155335 TGM
CLASS 155: The 'Super Sprinter' classes 155 and 156 were designed for longer distance services than the class 150s. 42 2-car class 155s were built by Leyland at Workington, and delivered from Spring 1987. The first 35 were new to Cardiff Canton, but were never reliable - particularly the plug doors. These 35 were thus re-engineered as single-car class 153s, the first emerging in 1991. The final seven class 155 sets which remained as 155s were built for West Yorkshire PTE.
The 'Provincial' class 155s were thus only in service for around four years. This dawn shot shows 153335 along the sea wall near Teignmouth in 1991, headed for Penzance.From DMU: pre-digital
55005 EXD
DMBS 55005 was new to Tyseley in May 1958. It moved to Hamilton depot in June 1968 and remained in Scotland until transfer to Tyseley, just prior to refurbishment in 1981. Well travelled, it was allocated to North West depots between 1984 and 1986, preceding a move to Laira in 1987. It was stored from there in June 1992 and subsequently preserved.
The set is seen here in Laira days, resting between duties adjacent to Exeter St. Davids station.From DMU: pre-digital
55005 Cowley Bridge Jct
A fine shot of 55005 leaving the GWML for Barnstaple at Cowley Bridge Junction.
Class 122BRCowley BridgeGWMLWest
From DMU: pre-digital
55006 COE 16/08/89
Earlier the same day, 16th August 1989, 55000 and 55006 (seen here) were working the Liskeard - Looe branch. This is Coombe Junction and since that appears to be a driver, despite the red lamps and destination blind I think this is probably the 1135 Looe - Liskeard.
From DMU: pre-digital
55009 NQY 16/08/89
CLASS 122: The 20 Gloucester RC&W built class 122 'Bubble Cars' were direct replacements for the original GWR railcars, although whilst new to the WR some later worked on the LMR and in Scotland. Nine DTS vehicles were also constructed. They lasted in service until 1995.
This is Newquay on the sunny evening of 16th August 1989. A pair of class 122s, 55003 and 55009 (tailing) are awaiting departure with the 1843 to Par. New in June 1958 to 84E (Tyseley), it was at Laira between September 1987 and withdrawal in September 1993. It was later preserved.From DMU: pre-digital
51500 EXC
Class 101s were not native to the WR, but did operate there in later life. This shot was taken at Exeter Central and shows a mixed class 101/108 Laira set P829 pausing on a service to Exmouth. Bringing up the rear is class 101 51500, originally a class 102 DMCL and new as a power-twin to Darlington shed in March 1959. The vehicle was removed from traffic at Corkerhill depot, Glasgow, in June 1998 and cut by CF Booth Rotherham in February 2009 after a long period in store at Shoeburyness.
Class 101BREXCSouth WesternWest
From DMU: pre-digital
53941 Cowley Bridge Jct
Plymouth Laira class 108 set P397 leaves the GWML for Barnstaple in summer 1991. Bringing up the rear of this unusual formation of two DMBS cars is 53941. New as part of a DMBS-DTCL pair to Llandudno Junction depot in January 1959, it was an LM vehicle through refurbishment in 1978 until a move to the WR in November 1986. It was only at Laira between July and September 1991. It ended its life in Departmental service before being cut by Booth Roe, Rotherham in October 1996.
Class 108BRCowley BridgeGWMLWest
From DMU: pre-digital
31285 EXD 04/07/15
Just when you think Network Rail will dispense with class 31s, another working seems to appear and they continued throughout 2015. Back on 4th July it looked like the end had come, and it almost certainly had for 31285 seen here dumped in the yard at Exeter where it had taken up residence for some months.
From 2015
