Just 'click' the thumbnails for a fullpage image! (1280 +827 nominal)
FGW-HST Vinyl's and Repaints over the Years-2012 to date.
The End------------- One last look at W43002 as it heads towards Plymouth and into Railway History.Here the farewell railtour for the long distance HST's passes Berkley Marsh bringing down the curtain of well over 40 years of exceptional service.43198 was leading with '1Z25' the 18:57 from Paddington to Plymouth.Today was truly the sunset for the HST on the GWR long distance routes.......A great pity!
..1 june 2019..
Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory! When we arrived here at Standish Junction the sun was beaming down. Sadly it died a few minutes before this working which is the final trip around the GWR system for a 'Long distance formed HST' passed. The train is '1Z24' the 13:49 leg from Camarthen to Paddington via Gloucester.Pioneer W43002 led with final build 43198 on the rear.To add insult to injury a 'Turbo' 166210 went the other way somewhat ruining the composition of the picture.
..1 june 2019..
Inter-City 43185 speeds west on the B&H at Manningford Bruce along with 43009 working '1C74' the 09:03 from Paddington to Plymouth.
..13 may 2019..
43185 'Great Western' catches the yellowing light as the sun rapidly approaches the horizon at Berkley Marsh.Along with 43009 they were operating '1A94' the 15:52 from Penzance to Paddington(SO).
..11 may 2019..
It seems that 43172 'Harry Patch' is destined to work for GWR right up to the final day of HST services to the West Country in just over a weeks time.Here partnered with an unseen Inter-City 43185 it is viewed speeding down the Avoiding Line at Frome with '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington going all the way to Penzance.
..10 may 2019..
43185 'Great Western' brings up the rear of '1A96' as it speeds towards Paddington from Plymouth (16:57 off).Yes it is a GAW type shot but it might very well be my final shot of this PC in the sun before the end of HST's to the West!.43172 was the lead loco as it moves through Berkley Marsh nr Frome in the first sunshine of the day which appeared 10 minutes before this passed!
..1 may 2018..
43172 'Harry Patch-The Last Survivor of the Trenches' leads '1A96' the 16:57 from Plymouth back up to Paddington.I/C 43185 was on the rear.Amazingly after the entire day of dullness the sun broke through about 10 minutes before this working passed here at Clink nr Frome.
..1 may 2019..
Today is the first day of the final few weeks of HST operation on the long distance trains out of Paddington.So here is Inter-City 43185 running down past Bunns Lane nr Witham Friary with '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington to Plymouth..Good old 'Harry Patch' is todays running mate.
..1 may 2019..
43172 'Harry Patch' continues to soldier on in these final weeks of HST services on the B&H.Here accompanied by 43171 they are working '1A87' the 12:55 from Plymouth going up to Paddington.Viewed approaching Great Cheverell on the B&H.
..29 april 2019..
As the HST clocks ticks on towards zero-day the only shot today I managed in decent light was 43185 'Great Western'/43092 flying down the Frome Avoiding Line with '1C85' the 14:03 from Paddington to Penzance.With several diagrams going over to Hitachi-Units as from Monday only a couple of rosters now remain on the Padd-Penz route. Careful use of 'Tiger' and several Devonian 'Groups' on Yahoo will help to identify the roster situation on a daily basis from now on!.
..27 april 2019..
43185 'Great Western' in 'Swallow I/C' colours works with 43018 on '1A82' the 09:00 from Penzance to Paddington.Here seen on the approach to Fairwood Junction where it will take the avoiding line since it is not booked to call at Westbury.Sadly just very thin sunlight again,a guess it was just that kind of day!
..17 april 2019..
43172 'Harry Patch' runs up through a somewhat back-lit Clink nr Frome although with their sloping front-ends the lighting on HST's is still fairly reasonable! 43162 was its tail-gunner as they worked '1A82' the 09:00 from Penzance to Paddington.Whilst standing around here chatting to a couple of other photographers about 4 Plastic-Hitachi's passed and I ignored the lot of them! Well? wouldn't you?
..15 april 2019..
With the sun at an impossibly difficult back-lit angle this was just about the only option to get a reasonably satisfactory shot of this loco 43185 as it works '1A89' the 15:33 from Taunton to Paddington.Seen at Fairwood Foot-Xing nr Westbury.
..26 march 2019..
'1A12' the 07:48 from Paignton to Paddington via Bristol Temple Meads currently remains an HST working.Here it is passing Malago Vale in the western suburbs of Bristol with Inter-City 43185 'Great Western' at the helm.43162 being on the rear.
..26 march 2019..
Inter-City 43185 'Great Western' along with 43162 speed up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '1A78' the 08:35 from Plymouth to Paddington.Who could resist this exeptional lighting particularly as these HST's have only a few weeks left to run before being completely replaced by Hitachi Plastic on these Plymouth and Penzance duties.
..24 march 2019..
43172 'Harry Patch' again sadly still in crap lightThis time passing North Brewham nr Bruton with '1A76' the 06:57 from Plymouth to Paddington.43165 still being its tail end charlie.With just about 6-weeks before HST's are finally retired on all GWR long distance trains these shot 'All' count!
..23 march 2019..
'Harry Patch' 43172 was again partnered with 43165 as it worked through Frome-Clink Road Junction with '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington. Today it was delayed by almost an hour for some reason somewhere in the Newton Abbot area.It finally arrived at its destination just 40 minutes late.
..21 march 2019..
After a couple of months out of service 'Harry Patch' 43172 has resurfaced and taken up with some of the remaining HST workings for GWR.Here it is viewed passing Westbury non-stop taking the avoiding line at Fairwood-Junction with '1A81' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.The remainder of the set including the rear PC 43165 was still in FGW-Blue colours.
..18 march 2019..
I/C-Swallow attired 43185 'Great Western' contrasts nicely with the GWR-Green HST-Set as it passes Great Cheverell on the B&H working '1C77' the 05:05 from Penzance to Paddington,43086 being the rear PC.A long journey this (Over 7 hours) made even longer by the need to divert via the Exeter to Yeovil route due to the current closure of Whiteball Tunnel west of Taunton.
..27 february 2019..
43002 is now back in service after a period 'oos' for some maintenence to be carried out.It appears to have had a bit of a paint 'refresh' as well losing the old set-number 253001 on the nose in the process. Anyway here is 43002 speeding across Hungerford Common working the 12:03 from Paddington going down to Taunton '1C50'.These short distance trains being part of the plan supplying service to Taunton whilst the line west of Taunton at Whiteball Tunnel is closed to all traffic.
..26 february 2019..
Inter-City 43185 brings up the rear of '1A85' the 11:43 from Truro to Paddington.FGW-Blue 43086,athough unseen was leading this full set of GWR carriages as it passes Bratton on the B&H.
..10 february 2019..
Hopes were quite high that this would pass in the sun but as usual luck wasn't on my side yet again! So here is I/C 43185 'Great Western' partnered with 43086 running round the curve at Great Cheverell with '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington going all the way to Penzance.
..6 february 2019..
Celebrity-Combo 43185 'Great Western' and 43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' power up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '1A79' the 06:47 and 1/2 from Penzance to Paddington.Coaching stock being a various mix of FGW-Blue and GWR-Green making 4 liveries in all on this working!
..10 january 2019..
43002 (253001) partnered with 43185 speeds off the Westbury Avoiding Line at full speed with '1C78' the 11:03 from London-Paddington to Plymouth.Not quite the full bling shot I was hoping for but at this stage of the 'Dying HST Game' better than full gloom!
..8 january 2019..
With the news that the long delayed and generally botched electrification has now been energised to Newbury on the B&H and throughout the 'Top Road' from Paddington to Bristol-Parkway the days of HST's on the GWR are for sure approaching their end-game on the long distance trains anyway! Here is the celebrity-duo 43185 'Great Western' with W43002 on the rear passing Manningford Bruce nr Pewsey with '1A81' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.Dire lighting today requiring the use of 1600-iso!
..3 january 2019..
'90 Glorious years' 43027 leads '1A79' the 06:47.5 from Penzance heading for Paddington here passing Berkley nr Frome.Note the additional 1st Class seating on this working.Mind you any seat in an HST is 1st Class compared with the IEP rollerskates that are slowly replacing these trains now on the B&H to Cornwall!
..19 december 2018..
Dire lighting indeed but as this location is only 200-yds from my home it was worth the brief walk!So here is the 'Celeb' combination of 43185 'Great Western' and 43093 'Legends' running up through Clink Road Junction in the semi-darkness working '1A81' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.Not too bad considering the exposure was 350th@F4 1000-iso.
..5 december 2018..
'Great Western' 43185 leads '1C77' the 10:33 from Paddington heading for Paignton.Seen at a rather russet looking Clink nr Frome.Of note is this Power-Car will soon be going off lease with no definate future as it not one of those being retained by GWR for use in the short formed 'Castle' allocation.
..6 november 2018..
The celebrity I/C 43185 'Great Western' passes a very autumnal Styles Hill in Frome working '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington to Penzance.FGW-Blue 43078 was on the rear helping out.
..24 october 2018..
43185 'Great Western' along with 43078 work '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington to Penzance non-stop through the Westbury area at Fairwood having just used the avoiding line.
..23 october 2018..
'90 Glorious Years' 43027 leads '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington to Plymouth today.An unseen 43094 was on the rear.Viewed at Lambourn lane in Bratton heading west.This is yet another location recently cleared out of bushes and shrubs by the local 'cutting crew'.
..19 october 2018..
Much to my amazement a brief gap in the fast moving clouds allowed this shot of 43172 'Harry Patch' working '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance going to Paddington.GWR-Green 43189 was the rear Power-Car.To say I was pleased with this stroke of luck sun-wise would be an understatement!
..19 september 2018..
With IET's now doing all the Paddington to Paignton,Exeter and evening Frome services only the Plymouth and Penzance trains are now booked exclusively for HST's.GWR will probably put the boot into those diagrams as well in the coming weeks no doubt.So the clock is ticking and getting loader by the day! Here is 43027 '90 Glorious Years' leading '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance going up to London-Paddington. Viewed at Clink nr Frome in the nice morning sunlight.43191 in FGW-Blue was bringing up the rear of this mixed carriage-set.
