Just 'click' the thumbnails for a fullpage image! (1280 +827 nominal)
GWR-Green
The final livery for the HST's before they are replaced by the Class 800's.The last booked HST's from Paddington to the West happened on 18th May 2019.....Some will continue as 'Castle-Class' running as 2+4 sets instead of the original 2+7 or 8.
43029 'Caldicot Castle leads '2C75' the 12:00 from Cardiff-Central going only as far as Taunton. 43198 'Driver Brian Cooper 15 June 1947-5 October 1999/Driver Stan Martin 25 June 1950-6 November 2004' was on the rear of this 2+4 HST formation....Coincidentally the lead loco on this train 43029 was actually on the rear of the service that crashed at Ufton Nervet in 2004 taking Driver Stan Martins life. Viewed at Parson Street in Bristol.
..5 september 2023..
43098 'Walton Castle trails '2U14' the 07:40 from Penzance to Cardiff-Central whilst 43188 'Newport Castle' was leading as it passes Parson Street in Bristol.
..5 september 2023..
'2U12' the 06:40 from Penzance to Cardiff-Central makes it way towards Bedminster in Bristol with 43189 'Launceston Castle trailing and 43016 'Powerham Castle ' leading this 2+4 Set.
..5 september 2023..
43016 'Powderham Castle' with 43189 'Launceston Castle' on the rear passes Malago Vale in the western outskirts of Bristol working '2U12' the 06:40 from Penzance to Cardiff-Central.
..5 september 2023..
43187 'Cardiff Castle' runs over Cockwood Harbour with '2C79' the 14:00 from Cardiff-Central to Penzance.43027 'Acton Castle' being on the rear.This iconic location was ruined some time ago when railings were fitted all along the harbour embankment.....Mind you after this years summer services are finished photographically this locality is finished anyway!
..4 september 2023..
43098 'Walton Castle' sits on the rear-end of '2U24' the 12:50 from Penzance going to Cardiff-Central.The lead loco being 43188 'Newport Castle'.Seen approaching Cockwood Harbour.
..4 september 2023..
43010 'Lydford Castle' along with 43042 'Tregenna Castle' form '2C77' the 13:00 from Cardiff-Central to Penzance service.Here seen passing Dawlish Warren in perfect conditions(For a change).
..4 september 2023..
'Caerhays Castle' 43162 leads '2U20' the 10:50 from Penzance to Cardiff-Central as it passes Shaldon Bridge on the Devon coast.43009 'Nunney Castle' being the rear Power-Car.
..4 september 2023..
43029 'Caldicot Castle' passes Langstone Rock with '2C69' the 09:00 from Cardiff-Central to Penzance.43198 being on the rear-end.
..4 september 2023..
43187 'Cardiff Castle' is the rear Power-Car of '2U14' the 07:40 from Penzance going up to Cardiff-Central.Viewed rounding the curve at Langstone Rock nr Dawlish Warren with 43027 which is out of sight leading.
..4 september 2023..
43027 'Acton Castle' leads 2U14' the 07:40 from Penzance to Cardiff-Central service along the Sea Wall near Dawlish Warren.43187 'Cardiff Castle' being on the rear.
..4 september 2023..
43189 'Launceston Castle' has just arrived here at Cardiff with '2U14' the 07:40 from Penzance.43187 was on the rear end.....GWR plan to cease using these by the end od 2023. Such an utter waste in my opinion of probably the best trains this sad TOC possesses....
..8 june 2023..
The former 'Harry Patch' is now named 'Tiverton Castle' here paired with 43194 'Okhampton Castle' viewed at a still reasonably Photogenic Coedkernew on the 4-track between Newport and Cardiff. The working being '2U14' the 07:40 from Penzance to Cardiff-Central.
..3 april 2023..
43198 'Driver Stan Martin 25 June 1950-6 November 2004' along with 43186 'Taunton Castle' form '2U12' the 06:40 from Penzance to Cardiff-Central.Seen on the bridge at newport above the very muddy River Usk.
..3 april 2023..
Here is a 'Castle-Class' 2+4 HST working the 05:40 from Penzance to Cardiff-Central. 43158 'Compton Castle' leads with 43158 'Kingswear Castle' on the rear.Seen crossing over the River usk just prior to its Newport stop.
..3 april 2023..
43092 'Cromwell's Castle' leads '2U16' the 12:19 from Taunton going to Cardiff-Central. 43004 'Caerphilly Castle' was the rear P-Car.Seen at an increasingly backlit Parson Street West of Bristol-TM.
..6 october 2021..
GWR's 43027/43010 pairing powers away from Bristol on the approach to Parson Street with '2C75' the 12:00 from Cardiff-Central to Taunton. Until fairly recently this shot was lost to the rampant overgrowth of Buddeia Bushes.Thankfully all this crap was cleared out here around this stretch of line a few months ago.Relief for a year or so maybe??
..6 october 2021..
GWR's 43022/43088 are seen working '2U14' the 11:12 from Taunton to Cardiff-Central.Pictured climbing towards Bedminster in Bristol at Malago Vale.
..6 october 2021..
43170 now named 'Chepstow Castle' was once quite a long time ago known as 'Paxman Pioneer' heads '2U12' the 06:40 from Penzance to Cardiff-Central.43160 being on the rear of this 4-car short-set.Pictured coming away from Parson Street in the western outskirts of the City of Bristol.
..6 october 2021..
The 43004 'Caerphilly Castle'/43092 'Cromwells Castle' pairing drops down the grade from Bedminster towards Parson Street with '2C71' the 10:00 from Cardiff-Central going to Taunton.These shuttle services between these two location is one of the main duties performed by these reformed 'short' HST's since their demise on the main expresses out of London Paddington.
..6 october 2021..
The 18:00 from Cardiff Central to Plymouth '2C87' was one of the 'Castle-Class' 2+4 HST-Sets.43193 led with 43094 sandwiching 4 fully refurbished c/w power doors etc. Mk-3 coaches.I travelled from Cardiff to Bristol on it and the comfort and ride was superb.Probably GWR's best trains! Here seen at Bristol-TM shortly prior to its departure west.
..19 february 2020..
This is the '1Z55' 08:15 Okehampton to Weymouth Excursion which used a GWR 2+4 Castle-Class set with an additional coach inserted to increase passenger capacity.It passed here about 20 minutes earlier going to Westbury and this is the train now heading for Weymouth after the reversal at Westbury.43188 'The Welshman' leads now with 43194 'Okehampton Caste' now on the rear.
..14 september 2019..
GWR today operated an excursion '1Z55' from Okehamptom (08:15 off) going to Weymouth.It used one of the 'Castle-Class' 2+4 sets with the addition of an extra coach turning it into a 2+5 formation. 43194 freshly named as 'Okehampton Castle was leading here at Clink nr Frome with 43188 'The Welshman' at the rear.Nice to see an HST along here.The first time for me since the end of their tenure on the West-Country services way back in the middle of May,now 4 months ago!
