43153 and 43010 work 2C69 09:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance Service seen making its way along Dawlish Sea Wall at high tide
(Images: ©️ Steve Oliver)
GWR | Class 43
255 'Castle' Sets
Following the implementation of the Department for Transport (DfT) Intercity Express Programme (IEP) to replace the ageing HST Stock, and FG / GWR's subsequent introduction of the modern day Intercity Express Train (IET) fleets, the Class 43 HST stocks were no longer required to serve the Capital with express passenger services
As a result FG / GWR adapted the use of some of their Class 43 former HST Power Cars (owned by FG | GWR | Porterbrook | Angel) with a shorter formation of the MkIII coaching stock, to form the Castle Class 255 Sets which would serve passengers primarily in the Westcountry with semi-fast services between Penzance and Cardiff
This page captures 'Castle Set HST' services in both iconic and lesser known locations throughout the Westcountry in a series of photographs dedicated to the GWR Castle Class 255, former HST Class 43 Power Cars, still operating in the Westcountry Today.
However, with the withdrawl announcement of the 255s given, their gradual withdrawal commenced in December 2022 with the final set planned to be removed by December 2023 thus ending altogether a near 50 year reign of the HST in the Westcountry.
GWR Castle 43158 is photographed arriving at Plymouth with a Service from Penzance.
GWR Castle Set 43098 | GW14 | 43186 pass through Exeter St Davids while working ECS 08:44 5C98 St Phillips Marsh HSTD to Plymouth Laira T & R.S.M.D
GWR Castle Set 43189 | GW06 | 43192 depart Exeter St Davids working 06:40 2U12 Penzance to Cardiff Central service.
GWR Castle Set 43172 | GW08 | 43194 arrive at Exeter St Davids working 05:40 2U10 Penzance to Cardiff Central service.
GWR Castle Set 43162 with 43088 arrive at Tiverton Parkway working 2U14 07:40 Penzance to Cardiff Central
43122 is photographed departing from Plymouth while working Cardiff Central to Penzance.
GWR 43158 is seen emerging from Parsons Tunnel along Teignmouth Sea Wall incharge of a Penzance bound service from Cardiff Central.
With Teignmouth station catching the early January morning sunlight GWR's 43122 | GW10 | 43192 are photographed stood with the 2C67 08:56 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance Service.
As the January night draws in 43042 is seen stood at platform 4 of Exeter St Davids while working a Cardiff Central to Penzance Service.
A GWR Castle Set passes through Higher Eastbrook in Devon working Cardiff Central to Penzance.
43016 is photographed stood at Tiverton Parkway while working a Cardiff Central to Penzance Service.
43155 and 43172 are photographed passing through Whiteball in Devon with the 08:50 2U16 Penzance to Cardiff Central service
GWR Castle Class Set 43004 | GW10 | 43041 are photographed working 2C67 Cardiff Central to Penzance seen emerging from Whiteballl Tunnel
43153 and 43010 work 2C69 09:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance Service seen making its way along Dawlish Sea Wall at high tide
GWR Castle Class Set 43158 | GW10 | 43194 work Good Friday's 2U12 Penzance to Cardiff Central through Whiteball toward Whiteball Tunnel (Devon Side) on a glorious Spring Morning
A GWR Castle Set is photographed from the new vantage point at Dawlish Sea Wall.
GWR Castle Class 43088 is photographed joining Teignmouth Sea Wall passing under Eastcliff Bridge in Devon.
43155 | GW08 | 43009 work 2U20 Penzance to Cardiff Central photographed passing through Higher Eastbrook, Devon
On a beautiful early Spring day GWR Castle Set pairing 43170 and 43162 work 2U20 10:50 Penzance to Cardiff Central service photographed speeding through Killerton and Ellerhays between Exeter St Davids and Tiverton Parkway in Devon.
43153 and 43010 work 2C69 09:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance Service seen making its way along Dawlish Sea Wall at high tide
GWR Castle 43160 'Castle-an-Dinas' (with 43097 on the rear) is photographed arriving at Platform 6 at Exeter St Davids leading the 2E20 10:45 Penzance to Exeter service
With an interesting view of the completed phase 1 Resilience Works @gwruk 43097 | GW05 | 43162 arrive at Dawlish on 2U10 Penzance to Cardiff Central
GWR Castle Set pairing 43016 and 43160 are photographed passing through Higher Eastbrook in Devon while working the 07:40 2U14 Penzance to Cardiff Central service
43088 | 43162 pass through Higher Eastbrook in Devon while working 2C77 13:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
43194 is photographed existing Whiteball Tunnel heading a service for Penzance.
43172 and 43022 are photographed passing through Higher Eastbrook in Devon while working 2C79 14:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance Service
43094 is photographed arriving in Taunton with a Penzance to Cardiff Central service
GWR Castle Set pairing 43160 and 43016 approach Kennaway Tunnel with 2C77 13:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
43162 | GW07 | 43027 has an opportunity to get upto pace on one of the fastest sections of track in the region seen running down through Ellerhays & Rewe in Devon while working the 2C67 Cardiff to Penzance Service
A GWR Castle Set passes at speed through Starcross in Devon with a Service to Cardiff Central
GWR 43122 departs from Tiverton Parkway in Devon.
43122 'Dunster Castle' bound for Plymouth and seen passing along Teignmouth Sea Wall approaching Eastcliff Bridge, South Devon