Which branch lines could GWR hypothetically operate 'Castle' HSTs on?

[47827]

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/gwr-class-143-withdrawals.199130/

We had a 143 donated by Porterbrook, for a nominal fee which I was paying to cover admin costs. Initially we were going for 603, but changed that to 621. Unfortunately covid hit our revenues so hard, that despite the donation, the transport costs to the Swindon and Cricklade would have meant something else suffering, so had to turn down the offer. Glad to hear another group has stepped up.
Yes the 2+3 HSTs are being formed and diagrams have been published. It is a temporary solution to cover services with short platforms and enable the 143s to go in the absence of the 769s.
The last 143 is getting a B exam today, 143619. Following the cessation of use, all reusable components such as GSMR, CCTV, etc. will be stripped out and away they go. At least two are on scrap / damaged wheels so may have to go by road.

From what the recipients have said publicly they have 143611 (current spares donor on small wheels) and 143612 which had a bit of meat left on the wheels a month ago.

Purely out of curiosity, which out of any branch line routes currently/previously sprinter/pacer operated could get temporary castle hst diagrams with 2+3 sets? I know Newquay can be resourced and is obviously cleared but interested to know if any other lines in Devon or Cornwall are likely.

 

[83G/84D]

Purely out of curiosity, which out of any branch line routes currently/previously sprinter/pacer operated could get temporary castle hst diagrams with 2+3 sets? I know Newquay can be resourced and is obviously cleared but interested to know if any other lines in Devon or Cornwall are likely.

Only other line passed for HST's AFAIK are Truro to Falmouth but unlikely to run there due to platform length issues at smaller stations. Has been looked at previously for events at Falmouth but discounted.

 

[43096]

Only other line passed for HST's AFAIK are Truro to Falmouth but unlikely to run there due to platform length issues at smaller stations. Has been looked at previously for events at Falmouth but discounted.

Exmouth has had HST workings in the past, and at least one tour has been to Barnstaple.

 

[greatvoyager]

Exmouth has had HST workings in the past, and at least one tour has been to Barnstaple.

I travelled on one back in May 2011 for the anniversary of the Avocet line, such a smooth journey it was too.

 

[Apedlar12]

Exmouth has had HST workings in the past, and at least one tour has been to Barnstaple.

Yes there was a tour in 2016 of an HST from Paddington to Barnstaple and back. Would be great to see 2+3s on Barnstaple services though haha.

 

[83G/84D]

Exmouth has had HST workings in the past, and at least one tour has been to Barnstaple.

Fair enough, I was only referring to Cornwall.

 

[47827]

If 150s specifically are needed as the pacer replacements then you could conceivably send the castles out on Exmouth to Paignton diagrams or the Barnstaple branch if route clearence was OK. Don't know if the crews who work either of those routes are all now trained on castle sets or not as Exeter HSS (the London staff) do still have involvement in the diagrams and I doubt they all (if any?) sign Exmouth or Barnstaple unless they've recently transferred from other links. I don't think they have that problem in Cornwall now by the sounds of it or Par and Penzance would probably have little left to work other than branches. Will be interested to learn of the final plan anyway.

 

[RPI]

If 150s specifically are needed as the pacer replacements then you could conceivably send the castles out on Exmouth to Paignton diagrams or the Barnstaple branch if route clearence was OK. Don't know if the crews who work either of those routes are all now trained on castle sets or not as Exeter HSS (the London staff) do still have involvement in the diagrams and I doubt they all (if any?) sign Exmouth or Barnstaple unless they've recently transferred from other links. I don't think they have that problem in Cornwall now by the sounds of it or Par and Penzance would probably have little left to work other than branches. Will be interested to learn of the final plan anyway.

West conductors and drivers sign 255's, im not sure if every link at Exeter does but certainly a fair chunk of them do.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Exeter HSS (the London staff) do still have involvement in the diagrams and I doubt they all (if any?) sign Exmouth or Barnstaple

Exeter HSS drivers have work to Exmouth but not Barnstaple,that's West only. HSS guards sign both.