The GWR 'Castle Class' HST Finale
13.12.2025
On a crisp winter morning, nearly half a century after they first entered service, Great Western Railway’s fleet of Castle Class High-Speed Trains 'slipped their moorings' one by one at Laira depot and headed out onto the iron road for a final day’s work. It would be the last time the fleet ventured out together; that evening, they were formally withdrawn from the timetable, bringing to a close one of the most enduring chapters in modern British rail travel.
The Castle Class HSTs were not a new breed of train but rather a clever reimagining of the iconic British Rail Class 43 High Speed Train ('HST'). Introduced in 1976 and once the backbone of long-distance services from London Paddington to the West Country and Wales, the original HST fleet became synonymous with speed and reliability.
As newer Intercity Express Trains (IETs) arrived in the late 2010s, GWR began withdrawing the full-length ('2+8') HST formations from premier long-distance services. Rather than consigning all of their Class 43s to history, the company rebuilt a core of 24 power cars and 48 Mark 3 coaches into shorter '2+4' formations. Branded informally as the 'Castle Class' — with each power car carrying the name of a local fortress or castle — these sets were adapted with modern automatic doors and compliant toilets for ongoing regional use.
Over the ensuing years, the Castle Class became a familiar and popular sight on regional services throughout Devon and Cornwall and along the Cardiff-to-Penzance corridor, where their distinctive silhouette and high-speed heritage shone on long after their intercity heyday had faded.
As the years slipped by, members of the fleet quietly fell away from Great Western Railway service. Some were sold overseas, others cut up for scrap, while a few carried on elsewhere, working sporadically for other UK operators. Just four rakes of coaches remained, paired with a dwindling handful of power cars, their world shrinking to the rails of Devon and Cornwall. Their duties centred on the Plymouth–Penzance line, with a solitary daily run east to Exeter St Davids.
The limited pool of power cars, coupled with their geographic isolation, made the fleet especially endearing to enthusiasts. Locals and visitors alike regularly turned out to ride — and photograph — the sets. In the South West, the High Speed Train found its final English stronghold.
On Saturday, 13 December 2025, GWR retired the last few of these venerable sets, marking both the end of the Castle Class and of an era for scheduled HST operations on its network and in England. Newer rolling stock, including recommissioned Class 175s, Hitachi IET units and various other DMU's, will inherit the duties once performed by these stalwarts of the West Country rails.
Workings on the final day were:
43004 Penzance End GW08 43186 Plymouth End:
3E42 0400 Laira - Exeter St Davids
2C42 0800 Exeter St Davids - Penzance
2P18 1150 Penzance - Plymouth
2C53 1443 Plymouth - Penzance
2P30 1715 Penzance - Plymouth
5P30 1937 Plymouth - Laira
43189 Penzance End GW06 43156 Plymouth End:
5C05 0450 Laira - Plymouth
2C05 0515 Plymouth - Penzance
2P10 0740 Penzance - Plymouth
2C16 1015 Plymouth - Penzance
2P90 1315 Penzance - Plymouth - this was cut short at Par, where due to a DMU failure the set worked:
2N16 1416 Par - Newquay
2N17 1521 Newquay - Par
2N20 1616 Par - Newquay
2N21 1720 Newquay - Par
2N24 1816 Par - Newquay
2N24 1930 Newquay - Par
2N28 2030 Par - Newquay
2P97 2122 Newquay - Plymouth
5P97 2334 Plymouth - Laira
43042 Penzance End GW07 43187 Plymouth End:
5C49 1228 Laira - Plymouth
2C49 1241 Plymouth - Penzance
2P24 1515 Penzance - Plymouth
5Z24 1937 Plymouth - Laira
43198 Penzance End GW09 43093 Plymouth End:
3Z76 1430 Laira - Plymouth
1Z76 1516 Plymouth - Penzance
1Z25 1732 Penzance - Plymouth
5Z25 2006 Plymouth - Laira
Our grateful thanks to a number of CRS contributors who have provided the below photographs to record the final day.
The Castle Class HSTs were not a new breed of train but rather a clever reimagining of the iconic British Rail Class 43 High Speed Train ('HST'). Introduced in 1976 and once the backbone of long-distance services from London Paddington to the West Country and Wales, the original HST fleet became synonymous with speed and reliability.
As newer Intercity Express Trains (IETs) arrived in the late 2010s, GWR began withdrawing the full-length ('2+8') HST formations from premier long-distance services. Rather than consigning all of their Class 43s to history, the company rebuilt a core of 24 power cars and 48 Mark 3 coaches into shorter '2+4' formations. Branded informally as the 'Castle Class' — with each power car carrying the name of a local fortress or castle — these sets were adapted with modern automatic doors and compliant toilets for ongoing regional use.
