West Country

The prototype train for the immensely successful HST project, originally Class 41, was extensively tested, first on the Eastern Region and later, in revenue service, on the Western Region� Here it is in the Summer of 1975 about to leave Bath Spa on its daytime diagram down leg to Bristol, as a Cardiff-Portsmouth service pulls into the up platform conveying a GUV in its consist�

Today it has been razed to the ground, but in the 1970s Bristol’s Bath Road diesel depot was almost as busy as its steam predecessor, as can be seen in this shot� From the left there is what looks like an ancient Collett coach used for staff or stores, 2 Sulzer Type 2 Class 25s, 2 Class 08 shunters, a Hymek Type 3 Class 35, a Peak Class 45, a Brush Type 4 Class 47 and another Peak Class 45 or 46 and part of a Brush Type 2 Class 31� There would be even more locos inside the depot�

Spotters are enjoying the almost continuous movements that took place in the area around Bristol’s Bath Road depot and Temple Meads station� A Brush Type 4 Class 47 1753 (later 47491/47769) is stabled next to a CCT van and a Collett coach. Half inside one of the Bath Road maintenance sheds is one of the Bristol Pullman diesel-hydraulic units� Originally known as the Blue Pullmans because of their bright livery, these trains suffered a similar fate to other Pullmans being painted in drab, corporate blue and grey, but curiously reversed, presumably to convey exclusivity, before withdrawal� The Class 47 is still with us, being owned by the Harry Needle Railroad Company and stored at Barrow Hill in Derbyshire.