An AMAZING ride aboard a HST to Cornwall!

[@takemeaway285]

I was travelling a couple of years ago from Paddington to Newport, and when we called at Bristol a middle aged man stomped up to me and very aggressively informed me I was in his seat. The carriage was empty except for two women, including myself, and now this red-faced tool. I pointed out that there were no reservations in this carriage and that there were plenty of other seats for him to take. He wasn't impressed and just stood over me, glaring. I turned back to my book, so realising I wasn't about to give in to his bullying he proceeded to take the seat directly opposite me at my table seat and spread out his stuff - book, snacks, cans of cider, and most importantly to me, his ticket. I glanced at it, curious as to how he'd mistakenly assumed I was in his seat. It was a ticket to Taunton! How I didn't laugh out loud I'll never know. This fool was on the wrong damn train 🤣 Now, if he hadn't already been a dick to me I would have pointed out his error before the train left the station, but alas for him I kept mum. As we pulled away from Bristol the announcement came "this is the 12:xx service to Swansea, calling at.....". His face was glorious! He glared at me again, and furiously shoved his things back in his bag, sitting with his arms folded over his chest, seething. I just looked up and gave a half smile. We sat like that all the way to Newport where I was visiting friends for a few days, and he must have changed platforms to wait for the train back to Bristol, and onward to Taunton. Karma truly is a B*tch 😁

[@grangetowncardiff6935]

Ah! could have been me! Drink is a terrible thing, but also a blessing. Hic!

[@andyrob3259]

Love it. I’d actually have packed up and moved and said ‘I saw your ticket was to Taunton, if you’d been less an at**wipe I’d have told you were on the wrong train Knob. Have a nice day’ and walked off

[@ozgirl45]

This is hilarious. I suspect that these days he would have started something by refusing to wear a mask.

[@AzKarma2010]

That’s was a read but I’m glad I settled in.

[@michaelformaini7053]

Ah, sweet revenge! And you didn't have to give in to his bullying. Nice!

[@ravenfeeder1892]

Living in the South West I regularly travel over the Dawlish section of track. It's amazing! In nearly 40 years of travel along it I have never got tired of the views out to sea. I resent any trip done in darkness.

[@jamesrichardson476]

Many years ago, when trains still had opening windows, I remember an announcement warning us to close the windows on the seaward side of the coach before getting to Dawlish and Teignmouth because it was high tide and, being a breezy day with a south westerly, there was a risk of spray coming in to the carriage :)

[@EASYTIGER10]

Its confirmation you're getting old when you watch someone enjoy the novelty riding a train because it's an aging an endangered classic from a previous era, when you remember enjoying the novelty of riding it because it was new!😂

[@D.music85]

Great mighty HSTs! I recommend you try the unique Glasgow Subway! It’s small, it’s cute and its one of a kind!

[@mirandamom1346]

I’ve never had the pleasure of traveling through Cornwall, so thank you for the glimpse of the scenery!

[@egpx]

Top work young man for greying out the jobbies in the lavatory!

[@aaronparsons877]

I just love HST's!!!! they look and sound sooooo good!!!!

[@DylansTravelReports]

I agree!

[@graemehunter5403]

Amazed that these train sets are still running, I remember the original BR sets

[@iantogriffin9928]

Love your videos Dylan, especially this one, reminds me of traveling to the Royal Navy in Plymouth UK from my home north of Cardiff when living in Wales. The intercity 125 was , back in the day, the high speed train of its day, kinda like the Japanese Bullet Train, since the valleys only had decreed clunkers serving the low -speed routes of the 1980's. Your videos have inspired me to travel from Washington State, where I have lived for 30 years, to my new home in Orlando Florida- next month. Just watched your Amtrak video's and decided to ship the home possessions and Land Rover using transportation carriers and travel Portland to Chicago, Chicago to Washington DC and Washington DC to Orlando in a roomette on Amtrak... for 3 nights and 4 days. Your video persuaded my wife and I to try Amtrak next month. Thank You. Keep posting .

[@DylansTravelReports]

Enjoy your trip!

