PlymouthTrains - Images From 2026

Rail Adventure operated with Ex. GWR power car Nos. 43092 + 43093 passes Marsh Mills, Plymouth while working the 5Q43 09:00 Laira to Mid-norfolk Railway Siding running 31 minutes Late with Coaches nos. 49105, 48150, 48114, 48137, 49117 and 48136 - 17th February 2026

On what will be remembered as a historic day in the South West, GWR Castle Class power cars 43187 and 43042 are seen at Plymouth station after working the 2P24 15:15 Penzance to Plymouth service. After over 40 years in regular passenger service, they then went on to operate the 5Z24 18:52 Plymouth to Laira via the through line departing at 19:56 after lining up three Castle Class sets, which departed on time on their final day of passenger operations, Saturday 13th December.

On what will be remembered as a historic day in the South West, GWR Castle Class power cars 43042 and 43187 are seen at Plymouth station after working the 2P24 15:15 Penzance to Plymouth service. After over 40 years in regular passenger service, they then went on to operate the 5Z24 18:52 Plymouth to Laira via the through line departing at 19:56 after lining up three Castle Class sets, which departed on time on their final day of passenger operations, Saturday 13th December.

On what will be remembered as a historic day in the South West, GWR Castle Class power cars 43042 and 43187 are seen at Plymouth station after working the 2P24 15:15 Penzance to Plymouth service. After over 40 years in regular passenger service to work the 5Z24 18:52 Plymouth to Laira via the through line, departing at 19:56 after three Castle Class sets seen together one final time. This marked their final day of passenger operations on Saturday 13th December.

On what will be remembered as a historic day in the South West, GWR Castle Class power cars 43187 and 43042 are seen at Plymouth station after working the 2P24 15:15 Penzance to Plymouth service. After over 40 years in regular passenger service to work the 5Z24 18:52 Plymouth to Laira via the through line, departing at 19:56 after three Castle Class sets seen together one final time. This marked their final day of passenger operations on Saturday 13th December.

On Saturday, 13 December 2025, GWR brought the curtain down on the final Castle Class sets, marking not just their withdrawal, but the end of an era for scheduled HST operation on its network—and across England.

For over four decades, these iconic trains have been the backbone of West Country services, their unmistakable profile and power defining a generation of rail travel. Now, as they pass into history, newer rolling stock—including recommissioned Class 175s, Hitachi IET units, and other DMUs—will take up the mantle once carried by these enduring stalwarts of the rails.

Here we see for the final time The 3 Set line up at Plymouth with GWR Class 43 Powercar nos. 43093 + 43187 & 43186 + 43004 and 43042 + 43198.

The grand finale - three Class 43 ‘Castles’ lined up at Plymouth after arriving from Penzance on there final day in operation.

Class 37 No. 37407 ‘Blackpool Tower’ returned woking the 0E43 Laira to Ely Papworth Sidings taking off lease ex GWR power cars Nos. 43188 ex ‘Newport Castle’ + 43189 ex ‘Launceston Castle’. In less than favourable conditions. Tuesday 20th January.

Europhoenix (EPR) Class 37/5 locomotives Nos. 37512 TnT 37501 'Teeside Steelmaster' working the 7Q86 01:30 Ely Papworth Sidings to Penzance with the latest move of the next stored Class 175 DMU No.175010 for GWR. Marshalled between two Mk1 barrier vehicles 6393 & 6344. Tuesday 13th January 2026.