Over the ensuing years, the Castle Class became a familiar and popular sight on regional services throughout Devon and Cornwall and along the Cardiff-to-Penzance corridor, where their distinctive silhouette and high-speed heritage shone on long after their intercity heyday had faded.
As the years slipped by, members of the fleet quietly fell away from Great Western Railway service. Some were sold overseas, others cut up for scrap, while a few carried on elsewhere, working sporadically for other UK operators. Just four rakes of coaches remained, paired with a dwindling handful of power cars, their world shrinking to the rails of Devon and Cornwall. Their duties centred on the Plymouth–Penzance line, with a solitary daily run east to Exeter St Davids.
The limited pool of power cars, coupled with their geographic isolation, made the fleet especially endearing to enthusiasts. Locals and visitors alike regularly turned out to ride — and photograph — the sets. In the South West, the High Speed Train found its final English stronghold.
On Saturday, 13 December 2025, GWR retired the last few of these venerable sets, marking both the end of the Castle Class and of an era for scheduled HST operations on its network and in England. Newer rolling stock, including recommissioned Class 175s, Hitachi IET units and various other DMU's, will inherit the duties once performed by these stalwarts of the West Country rails.
Workings on the final day were:
43004 Penzance End GW08 43186 Plymouth End:
3E42 0400 Laira - Exeter St Davids
2C42 0800 Exeter St Davids - Penzance
2P18 1150 Penzance - Plymouth
2C53 1443 Plymouth - Penzance
2P30 1715 Penzance - Plymouth
5P30 1937 Plymouth - Laira
43189 Penzance End GW06 43156 Plymouth End:
5C05 0450 Laira - Plymouth
2C05 0515 Plymouth - Penzance
2P10 0740 Penzance - Plymouth
2C16 1015 Plymouth - Penzance
2P90 1315 Penzance - Plymouth - this was cut short at Par, where due to a DMU failure the set worked:
2N16 1416 Par - Newquay
2N17 1521 Newquay - Par
2N20 1616 Par - Newquay
2N21 1720 Newquay - Par
2N24 1816 Par - Newquay
2N24 1930 Newquay - Par
2N28 2030 Par - Newquay
2P97 2122 Newquay - Plymouth
5P97 2334 Plymouth - Laira
43042 Penzance End GW07 43187 Plymouth End:
5C49 1228 Laira - Plymouth
2C49 1241 Plymouth - Penzance
2P24 1515 Penzance - Plymouth
5Z24 1937 Plymouth - Laira
43198 Penzance End GW09 43093 Plymouth End:
3Z76 1430 Laira - Plymouth
1Z76 1516 Plymouth - Penzance
1Z25 1732 Penzance - Plymouth
5Z25 2006 Plymouth - Laira
Our grateful thanks to a number of CRS contributors who have provided the below photographs to record the final day.
43004/43186 - 2C42 - 0800 Exeter St Davids - Penzance
The 08.00 Exeter - Penzance waits to depart Exeter St. David’s with 43004/43186. The train stopped at Dawlish and Teignmouth as the sun came up. 13.12.2025, copyright Martin Duff.
43004 prior to departing with the 0800 service to Penzance. 13.12.2025, copyright Martin Duff.
43004 Caerphilly Castle waits to depart Exeter with the 0800 Exeter to Penzance. The last GWR HST to leave Exeter. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43004 alongside the power signal box at Exeter St. David’s. 13.12.2025, copyright Martin Duff.
43004"Caerphilly castle" rests under the moon at Exeter St David's after coming in on the rear of 3E42 Laira T.& R.S.M.D. to Exeter St Davids. 13/12/25, copyright Jack Burchill.
43004"Caerphilly castle" gets ready to head back into Cornwall for its last day of passenger service. 13/12/25, copyright Jack Burchill.
43186 Taunton Castle on rear of 0800 Exeter to Penzance. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Exeter guard Gary Churchward works the last GWR HST from Exeter. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
The sun is just emerging over the horizon at Dawlish . All along the sea wall from Dawlish Warren there was a nice display of 'tones' as the kids call horn sounding. The driver was clearly enjoying his last day driving one of these icons. This is 43004 at the front of the 2C42 08.00 Exeter St Davids -Penzance with 43186 on the rear. 13.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
43004 leads the 0800 EXD-PNZ towards Teignmouth. The last one on the sea wall on Saturday morning passing Sprey Point, Teignmouth at about 08-17. Nice to hear the driver sounding the horn and waving to photographers. 13.12.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
The 0800 EXD-PNZ crosses St. Pinnock viaduct, shrouded in morning mist. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43186 on the rear of the 0800 EXD-PNZ at Truro. 13.12.2025, copyright Martin Duff.