[@travelingman6511]

In Australia The New South Wales XPT (short for eXpress Passenger Train) is a class of diesel-powered passenger trains built by Comeng and ABB Transportation. Based on the British Rail designed Intercity 125 High Speed Train, each XPT set is made up of two locomotives coupled to between four and seven carriages. The first sets entered service under the State Rail Authority in 1982 and now operate under NSW TrainLink, running on long-distance regional and interstate North Coast, Main Western and Main Southern lines throughout New South Wales and interstate into Victoria and Queensland.

[@LiftFan]

One of the most satisfying things is being on a fast train and watching the adjacent roads being gridlocked!

[@DylansTravelReports]

I agree

[@philipedwards439]

Great train, great journey, great video. One of your best Dylan!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Cheers.

[@janyceparks8326]

I feel like I have made this journey myself - how wonderful! I would love to have the means to visit the UK and see it's beauty and great people. Thank you!

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Hope you can one day!

[@DC4260Productions]

I'm surprised you hardly mentioned any of the branch lines west of Plymouth They're really quite fascinating, especially the Liskeard to Looe branch.

[@ispi_video_photo]

I have done the trip to Penzance many times, Dawlish is great fun in a storm. The train doesn't exactly "stretch its legs" in the Cornwall section, but that's a good thing as you get more time to admire the view.

[@sherlocksteve9109]

It was a nice evening spring journey! The way the gentle afternoon sun made the passing scenery look excellent!

[@trainmanbob]

Done this journey a few times. However one stands out Dylan. A few decades ago I did the journey on an overnight sleeper. It was a Mk 1 carriage and I think the drivers instructions must have included a message to stop and start abruptly whenever possible. The return journey some weeks later was done by coach!!! Great filming. Thanks Dylan. Cheers, Bob

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@stephenreed8142]

Hi Dylan, I am a new subscriber and have been really enjoying your videos. I live in Cornwall and HSTs are pretty common down here, I know that whenever I take a day out to say Penzance from Truro I am sure to travel on one, I love them! :)

[@stevenmontoya9950]

Ah yes, the famous Dawlish Sea Wall! I only wonder what'll need to get done to lower the risk of tracks getting washed out. Our own famous section of track alongside the Pacific Ocean here in Southern California did almost get washed out, and Pacific Surfliner service between LA and San Diego was interrupted for months!

[@ravenfeeder1892]

The channel Dawlish Beach Cams has a few videos on the progress of the new Sea Wall if you want to see it.

[@janmartin2033]

Fantastic camera work, and very informative, really love the scenery, and the speed of the train, really allows people to absorb the outside beauty, good for drawing and painting, fantastic landscape. Really like your work. 🐆🐎

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@lorijohnston4311]

You are right, Dylan. This was a lovely journey. As I hope to get back to the UK as soon as able, I have had a trip from London to Cornwall and Penzance on my bucket list. I greatly appreciate being able to see the beautiful scenery. It is disappointing, as you pointed out, that with a lengthy journey, there was no catering available. Thanks for the great video, as always. Have a wonderful weekend, Dylan!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Have a good weekend too!

[@ianhenderson4560]

Amazing video of a gorgeous bit of railway!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@janiceaucoin1435]

Beautiful scenery, thank you.

[@michaelformaini7053]

Another great video from your stable, Dylan. The only bit that wasn't familiar to me was the first section from Bristol to Taunton. After that I was in familiar territory from my 2018 trip. A couple of points come to mind; I thought the Royal Albert Bridge was completed in 1859, not 1854. The scenery was ace, but it might have been wise to show some from the right hand side after Saltash as, clearly, the South western setting sun played havoc with some of your later sections of the presentation. Other than that, another great offering, especially given the time of year with the changeable weather. On a postcript note, the Castle class seats might have taken me a little time to get used to, seeing as I was a spoilt colonial enjoying a First Class Britrail Pass. No catering for a journey over 3 - 4 hours could be a bit of a turnoff. If GWR decide to keep more of their Mark3 HST cars instead of giving them away to Scotrail or scrapping them, a 5th carriage with a self service catering module not unlike what was on the Swedish MTRX Flirt on your last video would allay some reticent travellers with rumbling tummies. Just yesterday, I had to rush up to the local supermarket in Warrnambool to get some supplies after I found out that the catering module on the evening service to Melbourne was not operating (shortage of staff due to omicron). This was a 3 hour 40 minute journey which got annoyingly extended just short of destination due to a police incident where some philistine was trespassing upon the rail tracks. Fully recovered from my exasperation now, having had a "heart attack on a plate" brunch this morning (almost equivalent to "The Great British Breakfast" with all the ingredients). You're welcome to have a chuckle at my misfortune and response. Cheers for now from Michael.