..3 september 2018..
W43002/253001 leans through the curve at Great Cheverell on the B&H with '1C81' the 12:03 from Paddington to Penzance.FGW-Blue 43124 being the rear P/C.Hopes were quite high of a spot of sun here but as usual a big dark cloud killed the lighting just at the wrong moment!
..1 september 2018..
43185 'Great Western' in the iconic 'Inter-City' colours leads '1C91' the 17:33 from Paddington going down to Paignton.43071 being on the rear.Nice to picture this in the low bright evening light before it gets too yellow and the shadows get much longer!
..13 august 2018..
W43002 leads '1C91' the 18:00 from Reading (Due to a crewing difficulty----Excuse number 23 in the FGW-Book of Bull) through Berkley nr Frome going to Paignton.This is my first photographic sighting of this quite elusive loco (For me anyway) in nearly 10 weeks.lets hope I see it a few more times before the IEP's wipe the HST's off the B&H !! Oh yes 43192 was the rear P/C.
..10 august 2018..
Inter-City 43185 'Great Western' leads '1A82' across Fairwood Junction as it heads into Westbury for its booked station stop there.It left Penzance at 09:30 with a destination of Paddington. 43153 in FGW-Blue is still currently its partner.
..7 july 2018..
43185 leads '1C80' down through North Brewham going to Penzance from Paddington (12:03 off).A mostly dullish albeit still very warm day but a welcome hole in the cloud cover allowed this shot! 43153 was the rear P/C.
..3 july 2018..
Inter-City liveried 'Great Western' 43185 continues to work the Paddington to Penzance duties,at least for the next couple of weeks anyway before the Jap-Crap starts on the B&H.Here it is speeding down the Frome-Avoider partnered with 43153 working '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington.
..2 july 2018..
By some quirk of luck this was my 3rd GWR-Celeb on a Westbound service via the B&H in a row today!What are the chances of that??? This time it is 43185 'Great Western' with '1C84' the 13:03 from Padd to Penzance.43153 on the rear.Seen at Masters Farm Crossing just west of Fairwood Junction.Note the window-hanger enjoying the ride right behind 43185. Something else that will slip into history when the Plastic-Fantastic's come into service in a few weeks time along here.
..30 june 2018..
This was a nice unexpected surprise having not studied the HST-allocations this morning! W43002 zips through Blatchbridge Junction with '1C78' the 10:35 from Paddington going to Paignton.43053 was on the back.Due to the height of the rampant vegetation here I needed to be precariously right at the top of my 9ft extending ladder to overcome the greenery.
..30 june 2018..
Since the number of HST's in use with GWR is slowly reducing and they appear to be retaining the 'celebs' the chances of seeing those few 'specials' must in reality be increasing! So here is 43185 'Great Western' in 'Swallow-I/C' colours passing through Somerset nr Frome with '1C92' the 18:03 from Paddington to Penzance.43153 is currently its back-buddy.
..29 june 2018..
Firm local favourite W43002 powers through Flax Bourton with '1A19' the 13:01 from Weston-S-Mare going up to Paddington.43053 being the rear P/C albeit masked by '1V50' the 06:06 from Edinburgh to Plymouth, another HST-set 43303+XC04+43357 but in the Arriva-XC livery.
..26 june 2018..
Although this loco W43002 passes through this area almost daily most of the time either the sun angle is all wrong or it is on the back.Today however things were just about ok.Here is 43002 (253001) on '1A80' the 08:05 from Penzance going up to the Capital.43053 was on the back-end.Viewed at Fairwood Junction just west of Westbury.
..24 june 2018..
Inter-City liveried 43185 'Great Western' partnered with 43029 runs up the Frome Avoider at Styles Hill with '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance to Paddington.With a morning of simply 'wall-to-wall' sunniness this was a working not to be missed.Particularly now it is less than three weeks to go before the IEP's start to infest this route via the B&H to Cornwall!
..22 june 2018..
W43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' passes Hawkeridge Junction working '1C86' the 1442 Paddington to Plymouth.The train was diverted via Swindon & Melksham as its usual route via the B&H is currently closed for engineering work.43028 was the rear P?C.
..9 june 2018..
43185 'Great Western' along with 43079 work a diverted '1A90' 15:54 from Paignton to Paddington via Trowbridge,Melksham and Swindon due to the B&H being closed again for more engineering work.Annoyingly the also diverted '6C76' happened to be passing the other way and regretfully was a monster with 3-portions totally nearly 60 wagons so there was no chance of it clearing before this shot was exposed! Pictured behind the White Horse Business Park in Trowbridge. ----14 may 2018----
43027 '90 Glorious Years' heads '1C90' the 17:03 from Paddington heading for Penzance.Seen passing Blatchbridge Junction at full line speed.Not much time now before these long serving HST's get replaced along here by the IEP's.This one is now the only FGW-Blue Celeb remaining in use.Most have been de-decaled or gone off lease and heading for pasture-new mainly in Scotland.Indeed yesterday 43003 'Isambard Kingdom Brunel' (The other half of 253001) began its journey north from Plymouth as a 'Z' working never to return!
..2 may 2018..
Thankfully the skies cleared to superb evening low lighting minutes before this Celebrity passed me here at Blatchbridge Junction in Frome.Yet another local stretch of line to get the 'cutting crew' treatment and not before time either! So here is 43185 'Great Western' partnered with an all blue set c/w 43141 on the rear speeding past Blatchbridge working '1C87' the 16:00 from Paddington going to Plymouth.Only about 16 weeks left of exclusive HST service on the B&H to Penzance so picture them before the dreaded IEP's start to take over in August.
..22 april 2018..
Inter-City/Swallow 43185 'Great Western' put in an unexpected surprise appearance here at Fairwood working '1C86' the 15:03 from Paddington to Penzance.43141 being its current tail-end partner.Kinda helps to make up for all the times it has passed me in dull conditions!
..20 april 2018..
There is no mistaking the Pioneer liveried 43002 as it departs from Bath Spa over the River Avon Bridge as '1A17' the 12:30 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington.43010 was leading on this occasion.Not long to go before these services from the Capital to Bristol are dominated by the new Hitatchi-IET's.In the short term on diesel power but eventually on electric when all the incredibly ugly OHLE is erected to scar this view completely forever.
..16 february 2018..
The Pioneer HST-Power car 43002 continues to work day in/day out as it has done for the last 40 + years. Here is that P/C that was restored to something close to its original external condition 18 months ago sitting in Bath Spa with '1A17' the 12:30 from Bristol-TM going up to Paddington.43010 was the lead P/C heading east.
..16 february 2018..
Dear old 'Harry Patch' 43172 speeds through a still shadowy Clink working '1C76' the 10:03 from Paddington going all the way to Penzance.43078 being the rear-gunner on this all-blue carriage-set.
..15 february 2018..
Swallow I/C liveried 43185 'Great Western' works the 12:01 from Oxford to Paddington '1P26' past Didcot-North Junction.43153 being unseen on the back.
..12 february 2018..
43172 is still 'decaled-up' as 'Harry Patch' in the distinctive WW-One commemorate livery.Here it is working '1B20' the 09:45 from Paddington to Swansea and seen accelerating away from Newport at Duffryn.43197 was the rear Power-car on this one. I bet the passengers heaved a sigh of relief when boarding at Paddington upon realising that they would have a nice quiet comfortable HST seat to sit on instead of an Asda garden seat with a few millimeters of foam on it!
..2 february 2018..
43185,the Inter-City 'One' now with the rather small numbers runs through the recently cleared out Clink nr Frome partnered with 43042 working '1C78' the 11:03 from Paddington to Plymouth.A nice little surprise this as no mention had been made of this power-cars activities today.
..1 february 2018..
Having seen this going towards Paddington earlier this morning on '1A79' a quick check of the departures/platforms for Paddington on RTT revealed that this loco 43002 would be heading back to Plymouth as '1C82' the 13:03 off Paddington leading with 43010 this time on the back.Here it is passing Cowleaze Lane nr Bratton on the B&H. Luckily the sun just about hung on,albeit a little weaker than a few minutes earlier as the cloud bank was rapidly approaching.Oddly this working had stopped mid-section west of Pewsey for over 5 minutes.-Why???? If it had arrived at its proper time the light would have been so much better! Oh-Well.......
..30 january 2018..
43027 '90 Glorious Years' pauses at Swindon whilst working '1A12' the 07:40 from Paignton to Paddington via Bristol.43179 was the rear P/C on this working.Now with quite a few IET's in service and these Class-43's slowly being released 'off lease' the days of new 'vinyl'd 43's is for sure now over.Only this one,Harry Patch and 43002/43185 remain.Strangely this one seems to be largely ignored and probably will be the next to be stripped of this identity ?
..28 november 2017..
Inter-City liveried 43185 was today tagged on the rear of '1A16' the diverted 12:05 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington via the Limpley Stoke Valley and the B&H.Here seen running through a seemingly deserted Trowbridge Station.10 minutes earlier there was well over 100 people milling around on this platform and then they all crammed into a 158/9-150 DMU Combo obviously all going to Bath-Spa for the Xmas Market that is going on there today!
..26 november 2017..
InterCity-43185 'Great Western' heads a multi-mix HST-set with blue coaching stock and a GWR-Green 43041 on the rear as it arrives in Westbury working '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.Sadly very little chance of brightness today but still worth a picture whilst it remains in service with GWR.
..15 november 2017..
43172 'Harry Patch' sits on the rear of '1L42' the 75-minute late 07:30 from Camarthen to Paddington.43136 was leading.Seen at Magor heading east.
..27 october 2017..
43002 rolls into Swindon with '1B25' The 10:45 from Paddington going to Swansea.43098 being the rear Power-Car. This week saw the start of the introduction of the new Hitatchi-IET's into service mainly it appears at the moment on the trains to Swansea.So what appears to be the beginning of the end of HST's on the GWR is finally starting to happen!
