Last off Laira
Jon Hird, Clive Smith, David Tozer, Paul Barlow, Bill Elston, Guy Vincent, Steve Widdowson & Tony Shore
Tuesday 17th February saw the last ex-GWR HST set depart Laira, for storage with Romic at the Mid Norfolk Railway. 43092 and 43093 worked the last 6 mk3's as 5Q43, departing Laira slightly late, shortly after 9am.
This now leaves just GWR-owned 43156 and long-term parts donor 43088 at Laira, all other power cars and trailers have now departed for storage or homes with other operators.
This now leaves just GWR-owned 43156 and long-term parts donor 43088 at Laira, all other power cars and trailers have now departed for storage or homes with other operators.
43092 leads 5Q43 towards Red Rock, Bishopsteignton. 17.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
A drone shot from above the discarded boats as 5Q43 continues on towards Teignmouth. A GWR Exmouth - Paignton shuttle is in the background, a close call! 17.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Continuing along the estuary, 43092 approaches Teignmouth. 17.02.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Rail Adventure Operated 43092 & 43093 5Q43 09:00 Laira to Mid Norfolk Railway with coaches 49105 48150 48114 48137 49117 48136. 17.02.2026, copyright David Tozer.
Paul and David must have been elbow-to-elbow here. Pauls shot of the HST movement at Silverton. 17.02.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
A drone shot of the 2+6 formation approaching Silverton. 17.02.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
43092 and 43093 pass Creech St. Michael. 17.02.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
A going-away shot of 43093 at Creech. 17.02.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
43092 with coaches 49105 48150 48114 48137 49117 48136 & former celebrity 43093 all making their final appearance at Bristol Temple Meads today during a crew change running as 5Q43 0900 Laira - Mid Norfolk Railway Sidings. By chance, the two PCs entered service in 1978 as part of East Coast set 254019. All vehicles are de-branded, and nameplates removed together with 43093's unique 'Legends' decals applied for the Old Oak Common closure event in 2018. Some, if not all this latest batch will likely as not be sent abroad for further use. 17.02.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
43092 at Bristol Temple Meads. 17.02.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
43092 at Bristol Temple Meads. 17.02.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
43093 beneath the roof at Bristol Temple Meads. 17.02.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
With its popular 'Legends of the Great Western' decals removed, 43093 stands at Bristol Temple Meads, perhaps for the final time. 17.02.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
43092 leads 5Q43 through Worcester Parkway. 17.02.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
43093 on the rear at Worcester Parkway. 17.02.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
The train made good progress on its journey North. It's seen here paused at Bromsgrove. 17.02.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
The Railadventure crew manning 43092. 17.02.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
43092 awaits departure from Bromsgrove. 17.02.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
A spirited departure from Bromsgrove as the 2+6 set gets ready to tackle the notorious Lickey bank. 17.02.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
Many thanks all. A sad day, but at least we have these photos to look back on. Let's hope they live on to serve a useful purpose to another operator.
Laira remainers
Jon Hird
A quick look in at Laira on my way home from Devon to see the last 2 remaining GWR powercars.
Stored 43156 at Laira, still with its branding and nameplates. This power car is owned by GWR rather than being leased like all other GWR power cars in recent times. 17.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
A close-up of 43156. This power car led the final service out of Newquay on the last day of GWR HST operations, 13th December. 17.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Long-term stored/parts donor 43088 in the Laira loco yard. The front valance was removed and fitted to 43188 after that power car hit a fallen tree near Respryn in late 2025. 17.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Coryton Vans
Roger Geach
47746 works the 1353 Plymouth - Bristol vans past Coryton Cove, Dawlish on Wednesday 12.05.1999. Copyright Roger Geach.
A fanstastic scene Roger, looks almost tropical with that lovely blue water!
Swindon Scenes
Colin Pidgeon
60095 on hire to DCR on 6A60 Machen Quarry to Appleford Sidings. 17.02.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
66572 on 4L33 Wentloog to London Gateway. 17.02.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
66603 on 6A18 Tytherington to Oxford Banbury Road. 17.02.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
67021 t&t 67007 on 1Z80 Castle Cary to London Victoria. 17.02.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
67021 t&t 67007 on 1Z80 Castle Cary to London Victoria. 17.02.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
70811 on 6M40 Westbury to Stud Farm. 17.02.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks Colin, a train in almost every colour there. Thanks also to Ken Mumford for sending these in.
Mainline Clay
Jon Hird
66116 leads 16 JIA's down the gradient towards Milltown, heading to Fowey from Goonbarrow. 17.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Worcester Land Slip
Steve Widdowson
70805 TnT 70815 with 6Z99 on the landslip site, the train arrived late last night (16.02) and was still there today (17.02). 17.02.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Many thanks Steve, nice to see progress being made on repairs.