© Stuart Smith

From the October 2020 Newsletter

The 4073 Class (a 4-6-0 Steam locomotive) was first awarded the ‘Castle’ naming when built between 1923 and 1950. These locomotives, designed by Charles Collett, worked the express passenger services for the Great Western Railway until withdrawal in December 1965.   Clun Castle (7029) had the honour of working the last regular steam hauled service from London Paddington on 27th November 1965.

Now, fast forward around thirty-five years, and First Great Western were about to replace their ageing and unreliable fleet of Class 47’s, with Class 57/6’s on the Night Riviera ‘Sleeper’ service. Following successful trials with 57601, four locomotives were accepted into traffic, having had major overhaul work carried out at Brush, Loughborough.

So, move on to today, and the third series of ‘Castle’ names is now being brought into use on the Class 255 ‘2+4’ short-formed HST sets. These trains work predominantly in the South-West, working between Penzance and Plymouth or Exeter St David’s. However, a few sets also work through from Taunton to Cardiff Central, via Bristol TM

In addition, Great Western also operate the following power cars, (some of which are still awaiting overhaul) although these are also yet to be allocated ‘Castle’ names:

43005, 43009, 43010, 43016, 43022, 43027, 43029, 43040, 43088, 43156, 43160, 43162, 43171, 43172