cars
Good evening David, Iconic Locomotive and an Iconic model, especially with those directional lamps. There should be plenty of coaches around to chose from, possibly a better price at a swapmeet/show than on that auction site!
Thanks.
Oscar
that just took me back to my childhood... wow what a set... i remember too that the MK3's were so long and the train did not fit the station correctly... no one cared no one bothered 'cos' we had an HST set on the layout and it was a child / teenager "king of the rails"...
I could hear the smiles and perhaps checky grin as the HST ploughed across your bridge... one of the best cheerful vids ... and to top it off it is my BDay today... gonna have to try and get one now for my current layout... none of your latest GWR or Virgin stuff an original Coparte blue Intercity, just to bring the kid in me back like no other set can... Cherrs Oscar for that... Yours Neil from Dunkirk... ( now where"s that orange TGV?)
Hi Neil hope you had a great day, really pleased to hear you enjoyed the video. You will have to write a swift letter to the man in the red suit with reindeer, there's still time!
Thanks Neil.
Oscar
(Grande gare nécessaire pour le TGV)
I had one of those when I was a boy, with a full layout a shunter, mallard, a 47 and a 58. I sold the lot for £100 when I was 19 so I could go to the pub! I regret that so badly now i'm 38 and getting back into my boyhood hobbies! :'-(
Hi Greg, that sounds like a very familiar story.
Thanks for watching
Oscar
another great video well done love them
Hi Paul, glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
Aaw man! This whole video took me back! I have that catalogue too. :-)
Thanks Sammy glad you enjoyed it.
Oscar
Hi Oscar I have just purchased the Hornby R696/833 Intercity 225 set and I wondered if you had done a video on this/these? It was in my local model shop and it was a bit of an impulse buy. It is a very nice looking train.
Kind regards
Brian
Hi Brian funny you should mention that set, I had my eye on one at the train collectors Society show in Leicester just the other week, but it wasn't to be on this occasion. Hope you have fun with yours it's a terrific looking group of items.
Thanks again take care.
Oscar
Very good these are as of 3 days ago I got the newer tooling hst however I will always like the original ones also the tooling for the original ones got modded around 2005 or 2002 where the cab is separate from the body and the headlights are better
These original models are very iconic despite there inaccuracies.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
Hi Oscar,
I've had a thought or two about that marking inside the power car shell. I think it's not an interaction with the plastics, rather that diode is pointing up on the end. I believe the diode is wearing that groove into the plastic every time the train goes through the curves. I think it would benefit from being made level inside the power car. Might not hurt to de-solder the wire and slip a piece of heat shrink over the wire. Once re-soldered, then the heat shrink can be shrunk over the sharp end of the diode lead.
Second, I wonder if HORNBY R449 coach lighting kit could be fitted to the HST coaches?
Lisa
Hi Lisa, you may be right I shall have a look at the wiring. I 'm not too sure about the lighting kit.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
Hi, have just done a bit quick checking and it seems that the lighting kit could be fitted to the R.439 HST Coach.
Oscar
@@oscarpaisley Hi Oscar,
Thanks for the responses. Watching the wiring being sorted might be an interesting video. Might be worth making any modifications to both power cars. Maybe fitment of Hornby R439 to the 3 coaches could be part of the same video. The HST set is one train that coach lighting would look really good running around the layout. I'm going to keep an eye out for R439 kits and install them to my HST coaches. Lisa
Re-the headlight covers Oscar. I had to do quite a bit of fettling to get them to fit a tad more flush.
Hi Peter. I think from what I have read the later models were much improved.
Thanks for watching
Oscar
Love the HSTs!
Thanks Andrew.
Oscar
A great video review of the original HST - surely one of Hornby Railways best and most successful achievements . An LED upgrade works really well on these , although this may not suit those who prefer originality . Seriously good stuff Oscar .
Hi William, LED upgrade sounds like a good idea to them lit up nicely at any speed.
Great to hear you enjoyed the video.
Thanks
Oscar
Just another note ,in the set I got for Christmas 77 the Mk3 coach bogie was a bogie from the Mk2 coach hornby I believe changed to the correct B10 later in 78/79 ,and your right the light lenses were not a snug fit later models I have using the same mould are better ,they changed to fully painted in 1980 too I got another set from my grandmothers littlewoods catalogue that was painted version and the shine was superb inlaid weekly a £1 Pocket money for the set also cane with extra coach and track the deals sometimes you got on these Mail order books ,love the way your models run smoothly Oscar ,are you planning a rebuild bec of the warping ?
Hi, that's interesting information on the bogies. I was quite surprised at the poor fit of the light lenses. I had been thinking about a change of layout for some time and the possibility of enlarging it to enable some longer runs without point work which would be much more fun with the mail coaches and of course to build in an unloading bridge. The warping has not really caused a problem yet, just annoying.