..23 october 2017..
Preservation-Certainty 43002/253001 speeds down through Berkley Marsh partnered with 43126 working the Sunday afternoon '1C84' 12:57 from Paddington to Penzance.
..8 october 2017..
Vinyl'd 43172 named after dear old 'Harry Patch' brings up the rear of '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance going to Paddington.43136 was leading this working as it passed Fairwood on the loop line approach to Westbury Station.
..5 october 2017..
43172 'Harry Patch' speeds past the 'picture-wise' incredibly badly sited communication mast and portacabin at Berkley Marsh nr Frome.This is another spot that has 'kinda' had a photographic revival due to the lineside vegetation campaign in progress in this area.The working is 1C76' the 09:06 from Paddington going to Plymouth.43136 was the rear assisting Power-Car.
..3 october 2017..
'90 Glorious Years' 43027 skirts the sea at Starcross in Devon.The working is '1Z15' an STP working from Paignton (10:05 away) going up to Paddington.This location was once very photogenic for early morning trains going westwards.That ended when NR decided to install a totally needless Heath & Safety scaffold pole fence all along the sea wall here for no other reason than they could ?????
..16 september 2017..
The 43185/43002 celebrity-combo are now back hard at work after their weekend off at the Old Oak Common Open-Day.Here viewed passing Cowleaze Lane nr Edington working '1A83' the 10:00 from Penzance to Paddington.
..4 september 2017..
43002,the 40+ year old Production-Prototype HST-Power Car continues to give sterling service.Here it is working '1C02' the 06:30 from Paddington speeding towards Bristol-TM pictured crossing over the A350 at Notton nr Chippenham.
..28 august 2017..
Inter City-Swallow 43185 'Great Western' speeds around the curve at Shockerwick nr Bathampton-Junction operating '1B51' the diverted 15:12 to Swansea from Paddington.Its normal route via Bristol-Parkway being closed for several weeks whilst the flawed electrification project staggers on to its inevitable conclusion! The other 'celeb' 43002 was on the rear end of this train-set but sadly was out of site in this view!
..19 august 2017..
43163 'Visit Plymouth' along with 43124 hustles '1C87' the 16:06 from Paddington to Penzance through Berkley nr Frome.Apparantly the leg from Plymouth to Penzance was caped due to a 'problem with the train' even though it arrived there R/T.
..15 august 2017..
Classic liveried pairing 43002 and 43185 speeds up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.Anticipation was high that the reported booked return working was '1C89' that afternoon..Sadly this was stepped up at Paddington and went to Bristol instead!
..15 august 2017..
43163 'Visit Plymouth' passes through Frome at Clink for a 2nd day running.Although today it was going to Newquay instead of Plymouth.It departed Paddington at 09:06 as '1C76'.43162 was todays tail-gunner using the 'OC01' carriage-set..
..11 august 2017..
43173 'Visit Plymouth' todays headed '1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington going appropriately to Plymouth! 43122 was assisting at the rear. Viewed passing the nicely manicured Fairwood as it exits Westbury under a 'simpsons' style sky.
..10 august 2017..
43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' brings up the rear of '1C76' the 08:51 from Paddington to Penzance.Here viewed passing over Fairwood Junction west of Westbury.The set in use here 'OC33' was headed by the other herigate repainted Class-43 43185 which is in I/C-Swallow colours. It may be a GAW type shot but 'why not' when the subject and lighting is as good as this?
..6 august 2017.
Overnight 43185 'Great Western' which wears Inter-City Swallow livery has been re-paired with the other major 'celeb' Class-43 P/C 43002.Here it is exiting Westbury at Fairwood Junction with '1C76' the 08:51 from Paddington going all the way down to Penzance.The set this pair are working with is 'OC33'.Note the tree and shrub clearance work going on here from the local 'cutting-crew'.Lets hope they actually remove those few shrubs that are now sprouting up between the pairs of tracks here on the approach to the junction as well?
..6 august 2017..
After '1C12' the 11:30 from Paddington to Bristol-TM had rolled to a halt here at Chippenham a swift trot the entire length of the platform there was needed to grab this portrait of 43185 before it continued on its way.
..5 august 2017..
Inter-City-Swallow liveried 'Great Western' 43185 rolls into Chippenham with '1C12' the 11:30 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads.43160 being the unseen rear P/C.I wonder if the couple about to board this working are aware of the significance of the loco leading their working. Somehow I doubt it!
..5 august 2017..
Pioneer Power-Car 43002 ably assisting by 43174 speeds up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance tp Paddington.Now with well over 40 years service behind it surely this will be the unit selected by the NRM to represent this iconic success story that the HST had become now that their career in the West and on the ECML is nearly over.-We shall see?
..4 august 2017..
This is now the only remaining Power-Car wearing the 'Building a Greater West' Vinyl's.The other one 43146 reverted to plain FGW-Blue last month.Here it is speeding over Blatchbridge-Junction nr Frome with '1A92' the 17:00 from Paignton heading for the Capital.43190 was on the back-end.In reality the name on this one is even more relevant now that it has been announced that the Welsh portion of the disgraced electrification farce,sorry I meant scheme has been abandoned.Hopefully forever?
..22 july 2017..
'90 Glorious Years' 43027 arrives at Westbury working '1C87' the 15:57 from Paddington going to Plymouth.43138 was the rear PC.
..25 june 2017..
Although this 'Vinyl' 43144 that extols the pathetic efforts to 'Built a Greater West' is now just about the longest lived of the many now operating it is now largely ignored for obvious reasons,the main one being the graphics are terrible as is the colour balance used. Anyway here it is partnered with 43176 working up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome on '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance going to Paddington.
..14 june 2017..
Intercity-43185 'Great Western' having now recovered from the loss of power that prevented it going to Bishops-Lydeard last weekend speeds up through Berkley Marsh with '1A82' the 11:32 from Paignton to Paddington. FGW-Blue 43176 being its partner today.
..18 may 2017..
Today an Excursion ran from Paddington to Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway.It was named the 'Somerset Explorer' .This is the return leg '1Z67' shortly after it departed Bishops Lydeard at 15:55.Here is 43002/LA15/43093 viewed still on WS-Rly metals at Dene Court heading towards the mainline at Norton Fitzwarren.
..13 may 2017..
A good days photography started off with this little beauty.In perfect lighting conditions 43002/252001 speeds up through Clink nr Frome with '1A76' the 05:05 from Penzance going to London-Paddington.Interestingly formed up with GWR olive-green coaching set 'LA15' and I/C liveried 43185 on the back.This combination all formed up ready for a planned excursion on Sat the 13th to Bishops-Lydeard from Paddington in just a few days time.
..10 may 2017..
With such a unique HST combination as this 43185/LA15/43002 a GAW was definitely in order! Here is '1A20' the 14:00 from Bristol Temple Meads going up to Paddington passing Bath goods Loop slowing for the Bath Spa stop.Lets hope it stays together as intended for the weekends Railtour to the West Somerset Railway!
..9 may 2017..
This Celebrity 'Lash-Up' which has been specially put together in readiness for next weekends Railtour Special Somerset Explorer '1Z66' from Paddington to Bishops Lydeard on the WS-Rly.43002 leads 'LA15' the 1st Green-Set with 43185 on the rear.Today was its first outing as such prior to the weekend tour.lets hope it stays together ok until then.They were working '1A20' the 14:00 from Bristol-TM to Paddington.Viewed at Oldfield Park.
..9 may 2017..
Commemorative Royal 90-yrs adorned 43027 with 43195 work '1A19' the 13:30 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington.Here seen passing Oldfield Park on the approach to its Bath Spa Station stop.
..9 may 2017..
With nothing else much about I used the passing of this service '1Z80' the 07:59 from Penzance to Paddington via Bath-Spa here at Bathhampton as an excuse to give my Suzuki-GSF600-K4 as short run-out and bed in the newly fitted sets of brake pads. So here is 43002 leading Set LA-63 with 43196 on the rear albeit in poor lighting requiring 800-iso to make the shot. Note the new monster signal gantry in readiness for the buggering-up--sorry I mean electrification of the route through here eventually!
..29 april 2017..
'90 Glorious Years' 43027 headed todays '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.43028 was on the back.This is the HST's on this route's final summer in monopoly service before the 'cheapo' IEP's appear towards the end of the year.So I am kinda making the most of them before they are mostly exiled to Scotland!
..19 april 2017..
The sole surviving 'Bristol-2015' Power-car 43126 continues to avoid the vinyl strippers! Here it is passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '1C87' the 16:06 from Paddington to Penzance.2017 will be the last summer that HST's are the exclusive day trains on this route.Like it or lump it before the end of the year some of the plastic jap-IEP's will be working through here.You know the ones',the Electrics that became Bi-Models then became Diesel only-What a farce...They talk about HS2,what this railway really needed was a newly designed HST-2.An improved version of the best train that BR ever designed---you do the maths, I have ????????????
..12 april 2017..
253001/43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' passes Masters Crossing on the approach to Fairwood Junction at Westbury.Along with 43158 it was working '1A82' the 11:32 from Paignton going up to London-Paddington.
..6 april 2017..
The sole remaining 'Bristol-2015' green Power-Car 43126 c/w its unique white front-end sweeps through Shockerwick with '1C19' the 15:00 from Paddington to Taunton via Bristol-TM. 43012 which was once a 'Bristol-2015' adorned PC as well continues to be its partner currently.
..2 april 2017..
The only remaining FGW 'Bristol-2015' adorned Power-car 43126 sweeps through Berkley Marsh nr Frome working '1C89' the 17:06 from Paddington heading for Penzance.Interestingly another Ex-Bristol 2015 loco 43012 now in basic-FGW-Blue was on the rear.
..1 april 2017..
'Great Western' 43185 c/w its revised and tidied up recreation of the old 'Inter-City' styling gets away from Westbury at Fairwood with the 12:10 from Reading heading for Paignton.No FGW trains east of Reading today due to engineering works.43132 was the rear P/C.
..26 march 2017..
