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GWR gives ‘Castle’ names to its HST power cars… and revives Class 255 designation

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GWR has unveiled a series of new cast nameplates with ‘Castle’ names that will be applied to its HST power cars. 

The HST power cars are used on the shortened 2+4 formations, which run between Bristol and Penzance.

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The plates are of a new design and feature the outline of a 2+4 HST set as well as an outline of the eponymous castle. 

Soon to be named: A GWR ‘Castle’ HST short set with power car Nos. 43154 and 43092 passes along the sea wall at Dawlish on July 6 with the 12.52 Exeter St Davids-Plymouth service. Construction work on the wall is carried out as the tide goes out. PAUL A BIGGS

The plates have been produced by Newton Replicas.

GWR’s decision to name the short HST sets ‘Castle’ and now to bestow names on them is a wonderful throwback to steam days.

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Two of the nameplates showing the individual detail. JACK BOSKETT

In addition, GWR as resurrected the Class 255 designation. This was originally allocated by Virgin Trains for its plan in 2002 to create 14 shorter HST sets, which were to be called ‘Challenger’ units, and used on the cross-country services it ran at the time. 

Read more in the August 2019 issue of The RM – on sale now!

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