..14 september 2019..
43198 the final build HST-Power Car along with W43002 the first built Power Car passes through Berkley Marsh with '1Z25' the last leg of the Railtour that has been travelling all over the GWR system on a final farewell tour.This train departed Paddington at 18:57 with a final-final destination of Plymouth.For sure this is the last 8-carriage HST to pass this way in revenue earning service.No doubt 43198 will now become part of the 'Castle-Class' allocation whilst W43002 is apparantly set to be immediately decommisioned at Laira and unbelievably delivered to the NRM at York on a Lorry.How odd is that?? As usual for today the sun shone brilliantly until minutes before this passed and re-emerged seconds later---it was that kind of day!
..1 june 2019..
This is the final long distance scheduled HST ever from Paddington to Plymouth via the B&H after well over 40 years of service.Quite a notable event.It participated in a publicity 4-HST train line-up at Paddington before departure in front of a massed throng of photographers and left at 18:03 as '1C92'. Lead loco was 43188 with 43093 'Legends' on the rear.Regretfully the light wasn't that great as it passed me here at Blatchbridge Junction but a shot was taken due to the importance of the picture! RIP.
..18 may 2019..
43188 'The Welshman' has the dubious honour of being the subject of probably my last sunny valedictory photograph of a long distance HST service out of Paddington going down to the West,in this case-Plymouth.43093 is the rear PC.The working is '1C82' the 13:03 out of the Capital.After many many shots of these trains here at Great Cheverell this for sure is the last one.....No further shots were possible after this here today as the clouds closed in and it has been cloudy ever since!
..16 may 2019..
43093 known as 'Legends' although its official name is 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018' runs through Fairwood nr Westbury with '1C79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington.Partnered with 43188 this was the last but one week-day '1C79' ever as the IEP's finally complete their replacement of HST's on the GWR long distance services this weekend.The next day (friday) was flat,cold and dull so this will be in all probability my last HST shot at this location...A pity.....
..16 may 2019..
'Legends' 43093 speeds through Frome in nice morning light during what is now the final week of long distance HST operation on the GWR to the West Country (Just three days to go before the end!).FGW-Blue 43171 was on the back of this service, the '1A81' 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.
..15 may 2019..
43093 'Legends' along with 43171 approach Westbury with '1A87' the 12:55 from Plymouth to Paddington.
..14 may 2019..
The NR Vegetation-Cutting Crew have been doing great work recently on the B&H around the Crofton area.This shot here on the Crofton-Curve is now once again possible after many years being lost to overgrowth. So here is GWR-Green 43198/43063 sweeping through Crofton with '1C79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington.The only thing missing is the old occupation bridge that used to be in the background.That was removed a couple of years ago.
..13 may 2019..
Nameless 43198,one of the Class-43's selected for retention and use by GWR after the long distance HST's cease in a week or so passes Fairwood nr Westbury with '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington.FGW-Blue 43063 was on the back.
..10 may 2019..
43098 in GWR-Green contrasts nicely with the remainder of the all FGW-Blue train-set.43071 being on the distant end.Here seen passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome is '1C79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington.This train still clings to HST operation although with the timetable change in about 3 weeks time this too will succumb to the all invasive Class-800 swarms!
..25 april 2019...
Green-43005 c/w its cast alloy gWr embellishments passes down through Berkley Marsh with '1C81' the 12:33 from Paddington to Taunton.FGW-Blue 43160 being on the rear.
..15 april 2019..
Two completely different liveries styles pass here at Fairwood nr Westbury.DMU-158005 is seen approaching with '1V35' the 12:50 from Waterloo bound for Yeovil-Pen Mill,it is in the South Western Railways Black & Silver livery whilst 43092 in GWR-Green is on the tail of '1A87' the 12:55 from Plymouth going up to Paddington.
..27 march 2019..
'1A79' motors through Clink nr Frome with 43154 leading and 43191 on the rear of this mixed livery rake.Note the tail of '6V33' from Wembley waiting to cross down to Whatley at Clink Road.It was waiting for this express to clear the junction.
..27 march 2019..
43041 'The Menigitus Trust' heads this 2+4 formation with 43189 on the rear works '2S71' the 10:00 Cardiff-Central to Taunton service.These rather menial duties are the future for 24 HST-Power Cars that are to remain with GWR after the complete takeover of long distance expresses by the japo-plastic.11 sets in all with a couple of spare Class-43's. Seen at Malago Vale in West Bristol slowing for its Parson Street Station stop.
26 march 2019...
43188 'The Welshman/Geriant Thomas' heads another scratch-set along with 43042 forming a 2+4 'Castle Class' HST.Viewed working '2U08' the 08:41 from Westen-Super-Mare to Cardiff-Central passing through the Parson Street/Malago Vale area west of Bedminster.
..26 march 2019..
'2U06' is a local duty between Weston-Super-Mare and Cardiff-Central that now uses 'Castle-Class' 2+4 HST formations.43189 heads an interim set of non-central locking carriages still in the old FGW-Blue colours aided by 43041.It is pictured getting away from Parson Street in the western suburbs of Bristol.It seemed quite strange to see an HST stopping at such a small station?
..26 march 2019..
GWR-Green 'Oxfordshire 2007' 43198 leads '1C86' the 15:03 from Paddington heading for Plymouth.FGW-Blue 43088 continues to be its current partner.Seen passing Clink nr Frome using a long-long telephoto lens to get over the rapidly increasing shadows!
..27 february 2019..
43004 leads '1C86' the 15:03 from Paddington to Plymouth past Hungerford Common as the sunlight begins to take on alate afternoon yellowish tinge.43063 was rear gunner for this train. Of note is 43004 was one of the pair of prototypes fitted with the MTU engines that have proved so successful.It must be a good'n as it has been selected by GWR to continue as part of the 'Castle-Class' 2+4 programme,11-sets,22 Power Cars plus possibly a couple of spares).Hence the GWR-Green repaint.
..26 february 2019..
GWR-Green 43154 runs past the K&A Canal at Crofton working '1C50' the 1203 from Paddington going down to Taunton.43196 being unseen tagged on the rear.
..25 february 2019..
GWR-Green 43189 leads '1A77' the 05:05 from Penzance to Paddington as it passes Wolfhall on the B&H.43180 was tagged on the rear.This working is still currently 100% HST worked.For how much longer I wonder?
..25 february 2019..
43198 'Oxfordshire 2007' continues to work for GWR currently on the Paddington to Penzance route.It was the 197th and final Power-Car constructed way back in 1882, now about 37 years ago!After the Class 800 series Hitachi's take over completely on the long distance services this loco will continue to have a place on the GWR as part of the 'Castle' Class 2+4 sets for shorter routes such as Cardiff to Taunton-etc.Here it was accompanied by 43088 working '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington tp Penzance.Pictured passing Bratton on the B&H in slightly hazy sunshine.
..22 february 2019..
