Withdrawn HST Power Cars
Guy Vincent
Guy Vincent
Hello Keith
Reference your request on behalf of Trevor Tremethick for information regarding the stored / withdrawn GWR power cars now building up around Laira depot (as the Westerns did in the 1970s then class 50s in the late 80s/ early 90s) here is a list of those that have so far been officially removed from traffic, correct to June 15th 2023.
From the full quota of 35 'Castle Class' Power Cars in service as recently as October 2022. 8 removed from traffic:
43005 St Michael's Mount (wdn 24.02.2023)
43022 Nether Stowey Castle (wdn 21.01.2023)
43041 St Catherine's Castle (wdn xx.12.2022)
43088 Dartmouth Castle (wdn xx.05.2023)
43158 Kingswear Castle (wdn 11.05.2023)
43160 Castle-an-Dinas (wdn 13.02.2023)
43170 Chepstow Castle (wdn xx.05.2023) Moved to Potter Group site at Ely, Cambs, on 07th June with coaches 48115, 48125 & 49107 hauled by 37510 and covered on CRS at the time).
43171 Raglan Castle (wdn xx.11.2022)
As I understand it the engine hours of each PC, the amount of time remaining until the next major body exam and the general condition of major components (bogies, alternators, electrics etc) are all being carefully monitored and from time to time specific PC's will be stopped either for component exchange, maintenance or storage. With less sets in daily use there is now a surplus of power cars meaning that operating hours of individual PCs can be better managed.
According to a report dated 13th June on the Rail Express magazine website and accessed today via Press Reader the following vehicles are due to be stripped out at Laira and then moved away from the depot by road for scrap: 43005, 43041, 43171, 48116, 48134, 48135 and 49113.
Today the following sets were reported in traffic:
43027 GW06 48118 48117 48149 49106 43192
43154 GW07 48121 48120 48119 49108 43004
43016 GW08 48124 48123 48122 49117 43186
43155 GW09 48127 48126 48125 49109 43156
43189 GW10 48130 48129 48128 49110 43187
43092 GW14 48142 48141 48140 49114 43188
43153 GW15 48145 48144 48143 49115 43040
The above leaves power cars 43009 43010 43029 43042 43093 43094 43097 43098 43122 43162 43172 43194 43198 as spare so that would explain why Laira is looking rather full! I would speculate that 43093 is likely to be the next one removed from traffic.
As Trevor said, besides the GWR PCs at Laira the Cross Country fleet are also based there. These do not see as much use as they did (often only two sets in daily use) so it is often possible to see several sets of stock and PCs stabled around the depot.
Cross Country Power Cars are 43207 43208 43239 43285 43301 43303 43304 43321 43357 43366 43378 43384
Guy Vincent
Reference your request on behalf of Trevor Tremethick for information regarding the stored / withdrawn GWR power cars now building up around Laira depot (as the Westerns did in the 1970s then class 50s in the late 80s/ early 90s) here is a list of those that have so far been officially removed from traffic, correct to June 15th 2023.
From the full quota of 35 'Castle Class' Power Cars in service as recently as October 2022. 8 removed from traffic:
43005 St Michael's Mount (wdn 24.02.2023)
43022 Nether Stowey Castle (wdn 21.01.2023)
43041 St Catherine's Castle (wdn xx.12.2022)
43088 Dartmouth Castle (wdn xx.05.2023)
43158 Kingswear Castle (wdn 11.05.2023)
43160 Castle-an-Dinas (wdn 13.02.2023)
43170 Chepstow Castle (wdn xx.05.2023) Moved to Potter Group site at Ely, Cambs, on 07th June with coaches 48115, 48125 & 49107 hauled by 37510 and covered on CRS at the time).
43171 Raglan Castle (wdn xx.11.2022)
As I understand it the engine hours of each PC, the amount of time remaining until the next major body exam and the general condition of major components (bogies, alternators, electrics etc) are all being carefully monitored and from time to time specific PC's will be stopped either for component exchange, maintenance or storage. With less sets in daily use there is now a surplus of power cars meaning that operating hours of individual PCs can be better managed.
According to a report dated 13th June on the Rail Express magazine website and accessed today via Press Reader the following vehicles are due to be stripped out at Laira and then moved away from the depot by road for scrap: 43005, 43041, 43171, 48116, 48134, 48135 and 49113.