Frightener Class 66 No. 66556 with auto ballasters 380327 380181 380180 380179 380027 380508 380622 380623 380624 380408 is seen at Plymouth Station working the 6Y60 19:19 Westbury to Westbury arriving at 23:08 14 early then departing back north after running around platform 5 at 2359. Wednesday 8th April

GBRF CLASS 66'S NOS. 66719 TNT 66310 WITH the Rail 200 Exhibition Train consisting of coaching stock nos. 11092 11093 11101 10406 + 66310 is seen working the 3Z42 07:39 Newquay to Long Marston which arrived Plymouth 11 minutes early at 09:22 and departed 1 late at time at 09:48. - Sunday 12th April

DOUBLE HEADED GBRF CLASS 66'S NOS. 66742 + 66748 WITH 'The Britannic Explorer' IS SEEN WORKING THE 1C:02 09:05 Bishops Lydeard to Penzance PASSING STARCROSS 2 MINUTES LATE AT 10:52. SATURDAY 18TH APRIL

ThE “Great Britain” tour returned to Cornwall on Saturday 18 May, with the first leg of the UK-wide steam railtour reaching Penzance behind Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 'Eddystone', assisted by WCRC Class 47 No. 47826 on the rear.

SR West Country class 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ top & tailed Class 47 No. 47826 westbound passing Powderham Crossing while working the 1Z12 13:26 Exeter St Davids to Penzance "The Great Britain XVIII passing 6 minutes late at 13:40.

The locomotive was then taken to St Blazey for turning and servicing at the MPower Kernow facilities, ahead of its return north on Sunday morning—marking the first steam tour west of Par in several years.

SATURDAY 18TH APRIL

Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 'Eddystone' assisted by WCRC Class 47 No. 47826 on the rear is seen working 'The Great Britain XVIII' 1Z10 09:20 Penzance to Chester climbing Hemerdon Bank, the fourth steepest main line bank on the British mainland, a notoriously demanding 2.5-mile climb at a constant 1 in 42 gradient 2 minutes late at 11:52. Sunday 19th April

after a over night stay on the Fowey branch line, The Britannic Explorer with GBRf Class 66's Nos. 66742 TnT 66748 is seen passing Keyham Station while working the 1C06 10:50 Fowey Dock Carne Point to Bruton 6 minutes lat at 14:25.

GWR Class 166 No. 166215 is seen on the Teignmouth sea wall while working the 2T15 10:57 Exmouth to Paignton 6 minutes late at 12:02. Friday 24th April

Cross Country Trains newly refurbished Class 220 No. 220033 working with 220012 working the 1V46 06:42 York to Plymouth on the Teignmouth sea wall 5 minutes late at 12:08. Friday 24th April

GWR Class 800 No. 800306 passing along the iconic Teignmouth Sea Wall working the 1C75 09:34 London Paddington to Paignton on time at 12:14. Friday 24th April.

GWR Class 800 No. 800311 is seen on the iconic Teignmouth Sea Wall while working the 1C76 10:03 London Paddington to Penzance passing on time at 12:21. Friday 24th April.

GWR Class 166 No. 166203 is seen after exiting Parsons tunnel on the Teignmouth Sea Wall working the 2T16 11:23 Exmouth to Paignton 1 late at 12:26. Friday 24th April.

Cross Country trains Class 220 No. 220009 is seen working the 1V47 08:03 Manchester Piccadilly to Paignton 3 late at 12:44 after exiting Parsons tunnel on the Teignmouth Sea Wall. Friday 24th April.

GWR Class 150 Nos. 150221 + 150107 is seen on the Teignmouth Sea Wall working the 2T17 11:57 Exmouth to Paignton 1 late at 12:56. Friday 24th April.

GWR Class 800 No. 800009 is seen after exiting Parsons tunnel on the Teignmouth Sea Wall working the 2C27 12:55 Exeter St Davids to Penzance on time at 13:10. Friday 24th April.

GWR Class 158 No. 158958 working the 2T18 12:23 Exmouth to Paignton 3 late at 13:18 on the Teignmouth Sea Wall. Friday 24th April

GWR Class 800 No. 800020 + 800004 emerging Parsons tunnel on the Teignmouth Sea Wall working the 1C78 11:03 London Paddington to Plymouth 14 late at 13:40. Friday 24th April.

