A record year for stock scrapping?

[adc82140]

There has been a lot of stock scrapped this year. I can think of the following classes that have lost units to the scrappers torch.


Class 142s
Mk 3 LHCS
Mk 3 HST carriages
Mk 4 carriages
Class 313s
Class 315s
Class 317s
Class 442s
Class 508s
Class 332s

Correction edit: (thanks @fgwrich) 313s should read 314s

and probably before the end of the year:

Class 143s

Has there been a year in recent memory with as many vehicles disappearing?

 

[JonathanH]

Has there been a year in recent memory with as many vehicles disappearing?

Not since 2002-2005 when the slam door EMU stock was withdrawn. There hasn't really been a mass cull of mainline stock since then.

 

[brad465]

Not since 2002-2005 when the slam door EMU stock was withdrawn. There hasn't really been a mass cull of mainline stock since then.

There does seem to be a (logical) correlation between mass scrapping/withdrawals and new legislation requirements for rolling stock. The slam-doors had to be either withdrawn or have central door locking fitting to continue beyond November 2005 (I think?), although they were getting old then anyway, while this year the new PRM legislation has no doubt hastened the departure of much of what went this year.

 

[DB]

There does seem to be a (logical) correlation between mass scrapping/withdrawals and new legislation requirements for rolling stock. The slam-doors had to be either withdrawn or have central door locking fitting to continue beyond November 2005 (I think?), although they were getting old then anyway, while this year the new PRM legislation has no doubt hastened the departure of much of what went this year.

Pacers and Mk3s, yes, but the rest of them are compliant or close enough with minor deogations that they could have continued in use without major work.

Don't 144s also need to be added to the list?

 

[fgwrich]

The last of the 314s I believe went earlier this year, though a very late clinger on to life was the one in Eastleigh Works.

 

[skyhigh]

Pacers and Mk3s, yes, but the rest of them are compliant or close enough with minor deogations that they could have continued in use without major work.

Don't 144s also need to be added to the list?

As far as I'm aware no 144s have been scrapped yet.

 

[adc82140]

The last of the 314s I believe went earlier this year, though a very late clinger on to life was the one in Eastleigh Works.

Ah yes. I meant to put 314s rather than 313s, as I think the 313s went last year.

 

[Atomix330]

Could add to that the first Class 91 dismantling. Same with the HST power cars.

 

[DB]

Could add to that the first Class 91 dismantling. Same with the HST power cars.

None actually been scrapped though, although that will only be a matter of time.

 

[AndrewE]

If you are thinking about the number of classes involved in a mass extinction (as opposed to whole classes withdrawn) can any of this compete with the number of types of steam locos withdrawn so suddenly? I counted 10 or 11 classes in the first post, I wouldn't be surprised if 50 or more classes of steam locos lost members. (and it is within my memory, just. Others here will be far better informed and have personal records, I don't doubt.)

 

[ginge8991]

The last of the 314s I believe went earlier this year, though a very late clinger on to life was the one in Eastleigh Works.

I’m sure there is still 1 set parked up at Yoker Depot

 

[Sprinter156]

I’m sure there is still 1 set parked up at Yoker Depot

314209 i think. Set aside for hydrogen conversion

 

[Mikey C]

A number of those classes can be lumped together, which makes it look less dramatic! The PEPS for example (314s, 315s, 508s) are all 40 years old and near the end of their life anyway

 

[Wolfie]

Class 332?

 

[EcsWhyZee]

Class 332?

Former Heathrow express units.

See: https://twitter.com/richard_rail/status/1336392365985161218?s=21

 

[Roast Veg]

A number of those classes can be lumped together, which makes it look less dramatic! The PEPS for example (314s, 315s, 508s) are all 40 years old and near the end of their life anyway

But by the same token, converting the scrappage into a raw vehicle count may make it look rather large!

The next big round of scrappage/modification/cascades will be ECTS on mainlines combined with electrification/battery/hydrogen on branch lines. It will pick up mostly around 2030-40, so a similar timeframe as the slam door replacements.