43004,one of the HST-Power Cars to be retained by GWR for use in the 4-car 'Castle' Sets powers down through Fairwood at Masters Farm Crossing working '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington heading for Penzance.Today due to Whiteball Tunnel being closed for engineering works it will travel via Yeovil Junction and the old Southern route to Exeter.43063 was the rear PC
..19 february 2019..
GWR-Green pairing 43098/43092 today powered '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington.Here approaching Westbury running quite slowly being right behind '6M20' which surprisingly was allowed ahead of it a Clink Junction.This miscalculation costing this service a 3 minute delay on departing Westbury.No worries though it was RT on arrival in London.
..12 february 2019..
GWR-Green 43154 (To be retained by GWR for use in the 'Castle 4-car' HST-Sets) and 43197 speed away from Fairwood Junction having just come around the Westbury Avoiding Line.The working was '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington to Penzance.The train that was supposed to be in front of this, '1C82', another HST was stuck at Ealing Broadway for an hour and followed this less than 4 minutes later.Predictably this was cancelled from Totnes to Plymouth using the pathetic excuse of a 'points failure'....Excuse number- 236 in the GWR book of cop-outs!
..30 january 2019..
GWR-Green 43004 makes a nice contrast with the older FGW-Blue colours of the majority of the Mk-3 coaching stock as it passes Cowleaze Lane nr Bratton on the B&H with '1A81' the 07:41 from Penzance going up to the Capital (Paddington).FGW-Blue 43122 was on the back end.
..28 january 2019..
Time really is now running out for the venerable HST's even on the Penzance trains with 800/3's becoming more common by the week.Here is 43004 (To be retained by GWR for use on the 4-car 'castle' short sets) and 43122 on the rear of '1A81' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.Pictured at a surprisingly sunny albeit very cold Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..23 january 2019..
GWR-Green 43153 heads a FGW-Blue carriage set c/w 43161 on the back through Hungerford Common working '1C81' the 12:33 from Paddington to Taunton.
..17 january 2019..
This was supposed to be the 43002/43185 combo returning to Plymouth after reversing at Paddington.Sadly that was stepped 'up' and they went to Cheltenham instead and we got this.43188 leading with 43187 on the back.This train is '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington to Plymouth.Viewed at the currently nicely cleared out Blatchbridge-Junction in Frome.
..10 january 2019..
43189,one of the Class-43's being retained by GWR for use with the 'Castle-Class' Sets heads '1A81' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington. FGW-Blue 43086 was the rear P/C.Seen at Masters Farm crossing nr Fairwood-Westbury.
..8 january 2019..
Aggregate Industries liveried 59001 'B' end leading sits in Woodborough Loop to allow this Express '1A82' the 09:00 from Penzance to Paddington to overtake it.That train was headed by 43041 with 43193 on the back.Judging by the extent of the rustiness of the track that '7A77' the 11:24 from Merehead to Theale was parked on this was almost certainly the first train to use this loop here since well before the christmas holiday period,about 10 days at least.
..3 january 2019..
The 09:00 from Penzance to Paddington '1A82' is seen at Bratton on the B&H with I/C liveried 43185 leading and 43093 'Legends' on the rear.The end of HST's on this route cannot now be very far away as Old Oak Common Depot completely closed over the previous weekend as the lease to GWR has now expired even for overnight stabling of HST-Sets. I wonder which will happen first??? Brexit or the end of GWR-Hst's ???? ---------- Neither of which is on my personal preference list!
..10 december 2018..
43005,one of the first four Power-cars to get the GWR-Green makeover that are easily identified by having metal GWR insignia's and their numberplates located at the rear of the loco speeds west at Berkley Marsh in a brief patch of sunshine whilst working '1C78' the 11:03 from Paddington to Plymouth.At this time its partner was 43069.This will be one of the Class-43's retained by GWR for working the 4-car 'castle' short HST's down in Devon and Cornwall and possibly between Cardiff and Taunton once they are completely redundant on West of England long distance service.
..7 december 2018..
43170 has only recently been re-liveried into GWR-Green.Obviously it is to be retained for use on the 4-car Castle-Class HST's for use in Cornwall and also on the Cardiff to Taunton services next year.Here it is partnered with 43018 working '1C78' the 11:03 from Paddington to Plymouth seen approaching Click Road Junction.
..21 november 2018..
The recently repainted 43189 along with 43071 speed down through the Frome area with '1C78' the 11:03 from Paddington to Plymouth.43189 is one of the Power-Cars to be retained by GWR for use on their 'short formed' 4-car 'Castle-Class' formations for use in Cornwall and possibly on the Cardiff to Taunton shuttles after the IEP's have taken over completely on the routes out of Paddington.
..14 november 2018..
As this Power-Car 43093 was on the rear and the train was somewhat backlit it was a good opportunity to picture the decals-etc on its flanks.Normally the lighting renders them almost invisible but from this angle they seemed to show up quite well! The train was 1A81' from Penzance to Paddington passing through Frome at Clink.
..14 november 2018..
The 12:33 from Paddington to Taunton '1C81' approaches Fairwood Junction shortly after departing from Westbury.GWR-43094 leads with 43197 on the rear.
..6 november 2018..
43041,one of the first four Class-43's to get the GWR makeover c/w metal GWR-logo's and numbers on the baggage doors instead of the cabs passes Bratton's Colweaze Lane working '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington to Penzance.43067 was on the back. Amazingly it is now over eight years since this loco 43041 was badly smashed up just a couple of miles from here at Lavington when it collided with a rather large fallen tree! It was oos for over 6-months getting a full repair.
..2 november 2018..
'1C82' passes Bratton on the B&H with GWR's 43187 leading and FGW-Blue 43193 on the back.The 'The Welshman' vinyl doing its usual trick of being almost invisible against the dark-dark GWR-Green livery.
..2 november 2018..
43041 which was one of the 2nd pair of power-cars to get a GWR-Green makeover (43005 was the other),hence the metal logo's and baggage-door numbers passes Berkley Marsh with 1C76' the 10:03 from Paddington going down to Penzance.43087 being on the back.
..24 october 2018..
43093 'Legends' that depicts various types of motive-power that used Old Oak Common Depot in its lifetime before it officially closed earlier this year passes the legendary local junction at Clink Road in Frome with '1A82' the 12:01 from Exeter-St-Davids to Paddington.43180 was the rear P/C.Although the shot is substantially backlit it does allow the notoriously difficult to picture 'decals' on this loco to show up quite well.Hence my main reason for doing this image.
..20 october 2018..
GWR-Green 43016 along with an unseen workmate 43094 powers past Lambourn Lane in Bratton working '1C81' the 12:33 from Paddington going only as far as Taunton.Note the patch of rosebay willow herb on the embankment that has only just gone over.
..19 october 2018..
GWR-Green 43194 c/w a full set of GWR coaching stock + Green 43016 at the back passes Bathford with '1A22' the 14:53 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington.A now quite rare HST in a sea of IEP's on this route nowadays.
