Funeral Procession
The 31st May saw the collection of three HST power cars from Laira for their final journey for scrap at Sims at Newport. Here we follow the sad journey - the beginning of the end for the HST fleet.
56081 at the head of the funeral train at Laira on the 30th May 2022. Copyright Craig Munday.
The convoy ready to go from Laira. 30th May 2022. Copyright Craig Munday.
56081 hauls 43197 43193 43069 for scrap 1053 Laira to Newport docks 5U56 seen at Gissons Bridge (Exminster) 31st May 2021 Copyright Paul Barlow
56081 hauls 43197 43193 43069 for scrap 1053 Laira to Newport docks 5U56 seen at Creech 31 May 2021 Copyright Bill Elston.
A last shot as 43197 43193 43069 hauled by 56081 continue towards Bristol and Newport on their sad journey for scrap. The 10.53 Laira to Newport docks 5U56 seen at Creech 31st May 2021 Copyright Bill Elston.
Bristol TM 43193 43069 5U56 1056 Laira-Newport Docks 31st May 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent
Bristol TM 43193 & 43197 Scrap 5U56 31st May 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent
Bristol TM 43193 & 43197 Scrap 5U56 31st May 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent
Bristol TM - a final view of 56081 43197 43193 43069 as the procession heads away for Newport Docks. 31st May 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent
Today (31st May) saw three redundant HST power cars moved from Laira depot to Newport Docks (Sims Group) for scrap. The movement (5U56 1056 Laira-Newport Docks) was handled by GB Railfreight using one of their operational class 56 locos, 56081, and a barrier coach, 6393. Here the sad spectacle is captured at Bristol Temple Meads running around an hour early.
43069, 43193 and 43197 were once operated by Virgin Trains and later used on the Midland Main Line before joining the Great Western fleet in 2006. 43069 was originally delivered new to the Eastern Region in November 1977 as part of set 254007; I noted it under construction at the Crewe Works open day on 24th September that year. The other two were among the final batch to be delivered (to Laira) in time for the HST takeover of NE-SW services during the autumn of 1982.
Regards, Guy Vincent.
43069, 43193 and 43197 were once operated by Virgin Trains and later used on the Midland Main Line before joining the Great Western fleet in 2006. 43069 was originally delivered new to the Eastern Region in November 1977 as part of set 254007; I noted it under construction at the Crewe Works open day on 24th September that year. The other two were among the final batch to be delivered (to Laira) in time for the HST takeover of NE-SW services during the autumn of 1982.
Regards, Guy Vincent.
Many thanks to all our contributors.
Drat, just missed it!
Dennis Clarke
Dennis Clarke
I went to Exeter today (31st May 2022) to get some pictures of the scrap power car move from Laira to Newport. I think you have probably got enough pictures of that so I’ve sent you something different. After seeing the train pass Exeter, I followed it up towards Bristol and Newport hoping it would get looped somewhere but by the time my train got to Bristol, it had already gone and I arrived in Newport after it had gone through the station too ! Anyway, here is 66139 at Exeter working a late running 6V99 10:00 Exeter Riverside to St Blazey, 60055 at Newport with 6Z52 11:18 Oxford Banbury Road to Machen Quarry and 60039 at Newport with 6B41 12:15 Westerleigh to Robeston empty bogie tanks. All part of the day of chasing what was a very popular train as there seemed to be lots of people out everywhere for the power cars, Kind Regards, Dennis
66139 at Exeter working a late running 6V99 1000 Exeter Riverside to St Blazey. Dennis Clarke
60055 at Newport with 6Z52 1118 Oxford Banbury Road to Machen Quarry. 31st May 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke
60039 at Newport with 6B41 1215 Westerleigh to Robeston empty bogie tanks. 31st May 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
Many thanks for recording a rather frustrating day for you Dennis.
Looking back
The end of May
Craig Munday
The end of May
Craig Munday
I have been browsing the May 2022 folder, my goodness what a bumper month it's been weather and train wise. The Month included the double headed class 47s in two tone green and the GBRf weedsprayer of course.
The threat of the reduction in the Castle sets on the long-distance services has seen the camera busy clicking the various duties they cover. Digital allows a "machine-gunning" of trains traditionally you wouldn't have wasted film on.
Here are some late entries for the month, including an evening sojourn to Laira to see the now rather jaded looking blue power cars destined for scrap. 56081 made a trip down from Leicester to collect three such power cars bound for Newport. Quite poignant to remember the windowless Westerns and Hymeks here in the mid 1970s.
Also included some pictures from Angarrack and St Erth following a shift there on Sunday. The lunchtime Tuesday working of the Exeter to St Blazey empty JIAs has brought another notable daytime freight to record. 66139 doing the honours today seen at Tywardreath.
Best wishes, Craig Munday
The threat of the reduction in the Castle sets on the long-distance services has seen the camera busy clicking the various duties they cover. Digital allows a "machine-gunning" of trains traditionally you wouldn't have wasted film on.
Here are some late entries for the month, including an evening sojourn to Laira to see the now rather jaded looking blue power cars destined for scrap. 56081 made a trip down from Leicester to collect three such power cars bound for Newport. Quite poignant to remember the windowless Westerns and Hymeks here in the mid 1970s.
Also included some pictures from Angarrack and St Erth following a shift there on Sunday. The lunchtime Tuesday working of the Exeter to St Blazey empty JIAs has brought another notable daytime freight to record. 66139 doing the honours today seen at Tywardreath.
Best wishes, Craig Munday
158951 leaving St Erth as the 2C30 . 29th May 2022 Copyright Craig Munday
St Erth 43153 and 43189 form the 2U22. This view emphasises the recently widened up platform. 29th May 2022. Copyright Craig Munday
Ready to depart Laira as scrap. 30th May 2022. Copyright Craig Munday
66139 heads the 6V99 seen at Tywardreath, 31st May 2022. Copyright Craig Munday
Many thanks Craig.
Bolitho & Moorswater
Chris Harvey
HI Keith, Please find attached two shots from a spectacularly sunny Saturday 28th May.
Lucky timing at Bolitho viaduct enabled me to capture old and new in the same photo - the HST heading west is the 0655 Exeter St Davids - Penzance, whilst the IET is the 0710 Penzance - Paddington.
A walk to the footbridge at Moorswater then allowed me to photograph the 1218 Penzance - Paddington under a gorgeous blue sky, lead by 802 019.
Best Regards, Chris Harvey.
Lucky timing at Bolitho viaduct enabled me to capture old and new in the same photo - the HST heading west is the 0655 Exeter St Davids - Penzance, whilst the IET is the 0710 Penzance - Paddington.
A walk to the footbridge at Moorswater then allowed me to photograph the 1218 Penzance - Paddington under a gorgeous blue sky, lead by 802 019.
Best Regards, Chris Harvey.
Bolitho - lucky coincidence 28th May 2022. Copyright Chris Harvey
View from Moorswater footbridge where the 12.18 Penzance - Paddington is caught under a gorgeous blue sky, led by 802 019. 28th May 2022. Copyright Chris Harvey.
Keep up the exercise Chris - many thanks.