 

[DarloRich]

surely in the period of modernisation large numbers of steam locos went for scrap.

 

[AndrewE]

surely in the period of modernisation large numbers of steam locos went for scrap.

... as I said in post 10! I am glad that someone else agrees with me.

 

[adc82140]

surely in the period of modernisation large numbers of steam locos went for scrap.

I wonder how many went in the same year?

 

[AndrewE]

I wonder how many went in the same year?

Blimey! I just had a quick look here https://www.brdatabase.info/withdrawals.php and I think it says
2932 steam locos in 157 classes in 1962, and 1729 steam locos in 101 classes in 1963...

 

[adc82140]

Blimey! I just had a quick look here https://www.brdatabase.info/withdrawals.php and I think it says
2932 steam locos in 157 classes in 1962, and 1729 steam locos in 101 classes in 1963...

Blimey indeed. Who has enough time on their hands to tally up vehicles done this year?

 

[andypops]

What about class 60s too? Thinking of 60006 for instance...

 

[DB]

What about class 60s too? Thinking of 60006 for instance...

Think that's the only Class 60 actually scrapped so far.

 

[hst43102]

Blimey indeed. Who has enough time on their hands to tally up vehicles done this year?

I've had a quick go at the locos and units - most likely a bit inaccurate as I believe some may have been scrapped in 2019.

Class​	Coaches​	2020 Scrapped​
Class 60​	1​	1​
Class 142​	2​	25 (50)​
Class 314​	3​	15 (45)​
Class 315​	4​	38 (152)​
Class 317​	4​	4 (16)​
Class 319​	4​	1 (4)​
Class 332​	4​	2 (8)​
Class 332​	5​	1 (5)​
Class 442​	5​	4 (20)​
Class 508​	3​	2 (6)​

Totals :

Locos - 1
Units - 92
Unit Coaches - 306
Total Locos & Units - 307

I haven't had a go at putting in Mk3s and Mk4s - does anyone have the data easily accessible?

 

[43096]

I've had a quick go at the locos and units - most likely a bit inaccurate as I believe some may have been scrapped in 2019.

Class​	Coaches​	2020 Scrapped​
Class 60​	1​	1​
Class 142​	2​	25 (50)​
Class 314​	3​	15 (45)​
Class 315​	4​	38 (152)​
Class 317​	4​	4 (16)​
Class 319​	4​	1 (4)​
Class 332​	4​	2 (8)​
Class 332​	5​	1 (5)​
Class 442​	5​	4 (20)​
Class 508​	3​	2 (6)​

Totals :

Locos - 1
Units - 92
Unit Coaches - 306
Total Locos & Units - 307

I haven't had a go at putting in Mk3s and Mk4s - does anyone have the data easily accessible?

I make it around 275 Mark 3s and 35 Mark 4s (so far) that have gone for scrap this year.

 

[DB]

What about older locos? I believe 47500 was scrapped this year. Can't immediately think of any others apart from the 60 already mentioned.

Next year is probably likely to see a number of HST power cars scrapped, and possibly some 91s.

 

[TheEdge]

I doubt we will ever see a scrapping on the scale of the mid to late 60s. If we are now counting vehicles individually how many steam locos, pre-BR coaches and older style goods wagons went to the scrapman in that period?

 

[65477]

How many actual scrapyards are there now?. Looking at my photo's of the early 1970's I visited and passed a number none of which now are in existence.

 

[Domh245]

Off the top of my head, the scrapyards that have disposed of stock are:
Sims Newport
Booths Rotherham
Raxstar Eastleigh
EMR Kingsbury
EMR Beeston
Sims Peterborough
Sims Hull

Most of the stock has been going to the first few, with the latter ones only receiving a handful of vehicles. Peterborough and Hull had their stock delivered by road, all the rest are rail connected

 

[AndrewE]

I doubt we will ever see a scrapping on the scale of the mid to late 60s. If we are now counting vehicles individually how many steam locos, pre-BR coaches and older style goods wagons went to the scrapman in that period?

You could follow the link in post 20 and do the sums for subsequent years (for locos anyway.)