..7 october 2018..
GWR-Green pairing 43016 & 43194 sandwiches a complete set of FGW-Blue carriages working '1C82' the13:03 from Paddington heading for Plymouth.Seen at Hungerford Common looking east.
..1 october 2018..
GWR's 43093 'Legends' with its rather faint logo showing up fairly reasonably for a change due to the sun being just about at 90-degrees heads '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington.Seen looking west at Hungerford Common.A lucky picture,the sun only lighting the scene literally a couple of seconds earlier! 43197 was on the rear.
..1 october 2018..
The fairly recently repainted GWR-43042 heads '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance to Paddington with 43004 as the rear P/C.Note the old Goods Shed here at the site of the now completely removed Bratton Station on the B&H still in use as an Industrial Unit.
..1 october 2018..
After a relaxing camera-free week in 30-degree C heat of Southern Spain sunning myself today dawned bright and clear so with the HST replacement clock now ticking ever louder I nipped out to grab 43093 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018'.Here it is with 43197 on the rear passing Fairwood Junction with '1A77' the 07:50 from Plymouth to Paddington.Grab them whilst you can I say!
..29 september 2018..
43187,one of the first pair of HST-P/C's to be painted in this ill thought out livery speeds past Fairwood partnered with 43018 on '1C84' thr 14:03 from Paddington to Penzance.Being the launch-set in the new colours it also gained quite nice alloy GWR lettering whilst later repaints had just 'cheapo' transfers.Note the almost invisible 'Welsh Dragon' on its flanks.Again very difficult to see when the light angle is not quite right.Another badly thought out GWR publicity error!
..17 september 2018..
43093 which wears the sadly quite indistinct 'Legends' vinyl's given to it at the final Old Oak Common Open Day in September-2017 rolls past Masters Farm Crossing with '1A87' the 12:55 from Plymouth to Paddington.Its partner is currently 43197.
..17 september 2018..
GWR-Green 43098 partnered with 43154 powers past the HOBC from Taunton going the other way with '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington heading for Plymouth.43098 is one of the Power-cars GWR will be retaining after the IET's have replaced them on the Plymouth/Penzance diagrams.
..17 september 2018..
GWR-43016 leads with recent repaint into GWR-Green 43042 on the back working '1A82' the 09:00 from Penzance (Where else apart from Plymouth now for HST's?) to Paddington.The full tele-shot was necessary as a 'Thames-Turbo' was going the other way with a Gloucester to Weymouth train.The standard-lens type shot would have been a complete 'blot out'.
..3 september 2018..
GWR-Green 43093 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018' speeds through Frome with '1C78' the 11:03 from Paddington to Plymouth. 43063 was the rear P/C. Reports suggested that this loco was on this working but no indication was given as to which 'end' it was.So I decided to take a punt and for a change got lucky! Sadly the 'Legends' logo is not very visible because the lighting for that badly designed piece of vinyl was not favourable (It really needs to be quite backlit to show up reasonably well).The train is pictured on the Frome Avoiding Line passing Styles Hill.
..31 august 2018..
GWR-Green 43006 with FGW-Blue 43025 speeds through the open countryside East of Frome working '1C74' the 08:30 from Paddington going all the way to Newquay.
..30 august 2018..
The sun angle is quite important when the opportunity to picture 43093 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018' happens due to the rather faint decals that it was given when this loco was vinyl'd to mark the end of HST's on the GWR.Plus the fact it needs to be on the front of the train (obviously) and of coarse the sun needs to be shining.Any severe backlit lighting simply renders the decals almost invisible! So here is 43093 with 43161 working '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington viewed passing Clink nr Frome.Thankfully all the necessary criteria was met for this shot.Chances of recording this loco in the coming few months are certain to dramatically reduce when the IET's get into regular use on the B&H route to Devon and Cornwall.Picture it whilst you can!
..17 august 2018..
GWR-Green 43093 'Legends' departs Westbury at Hawkeridge for Paddington with 1A90' the 14:59 from Paignton.This train going via Swindon due to the B&H being out of use for engineering works.
..24 july 2018..
Metal 'GWR' logoed 43005 heads '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance to Paddington.43197 along with the train-set being in FGW-Blue still. Seen at the very yellow and brown Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Well it makes a change from the overall green we normally get because of the usual moist weather!
..24 july 2018..
43188,one of the first pair of HST-Power-cars to get a coat of GWR-Green c/w a metal GWR-Logo and subsequently embellished with a Welsh-Dragon logo to break-up the incredible blandness of it all passes through Dawlish on a nice calm summers day.43027 was the rear P/C.The train being '1U84' the 13:27 from Paddington to Penzance via Bristol-TM.
..19 july 2018..
Due to the low slightly back-lit sun angle the decals on GWR's 43093 'Legends' are surprisingly visible tonight! Note the cheery wave for the gathered masses awaiting Steam Loco 60009 that is due to follow it into Westbury a few minutes later.The HST was working '1A94' the 15:59 from Newquay to Paddington.43185 was its partner here today as it passes Berkley Marsh east of Frome.
..15 july 2018..
GWR-Green 43016 leads a full green carriage-set with FGW-Blue 43070 tagged on the rear as it passed an extreemly hot Fairwood Junction nr Westbury with '1C83' the 12:33 from Paddington going down to the seaside at Paignton in Devon.
..7 july 2018..
On the day the Depot this loco was named after in commemoration finally closed for business 43093 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1975-2018' runs down through Blatchbridge Junction nr Frome with 1C79' the 11:03 from Paddington to Penzance.Rear-PC 43130 along with the train-set are still in the older FGW-Blue colours.
..30 june 2018..
43093 'Legends' or if you prefer 'Old Oak Commom HST Depot 1976-2018' leads '1C92' the 18:03 from Paddington to Penzance through Berkley nr Frome.43130 was assisting on the rear.Sadly the next day (28 June 2018) was the official final day of operation of OOC as an operational HST- Depot.All that will be left from Saturday the 31st of June will be a fuelling road with the rest of the shed empty! The IEP's are now getting uncomforably close---Oh dear. ..28 june 2018..
GWR-Green 43042 hauls a set of FGW-Blue stock c/w 43186 on the rear past Berkley Marsh nr Frome working '1J91' the 17:07 from Paddington to Frome.Only a fortnight ot go before the Plastic-IEP's start to operate in earnest on this route.At least these HST's are going out out in a blaze of continous sunshine during the last week or so.
..28 june 2018..
You wouldn't know it from this shot due to reflections-etc but this is the HST-Power Car named and bedecaled to commemorate the closure of Old Oak Common-HSTD.None of the rather indistinct vinyl can be recognised.Yet another example of GWR's inability to think things out in a logical manner! So here is 43093 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018' departing Fairwood Junction with '1C89' the 16:33 from Paddington heading for Exeter-St-Davids.The trainset and rear PC 43130 still being in FGW-Blue.
..21 june 2018..