Inter-City 43185 'Great Western' along with 43165 speeds through a pretty overgrown Clink Road Junction with '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.Yesterday I had a letter through my letterbox informing me of noise and disruption here as the NR foliage clearing teams remove trees and bushes within 8-metres of the track from Castle-Cary and Westbury..No complaints from me.Strangely it was mentioned that it is for the new IEP trains to pass safely.Obviously if one of those things hits a fallen tree (shall we say) it would probably explode into a 1000 pieces of flimsy plastic!
..15 march 2017..
One of the current GWR retro HST flagships is W43002,one half of the original prototype-production HST pairing W43002/W43003.Here it is now sporting the name of the iconic HST styling 'Sir Kenneth Grange' speeding past the dumping ground that is/was Bunns lane nr Witham Friary.It was operating '1C82' the 12:05 from Paddington to Penzance with a bit of help from 43133 on the rear.
..2 march 2017..
43185 'Great Western' runs past Fairwood working '1J99' the 14:53 from Exeter-St-Davids to Paddington.43165 being the rear P/C.Since I saw this loco in early January it has had a spot of livery tidying up including the application of the rather smaller style loco numbers.Still no mistaking this Power-Car though as long as it remains the only one in Inter-City colours!
..24 february 2017..
43126 the original and by far the most distinctive of the four Power-cars treated to the 'Asda' or more accurately 'Bristol-2015 European Green Capital'.No doubt because of the addition hasstle of painting out the white front-end this is the reason it has survived so long (It is now 2017 ????) It is paused in Swindon working '1B28' the 11:45 from Paddington going all the way to Swansea.43031 was it back-up buddie today.
..16 january 2017..
43002 brings up the rear of the reverse-set working '1A15' the 11:30 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington.43172 'Harry Patch' was leading.The working is seen passing the mess that used to be Thingley Junction Yard.Indeed for a while it even served as a preservation centre! Sadly it will never again see a train on those very rusty tracks.In the distance a rather large electrical sub-station has been constructed designed to power the farce that is the GWR electrification scheme.This was built over the throat of this old yard ending any prospects of it re-use.
..5 january 2017..
43172 was shown allocated to this working '1A15' the 11:30 from Bristol- Temple Meads to Paddington.It was noted that it was supposed to be on the 'TGS' end meaning its partner today 43002 in Inter-City colours was leading.However as the set was reversed the 1st-Class end was on the rear (Much to the disgust of the higher-tariff paying customers at Paddington no doubt).Oh well!. Here it is passing Thingley heading east with 'Harry Patch' leading.
..5 january 2017..
Final shot of an superb day sunwise but with an almost total lack of freight traffic that had became a 'FGW-Celeb Hunt' was this shot of the Inter-City
adorned 43185 'Great Western'.Noting it was on the 14:00 from Paddington to Penzance '1C84' the problem was 'where' to go.This location Woodborough on the B&H was probably the only place in reality available given the time it passed was well after 15:00 and the sun was nearly on the horizon.Luckily it was running to time so shadows here were not a problem! 43192 was the tail-end charlie.
..2 january 2017..
253001/43002 on '1G29' the 12:39 from here at Swindon to Cheltenham gets away from a very busy looking station.All four platforms were occupied,in fact the bay had a seperate 153 and a 150 squeezed in! 43195 was on the back of this shuttle type service.Note the old BR office block that overlooks the Station here.It is now abandoned with all windows boarded up.Yet another example of Network-Rail making no use whatsoever of a valuable asset.Something they are very good at!
..2 january 2017..
Inter-City liveried 43002 creeps slowly away from Swindon working the 12:39 '1G29' shuttle service from here at Swindon to Cheltenham-Spa. 43195 being on the rear.This set was doing these short return trips all day today for some reason.The regular DMU service was operating as well?
..2 january 2017..
43185 'Great Western' leads 'OC43' with 43192 on the rear as it passes over Newton Meadows west of Bath Spa.The working being '1C08' the 09:29 from Ealing Broadway going to Bristol-Temple Meads.During this week after Christmas all trains from London have been starting from there as Paddington has been closed for engineering works.Probably to do with the farce known as 'Electrification' no doubt!
..29 december 2016..
'Celeb' 43002 passes a very autumnal Llandevenny working '1L55' the 11:28 from Swansea going up to Paddington in London.The overbridge in the background is currently closed for modification for electrification purposes.This is the vantage point for photographers to picture freights coming over the Llandevenny Flyover.Hopefully it will still be possible after the work in completed.
..29 november 2016..
Inter-City 43002 was on the rear of '1B10' with 43136 leading as it speeds through Severn-Tunnel-Junction.The early morning shadows here are beginning to shorten just enough to make the shot worthwhile.This is set to be my final visit here before the vintage steel girder overbridge is closed so it can be removed to be replaced by a modern-day over-tall monster in the name of progress! whenever that will be ???????
..29 november 2016..
The original 'White Nosed' Bristol-2015 Power-Car 43126 somehow continues to work c/w this livery even though the others 'vinyl'd' at the same time in the same style have all now reverted to FGW Blue.43158 was the rear P/C.This is probably due to the need to repaint the entire front-end as well as removing the side vinyl's.Anyway here it is dodging the late autumn afternoon shadows working '1C83' the 13:05 from Paddington going to Plymouth.Here seen passing through a still quite autumnal Great Cheverell despite the harse weather over the previous few days that has removed a high proportion of the russet and gold leaves from most of the lineside trees and scrub.
..25 november 2016..
The doyen of the Production HST-Power-Cars 43002 (One half of 252001) speeds over Newton Meadows at Newton-St-Loe with '1A16' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington via Bristol.This journey totals nearly 6 hours and as can be seen there is mini-buffet facilities on this 8-coach set.Not very impressive if you are journeying to the Capital from Cornwall. Whatever,I do not expect FGW/GWR care much,that is for sure!
..25 november 2016..
As this picture was being taken at 10:52 the Queen herself was at the Cenotaph in London about to commemorate the 11th day of the 11th month at 11:00 just 8 minutes later today laying wreaths-etc.So here is 43027 which itself commemorates HRH the Queen for reaching the grand age of 90-years heading '1A78' the 08:40 from Plymouth to Paddington, 43128 was working on the rear.Location is of course Clink nr Frome.
..13 november 2016..
With much glee I noted that 43185 'Great Western' in Swallow livery was on the 1st-Class end of the 08:44 from Penzance to Paddington.A report came in later saying the set was reversed hence it was 43130 and this beauty was on the back.Not to be deterred I managed to fashion this shot out of the situation here at Bunns Lane nr Witham Friary as '1A81 sped by.What was once a nice open shot in quiet countryside is now a rubbish strewn overgrown compound that required a 7ft ladder to get even this shot!
..11 november 2016..
43185 in the old 'Swallow' Inter-City colours speeds through Undy with '1L52' the 09:33 from Camarthaen to London-Paddington.The blue FGW coaching stock give this p/c an almost locomotive like look.A great addition to the FGW-fleet for their final few years working there WR route.43181 was the rear p/c(Just for the record you understand!).
..5 november 2016..
Pioneer Production Power-Car 43002,one half of the original 253001 comes out past Frome-North Junction with '1J99' the 14:53 from Exeter St Davids to Paddington.It had just had a booked stop under the old Brunel roof of the station here at Frome.This location is Linsvale Road just prior to the line rejoining the main at Clink Road Junction.Set No was OC51 and the rear P/C was FGW-Blue 43191.
..25 october 2016..
I do not know how long this unique combination of 'Past-n-Present' HST liveries will remain together so any opportunity of grabbing shots of it must be taken whatever the lighting.This is my third effort re-43185 and still not pictured it as I really want,however here it is anyway along with 'LA16' and 43002 on the rear.Today it is working '1C76' the 10:06 from Paddington to Plymouth.Viewed at my local bridge Clink nr Frome.
..13 october 2016..
'Harry Patch' 43172 leads '1C83' the 13:05 from Paddington to Plymouth past Masters Farm Crossing nr Fairwood Junction a few minutes after the I/C-BR-GWR-HST combo had gone the other way.Thus providing some small compensation for losing out on 43002/LA16 to clouds. 43193 was the rear P/C on this largely standard blue-set.
..11 october 2016..
This combination seen here is just about as amazing as it can get!43185 in 'Inter-City' Swallow colours brings up the rear of the 'LA16' GWR-Green coaching set which was being led by original liveried 43002.Sadly the lead shot with 43002 was a blow-out due to an errant cloud but luckily this GAW was more successful.The working is '1A83' the 10:00 from Penzance to Paddington.Seen approaching Fairwood Junction nr Westbury where this train used the avoiding line instead of going into the station.
..11 october 2016..
I wasn't expecting 'Harry Patch' to appear on this diverted Paddington to Plymouth working due to the B&H being closed for the weekend so it was a nice surprise when it passed me here at Dursley Road in Trowbridge.The working was '1C77' the 09:27 from Padd.43172 led with an unseen 43193 on the rear.Not a bad bonus as the main event, a Colas-70 on CWR was about 15 minutes behind!
..9 october 2016..
Today was another gloomy day but it did at least give me my first chance at seeing the latest FGW/GW repainted HST-PC.This time it is 43185 'Great Western' that has been given the make-over and it is the 'Inter- City Swallow' style that was universal for all HST's until couple of decades ago.Here the still immaculate 43185 with 43148 'Bristol-Green' on the rear speeds up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome working '1A88' the 13:57 from Plymouth to Paddington.Hopefully it will not be too long before it passes me in bright sunlight!
..8 october 2016..
43002 still looks pretty smart in the bright September sunshine as it happily pushes '1A14' the 11:00 from Bristol-TM towards Paddington assisting 43091.Sadly its next duty upon arrival at Paddington it became a Worcester service so I didn't see it again today.Location is of course Swindon.
..13 september 2016..
253-001/1 or 43002 if you like sits in Swindon with '1C06' the 08:30 from Paddington going to Bristol-Temple Meads.To date there is no sign of any electrification bases/earthworks within the confines of the Station Area here.With the pole/masts now marching towards Shrivenham having destroyed Challow and Uffington it won't be too long before that crap starts appearing here!