Today the following sets were reported in traffic:
43027 GW06 48118 48117 48149 49106 43192
43154 GW07 48121 48120 48119 49108 43004
43016 GW08 48124 48123 48122 49117 43186
43155 GW09 48127 48126 48125 49109 43156
43189 GW10 48130 48129 48128 49110 43187
43092 GW14 48142 48141 48140 49114 43188
43153 GW15 48145 48144 48143 49115 43040
The above leaves power cars 43009 43010 43029 43042 43093 43094 43097 43098 43122 43162 43172 43194 43198 as spare so that would explain why Laira is looking rather full! I would speculate that 43093 is likely to be the next one removed from traffic.
As Trevor said, besides the GWR PCs at Laira the Cross Country fleet are also based there. These do not see as much use as they did (often only two sets in daily use) so it is often possible to see several sets of stock and PCs stabled around the depot.
Cross Country Power Cars are 43207 43208 43239 43285 43301 43303 43304 43321 43357 43366 43378 43384
Guy Vincent
Totnes 43016 (43186 front) 2C79 1455 BTM-PNZ 14th June 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.
What can we say but a very sincere thank you to Guy for the obvious time and trouble he has gone to to compile the extensive list above. Keep up the very good work Guy - what would we do without you - a mine of information.
St Austell Signalbox
Dennis Clarke
Dennis Clarke
Hi Keith, I took a few photos of St Austell signal box today. I believe it closed in 1980 but is still doing well 43 years later. I was at Lostwithiel later where 802019, working 2C26 13:42 Plymouth to Penzance, failed with engine issues and was moved into the down loop. All the passengers travelled west on the following HST, Regards, Dennis
St Austell signalbox 15th June 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
St Austell signalbox 15th June 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
St Austell signalbox 15th June 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
St Austell signalbox 15th June 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
St Austell signalbox 15th June 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
Many thanks Dennis - here today, gone tomorrow. The box was at one time mooted to have further use as headquarters of a local model railway club, however that seems not to be.
Blue Shed in Cornwall
Carlyon Bay & Par
Jon Hird
Carlyon Bay & Par
Jon Hird
I saw it at Carlyon Bay golf course then headed to Par for a shot of it recessed in Chapel siding (which was previously the norm) however today it ran around in the station, set back and went into St. Blazey yard for an hour or two before continuing its journey eastwards.
All the best, Jon Hird
All the best, Jon Hird
Carlyon Bay 66009 15th June 2023. Copyright Jon Hird,
66009 crew climbs aboard at Par. 15th June 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks Jon, and thanks for keeping us up to date concerning the visitor.
Hanging Gardens of Bond Street
Redruth
Phil Hawke
Redruth
Phil Hawke
Keith, I had to make a visit to Redruth yesterday. For a moment I thought the "hanging gardens of bond street" were being removed but a conversation with one of the staff revealed that this was "emergency work" following a complaint from Royal Mail who were losing their vans in the jungle therefore only the trees overhanging the parking area ( ex Tommy Harris's builders merchants) were getting the chop.
On the other side of the street the former GWR road motor depot has a new lease of life as yet another car repair business makes use of it.
Phil Hawke
On the other side of the street the former GWR road motor depot has a new lease of life as yet another car repair business makes use of it.
Phil Hawke
Redruth -hanging gardens of Bond Street. 15th June 2023. Copyright Phil Hawke.
Redruth - 15th June 2023. Copyright Phil Hawke.
Many thanks Phil for the story and photographs.
Quintrell Downs
Michael Matthews
Michael Matthews
Hi apologies for unannounced email . . I brought this sign on ebay a few years back as I liked the name, but couldn’t find any reference to its use, I found a photo on the net that shows the inside of of the hut that housed the GF which seems more elaborate than the normal outside GF so must have been of significant importance . Any info on this particular GF purpose appreciated. Thanks. Mike
Quintrell Downs Ground Frame. Copyright Michael Matthews.
Thanks for your E-mail Mike - we'll see what comes of your query.
Colourful Swindon
Ken Mumford
Ken Mumford
Ken sends this -
[1] and [2] 66525 on 4L36 Wentloog to Felixstowe.
[3] and [4] 2 x 4car EMU [units 387150 and 387168] Bristol Parkway to Paddington. [Bristol bound IET alongside platform 4 in the distance].
[5] and [6] 1Q18 [Bristol (Kingsland Road) to Tyseley TMD Top and Tail 37254 with 37612.
Kind regards, Ken Mumford.
[3] and [4] 2 x 4car EMU [units 387150 and 387168] Bristol Parkway to Paddington. [Bristol bound IET alongside platform 4 in the distance].
[5] and [6] 1Q18 [Bristol (Kingsland Road) to Tyseley TMD Top and Tail 37254 with 37612.
Kind regards, Ken Mumford.
Please click on pictures to enlarge - pictures numbered left to right then down. All pictures copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks Ken.