The 'Green on Blue' theme was so pleasant here at Blatchbridge Junction I ordered up another similar combo just 9 minutes later! This time it was 43016 leading with 43177 on the back.This duty was '1C90' the 17:03 from Paddington going all the way to Penzance.
..11 june 2018..
Soon to be superceeded by IEP's HST-set 43004/43186 speeds through Blatchbridge Junction with '1C89' the 16:33 from Paddington going only as far as Exeter St Davids.'Green-on-Blue' in the sunshine makes a nice contrast!
..11 june 2018..
Final shot of our 24hr expedition into deepest Cornwall was this one of GWR-Green pairing 43187/43198 working the 2+4 GTi HST on '2C51' the 17:55 from Plymouth going down to Penzance.Use of a long telephoto lens was needed due to the lengthening shadows here at Liskeard.
..6 june 2018..
GWR-Green 43093 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018' leads Set-LA15 with GWR-Green 43188 on the back down through a recently cleared out Styles Hill on the Frome Avoiding line working '1C77' the 10:35 from Paddington going to Paignton.
..4 may 2018..
43005 the 3rd of four GWR-HST Power-Cars to get the metal GWR logo's and its number on the back-end by the baggage doors passes North Brewham in the continuing sunny conditions working 1C78' the 10:35 from Paddington to Plymouth.FGW-Blue 43139 being tagged on the rear.
..26 april 2018..
GWR-Green 43198 'Oxfordshire 2007' heads a FGW-Blue set c/w 43056 on the rear.Here it was working '1C74' the 08:30 from Paddington to Plymouth through Berkley Marsh nr Frome in a nice bright patch of early morning sunlight.
..26 april 2018..
43005,at this time one of just 4 example of the Green GWR Power-Car fleet to carry the lettering GWR on its flanks fashioned out of metal instead of just a 'cheapo' sticker speeds through Fairwood nr Westbury with '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington going to Plymouth.The remainder of this set was still in FGW-Blue as was 43183 on the rear.
..7 february 2018..
Nameless Green-43194 c/w its 'cheapo' GWR-stick on logo brings up the rear of '1A85' the 12:56 from Plymouth to Paddington.
..18 december 2017..
If you are going to picture a GWR-Green HST Power-Car it is probably best when coupled to a FGW-Blue set of coaches.Then the dirge-green doesn't look quite so dour (In my opinion anyway!) So here is 43188 c/w its Welsh Dragon Insignia paired with plain blue 43127 slowing for its Westbury stop working '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance going up to Paddington.
..30 october 2017..
At long last a decent shot of 43093 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018' in the sunshine and on the move! Here it is passing through Clink nr Frome working '1A78' the 06:50 from Penzance heading for the Capital (Paddington).43158 was on the rear of this all blue FGW-set.
..28 october 2017..
43093 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018' is now back in circulation after being 'OOS' for a while.Here it is looking quite smart on the rear of '1G38' the 13:36 from Paddington going to Cheltenham Spa..Seen during its passenger stop at Swindon.
..23 october 2017..
A complete GWR-Green HST for a change! 43005 heads '1C76' the 09:06 from Paddington as it speeds down towards Plymouth.43188 was the rear-PC.Although this rural location here a Strap Lane nr Upton Noble has been thoroughly defaced with unnecessary palisade fencing on all 4-corners of the overbridge it is still possible to shoot over it and through it (If the lens is small enough).Just a sad indictment of the crap times we have to live in these days!
..12 october 2017..
43198 'Oxfordshire 2007' in GWR-Green speeds down through Berkley Marsh with '1C89' the 17:03 from Paddington to Penzance. Coaching stock still being in the older FGW 'dynamic lines' type livery.43088 in plain Blue was on the rear.
..13 september 2017..
43093/Legends of the GWR 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1975-2018' gets away from Chippenham Station with '1C11' the 11:00 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads.At a guess there was about 150 people waiting to board this service when it arrived,even then the vestibules were full with standing passengers.I shudder to think what is going to happen in a situation like this next year when a 5-car IEP turns up as it inevitably will on occasions.Riots and anger for sure! Interestingly I was waiting around here at Chippenham for over 2 hours and amazingly this working with 43093 was the only one I managed to picture in a spot of sun-Lucky or wot?
..9 september 2017..
Due to the sun angle causing reflections on the rather rippled side of 43093 a shot from the back-end shows off the 'Legends of the GWR' vinyl more clearly,also the nice red quite large cast new nameplate 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1975-2018'. Pictured here at Chippenham Station waiting time with the 11:00 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads '1C11'.
9 september 2017..
The latest GWR 'Instant' Celebrity HST P/C 43093 c/w OOC-Open Day Logo's etc runs into Chippenham working the 11:00 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads.Plain blue 43158 was its back-up.
..9 september 2017..
GWR's-Green 'The Welshman' 43188 which a few weeks ago made the national headlines by falling off the track in Paddingtom very publicaly passes Duffryn nr Newport none the worse for wear working '1B20' the 08:30 from Paddington to Swansea,.Blue partner was 43156.Note the train is in reverse formation making the premium fare paying passengers endure a long walk at London to gain their seats!
..3 september 2017..
Given that it has only been eleven days since this GWR liveried Power-Car 43188 was derailed and tilting at a severe angle against the platform in Paddington due to coming off the track at walking pace whilst it was departing the station I was quite surprised to see it back into service so quickly.These days anything involved in an incident of any description is 'ring-fenced' whilst a 'drains-up' investigation with a 6 man committee usually lasting months takes place.Still nothing that a new bogie or two can't fix in a few hours me-thinks. So here is 43188 partnered with 43156 coming up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '1A89' the 13:03 from Penzance to Paddington.
..31 august 2017..
43187 the Welsh-Dragon c'w its cast alloy GWR-logo runs through Oldfield park heading '1A14' the 11:00 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington.The stock being in the older FGW-Blue.43187's original partner 43188 is currently OOS after strangely derailing whilst departing Paddington recently.Wierd considering it was on the rear at the time?
..26 august 2017..
With only two sets of coaches currently repainted into GWR-Green but with Power-Cars now repainted currently approaching double-figures 'Green on Blue' is now almost the norm at the moment.Here is early repaint 43005 c/w cast-GWR-logo and number on the baggage door basking in the superb low evening sunlight as it passes Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '1C89' the 17:03 from Paddington going all the way to Penzance.Rear P/C was Blue-43125.
..10 august 2017..
One of the original 'pair' of 'pairs' to get the GWR-Green makeover c/w its alloy gWr logo and back-end number placement 43041 creeps away from Westbury at Fairwood with '1C91' the 17:33 from Paddington to Paignton.Confusingly because the rear PC is 43187 from the original launch pairing the train-set in use here could be either LA15 or LA-16. ------You tell me?
..3 july 2017..