43004 at St Erth on the front of the 2C42 08.00 Exeter St Davids -Penzance with 43186 on the rear. 13.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
The 0800 from Exeter is almost at journeys end as it passes Marazion behind 43004. 15.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43189 / 43156 - 2C16 1015 Plymouth - Penzance
Early doors at Moorswater where this surreal scene was just begging to be photographed. 43189 leads 2C16 over the viaduct still caped in the thick blanket of mist which hung over East Cornwall on the morning on 13.12.2025. Copyright Jon Hird.
The same train further west, with no mist! 2C16 passes Marazion. 13.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43189 and 43156 with 2C16, the 1015 Plymouth to Penzance pass Long Rock. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43186 / 43004 - 2P18 1150 Penzance - Plymouth
43186 Taunton Castle (43004 on rear) depart Penzance with the 1150 Penzance to Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43004 on the rear of the 1150 Penzance to Plymouth leaving Penzance. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43186 leads 2P18 past Marazion. 15.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43186 leading the 1150 Penzance - Plymouth up the gradient towards Treverrin whilst working the 1150 Penzance - Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43156/43189 - 2P90 - 1315 Penzance - Plymouth (terminated at Par)
43189 and 43156 departing Penzance with the 1315 to Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43156 leads the 1315 Penzance - Plymouth past the former Marazion station site. This train was terminated at Par, and the set was then used to work the Newquay diagrams for the rest of the day. 13.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43189/43156 - 2N16 / 2N17 - Newquay Diagrams
43189 arrives at Newquay with 2N16. Note the police on the platform who had reportedly been summoned to deal with some unruly travellers on the train who had caused damage to the carriage interiors. 13.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43156 with 43189 at Newquay working 2N16/2N17 on the branch. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
43156 with 43189 at Newquay working 2N16/2N17 on the branch. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
An aerial view of Newquay with 43156 and 43189 preparing to depart back to Par. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
An aerial view of Newquay with 43156 and 43189 preparing to depart back to Par. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43156 'on the blocks' at Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43156 leads the delayed 1521 Newquay - Par away from Newquay over Trenance Viaduct. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43156 and 43189 back at Par after arrival with 2N17 from Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
43156 and 43189 back at Par after arrival with 2N17 from Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
43189/43156 - 2N20 / 2N21 - Newquay Diagrams
Nice touch on the information screens at Par. HST to Newquay? Surely not! 13.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Night time at Newquay. The fates came together on this day of all days. Some say it was a fix but one Newquay to Par was cancelled in the morning after 150246 developed an AWS fault and then the next two Par to Newquay round trips were cancelled. Plus with all the celebratory grand finale line up of three HSTs scheduled at Plymouth in 19.30 it would seem perverse to cancel so many trains and then poop the party later that evening turning up at Plymouth 3.5 hours after everyone had gone home just to cater for a load of enthusiasts. So this is 43189 and 43156 on the 2N20 16.16 Par - Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Another shot of 43189 'on the blocks' at Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
43156 stands at Newquay with the 2N21 17.20 Newquay - Par with 43189 on the rear. 13.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
43187/43042 - 2P24 1515 Penzance - Plymouth
A going-away shot from Polkyth, St. Austell of 43042 on the rear of the 1515 Penzance - Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Julian Stephens.
Castles leave Par simultaneously - 43187 and 43042 head east on the 1515 Penzance to Plymouth and 43156 43189 head down the branch with the 1611 Par to Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
2P24 15.15 Penzance - Plymouth with 43187 here and 43042 on the rear at Par. 13.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Another view of the meeting of 'Castles' at Par. 43187 leading the 1515 Penzance to Plymouth meets 43156 which had just arrived with the 1521 Newquay to Par. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43187 after arriving at Plymouth with 2P24. The set would soon after shunt to the 'through road' to take part in the lineup. 13.12.2025, copyright Owen Bradley.
43004/43186 - 2C53 1443 Plymouth - Penzance
43004 leads the final timetabled 'down' HST working through Cornwall, sweeping through the mid-Cornwall curves with 2C53. 13.12.2025, copyright Howard Sprenger.
43004 and 43186 after arriving at Penzance with the last scheduled/timetabled 'down' HST working, the 1443 Plymouth - Penzance. 15.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43198/43093 - 1Z76 1516 Plymouth - Penzance
In fading light at Respryn, 43198 rushes past with the additional 1Z76 'express' Plymouth - Penzance service. 13.12.2025, copyright Howard Sprenger.