Oscar
Hi Oscar. a really beautiful HST, Inter-City 125, for his age. I won three auctions on eBay yesterday... older but really new Hornby LMS locos in maroon livery, a Jinty, the Patriot Class Duke of Sutherland, and the Coronation Class Duchess of Sutherland. All in the package livery as yours.
Good evening Norbert glad you enjoyed the video. Sounds like you have won some great items. This period has some very interesting models.
Thanks again for watching.
Oscar
Nice ☺️
Thanks.
Oscar
Morning Oscar.
Again, your videos conjure up happy memories. Many years ago I decided it would be a good idea to buy up all the coaches to create a full set, convert to close coupling, replace the lighting unit and DCC fit the old hornby HST.
Was good fun as a project but it made a very long train that some what dominated the layout and cost far more than I'd like to admit to.
Just out of interest, when the catalogue number was changed for the coaches. Was that when the tooling for the full length coaches was released to replace the shorter early versions or did that happen later?
Brilliant Oscar, APT next?
Hi Dave, one of these days I might end up with one.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
Oscar Paisley I just missed an APT set in a model shop in Warrington. The new Hornby railroad HST looks very good, I think it’s based on the Lima tooling as the lights on the front are a much better fit and the roof detail seems improved. Still in the classic flying banana livery .
Only just seen this looking for HST info as I'm thinking of buying a secondhand blue-yellow HST set. I really like the directional lighting but I've heard that not all HST models had it (maybe non-Hornby models?). Does the dummy pick up power for lights via its wheels from the track? I've heard that perhaps there were later Hornby HST models e.g. "super-detailed", Railroad? And did Lima also manufacture an HST set (maybe when it merged with Jouef and the other european train makers) and if so how did it compare with the Hornby model(s)? By the way, being a massive Beatles fan, I recently had to buy the new Hornby Beatles Eurostar - great model with incredible printing but what a shame Hornby did not continue with directional lighting in their Eurostar models. So many questions, sorry!
Good morning Steve, I'm unsure about the models of the HST by the other manufactures as I don't have examples to compare. I have read that the early Hornby model that I have is not quite as accurate as it could be and that perhaps later modes by Hornby and other manufactures produced more realistic examples. But this could be said for many models in the range over the years. The original is a terrific item with its directions lighting the dummy car has its own pick up for this independently of the power car it's a great feature possibly a bit of a sales gimmick and maybe not used when Hornby wants to keep the cost of production down. The Hornby Beatles Eurostar looks like an interesting item one that will be quite a sort after as time moves on.
Thanks for watching stay safe.
Oscar
Hi oscar another great video mate I still use the old hornby class 43 hst power cars on my layout today but with new 5 pole motors and LEDs head & tail lights in them and running with lima or the newer hornby mk3 coaches in 5 mk3 coaches trains I got my first hornby class 43 power cars in 1977 and they are still with me today I have 7 hsts power cars 3 hsts trains 1 in blue/grey/yellow 2 in intercity livery and 1home make hst/dvt conversion with buffers on do you have the hornby Apt train I have 2 hornby 8 cars APTs on my layout goodbye for now clive
Hi Clive, wow! That sounds like a terrific collection you've got there. At present, I don't have the APT.
Thanks for watching.
Oscar
I have an old intercity 125 model...probably over 30 years old...kept boxed, but now that I've got a new layout I can't get it running. I saw online that people have been switching a cd drive motor for the original motor. Have you heard about that? Any other suggestions for getting it operating? Regards
Good morning Brian yes I've seen a number of people online experimenting with the CD motors they do look like quite a good option. I think sometime this old Hornby ringfeild motors just get very worn out and beyond practical repair. In some instances the magnet in the motor becomes very weak and it ends up putting a lot of strain on the amateur/windings and they could become burnt out. If a light clean & lubrication of all the obvious parts and a check over all the contact points/pick ups doesn't bring it back to life it may be worth considering a replacement motor or one of the CD motors you mention. I have not done one of these conversions myself but I do have a motor from a class of 37 which is beyond repair, I have been considering having a go, take a look at these links they are quite informative.
Thanks for watching take care.
Oscar
th-cam.com/video/FZ4arAaiNYs/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/TSWjMIxKGc8/w-d-xo.html
So do you have plans for a new layout?
Yes. If only I had the space and time to do it.
Thanks for watching
Oscar
Hi Oscar. a really beautiful HST, Inter-City 125, for his age. I won three auctions on eBay yesterday... older but really new Hornby LMS locos in maroon livery, a Jinty, the Patriot Class Duke of Sutherland, and the Coronation Class Duchess of Sutherland. All in the package livery as yours.