GWR-Green Power-Cars are now quite common since there are (my current estimate )seven now in that livery with just two sets of Green carriages available.Hence Green on Blue is now a regular happening.Here is one of the latest P/C's to go Green 43198 working '1C91' the 17:33 from Paddington going to Paignton.Blue 43150 being on the back.Viewed passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome in a nice splash of bright evening sun.
..15 june 2017..
Today marks the start of the summer service HST from Bristol-TM to Weymouth and return known unofficially as the 'Weymouth Wizard'. Here is the return of that service from Weymouth (17:28 off) to Bristol-Temple Meads running as '1V72'.To kick things off this year GWR-Green set LA-15 was led here by 43093 with 43187 on the rear making an entire matching set! 43093 being the latest to get the GWR treatment now with 'cheapo' stick-on gWr logo and its running number back in the more usual place on the cabside.Here pictured approaching Freshford in the Limpley Stoke Valley where at 19:40 finding a shadow free 'frame' was something of an achievement!
..27 may 2017..
Its hard to believe that FGW/GWR originally introduced this flawed livery into service as long ago now as 21 months!The then solid decision to repaint just a single pair of Power-Cars has now become at least six being reliveried with more to come.Here is one of the original two 43188 easily identifiable because its number 43188 is not on the front flank but on the baggage compartment door! Also it carries the original alloy GWR logo plus the later added 'The Welshman' script as well.The recent versions now being just 'cheapo' vinyl instead of metal. It is seen working '1A83' the 12:00 from Plymouth to Paddington.Note it is here paired with a Blue-carriage set c/w Blue 43195 on the rear.Pictured a Fairwood Junction at full speed taking the avoider around Westbury.
..19 may 2017..
Today an excursion ran from Paddington to Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway.Originally 43185/LA15/43002 were booked to do the duty but 43185 (The Inter-City repaint) was substituted for some reason at the last moment by 43093 which is the very latest repaint into the GWR-Olive green.Note that GWR have now abandoned the cast aluminium gWr logo and are now using the 'cheapo' vinyl version.Here it is seen sitting in Bishops Lydeard in readiness for the return duty back to Paddington with 43002 leading.Departure being booked away at 15:55 as '1Z67. Do not be fooled by the apparant lack of people on the station platforms.It took quite a lot of patience waiting for 'emptiness' and 'sunshine' to coincide but eventually I got lucky. ..13 may 2017..
The fairly recently repainted into GWR-Olive green 43194 (Note the number in the more usual position beneath the cab) brings up the rear of this mixed GWR/FGW-set led by a Blue 43004.This was '1B25' the 10:37 Paddington to Swansea working.Seen at Newport crossing the River Usk.
..23 april 2017..
43041 (The Lavington crash loco from July/2010) now adorned with GWR-Olive green heads west at Masters Crossing nr Fairwood working '1C81' the 11:33 from Paddington going only as far as Exeter St Davids.Tail-Gunner 43022 along with the coaching-set being in FGW-Blue.
..10 april 2017..
Here is 43194 which is now the fifth GWR liveried Power Car.Originally it was stated just one pair was to be done for publicity purposes.The rate the entire crappy electrification fiasco is going it wouldn't surprise me if many more were done in a pathetic attempt to cover up this companies glaring failures and mistakes. So here is 43194 now with its number positioned in the more traditional location, 43188,one of the original pair was on the back of this Green-Set,presumable LA15 with the numbers on the back-end instead.The working is '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance going to Paddington.No mistaking the freshly gardened location here of Fairwood nr Westbury.
..5 april 2017..
43187 'The Welshman' in GWR-Olive Green heads a blue dynamic-lines set as it works the diverted '1J99' from Exeter-St-Davids (14:53 off) to Paddington.This train normally goes via Frome but because of the East Somerset Junction derailment came via Bristol instead.43027 '90 Glorious years' was the unseen rear P/C.Here seen in the increasingly shadowed Ladydown area just north of Trowbridge.
..22 march 2017..
43041,the Lavington collision power-car from nearly 7 years ago that is now adorned with GWR-olive green leads Set-LA16 with 43005 on the rear.Currently it has a blue 'dynamic-lines' buffet in the set whilst the green one is in dock presumably for mainenance.The set is seen passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome working '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.
..17 march 2017..
The original GWR-Green HST-set 43188/LA15/43187 has now been fully reformed after quite a while with the carriages and power-cars being mixed up in use with FGW-Blue stock.Here it is slowing for the Westbury stop at Fairwood with '1A85' the 12:56 from Plymouth going up to Paddington.Note both these loco's 43188 and 43187 are now adorned with the large logo 'The Welshman' on their flanks.
..23 january 2017..
Now that the initial year or so of the newly launched GWR livery has passed any kind of effort to keep the Green P/C's with their original Green coaching sets seems to have gone out the window (A bit like the entire GWR electrification schedule if you ask me!) This is my first sighting of 43188, one of the original Green pair 43187/43188 which now wears 'The Welshman' embellishment as well as the GWR-Dirge-Green.The Welsh Dragon emblem certainly breaks up the expanse of plain green on the flanks.It is sat in Swindon about to depart for Paddington working '1A15' the 11:30 from Bristol-TM.43170 was the rear Class-43.
..16 january 2017..
43005 brings up the rear of '1A15' the 11:30 from Bristol-TM to Paddington.43127 in FGW-Blue was leading.Note the Mast-Base on the public side of the fence line here.Almost certainly a new spiky fence will soon be erected here to correct that situation.No doubt the aggressive old jobsworth that oversee's the carpark here will be happy as he doesn't like photographers looking over the fence here.This was why we came here today because it was pretty certain that nonce wouldn't be there!-- --He wasn't!----
..2 january 2017..
Now that the new GWR-image has been launched now for over a year the so-called 'Green' dedicated Power-Cars now appear quite regularly on the older style Blue train-sets.Here is 43005 heading '1C05' the 08:57 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads speeding down through Challow at Circourt Bridge.This was a very frosty morning and although it was nearly 10:00 the weak sun had as yet still not thawed the grass in the adjacent field. Just for completeness 43127 was the rear blue P/C.
..2 january 2017..
GWR's 43005 was today employed on '1C79' the 11:04 from Ealing Broadway (Paddington closed for engineering works) to Plymouth.It was partnered with a blue-set and a blue 43127.Pictured approaching Witham Friary west of Frome.No pole's were used for this shot,just the top rung of my 9ft telescopic ladder.Without that this shot would have been impossible!
..29 december 2016..
'1G38' the 13:36' from Paddington to Cheltenham-Spa rounds the curve on the approach to Standish-Junction on the north-end of the route from Swindon. Set 'LA16' has now been re-united with its pair of nominally dedicated P/C's 43041 and 43005.This being the second HST-set in the GWR-fleet to receive a coat of their new style green livery.As can be seen autumn is now well under way.Lets hope the weather remain clam for a week or so,that will further enhance the show of golds and yellows in the lineside fauna.
..21 october 2016..