Cross Country Trains Class 220 Nos. 220015 + 220022 is seen on the Teignmouth Sea Wall working the 1V50 06:02 Edinburgh to Plymouth 7 minutes late at 14.08. Friday 24th April.

GWR Class 166 No. 166204 is seen on the Teignmouth Sea Wall working the 2T20 13:23 Exmouth to Paignton on time at 14:20. Friday 24th April.

GWR Class 800 No. 800312 is seen on the Teignmouth Sea Wall working the 1C80 12:05 London Paddington to Penzance on time 14:27. Friday 24th April.

Class 47 No. 47306 'The Sapper' is seen passing Charlie's Gate while working the 12:25 Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway. Saturday 25th April

Ex. Chiltern's Railway Class 121 No. 121020 is seen passing Charlie's Gate while working the 13:20 Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway. Saturday 25th April.

Ex. Chiltern's Railway Class 121 No. 121020 is seen passing Charlie's Gate while working the 14:10 Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway. Saturday 25th April.

Ex. Chiltern's Railway Class 121 No. 121020 is seen passing Charlie's Gate while working the 14:35 Bodmin Parkway to Bodmin General. Saturday 25th April.

Class 47 No. 47306 'The Sapper' is seen passing Charlie's Gate while working the 15:55 Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway. Saturday 25th April

Class 47 No. 47306 'The Sapper' is seen passing Charlie's Gate while working the 16:25 Bodmin Parkway to Bodmin General. Saturday 25th April

GWR Class 802 No.802020 is seen passing Marsh Mills while working the 1A78 07:10 Penzance to London Paddington passing on time at 09:19. Monday 27th April

Cross Country Trains Class 220 No. 220112 is seen working the 1S45 09:27 Plymouth to Aberdeen passing on time at 09:31. Monday 27th April

still carrying its former Transport for 2E06 07:45 Penzance to Exeter St Davids on time at 09:46. Monday 27th April

Viewed from Cot Hill Overbridge, GWR Class 800 No. 800310 is seen working the 1A80 08:15 Penzance to London Paddington passing Tavistock Junction on time at 11:19. Monday 27th April.

Cross Country Class 221 No. 221126 working the 1S47 10:27 Plymouth to Edinburgh is seen passing Tavistock Junction on time at 10:31. Monday 27th April.

GWR Class 800 No.800002 is seen passing Tavistock Junction while working the 2E08 08:50 Penzance to Exeter St Davids passing on time at 10:56. Monday 27th April.

GWR Class 800 No. 800316 is seen working the 1A82 09:10 Penzance to London Paddington passing Tavistock Junction on time at 11:18. Monday 27th April.

Class 166 No. 166216, a rare visitor, is seen on Platform 5 at Plymouth Station, ready to work the 1A77 08:35 service from Plymouth to Taunton. Tuesday 28th April.

2Q35 04:40 Plymouth Park Sidings to Par Liner Sidings via Looe, Parkandillack and Newquay 9 minutes late at 11:53. Tuesday 28th April.

GWR Class 150 No. 150202 is seen approaching Middleway Crossing, Par while working the 2N09 11:24 Newquay to Par 7 minutes late as 12:14. Tuesday 28th April.

GBRf Class 66 No. 66712 is seen approaching Middleway Crossing while working the 6G09 12:32 Goonbarrow Junction Dbc to Fowey Dock Carne Point on time at 12:49. Tuesday 28th April.

Network Rail Class 43's with powercar Nos. 43014 + 43013 is seen passing South Brent 3 minutes early at 14:18 while working the 1Q18 05:43 Reading Triangle Sidings to Paignton - Friday 1st May

Great Western Railway Class 802 No. 802108 is seen passing Langstone Rock, Dawlish Warren working the 1C72 0803 London Paddington to Penzance PASSING 2 late at 10:24. Saturday 2nd May.

THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY ''The Atlantic Voyager' WITH CLASS 47'S NOS. 47813 TOP AND TAILED 47813 AT THE REAR IS SEEN PASSING LANGSTONE ROCK, DAWLISH WARREN WHILE WORKING THE 1Z47 0546 Dorridge to Newquay PASSING 5 MINUTES LATE AT 10.40. SATURDAY 2ND MAY.

The Belmond Britannic Explorer is a luxury sleeper train, launched in the United Kingdom in July 2025. It's based on the rolling stock of the former luxury train Belmond Grand Hibernian, which used to run in Ireland and Northern Ireland between 2016 and 2019.

The Belmond Britannic Explorer PASSING LANGSTONE ROCK, WITH DOUBLE HEADED GBRF CLASS 66'S NOS. 66744 + 66748 DAWLISH WARREN WHILE WORKING THE 1C02 09:05 Bishops Lydeard to Penzance PASSING 3 MINUTES LATE AT 11:08. SATURDAY 2ND MAY.

Saphos Trains 'the English Riviera Express' with LNER Thompson Class B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' is seen passing Langstone Rock, Dawlish Warren while working the 1Z61 06:10 Crewe to Kingswear passing 34 minutes late at 12:41. Saturday 2nd May.

After British Rail Class 57 No. 57604 failed at Penance on the evening of Monday 4th May, and after a further failure the following day at Highbridge Loop involving the first rescue Locomotive 57605 with 57604 while positioning stock for Tuesday night’s London service, this unusual triple-headed empty sleeper stock movement is seen passing Cott Hill Overbridge.

Leading the train GBRf Class 57 No. 57301, hauling failed GWR locomotives 57605 and 57604 on the 5Z50 08:00 Highbridge Loop to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. service, passing 9 minutes late at 12:07.

GWR Class 150 No. 150221 stands on Liskeard Station to work the 2L83 13:58 Liskeard to Looe departing on time at 13:58. Tuesday 12th May.

GWR Class 175 No. 175112 stands at Liskeard station while working the 2C26 13:40 Plymouth to Penzance departing on time at 14:15. Tuesday 12th May.

The Midland Pullman in a 2 + 5 formation with powercar Nos. 43059 + 43058 is seen passing Laira Junction while working The Torbay and Dartmouth Pullman 1Z23 15:13 Kingswear to Penzance passing 1 minute late at 17:50.

Freightliner Class 66 No. 66546 stands at Plymouth railway station while working the 6Y61 19:39 service from Westbury Down T.C. to Westbury Down T.C. via Plymouth. The locomotive arrived 20 minutes early at 22:59 before departing 8 minutes behind schedule at 00:34 on Tuesday 19th May.

Freightliner Class 66 No. 66546 stands at Plymouth railway station while working the 6Y61 19:39 service from Westbury Down T.C. to Westbury Down T.C. via Plymouth. The locomotive arrived 20 minutes early at 22:59 before departing 8 minutes behind schedule at 00:34. Tuesday 19th May.

Freightliner Class 66 No. 66546 stands at Plymouth railway station while working the 6Y61 19:39 service from Westbury Down T.C. to Westbury Down T.C. via Plymouth. The locomotive arrived 20 minutes early at 22:59 before departing 8 minutes behind schedule at 00:34 on Tuesday 19th May.

GWR Class 57 No. 57604 “Pendennis Castle” stands at Platform 4 at Plymouth railway station while working the 1A50 21:45 service from Penzance to London Paddington station. The iconic Night Riviera Sleeper departs Plymouth right on time at 23:56. Tuesday 19th May

Great Western Railway Class 175 No. 175007 is seen at Plymouth railway station working the 5P99 21:35 Par to Laira via Platform 3 after trespassers between Plymouth and Ivybridge caused delays of around an hour.

The service departed at 00:03, 107 minutes early.

On long term hire to GWR Class 57 No. 57301 stands at Platform 4 at Plymouth railway station while working the 1A50 21:45 Penzance to London Paddington. The iconic Night Riviera Sleeper departs Plymouth right on time at 23:55. Wednesday 20th May