Great Western Coffee Shop

GWR buys vehicles outright in HST fleet expansion

UK: Despite concerns over future passenger numbers, the Department for Transport has given permission for Great Western Railway to procure three more shortened HST diesel trainsets, branded as the Castle Class by the franchisee.

Each set comprises four refurbished PRM TSI-compliant MkIII trailer vehicles marshalled between two diesel power cars. GWR already has 11 of these ‘short sets’, all of which have been heavily rebuilt at Wabtec’s Doncaster plant, where power doors are fitted.

With its fleet now increasing to 14, GWR expects to use 12 each day on services across the west of England. Currently the fleet is deployed on the Cardiff – Bristol – Penzance corridor, but the company is still evaluating how the additional sets will be used.

A notable aspect of the procurement is the decision by GWR to acquire 15 additional MkIII vehicles and seven Class 43 power cars from leasing company Angel Trains. GWR is also to receive a further three additional coaches already owned by its parent First Rail Holdings, which will be fully refurbished and made available as standby vehicles.

GWR has also bought another five MkIII vehicles from Porterbrook which will be used purely as a source of spare parts for the Castle fleet. These acquisitions mean that GWR’s short HST fleet now totals 63 coaches and 35 power cars.

I suspect that GWR is not buying but leasing ... but good for the future to have Castles not 143s and do a bit of cascading?

I suppose that extra intermediate vehicles could be added, up to say 7, 8, or even 9 passenger vehicles whilst only needing two power cars.
These extra vehicles could include useful facilities not found on newer stock.
Bulky holiday luggage, cycles and even surfboards could be conveyed in the power cars.
It might even be possible to run these longer trains to and from London.

In theory could you couple 2 sets together without modification (power cars in the centre fitted with buffers)?

TBMK these are actual purchases rather than lease arrangements. Very good for the future of the short HSTs. Reading between the lines, GWR are not particularly hopeful for the quick delivery of the 769s and will need cover when the 143s disappear at the end of the year. Also, several more 150s are going to Northern in the near future.