Modified Mk 3s returned to GWR

A further three ‘Castle’ Mk 3s fitted with sliding doors were delivered to Great Western Railway on November 18.

The three High Speed Train coaches were modified by Wabtec Rail at Doncaster, with new doors fitted as well as retention tanks and other accessibility features.

GWR Trailer Standard (TS) 48104/106 and Trailer Guard’s Standard (TGS) 49102 were taken to Laira. These were converted from TS 42102, 42222 and TGS 44101 respectively.

It now means that GWR has nine coaches modified - enough for a second set to be introduced. The HSTs are formed into four-coach sets, and used initially on trains between Penzance, Exeter and Plymouth. They will be rolled out onto other routes including to Cardiff and Gloucester.

The vehicles were moved west by GWR 43154 and 43186, which had taken Mk 3s to Yorkshire for modifications earlier in the month, but returned to Laira without any modifications or a repaint into GWR green.