..13 september 2016..
The return working from Weymouth to Bristol-TM for this mornings '1O72' is '1V72' which left the coast at 17:28.43002 was leading on the return journey with 43091 now the rear gunner.Here seen passing through a weakly lit Clink in the late evening.This is possibly the only time this 'repaint' will ever do this summer saturday only duty so a shot had to be done!
..10 september 2016..
Today '1O72' the SO HST from Bristol-Temple Meads (09:06 off) with 43091 leading featured 43002 (253001-1) on the rear going to Weymouth..As it was pouring with rain the logical place for me to go was Frome Station with its classic Brunel Roof for shelter. This is probably the first time that 43002 has visited this station since it was given a coat of original colours. It certain made a fairly unique sight!
..10 september 2016..
Vinyl'd 43146 'Building a Greater West' paired with 43163 has just passed Fairwood Junction working '1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington to Plymouth.
..23 august 2016..
After the 'bonus' Freightliner has passed 20 minutes earlier there was no sun whatsoever until just as this reason for being here anyway 'target' came into view passing through Oldfield Park Station.80% of the shot was in full light and Photoshop dealt with the remainder! So here is the unique 43126 in the Albino-Bristol-2015 Green style with 43144 on the back.This is the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.One of the few workings from there not to travel via the B&H.Hence my special trip to Bath for this shot.
..18 august 2016..
Her Majesty will see you now! 43027 '90 Glorious Years' passes Bourton at Steppingstone Lane heading for Paddington with '1A18' the 12:00 from Bristol-TM.
..16 august 2016..
43144 'Building a Greater West' runs through a somewhat clearer Shrivenham from the east with '1B27' the11:15 from Paddington heading for Cardiff-Central.Note Network Rail's total obsession with fence panels simply because they can! The worksite is now cleared of all the crap used to rebuild to Bridge here into the Monster it is now except the fence has been left in place.... The Bristol-2015 43126 was the rear P/C.
..16 august 2016..
Yet another reverse formation HST-Set with 1st-Class at the country-end passes Shrivenham past the now once again invisible old platforms here at this long closed station.Memorial-Loco 43172 'Harry Patch' leads with 43145 on the tail-end.The new bridge here is a monster requiring at least a 3ft step ladder to see over.This shot however was taken through the 6ft+ palisade fencing using a small prime lens to fit through the gaps. Use of my usual 24-105L not really being an option unless you like vignetting! Train is '1L48' the 09:28 Swansea to Paddington.
..16 august 2016..
Finally after over a year trying I have managed a shot of this uniquely liveried Power-Car 43126 in its Bristol-2015 style along with the white underskirt.Plenty of shots of it but invariably in the dull apart from one station shot in Swindon back in August 2015. So here is that elusive P/C speeding through Compton Beauchamp working '1L35' the 08:31 from Cheltenham Spa.The back P/C was also one of the 'vinyls' 43144 'Building a Greater West' (The dark one).
..16 august 2016..
43146 'Building a Greater West' or as I prefer to call it 'Ruining a Great Railway' leads Sludge Set No-1 with 43188 on the rear.It is seen at Fairwood Junction taking the route into Westbury Station with '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance going to Paddington.
..08 august 2016..
'Asda' Green Bristol-2015 43148 rumbles down Sonning Cutting with 43012 for company working '1G38' the 14:15 from Paddington going to Cheltenham Spa.It is this roster where the final HST of the day then runs directly to Bristol-SFM as ECS and then next day is in reverse formation often causing much confusion particularly now with 'vinyl's' and 43002 running around!
..06 august 2016..
This is the first time I have managed a nice sunny shot of this 'Vinyl' 43027 '90 Glorious Years' dressed up in honour of our long serving Queen's 90th birthday.It is viewed here at Duffield Road in Sonning Cutting working '1A15' the 09:18 from Paignton to Paddington. Nice One!
..06 august 2016..
'1A79' the 07:18 from Penzance to Paddington passes through Sonning Cutting with the distinctive 43163 extolling the joys of a 'Visit' to Plymouth on its flanks.Plain-Blue 43193 was bringing up the rear of this long distance service that has already been on the move since departure from Penzance for over 5 hours.
..06 august 2016..
43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' in its recently re-applied original livery sweeps through Sonning Cutting as it has done for 40 years and many thousands of times!The rest of the train remains in obsolecent FGW-Blue including the rear P/C 43162.The train is '1L48' the 09:22 from Swansea going up to the Capital.
..06 august 2016..
43172 'Harry Patch' ably assisted at the rear by 43145 speeds up the 'fast' in Sonning Cutting with Duffield road in the background.Working is '1C80' the 11:35 from Paddington going all the way to Newquay in North Devon.
..06 august 2016..
Until quite recently there was four FGW/GWR Power-cars running around in this distinctive 'Bristol-2015' colour scheme.However two have been returned to standard nondescript Blue.This is one of the pair currently remaining 43148 working '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.Here passing a very green and closed-in Clink Road Junction in Frome.43012 was doing the business on the rear.
..04 August 2016..
43027 '90 glorious years' gets away from Westbury with the delayed '1A85' 10:47 from Penzance to Paddington. 43003 the 'forgotten' other half of the prototype-production set 253001 was doing the pushing on the rear.Note the latest H&S signage now afflicted on Westburys passengers every 10 yards along the platform saying 'Mind the Step'.I am so glad it is there because I would never think of doing that? ------unbelievable !
..21 july 2016..
Here is a close up look at the Vinyl on 43027 to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday '90 glorious years'.All very heraldic.Regretfully these superb train-sets will not be around to mark her centenery once the dreaded 'IEP' plastic DMU's take over this service! Viewed whilst pausing at Westbury with '1A85' the late running 10:47 from Penzance to Paddington.
..21 july 2016..
Memorial Power-Car 43172 'Harry Patch' partnered with 43174 power down through Clink with '1C82' the 12:05 away from Paddington heading for Penzance.
..18 july 2016..
43027 which has been suitably decorated to celebrate HM the Queen's 90th birthday speeds up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome working '1A92' the 15:00 from Penzance to Paddington.Unseen 43162 being on the back.
..17 july 2016..
Annoyingly the HST I chose to ignore (or was even expecting) to grab the shot of 59005 working '6A97' the late running 17:10 from Merehead to Colnbrook was one of the remaining pair of 'Bristol-2015' versions.-Typically as I have only a few shots of these in decent light (See what I missed lightwise below). 43148 was working '1C92' the 18:02 from Paddington heading for Penzance. So I ended up with a passing type shot which I suppose kinda works because it does show the startling variety of various liveries around on loco's/hst-pc's/coaches and freight wagons currently. Berkley Marsh nr Frome again sets the scene.
..13 july 2017..
Vinyl'd 43144 'Building a Greater West' speeds through Berkley Marsh nr Frome in excellent low late evening light.43175 was assisting on the rear of this service '1C91' the 17:33 from Paddington going to Paignton.
..13 july 2016..
43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' supported by 43159 speed through a seemingly perpetually dull Clink with '1C81' the 11:30 from Paddington going only as far as Exeter-St-Davids.
..13 july 2016..
Vinyl'd 43146 'Build a Greater West' (What a Joke!) with 43142 on the rear passes Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '1A91' the 16:02 from Plymouth going to Paddington.
..05 july 2016..
Todays Summer-Service Saturday-Only 'Weymouth-Wizard' was headed by 43162 but more interestingly the recently 'Vinyled' 43027 marking the Queens 90th birthday was on the rear.As it was my first sighting of this new Celebrity and the return evening shot was a complete waste of time due to rain and low lighting this view of it will have to do (for now).This once a week HST to Weymouth from Bristol-TM (09:06 off) runs as '1O72' and fulfills the need for extra capacity in the summer on this seaside route.Just like 67's,37's.31's and 47's did for many years previously.
..25 june 2016..
W43002 in its original InterCity colours was pictured on the rear of '1C92' the 18:03 from Paddington to Penzance.43158 was leading.Only a GAW shot but given the definite lack of sun lately beggers can't be choosers.Not this one anyway! Location is of coarse Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Again a local shot because I am not prepared to travel miles and miles in the dull wasting valuable fuel and time for basically nothing!
..24 june 2016..
W43002 now looking even more realistic now that it has the workstains to go with it new coat of restoration paint passes Berkley Marsh working '1C92' the 18:02 out of Paddington heading for Penzance.A pity the coaching stock doesn't match the loco but BR-Blue/Cream would look faintly ridiculous with pink doors so perhaps best forget that idea!
..24 may 2016..
43069 leads '1A92' with 43172 'Harry Patch' bringing up the rear.Coming from Plymouth the destination is of coarse Paddington.Pictured quickly going away at Berkley Marsh nr Frome past the rapidly greening up drainage ditches that were rebuilt and cleared out so thoroughly during the Spring.
..24 may 2016..
One half of 253001--W43002 now named 'Sir Kenneth Grange' speeds through Berkley Marsh nr Frome working '1C89' the 17:03 from Paddington going to Penzance.43069 being on the rear.Finally today on its 3rd pass through Frome it was in nice low evening light,obviously better than it would have been earlier in the day even if the sun had been available then! It has now been back in service since its repaint for about 3 weeks and the shine has gone of the underframes/bogies which (to me) produces a more balance shot of this Power-Car!
..23 may 2016..
FGW Memorial Locomotive----43172 'Harry Patch-The last survivor of the trenches' speeds through Ruscombe on '1W33' the 13:22 from Paddington going to Worcester Foregate Street.Note the hand dug mast foundation where the Windhoff machine wasn't up to the job of drilling a pile-hole!
..05 may 2016..
'Vinyl' 43012 runs a tail-end Charlie on '1A14' the 11:00 from Bristol-TM going to Paddington through Ruscombe.In the distance can be seen the first few 'Triang' masts in readiness for the rest of the equipment needed to ruin this line photographically.I ask myself are these over-engineered gantrys really necessary.New OHLE has been installed on the freshly opened Norton Bridge diversion route north of Strafford and those look quit elegant and acceptably sized compared to these monsters!
