Fleet Review
IN THE space of just three weeks, 14 of the Class 142s previously used by Transport for Wales were disposed of for scrap from Landore, all going by road to Sims Metals at Newport Docks, where they were all demolished within a day or so of arrival. The penultimate rail move took place on January 20, with 142072 and 142076 running from Cardiff Canton to Landore, while 142010 worked the 5E43 0952 CantonLandore two days later with 143605, it becoming the final Class 142 to work on Network Rail metals in South Wales. In contrast, 143605 is now in store and it was joined by further sister units during February, including 143608 and 143624, which are not currently required due to the reduced TfW timetable.
The road movements to Newport commenced on January 18 with 142082 being removed by Allelys, with 142002/73/74/76 all having followed by the end of that week. Five more Pacers, 142010/69/72/75/83, departed to oblivion during the week commencing January 25 and 142077/80/81/85 followed between February 1-4. Only one of the Welsh sets managed to escape the carnage for preservation, 142006 leaving Landore for the Llanelli & Mynydd Mwar Railway on February 15.
The departures from Landore were not finished though, with a trio of GWR Class 143s also heading to Sims Metals between February 8-11, 143611, 143620 and 143621 being taken away on Reids Freight Services low-loaders. With the Vale of Berkeley-bound pair of 143612 at Moveright, Wishaw, and 143603 at the Chasewater Railway, only three GWR Class 143s now await disposal. Still stabled at St Philip’s Marsh, indications are that 143617-19 may yet find a new home in the south west.