The first of three HSTs at Par within twenty minutes. This is the 1Z76 15.16 Plymouth - Penzance 'additional' at 16.00. Due to return from Penzance at 17.32 billed as 'the last working'. Hmm. The headcode '1Z76' denotes 1976 the year the Inter City 125s as they were branded started services on British Rail's Western Region, albeit Paddington to South Wales and Bristol/Taunton. It would be 1979 before they entered service to Paignton, Plymouth and Penzance. 43198 leads the train. 43093 is on the rear. The train unusually is routed through platform 3 which is generally the Newquay platform but there is a chord onto the main line which for the moment is rarely used. I suspect some red pen track bashers made this request. Caught out the photographers including me. 13.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Last-built power car 43198 leads 1Z76, an additional Plymouth - Penzance service which called only at Par, through Polkyth, St. Austell. 13.12.2025, copyright Julian Stephens.
43093 on the rear of 1Z76 as it heads on towards St. Austell. 13.12.2025, copyright Julian Stephens.
43093/43198 - 1Z25 1732 Penzance - Plymouth & 43186/43004 2P30 1715 Penzance - Plymouth
The final two booked GWR HST’s from Penzance prepare to depart. Permission was granted by Penzance heliport to make this drone flight. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The view from the opposite side of Penzance Station. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Marks photograph of Penzance from the station wall, with the two HST sets waiting to head to Plymouth. 15.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43186/43004 2P30 1715 Penzance - Plymouth
Today I went out to see the “last” stopping HST, with 43 004 and 43 186. Apologies for the picture not being of the best quality, but it was asking a lot of the camera, and it meant a lot to me to see it from the bridge. 13.12.2025, copyright Jack Burchill.
43186 calls at St. Austell with 2P30. This was the last ever booked/scheduled HST to call at St. Austell. 15.12.2025, copyright Julian Stephens.
43186 calls at Saltash with 2P30 - the 1715 Penzance - Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Steve Clark.
43186 eases into Plymouth with the final timetabled HST-operated train in England. 13.12.2025, copyright Owen Bradley.
43004 and 43042 side by side at Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Owen Bradley.
43042 and 43004 at Plymouth. 43093 and 43198 yet to arrive. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
A view from the cab of 43004 at Plymouth after arriving. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
The Plymouth 3-set lineup
43093 arrives at Plymouth with the 1732 from Penzance, completing the row of 3 'Castle Class' sets at Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43093 on the left, 43186 on the right. 43187 on the middle road is out of sight and yet to draw forward for the grand finale at Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Looking from one platform to another through the open cab doors of all 3 sets. 13.12.2025, copyright Steveo Rolfe.
Looking down on the three-set lineup at Plymouth station. The middle set was later moved forwards slightly to line them up correctly. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The 3 Set line up at Plymouth with 43093/43187 & 43186 and 43004/43042 & 43198 displayed for the camera. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The 3 Set line up at Plymouth with 43093/43187 & 43186 and 43004/43042 & 43198 displayed for the camera. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
43186, 187 and 093 at Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
The grand finale - 3x ‘Castles’ lined up at Plymouth after arriving from Penzance. NR air ops were notified of this drone flight. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43093/43042 - 5Z25 2006 Plymouth - Laira
43093 and 43042 wait to work ECS to Laira, the other two sets having already left. 13.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Away from the celebrations, back down in Cornwall...
43189/43156 - 2N28 - 2030 Par - Newquay
Information boards at Par marking the occasion. 13.12.2025, copyright Geoff Godsell.
The driver of 43156 poses for a photograph at Par before swapping ends to work the 2030 to Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Geoff Godsell.
43189 at Par ready to work the 2030 Par - Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Geoff Godsell.
A glimpse inside the cab of 43189 prior to departure from Par. 13.12.2025, copyright Geoff Godsell.
2N28 after arrival at Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Geoff Godsell.
The last one:
43156/43189 - 2P97 2122 Newquay - Plymouth
43156 prepares to depart Newquay with the final service, the 2122 Newquay - Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Geoff Godsell.
Looking down the carriages of the final train at Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Geoff Godsell.
And she's off - 43189 on the rear disappears into the darkness as 2P97 departs the seaside resort. 13.12.2025, copyright Geoff Godsell.
Away from the hustle and bustle of Plymouth, one final 'Castle Class' set was still hard at work. 43156 calls at Luxulyan with the 2122 Newquay - Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Steve Clark.
43156 backed up by 43189 about to depart Par at 22.35 with 2P97 21.22 Newquay - Plymouth and pass into the history books......by accident! 13.12.2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
The actual final (albeit unscheduled/not booked) GWR HST working of 13.12. 43156 and 43189 call at Bodmin Parkway working 2P97, the 2122 Newquay - Plymouth. 13.12.20205, copyright Jon Hird.