..05 may 2016..
Unveiled at last Mondays Open-Day at St Philips Marsh-HSTD in Bristol 43002 (253001) is now the new star of HST services working out of Paddington.It has been repainted as accurately as possible into the livery it was delivered in amazingly now 40 years ago in 1976.Nameplates are now affixed to honour the man who designed the then new train way back in the 1970's 'Sir Kenneth Grange'.He actually officiated at the naming just three days ago.Here it is seen working '1P39' the 11:01 from Oxford going to Paddington.43033 being the completely ignored PC on the rear.No doubt one day this loco will become part of the National Collection as befits such a milestone design.Apparantly this PC has completed over 9 million miles in service.Now that has to be pretty impressive.At least I'm am impressed!
..05 may 2016..
'Asda-Green' 43148 extolling the 'Bristol-2015 European Green Capital' award passes through Sonning Cutting.43024 being on the rear.They are working '1A09' the 07:12 from Taunton to Paddington and are about to pass under the Butts Hill Roadbridge here at Sonning.Note the pretty crude hatchet job that has been perpatrated on the lineside trees through here.Apparantly the local 'tree-huggers' are really rather upset.I can't wait for their reaction when the steel cages/wires and oversized post-n-brackets make their appearence.That should really stick in their throats!
..05 may 2016..
This must be the ultimate HST line-up ever. From left to right the Loco's are 43172 'Harry Patch',43423 'VALENTA 1972-2010',43013 un-named. 43300 'Craigentinny 100 yrs 1914-2014',43048 'T.S.C Millar MBE' and finally 43187 the GWR-Green thing which is also un-named.Significantly only Arriva-XC failed to provide a representitive.Also the dirtiest pair in the entire line-up were the GWR owned ones.Pretty poor considering that they were the organisers!
..02 may 2016..
43002 the original prototype-production power-car from Set-253001 has now been in service for 40 years and apparantly has amassed over 9 million miles in service.To commemorate this event it has been repainted into its original livery and named 'Sir Kenneth Grange' at the Open Day Event at Bristol's St Philips Marsh HST-Depot That man was responsible for the designing of this iconic train.These Power-cars may now have an MTU-engine instead of the original Valenta-type but as a locomotive it is more reliable now than ever before.Within 24hrs it was back on the treadmill operating services in and out of Paddington again! No pampered preservation life for this Unit--Yet! For sure this one will end up in the NRM at York.
..02 may 2016..
253001 or if you prefer 43002 stands alone on display at St Philips Marsh-HSTD in Bristol shortly after being officially name 'Sir Kenneth Grange' by the man himself.He of coarse was the designer of this highly successful train way back in the mid-1970's.It is now celebrating 40 years in service and if ever a Diesel Train ever earned its place in UK railway history this mush surely be it. I have no doubt it is already earmarks by the NRM for eventual preservation and display at York when its time on the mainline is over.
..02 may 2016..
At last after seeing about 24 Power-Cars today I finally managed to bag a 'Vinyl'.Here is the one 43163 extolling the virtues of the City of Plymouth in deepest Devon.It is seen negotiating the Hawkeridge Curve at Westbury with '1L71' the 14:24 from Swansea going up to the Capital.43140 being on the back-end.As can be seen from the skies this indeed was a fairly lucky shot grabbed in a fleeting burst of sun.About time after some of the losses experienced today!
..23 april 2016..
I wondered how long it would be before this so-called dedicated GWR Green Set 'LA-15' would end up running with one or other of the Vinyl adorned FGW-Power-cars. So today 'LA-15' has 43146 'Building a Greater West' leading with its partner 43144 'Building a Greater West' on the rear as well.Surely this has got to be more than a coincidence ?????? Not to worry,it all adds a bit of variety to the workings. It is working '1C86' the 15:00 away from Paddington heading for Penzance.Fortunately it has been a pretty much full-blue day so a shot of this in the sun was gratefully accepted.Probably before the sun shines again next week perhaps this pairing will be long gone.
..02 april 2016..
43172 Harry Patch -The last survivor of the Trenches' speeds through a seemingly sun drenched Great Cheverell on the B&H.The working is '1C84' the 13:00 from Paddington to Penzance.It was partnered with 43176 somewhere in the distance on the rear.If somebody had given me betting odds of 500 to 1 about 30 seconds before this train appeared that it would pass in full sun I would have rejected them as a waste of time and money.However as can be seen a miracle can and did happen. Perhaps it was something to do with it being Easter-Sunday ?????
..27 march 2016..
One of the 'Gang of Four' FGW-Power Cars vinyled-up to celebrate the 'Bristol 2015-European Green Capital' award 43192 slides through the soon to be aeshetically ruined Sydney Gardens on the approach to its Bath-Spa Station stop.Just picture the scene in a year or so's time.High walls,ugly fences and that wretched catenary equipment sproating out of this listed bath-stone brickwork.Yuck! What a load of unnecessary 'Corporate' PR crap the whole scheme really is! RIP-the real GWR!
..19 march 2016..
Memorial-Loco 43172 'Harry Patch' the seemingly most elusive of the FGW vinyl'ed HST-Power Cars speeds through Bruton working as the pusher for 43176.The train was '1A83' the 10:00 from Penzance to Paddington.Sorry it is a 'GAW' but catching this Celeb in full sunlight was too good an opportunity to pass up!
..07 march 2016..
43148,one of the green 'Bristol.2015' gang of four sits in the platform at Westbury with '1A78' the 06:45 Penzance to Paddington.An unsighted 43198 being on the rear.
..12 february 2016..
At last! a shot in good light of 43172 'Harry Patch The last survivor of the trenches'.Here it is assisted by 43192,one of the gang of four Bristol-Green Power-Cars albeit virtually invisible in this shot passing through the soon to be closed and demolished Pilning Station.The working being '1B37' the 13:15 from London-Paddington going to Cardiff-Central.
..11 february 2016..
In total now there are currently four Power-Cars adorned with 'Bristol 2015' vinyl's.This one 43012 was the second one so treated.It stands in Swindon awaiting a path through Uffington/Challow whilst Network-Rail sort out the vandalised damaged signalling there.The train was '1L48' the 09:28 from Swansea going to Paddington.
..02 february 2016..
Tribute-Loco 43172 'Harry Patch The last survivor of the trenches' with 43181 on the rear passes Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '1A81' the 08:45 from Penzance to Paddington.I still havn't seen this one in sunshine and today certainly didn't qualify!
..23 january 2016..
The (for me) somewhat elusive 'Harry Patch' vinyled 43172 passed through Westbury this afternoon,typically when the sun angle was all wrong! However it dipped for a few seconds so this grab-shot was recorded.43181 was bringing up the rear and the service was '1A85' the 12:56 from Plymouth going up to Paddington.Still plenty of time to picture it though I suppose with the news that the electrification via Bath will now be delayed until 2020 and the cost has increased from .8 Billion to 2.8 Billion.Why am I not surprised ? Perhaps it is because I am a big fan of Fawlty Towers,another comedy farce!
..22 january 2016..
'1A18' the 13:00 from Bristol-Temple Meads gets away from Swindon with 'Building a Greater West' Vinyled 43146 pushing on the rear.Not a particularly pretty sight but at least it makes a change from bog-standerd FGW-Blue.
..15 january 2016..
When I saw this Power-car 43146 originally I though that the colour-balance in my Canon Camera had failed but then eventually I came to realise that the Vinyl's applied to this loco really are this oddball colour scheme! So here is 43146 moving away from its Swindon Station stop with '1C10' the 10:30 departure from Paddington going only as far as Bristol-Temple Meads.
..15 january 2016..
43146 wearing the advertising vinyls proclaiming that they are 'Building a Greater West' gets away from Didcot-Parkway with '1B27' the 11:15 off of Paddington going to Cardiff-Central.Personally I think the colourization of this decal is a complete mess with a strange colour balance amongst other things! In fact it is a pretty fair reflection of the entire electrification scheme to date.I expect this poor Power-Car is going to be stuck with this 'Yuck' logo for a long time yet!
..13 january 2016..
Today was the 11th day of the 11th month and is remembered as Armistice Day marking the end of the 1st World War.To concur with this FGW have reliveried and named HST-P/C 43172 as 'Harry Patch-The last survivor of the trenches'.Coincidentally he was born in Combe Down which is just a mile or so from this location and lived to be 111 years of age.Click HERE for the full story. So here is 43172 with 43154 on the rear passing Oldfield Park on the approach to Bath Spa with '1A21' the 14:30 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington. The appalling dull weather continues,this shot needing 1600-asa to be even possible!
..11 november 2015..
The 'Bristol-2015' adorned 43126 paired with 43139 ladders over Fairwood-Junction with '1A87' the 15:01 and a half ??? from Exeter-St-Davids to Paddington.It should have started from Paignton at 14:13 but for some reason that section of the journey was cancelled.There is a second Power-Car liveried in the same style (43012) but without the rather distinctive white nose-end.I think this one is my preference of the pair.
..22 october 2015..
'First' have seen fit to Vinyl-Wrap a second Power-car in the 'Bristol 2015 European Green Capital' livery similar to that applied to 43126.This version on 43012 retains the 'more blue' front end instead of the far more striking 'white' version.So here is 43012 with 43087 on the back coming away from Swindon working '1L51' the 10:55 from Cardiff to Paddington.Despite appearances behind me the clouds were now virtually 100% and when the Grey-GBRf passed in the dull 50 minutes later I left the area in disgust and headed for home.
..30 september 2015..
43163 'Visit Plymouth' partnered by 43164 sweeps past the mess that used to be Wootton Bassett Station with '1L46' the 09:55 from Cardiff going to Paddington. Pretty good! I had only been here 5 minutes and already a shot of an 'Advert' HST in the bag !
..29 september 2015..
FGW's latest mobile hoarding 43126 sits in Swindon showing its very bright advertisement for 'Bristol-2015 European Green Capital'. Note the small concession to the livery of the rest of the train surrounding the cab-end. Compared to what is coming to a 'gWr' station near you train-wise in the coming months this is quite acceptable!