43188 the nameless Sludge-Machine sits on the back of '1L55' the 12:58 from Bristol-Parkway heading for Paddington.behind the train stands the original station building constructed in 1842 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel which probably annoys the hell out of FGW/GWR because I expect they would like to do here at Swindon what was done quite recently at Reading,that is a total modernisation!
..13 september 2016..
'1L51' the 09:28 from Swansea with 43041 'Meningitus Trust Support' wearing the much unloved sludge-green of the GWR gets away from Swindon on a set of standard blue coaching stock.The gantry seen here SW-1196 is almost certainly doomed to be replaced before the OHLE arrives with probably another over-engineered version as seen at the other end of the platforms here!
..13 september 2016..
Sludge-Set No-1 43188/LA-15/43187 rolls into Swindon with '1U25' the 10:45 from Paddington going only as far as Bristol-Parkway.Due to the Severn-Tunnel being completely closed for 6 weeks to attempt to electrify it.This service provides a connection for anybody needing to use Arriva-XC services without having to go to Temple- Meads in the centre of Bristol.
..13 september 2016..
GWR-43188 leads 'LA15' or as I prefer to call it Sludge-Set No-1 through Bourton working '1A20' the 14:00 from Bristol-Temple Meads to London-Paddington.Blue interloper 43063 was substituting for 43189 today.No doubt they will change places pretty soon to maintain the sad GWR Corporate Image!
..16 august 2016..
GWR's Sludge-1 Set with 43188 leading runs through a still completely unsullied Compton Beauchamp with '1A10' the 09:00 from Bristol-TM to Paddington.A not so green 43063 being the back Power Car.Oddly 43187 its sludge-partner is out and about working with a blue-set.No doubt they will be reunited quite soon.
..16 august 2016..
Sludge Set No-2 with 43005 leading and 43041 on the rear speeds through Sonning with '1K43' the 09:24 from Newbury up to Paddington.About the only thing to commend on this otherwise bland attempt at a livery is the cast alloy GWR-logo affixed to the barren looking Power-Car.
..09 august 2016..
GWR Sludge-Set No-2 with 43041 leading and 43005 on the back speeds up the straight away from Fairwood Junction having just come round the Westbury Avoiding Line non-stop with '1C83' the 13:05 from Paddington going to Penzance.
..22 july 2016..
Sludge-Wagon number-2 with 43005 leading and 43041 on the rear powers through Clink Nr Frome on '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.In perfect light such as this GWR-Green just about shows off the colours to their best.However when the light is crap so is the livery! GWR ?--Must try harder, 2/10 and that is for the name!
..22 july 2016..
Here is 'Sludge Set No-2'.Only put into service last week so this is my first encounter with it in sunshine!.Lead Power-car is 43041 'Meningitis Trust-support for life' with 43005 on the back.Interestingly this is the only GWR-Green Power-Car to carry a name.The working '1C92' the 18:02 from Paddington to Plymouth is pictured passing Berkley marsh nr Frome. 43041 was a few years ago the victim of a serious collision with a tree nr Lavington in July-2010...Dig around in my HST-Section for pictures of it in freshly smashed condition!
..05 july 2016..
Final shot of a long long day which produced for me over 30 presentable pictures was the GWR-Pest 43188-LA15-43187.Here viewed passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '1C89' the 17:03 off Paddington going to Penzance.At least it was quite clean--above the sole-bars anyway!
..05 may 2016..
The sole GWR-Green HST-set 43187-LA15-43188 (Apparantly there will not be any more) speeds through Sonning Cutting with '1A10' the 09:00 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington.A couple of mille-seconds later and the shot would have been pretty much wrecked by the speeding Turbo--Phew!
..05 may 2016..
Another angle on the unique line-up of Class-43 Power-Cars at St Philips Marsh Open-Day. Front to Rear they are GWR 43187-Un-named,EMT 43048 'T.B.C Miller-MBE,Virgin-East Coast 43300 'Craigentinny 100 years 1914-2014',Network-Rail-43013-Un-named.Grand Central 43423-'VALENTA 1972-2010 and at the back is 43172 the Memorial-Loco 'Harry Patch'. A very unique sight!
..02 may 2016..
Its now well over 6 months since this HST-set was launched in the latest FGW/GWR colour-scheme.It is fair to say that now the novelty has worn off the general concensus is that this 'dirge' green livery was and is a big mistake and as such is pretty much universally disliked.Thankfully only this HST-set has and is going to be the only one afflicked with this style which is a bonus I suppose. Anyway here are 43188-LA15-43187 working an STP train '1Z86' from Paddington (14:34 off) to Plymouth passing Westbury Cement Works..By the time it arrived here the sun angle was becoming a bit head-on and that situation does nothing to enhance this terrible livery!
..29 april 2016..
Here is the GWR 'Pest' 43187-LA15-43188 speeding through Newbury working '1A80' the 07:59 from Penzance to Paddington.This working unlike most of the others seen through here today is actually on its booked route.Interestingly with the sunlight catching the flanks of this dismally liveried HST-Set the dirge-green livery almost looks acceptable.Obviously of coarse it is just a trick of the light!
..23 april 2016..
Today '1A81' the 08:44 from Penzance to Paddington approaches Bruton Station whilst climbing Brewham Bank.GWR's Slude-Green pair 43187/43188 were today working with a Blue-FGW set (OC84).All that pairing does is make the Power-Cars look even more crappier! However it is still a fairly rare happening,indeed the day after (08 march) 43187/43188 were re-united with the Sludge-Green set of carriages (LA15). Keeping all the sludge in one tidy heap I suppose!
..07 march 2016..
For a few days now and quite possibly for not much longer 43188/43187 the sole GWR liveried pair of P-cars have been paired with a standard blue FGW coaching-set.Despite the gloom a picture was taken for the record just in case the combination never happens again! So here is 43188 leading with 43187 on the back sandwiching a blue set of coaches passing Great Cheverell working '1C86' the 15:06 from Paddington going to Penzance. Lighting was very dire requiring 1600-iso to stop the action!
..04 march 2016..
Seemingly the Flagship-HST 43188/43187 in their new 'Sludge' Green livery is the only reliveried one I get to see the most.All the other 'Vinyl' Power-cars persistently elude me! So here is the GWR's sad idea of a Credible Corporate Image passing Magor in S-Wales working '1B20' the 09:45 from London-Paddington going to Swansea.Weirdly today it didn't look too bad but I am pretty sure it was just a trick of the light!
..23 february 2016..
GWR's only Green-HST-Set pauses at Swindon with the delayed '1C11' the 11:00 from Paddington heading for Bristol-Temple Meads.43188 was leading with its constant partner 43187 on the rear.Note the original 'real' ex-GWR building in the background.This served as a restaurant back in the first days of trains from London to Bristol.No on board catering in those times.A booked meal stop being undertaken by most trains!
..02 february 2016..
The sole GWR-Green HST-set 43188/43187 passes Magor with the 12:30 from Paddington going to Swansea.Although it was fairly clean bodywise this set still looks very dull and boring even in good lighting such as this......
