Great Western Coffee Shop

As some of you will know, I'm the curator of a small museum of and in Melksham.

I was loaned the attached photo yesterday as part of a small collection, and whilst there's no mystery as to where it was taken, I'm not too sure exactly when.

My suspicion is mid-1980s but I was wondering if anyone could be any more precise? Engine number is 253 005

(http://www.terrascope.co.uk/images/HSTMelksham.jpg)

March 1985 is the latest possible month ... that's when the work started on resurfacing the platform, followed by the slewing across of the running line to run past the platform for the May 1985 re-opening.

I think that livery came in around 1983 so that would narrow it down to a two year timeslot. When did they drop the set numbers from the ends of the power cars?

To me that looks like the as built HST livery? Might be wrong however!

Looking on my phone. You might be right.  ;D

HSTs were introduced on the Western Region in May 1980, so anytime from then until March 1985 is the timescale involved! The new livery was being introduced during '85 too. 

HST's were introduced on the Western Region in October 1976 (the first journey I remember by train being an offer to go to London for 125p return from Cardiff, which my uncle and I duly did in November of the same year.)   Although I suspect d_m might be referring to the introduction of services to the South West, it's possible that the picture shown was of a diverted Bristol - London service avoiding Box (the third side of the Bradford triangle still existed then, so a fairly simple diversion at the time.)

As 'John R' says it was 1976.  I remember being a young lad on Didcot Parkway and being fascinated by them roaring through in the late 70s.  The key to the date might well be the 253005 on the power car end as it very soon became clear that numbering sets like that wasn't going to work in the long term as power cars were always being swapped about, as indeed were the coaches.  Not sure how long until those numbers were removed though.

I don't think that is a power car in 'Executive' livery (introduced around 1983) as there is no white band between the yellow and darker colour. Also, most 'Executive' liveried power cars had their set number above the horns, not below. And there's no evidence of a red band to the rear of the power car.

So I think it's original blue and yellow livery (from 1976 onward) with the photo colours somewhat washed out making it hard to tell between black and blue.

Doing a quick look round photo sites the latest picture I can find of a set carrying its 253 number on the front is April 1980.

I found a picture of 253005, original livery still with set number, from December 1983:

http://www.hondawanderer.com/43010_Patchway_1983.htm

Not really helping Phil narrow down the date for his picture though.  ;)

Yep sorry, had a look at what I was reading with  that date on and it was indeed full introduction to Devon & Cornwall.