..17 september 2015..
43126 in its 'Very Bright' advertising livery extolling Bristol's status as European Green Capital-2015 sits in Swindon with '1L92' the 07:30 from Camarthan going to London's Paddington.Certainly a much brighter green than that which FGW is about to inflict on the rest of the HST-fleet after the launch of the new 'gWr' franchise from next monday (21st ).Dunno who the consultant for FGW is but he must be colour-blind or an ex West Coast Employee,probably both!
..17 september 2015..
Power-Car 43126 Vinyled up as 'Bristol 2015-European Green Capital' leads '1A83' the 12:01 from Plymouth going to Paddington up through Clink nr Frome.No mistaking this one as it is coming towards you! The rear P/C was 43150.
..31 august 2015..
Altogether now there are four FGW-Power-Cars currently operating with non-standard Advertising style Vinyls.Here is one of the 'pair' extolling the virtues of 'Building a Greater West' If only the general public really knew what a pigs-ear is being made of the entire project! Anyway here is 43146 backed up with 43093 on '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance going to Paddington.Viewed at a still very sunny Clink at 09:55 running pretty much to time.
..17 august 2015..
Here is FGW's latest Vinyl Exercise that has been inflicted on 43126.This one extols the virtue's of Bristol- as the European Green Capital for 2015.Well there is certain no chance of missing this one as it approaches is there ? 43137 was hiding on the rear of this the 15:06 from Paddington going to Penzance running as '1C86'.
..06 august 2015..
Vinyled 43144 sweeps through Magor running as 'Tail-End Charlie' on '1L52' the 10:28 from Swansea going to Paddington.After the recently announced severe delays to the entire Western Region electrification scheme perhaps the wording on the flanks of this Power-Car should be amended from 'Building a Greater West' to something like 'Attempting to Built a Greater West---Eventually'. What a bunch of Amatuers!
..17 july 2015..
This Power-Car move from Bristol-SFM HTSD to Old Oak Common HTSD was running about 2 hours late for some reason.Running as '0Z70' its nominal departure time from Bristol was 12:40.43150 is leading whilst the rear one was 43163 in its more interesting advertising colours extolling the virtues of a visit to Plymouth.
..21 may 2015..
The 'other' vinyled Power-Car 43146 also passed through Bath today.Here it is at Oldfield Park on '1C18' the 14:06 from Paddington to Bristol-TM via the B&H.43087 was on the rear.Although both vinyled PC's look rather similar in fact 43146 sports a lighter coloured 'back-end' whilst 43144's is much darker in design.All rather academic because they both look like the vinyl pictures were done on a printer in which the colour balance was faulty! Did they actually pay a consultant good money for these sad efforts?
..16 may 2015..
Here is Ugly-Duckling 43144 again,this time leading the returning Chippenham to Bristol-TM shuttle '1T19'.Of coarse 43040 was still on the other end!The train is passing through Oldfield Park at Brougham Hayes.The little used goods loop here used to also serve the long closed Bath-Bin Depot.The rubbish from there now goes by lorry to Bristol for incineration instead of up to Calvert by train as landfill.
..16 may 2015..
Here is the view from Alexandra Park overlooking Bath Spa.This working is '1T18' a shuttle from Bristol-TM (13:00 off) going only as far as Chippenham.The line east of here to Reading being closed for weekend engineering works with all Paddington to Bristol services using the B&H route instead.43040 was leading and one of the vinyled-pair 43144 is easily identifiable on the rear.
..16 may 2015..
'Building a Greater West' Power-Car 43144 is unmistakable even from a mile away at Bratton on the B&H! Here it is pushing for all it is worth on the rear of '1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington heading for Plymouth.The monster chimney of the long closed Cement-Works currently is still standing but there are plans afoot to have it demolished in the near future.
..07 may 2015..
One of the pair of vinyled Class-43 Power-Cars that carrys this rather ill thought out livery passes Oldfield Park on the approach to Bath-Spa Station.This particular one being 43144.The duty is '1A17' the 12:30 from Bristol-TM going to Paddington.The logo on this loco state 'Buillding a Greater West'.I can't help thinking it should read 'Building a Lowered West' when you consider the number of locations where tracks in various places have or are having to be considerably lowered due to severe restrictions on butchering Grade-2 listed Brunelian Bridge Structures to enable the OHLE to fit underneath them!
..04 may 2015..
43163 with its 'Plymouth' Vinyls rushes through Baulking on '1L52' the 10:28 from Swansea to Paddington. 43146 in the disgusting 'Building a Greater West' Vinyl Mask is on the rear.Plenty of Gorse Bushes in the cutting here to add some additional colour.
..21 april 2015..
Vinyl adorned 43144 leads '1L38' the 07:58 from Swansea to Paddington through an incredibly clear looking former station at Shrivenham.With Network-Rails mania for destroying anything that has not been used for more than 3-months it is a complete miracle that these old original platform faces still exist given that it closed to trains in 1964 over 50 years ago!
..21 april 2015..
Of the three FGW Power-Cars currently sporting 'Decal' style liveries, this one on 43163 is by far the most attractive.It is extolling the virtues of Plymouth as a holiday destination.One of the other pair 43146/43144 in 'Building a Greater West' style can just be seen on the rear of this set here.It is actually 43146.The working is '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance going to Paddington pictured passing Clink nr Frome at full speed.
..20 april 2015..
I have finally managed a close up shot of one of the 'Building a Greater West' FGW Power-Cars.This is 43146.The other one being 43144.This working is '1C86' the 15:00 from Paddington going to Penzance.Even in full sunlight the decoration on this loco is quite frankly awful.A jumbled mess and with awful colour-balance.You could say it is a good analogy for the entire Electrification Scheme currently going on in the South of England! Well I do anyway!
..19 april 2015..
With the sun shining again after the trauma involving '6V62' and '7C77' this opportunity presented itself of picturing both the current styles of 'decaled' power-cars currently roaming the FGW-Network.Albeit as a 'going-away' type shot.43144 in 'Building a Greater West' was leading whilst the altogether more pleasing looking 43163 'Plymouth' styled P/C was on the rear.Here seen passing Brimslade nr Wootton-Rivers on '1A83' the 10:00 from Penzance to Paddington.In all seriousness though the decals on 43144 are awful and if they paid a consultant for that design I think he should be arrested for embezzlement! It really is that bad..........
..08 april 2015..
The 'Advertising' liveried 43146 speeds out of Chipping Sodbury Tunnel with '1B40' the 13:45 from Paddington heading for Swansea.43168 was providing the backup.As can be seen extensive bank stablization and drainage work had been carried out here in an effort to prevent the tunnel from flooding quite so much.
..20 march 2015..
43146 now sporting the 'Building a Greater West' Graphics (What a mess!) brings up the rear of '1B42' the 14:15 from Paddington to Cardiff as it speeds through Pilning just prior to diving under the River Severn there.Interestingly this must be one of the few FGW-sets still offering 2.5 carriages of 1st -Class travel.Most now only have 1.5.The rest being given over to Cattle-Class!
..18 march 2015..
FGW's latest Power-Car to get the 'Decal' treatment is 43144.Here seen partnered with 'LA03' and 43197 on the 09:51 from Exeter to Paddington. This one is extolling the virtues of 'Building a Greater West' presumably meaning the ugly,unwanted un-necessary and wildly over-budget and now extreemly delayed electrification of this once Great Western Railway.In my opinion the whole scheme is like this loco's new look which is Crap! Location is Sonning Cutting nr Twyford.
..07 march 2015..
Newest 'Spot' livery added to a FGW P/C is this effort on 43146.It is working '1A57' the 14:12 from Paignton going to Paddington.As far as I can tell this is its first outing in the new guise.The wording on the flanks reads 'Building a Greater West' plus the usual webpage address-etc,all on a background of a wavy sea scene.This rather flat gloomy dull scene was recorded in very little light (1000asa [email protected]) on the Frome Avoider at Styles Hill.Shown just to illustrate this New Livery!
..28 january 2015..
'1L24' the 06:28 from Swansea to Paddington rumbles past an exceedingly frosty Bourton east of Swindon just as the sun is creeping over the horizon at the dawn of the day.10 minutes earlier and this scene was completely in shadow. FGW's current celebrity 43163 in 'Plymouth' styling adding a splash of much needed colour!
--29 december 2014..
The 'Plymouth' Power-car 43163 pauses at Swindon on the rear of '1G29' the 11:36 from Paddington to Cheltenham.
..19 december 2014..
Wearing its Poppy with Pride 43136 with 43197 on the rear passes Fairwood shortly after departing Westbury with '1C82' going only as far as Taunton.It departed Paddington at 12:19. Exactly 100 of the FGW fleet of Power-Cars have had Poppy decals fitted to commemerate the start of the First World War 100years ago this year. They were all affixed around about or just before the 11th November which is of coarse Armistice day (11th day of the 11th month).
..14 november 2014..
Poppyfied pairing 43172/43138 pass an autumnal Fairwood as it approaches Westbury with '1A82' the 11:06 from Paignton heading for London-Paddington.
..14 november 2014..
Power-Car 43020 'Power Passion Partnership-MTU' complete with its Remembrance-Poppy decal rumbles over Fairwood-Junction taking the station route towards Westbury.43088 also similarly adorned was on the rear .The working is '1A78' the 07:26 from Truro to Paddington.The line between Truro and Penzance being closed for engineering work.
..14 november 2014..
Today is Remembrance Sunday and several HST Power-cars have today been sporting Poppies to mark it.This is my first sighting of one.Here is 43030 with its large Poppy decal passing the foot-crossing behind White Horse Business Park in Trowbridge.I had no idea it was coming so this is a lucky shot.Also the P/C on the other end 43024 was similarly adorned.The train was '1A83' from Truro to Paddington via Melksham due to the B&H being closed for engineering work.
..09 november 2014..
The 11:55 from Cardiff going to Paddington '1L54' was today handledby the combo of 43163/43094.The lead Power-Car of coarse being notable for its 'Visit Plymouth' advertising livery.Quite a nice gesture by FGW to try and brighten up the otherwise extreemly drab scene on passenger services here in the South-West. Location is Coedkernew looking west.