..30 january 2016..
Wearing the new 'GWR' livery 43188 with its permanant partner 43187 approaches its Swindon Station stop with '1B25' the 10:45 from Paddington going to Swansea.It appears that this will be the only HST-Set so treated with the new 'IEP' style livery.It looks ok when clean and in the sunshine but otherwise the general opinion is it is pretty dire,almost equalling West Coast Rly's hated maroon!
..15 january 2016..
The GWR's solitary HST-set in the the sadly misguided new style livery has just emerged from Twerton-Tunnel west of Bath-Spa with '1B25' the diverted 10:00 from Paddington going to Swansea.43188 was leading with its partner 43187 on the back. No switching power-cars on this set to maintain availability.When one or other of the two sludge-green PC's is unwell the entire set is sidelined due to the policy of not splitting up the uniform train-set!
..12 december 2015..
GWR's solitary HST-set '43188-LA15-43187' in the latest corporate sludge-green colour scheme passes Clink nr Frome with '1C83' the 13:05 from Paddington to Plymouth.Since this overbridge is only about 250yds or so away from my home only a short stroll was necessary to take this record shot albeit requiring 1000asa to stop the action.
..24 november 2015..
Most of the autumnal displays here at Styles Hill on the Frome-Avoiding Line have now dropped most of their leaves but sufficient remain to still give the trees and bushes a fairly reddish/gold tinge.Here is the solitary 'GWR' HST-set 43188/43187 as it speeds along the Frome-Cut Off working '1C82' the 12:06 from Paddington to Penzance.As can be seen,a pretty dull dire day that required 1600-asa to freeze the action such as it was!
..04 november 2015..
Here is the only GWR HST-Set so far in service.43188 leads with 43187 on the back running into Chippenham with '1C15' the 13:00 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads. Last week one of the power-cars was defective but due to GWR's policy to keep this set intact it spent the entire week OOS until it was fixed.Normally a P/C swap is undertaken as a matter of routine but not apparantly in the case of this particular set.Also it seems there are no plans to re-livery any further HST-Sets prior to them being dispensed with.
..20 october 2015..
'First' today organised a bit of a 'doo' at Newbury-Racecoarse for its own staff concerning the launch of the new GWR-Brand.Several STP's were run to get many staff there from various places on the GWR-Network.This one was '1Z27' the 08:20 from Swansea to Newbury-Racecoarse via Reading-West.It used the sole GWR liveried HST-Set with 43188 leading and 43187 on the back.Viewed at Steventon heading east from the very top of my extreemly useful telescopic ladder!
..26 september 2015..
'1A91' the 16:02 from Plymouth was late departing there by over 30 minutes for some reason,a deficit it had still not made up here in Frome as it passes in the rapidly failing late evening sunlight.In fact it was still over 30 minutes behind time on arrival in London.The rear power-car was suspiciously quiet. 43188 was the unit on the rear whilst 43187 had already gone under Berkley Marsh bridge.
..25 september 2015..
Although the approach composition was completely ruined by a patch of cloud the 'Going Away Shot' was still available in good light so a shot of this still novel green GWR liveried 43187 was taken here at Fairwood Junction of '1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington to Plymouth.I think the green should have been a couple of shades lighter.What is it going to look like in a few months time when it is getting faded and grimy.We all know the answer to that---remember the old 'First' Class-47's----pretty awful!
..25 september 2015..
Not quite the shot I had planned but a large patchy floater had put paid to the standard focal length type composition.The foreground was a large black shadow! Even this is a heavy crop of a full 105mm L-lens cropped-sensor tele shot! So here is the decidedly dark green GWR launch HST-set with 43188 leading and 43187 somewhere in the background.It is leaving Westbury at Fairwood on '1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington heading for Plymouth.
..25 september 2015..
The new liveried FGW--errrrrrr---I mean GWR pairing of 43188 trailing with 43187 up front on '1A87' the 14:13 from Paignton is seen heading for Paddington at Clink Road Junction in Frome.The GWR crest/logo is rather prominant unlike the Power-Car number which is now located on the baggage-door at the rear making it very difficult to read clearly!
..24 september 2015..
This is 43187 on the back of '1A18' the 13:00 from Bristol-TM going to Paddington.Just a grab shot really showing how bland the new green livery really is.Regretfully the large GWR casting is insufficient to break up the large featureless green areas.As I said on the previous caption, cast brass curved nameplates and numberplates would help the image tremendously.How about some black and orange lining whilst they are at it as well? We live in hope!
..23 september 2015..
GWR's 43188 pictured again but at a slightly wider angle passing Oldfied Park with '1A18' the 13:00 from Bristol-TM going to Paddington. 43187 was on the rear.Given HST power-cars track record for going faulty occasionally how long will it be before this pair is spit up and we have an interesting Green/Blue combo to point the camera at!
..23 september 2015..
Day three of the new GWR-Franchise and a first chance to see this new (old) GWR colour scheme is something like decent light!It is very dark and needs something really distinctive to offset the dark green.Brass curved nameplates surrounding the new GWR Crest and cast old GWR style numberplates would go someway towards that goal.Also having the Power-Car number on the front on the yellow warning panel area would be a commendable improvement.Lets be fair if this company wants to emulate the old GWR surely they should do it properly? Anyway here is the new GWR liveried set comprising 43188 sandwiching 'LA15' plus 43187 on the rear passing Oldfield Park on the approach to Bath-Spa working '1A18' the 13:00 from Bristol-Temple mead to London Paddington.
..23 september 2015..
Another angle on the new GWR liveried Power-Car 43187 that was on the rear on the initial service out of Paddington using this new style livery.It was the 11:33 to Exeter.How short sighted to only have the Loco number on the back end.This will make engine identification in the future when they became filthy (as they will) very difficult at anything other than virtually a 90 degree angle! FGW then GWR--what ever next ????????? Hornby perhaps!
..21 september 2015..
Here is 43187 in all its very dark-green glory! No identification whatsoever on the front just a number tucked away on the baggage-door at the back end.The GWR logo is a raised casting with 3 seperate letters.It is standing in Westbury on the first successful HST run for the new GWR franchise working '1C81' the 11:33 from Paddington to Exeter.43188 was leading wearing the same new livery as was the entire 'LA15' set of coaches.
..21 september 2015..
Today saw the re-launch of FGW as Great Western Railway or GWR for short.The initial train was supposed to be the 07:15 from Paddington to Cardiff but that only got as far as Ladbroke Grove and then cancelled! The set comprising 43188/LA15/43187 was quickly taken back to Paddington and 'Plan-B' the 11:33 going to Exeter '1C81' was substituted as the inaugural run! Here is that service running into an extreemly dull and damp Westbury with 43188 leading.Not a colour scheme to enhance the GWR image on a day like this I would say!.Also the Power-Car number is only at the rear of the loco on the baggage area door!!!!!!.Where is the Arriva-XC style number on the front valance I ask myself ?