The trusty HST has undergone a series of sometimes dramatic livery changes down the years, and this page is dedicated to showing off each and every train operators colour schemes.
The HST's original colour scheme of blue & yellow.
This shot was taken at Bristol Temple Meads circa 1985, at a time when the new Executive livery was being applied.
The HST's original colour scheme of blue & yellow.
This shot was taken at Bristol Temple Meads circa 1985, at a time when the new Executive livery was being applied.
43096 illustrates the Executive livery at Sheffield on 23rd April 1985 prior to heading the 1055 Sheffield-St Pancras.
Who can forget the buffer fitted power cars like this? 43068 was one of the few lucky ones to carry the unusual 'all yellow' front scheme. Here the power car is pictured at Sheffield with a Northbound service in 1992. Quite why this scheme was every applied remains a mystery...
What we started with back in 1994! All power cars then looked like this, except for the number and nameplates.43016 perfectly shows off the wonderful Swallow livery, pictured here at Paignton on 30/7/89 after working the 1235 from Paddington.
Great Western started like this, with the 'Merlin' livery. 43008 was so rare in this livery scheme our photographer panicked and forgot to write down what train it was on! This is Reading on 21/5/98.
The infamous 'fag packet' livery was applied next, after the Company adopted 'First' to it's company name. 43164 shows it off to its best effect at Swindon station on 15/9/03, leading the 0940 Bristol-Paddington with 43010 at the rear.
The first version of Great Western's 'Barbie' livery is shown here on 43022. which was one of the last few power cars in the scheme. The train was 1C09, 0745 Paddington-Penzance with 43139 bringing up the rear.
The second and long term version of FGWs 'Barbie' livery, with it's all over blue scheme. 43003 shines in the Devon sunshine at Paignton, leading the 1650 service to Paddington with 43021 trailing.
The latest livery: FGW have now settled with this simple all over dark blue livery scheme.
GNER began with a combination of white and gold lettering, although the white scheme was later dropped. Here we see 43107 pausing at Doncaster whilst working the 0705 Hull-Kings Cross on 6/6/97. The train was led by 43117.
Having seemingly gotten bored with the white letters, GNER settled with the gold scheme. Here we see 43119 slowing for a rather unusual stop - Liskeard! On this occasion it was on hire to Virgin, leading the 1054 Penzance-Edinburgh with 079 providing power at the rear.
This is the corporate National Express livery, presented here by 43302 at London Kings Cross
Midland Mainline chose possibly the most radical colour scheme back in 1997, the teal and tangerine colours certainly turned a few heads back then! 43083 sports the livery at Sheffield on 13/8/01 prior to working the 1327 to St Pancras.
The present livery for Midland Mainline and Project Rio power cars - 43079 illustrates the blue/white and grey scheme at Derby with the diverted 1047 Manchester-St Pancras 'Rio' service, with 43162 at the rear.
The latest application of Stagecoach corporate colours in the form of East Midlands Trains livery. Here we have 43058 prior to working the 1127 Sheffield -St Pancras.
Virgin's first generation of livery, with the 'XC Cross Country' branding. 43153 is pictured here at Portsmouth Harbour, having worked the 0736 from Blackpool North in the company of 43097.
With what is one of the most popular liveries, 43100 shows off Virgin's final livery for the HST, with a black roof above the cab. The power car had just arrived with 43102 from Euston to form 1A71 1427 Manchester-Euston on 23/9/03.
The livery of the new Arriva run Cross Country franchise, as seen here by 43301 at Plymouth.
The livery of the new open access operator Grand Central. They are set to become the only operators of Valenta fitted power cars in the very near future. 43080 is pictured at Kings Cross.
Lest we forget certain power cars have left the passenger carrying foray and now sport eye catching liveries such as this - Network Rail's test train. 43062 is pictured at Derby Etches Park in early May 2002.
