Great Western Coffee Shop

GWR ran a gauging test from Laira to Exmouth overnight 11-12th June 2021 using a 2+4 Castle set. I guess this was to check the suitablility of the Castles - given that full length [slam-door] HST sets have worked along the line over the years.

Seen here at Topsham. To the untrained eye, there appeared to be a small problem at the Exmouth-bound platform as the rear power car appeared to foul the level crossing slightly when the set stopped at the signal on the platform and after a few minutes pulled forward a couple of feet. The set arrived some 15 minutes early and had to wait for the last train of the day from Exmouth, but the level crossing barriers remained closed for the duration - much to the annoyance of the half-dozen motorists queued up. I did not wait for the 2am return!

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ww255/PhilWakely/DSC_0586_filtered.jpg)

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/ww255/PhilWakely/DSC_0589_filtered.jpg)

I expect the rear end didn't clear the track circuit locking the barriers down.
I've heard that GWR tested the HST to be used as final resort when no other stock is available.
I saw it at St James' Park where it stopped for 45 seconds. The front loco was on the platform stopped at the stop board. 4 staff got out from cab, front door or rear of car 3 just on the end of the platform, looked, waved and got back on again. Departure was very sharp I guess to force the acceleration to test it against the more nimble 150s & 166s.

There is a shortage. Several days per week Exmouth-Paignton sees two 3 car 166s and 4 car 150s. But too many days a missing turbo or 150 results in two 2 car 150s or 2 or 3 car 158s and rarely a 2 or 3 car 165. Even full length trains can have standing in the good weather.

Thank you MikeR and a warm welcome to the forum. 

Things would have to be pretty dire to use one of these as the dwell times would play havoc with the tight timetable.

158 operating Paignton- Exmouth today and they are not much better.

I have heard since from a fellow photographer who was with at Topsham and who chased the set to Exmouth. He said...... "Spoke to the train crew at Exmouth and they said that they had to pull right up to the signal to get a 2+4 in and even that was very tight to fit in - but a 2+3 would be ok. So not sure how much of a success the test was.  It may be possible to move the signal to allow for a 2+4, but that would involve significant bureaucracy"