Following a period of unprofitable operations, the InterCity East Coast franchise and associated HST units passed from NXEC to East Coast, an operator owned by the Department for Transport. From the beginning of East Coast’s operations, it was made clear that it was the DfT’s intention was that the franchise be retendered in future years. To this end East Coast soon adopted a deliberately plain livery that would be easy for a new operator to re-brand. The franchise eventually passed to Virgin Trains East Coast in March 2015.
43008 entered service in 1976 working in the western region. After privitisation it briefly remained in the west serving with Great Western Trains before being transferred to GNE. 43008 was overhauled and fitted with a new MTU power unit between July and October 2008, being re-numbered 43208 and later named ‘Lincolnshire Echo’.
43115 entered service in 1979 and worked on the East Coast mainline. The power car, having been inherited by GNER, was overhauled and fitted with it’s new MTU engine between November 2007 and February 2008.

Formation:

Class 43 – 43208 – R30099
Mk3 TGS – 44061 – R40245
Mk3 TS – 42193 – R40247
Mk3 TS – 42192 – R40247A
Mk3 TS – 42191 – R40247B
Mk3 TSD – 42238 – R40243
Mk3 TS – 42158 – R40247C
Mk3 TRFB – 40750 – R40246
Mk3 TFD – 41098 – R40244
Mk3 TF – 41097 – R40368
Class 43 – 43315 – R30099