..21 october 2014..
43163 which is currently encouraging everybody to 'Visit Plymouth' today visited Berkley-Marsh nr Frome today as it sped through on '1A81' from Penzance (08:44 off) going up to the Capital.43145 was assisting on the rear and a brief glimpse of sunshine meant I got lucky with this one for a change.Only the second time in about 7 or 8 attempts!
..12 august 2014..
43163 the 'Visit Plymouth' adorned Power-Car heads '1A94' the 16:00 from Penzance going to Paddington.Here it is passing a virtually sunless Berkley-Marsh nr Frome. Apparantly FGW are to do another three '43-s' in similar style over the next month or so (So the rumour goes!).
18 july 2014..
43163 'Plymouth -Britains Ocean City' heads '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance going to Paddington.43179 was on the rear.I had been watching this 'Mobile Hoardings' allocations quite closely and today was the my first chance for it to be pictured in all its glory? It is recorded taking the station route at Fairwood-Junction as it was booked to stop in Westbury.
..07 july 2014..
This Power-Car 43163 until recently was sporting the 'Fly.Com' livery.However that lasted less than 6 months and it is now transformed into this very colourful advertisement extolling the attractions of 'Plymouth.-Britains Ocean City'.No mistaking this one when it is approaching that is for sure!
..07 july 2014..
Sooner or later if you hold your camera up to you face every time an HST passes you in FGW territory you will get a shot of 43163 the 'Fly.Com' advertising liveried Power-Car.I have lost count of the number of times its been missed simply because I was unready for it! Here it is on '1L55' the 11:22 from Swansea going to Paddington.Pictured passing the Royal Wootton Bassett former station site,now transformed by new housing and the scruffy Network-Rail Electrification Prep Worksite.
..15 may 2014..
'1B51' the 15:45 from Padd going to Swansea has the 'Fly.Com' 43163 on the rear so an opportunity was taken to grab a picture of the intricate graffiti style decal design on the back -end.All very Far-Eastern.I wonder how long this 'Ad' contract is to last,probably only about another six months judging by the HP-Tablet duration!
..15 april 2014..
At Last! I have finally managed a shot of the 'Fly.Com' Advertising-Liveried 43163 in full sunshine after many failed attempts.Either just failing to bother with it until I realised what is was but too late or it was backlit.Once last month I was stuck in a hedge,tangled up with barbed wire as it sped by (In full sun as well that time).Anyway here it is with the 11:00 from Bristol-TM to Paddington, '1A14' with 43015 on the back. Bourton Cutting making a very suitable location for a shot of this oddball!
..15 april 2014..
'1A20' from Bristol-TM (14:00 off) to Paddington was operated today by 43163 the' Rail-Fly.Com' liveried Power-Car. Ably assisted by 43015 on the back it is seen passing a rather backlit Thingley west of Chippenham.
..01 april 2014..
FGW's latest exercise in Corporate-Graffiti 43163 ably assisted by 43022 at the rear powers through Clink in Frome with the 14:05 off Paddington going only as far as Exeter.This passed this location at 15:33 and well illustrates how the sun is now starting to climb in the sky as Spring approaches.Roll on the clock-change to BST in just a months time!
..24 february 2014..
Here is a closer look at 43163 in the Singapore Airways rail-fly.com scheme advertising the Heathrow-Express/FGW/Singapore-Airways Partnership.Presumably the jumbled patterns are supposed to represent the oriental culture of Singapore and the Far-East.
..22 january 2014..
As predicted a few weeks ago FGW have launched yet another 'Advertising Livery'.This is obviously quite a lucrative little sideline!.So here is 43163 running in Rail-Fly.Com decals extolling Singapore Airlines.This was its second day in traffic in this rather disjointed scheme.The working is '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance going to Paddington running a bit later than usual due to it being diverted via the LSWR route up to Yeovil and then Castle-Cary because of the engineering blockade at Whiteball Tunnel.This apparition partnered with 43177 is seen passing Berkley-Marsh nr Frome in a shock patch of sunlight! ..22 january 2014..
'HP-All Change' 43186 with 43132 bringing up the rear passes the wide open spaces on the high clear embankment at Newton-St-Loe with '1C17' the 14:00 from Paddington going to Bristol.By now with the change back to GMT the time this working passed at 15:30 it is just about on the limit with the sun dropping like a stone out of the sky with sunset less than an hour away (note the reddening clouds).This location is seemingly ok but elsewhere a 6ft high bush would be casting a shadow about 15ft long making things difficult if not impossible!
..04 november 2013..
Power-Car 43186 now wearing the 'Hewlett-Packard' advertising livery draws away from Westbury on the rear of '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance going up to Paddington.The former 'Jubilee' is viewed next to the silent parked 66143 that was awaiting its next call to duty.
..02 october 2013..
43186,the former 'Jubilee' now wears this distinctive Vinyl-Wrap Livery extolling the virtues of a new Tablet Computer made by Hewlet-Packard.No mistaking this one,it certainly brightens up an otherwise boring HST experience as far as FGW is concerned.43003 is its current partner but that is well out of sight in this particular picture.The working was '1C85' the 14:06 from paddington going all the way to Penzance arriving there at 19:33,a fully 5 1/2 hour journey.Location is Lavington.The site of the now long gone station was in the trees in the middle background.
..05 july 2013..
The Hewlett-Packard sponsored 'All Change' liveried 43148 speeds down the fastline here at Twyford/Ruscombe with '1C84', the 13:06 off Paddington going to Penzance.43053 was still running on the other end although the whole set is now working in reverse formation with HP No-1 on the country-end now.
..10 june 2013..
'1L62' the 12:28 from Swansea to Paddington speeds down the rather restrictive photographically 'up' fast here at Purley-on-Thames.Unlike the 'Jubilee' when that was approaching there is no mistaking these 'HP' white liveried Power-Cars.This is 43148/43053 as it heads east towards London.
..04 june 2013..
'All Change' the Large-Logo Power-Car 43148 ably assisted by 43188 runs up through Frome with '1A94' from Penzance going to London-Paddington.No missing this one,you know it is coming a mile off! Customers alighting at the Paddington Terminus certainly won't miss it either whilst it remains at the London end of a set.
..02 june 2013..
43148 still looking quite fresh after 3 days usage in the new 'All Change HP' livery (43188 on the rear).Here it is emerging from the drain under the Severn going to London with '1L82' that started today from Newport instead of Cardiff due to a track circuit problem.This tranquil scene was at Pilning nr Bristol.
..31 may 2013..
Day-2 wearing this new 'HP' livery and 43148 runs up past Berkley-Marsh nr Frome on '1A77',the 05:41 from Penzance going to Paddington.43188 was on the rear. Yerse the logo 'All Change' is certainly a bit of an understatement with regards to the new colour (Is White a colour?) scheme. Certainly a pleasant change from the dull,dour,disinteresting and dark standard FGW styling! Lets have a few more mobile billboards I say!
..29 may 2013..
Here (On the day of its launch) is a first look at the new 'instant' celeb from FGW.Along with the ex-Jubilee 43186 this PC 43148 now carries a very distinctive advertising livery extolling the virtues of a new Tablet from HP along with a large slogan 'All Change' Yes it certainly has! The working was '1C92' the 18:03 off Paddington going to Plymouth...... No excuses missing this one when you see an HST coming,unlike the 'Jubilee'.I lost count of the number of times I missed that one due to being a bit slow with the camera!
..28 may 2013..
This is probably my last encounter with 'The Jubilee' 43186 as it is booked to have a 'G' Exam at Laira in the next few days.Naturally it will receive a full repaint and the decals are set to be removed.(They lasted about a year!).Anyway here it is with 43198 on the rear passing Ashburys at Shrivenham with '1C18' from Paddington (14:30 off) going to Weston-super-Mare.And so FGW's only non-standard liveried Power-Car is about to pass into history.
..30 april 2013..
'Jubilee' 43186/LA06/43031 passes Great-Cheverell on the B&H with the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington '1A78'. I believe this is its first trip out of Devon and Cornwall for some time as it has been used on Newton-Abbot to Penzance workings whilst the Seawall problems were being sorted.
..04 december 2012..
An HST- ECS working took place today travelling up from Plymouth-Laira going to Old-Oak Common.Nothing official reported so can only assume from past operations that this is listed as '5Z70'. The interest is the return to service of 43186 having been repaired in Cornwall to fix a defective Alternator (So I was told).It had been oos for some considerable time. Here is the 'Jubilee' still with all its vinyls in place passing Frome-Clink heading east.43025 was on the rear.
..01 october 2012..
This '1st Class' only luxury ECS from OOC to Laira ran today pretty much unannounced.Running as '5Z77' it took me by surprise particularly as 43186,the Jubilee enhanced Power-car was leading with 43198 on the rear sandwiching Coach 41146.43186 is not repaired after a few weeks OOS due to an alternator fault but being pushed by 43198 (Note no tell-tale exhaust).The Decals are still in place as well,but for how much longer? Seen passing Berkley-Marsh nr Frome running just a few minutes ahead of a booked HST service so it wasn't hanging about!
..07 september 2012..
The 'Jubilee' 43186 was booked today on the 09:06 Paddington to Plymouth.I missed it last time and sods-law dictated today it would be on the back! I took a shot anyway just to show the celebratory decals close-up.Seen disappearing fast at Styles Hill on the Frome Avoider.
..28 may 2012..
On probably the shortest 'booked' HST turn in the entire timetable the 'Jubilee' 43186 ably backed up by 43136 on the rear gets away from Frome with the 20:15 off going only as far as Westbury.This runs as '2A85' for a distance of just 4 miles! Actually its a return ECS for a Paddington to Frome service that allows passengers as far as Westbury.From there its a pure ECS to Bristol-SFM.
..21 may 2012..
At Last! A shot of 'Jubilee' 43186 in the sunshine! Here it is passing Coedkernow with the 10:55 Cardiff to Paddington '1L51'.43136 bringing up the rear.