[@DylansTravelReports]

I agree with you! 6 hours is a long time with no catering or 1st class!

[@rodneyboulton6410]

Living in exeter I go to Dawlish regularly. It's a great walk from Dawlish to Dawlish Warren along the seafront

[@jonno209]

It's only when you move away you appreciate just how great Devon is.

[@darthwiizius]

Running HSTs at commuter line speeds means the things will never wear out, great repurposing job.

[@KempSimon]

Which is, presumably, why GWR will shortly be withdrawing its short-formed "Castle" class HST's because they are .... worn out?

[@beckysonnier6369]

Thank you for taking us along. I really enjoyed the scenery.

[@TheSpotify95]

15:37 This is my experience also from when EMR has HST's on its route. The train wi-fi worked, speeds were a bit slow, but no worries as you could get a good 4G signal for the entire route. The same cannot be said for what is in service now, hence why I loved the HST's.

[@stevehallam0850]

Excellent recycling of the HSTs. They have a good few more years in them.

[@jossjr16]

I prefer class 801

[@jossjr16]

SC LBTS

[@doctorbastard2912]

All scrapped now

[@maxmawby4630]

Big fan of the channel Dylan, and the HST Castle sets too. I loved your videos with just subtitles being able to hear all the sounds of travelling is super relaxing. Any plans to bring those back? Thanks for all your work on the channel!

[@KempSimon]

Great Western Railway's short-formed HST's are horribly cramped and - unlike their Scottish counterparts - have no First Class accommodation and no on-board catering!

[@maimadha]

​@@KempSimonwhen GWR operated the InterCity125 sets out of London Paddington they did so much better than the 800s and 802s

[@johnledingham852]

I really enjoyed this trip from Bristol to Penzance. Thanks for your interesting commentary. You weren't in my face, but in a casual way told me all I had to know. You whet my appetite to try and see it in the real, before they put me into a pine box for my last journey.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@johngreene5660]

Enjoyed this one Dylan. It's on my bucket list to hop over from Ireland and visit Cornwall Devon and Somerset. I have a huge interest in English villages but especially the ones in these Counties. In the meantime wetting the appetite with your videos. Thank you

[@speedymccreedy8785]

Another really great video, excellent views of the smaller towns and the country side.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@John_Fugazzi]

This trip was full of beautiful scenery from the green valleys and fields to the oceanside passage. The clouds throughout the first half looked like they were in a landscape painting. The lack of a buffet car on a journey this long is terrible, but this was almost a year ago. Hopefully the railway companies don't end the service (without lowering the cost of a ticket) just because people have gotten used to not having it.

[@KempSimon]

ScotRail also uses short-formed High Speed Trains north of the border but one carriage is First Class (with comfortable, spacious, reclining seats) and there is on-board catering. Unlike with GWR, passengers travelling First Class receive complimentary refreshments! Great Western Railway will soon be withdrawing its HST "Castle" sets as they are very expensive to operate, but I won't miss them because the seating is cramped with 88 (mainly airline-style) seats crammed into a carriage originally designed for just 64, and only a couple of (very small) fixed tables.

[@edwinleslie1330]

Of all the train companies GWR colour scheme of dark green and silver is my favourite. So stylish.

[@simongray8019]

As a former GWR employee I really think they are missing a trick by not offering a buffet car or at least a trolley service on these services. When you take in to consideration the journey length is almost 6 hours it's a real missed opportunity. Many people take these services rather than a Voyager and the lack of refreshments was a regular complaint. Sorry Dylan, great report and beautiful scenes

[@craiglogistics2092]

It's nice that these lovely HSTs are still running but they could do with another coach with a buffet, honestly 6 hours without even a snack is not a good service but it's better than riding a Voyager

[@aek7247]

Isn't anything better than a Voyager in the south west at least 😂

[@stevieinselby]

It is surprising that GWR don't offer First Class or catering on these trains - it feels like they are covering the same kind of market segment as TransPennine, long-distance but not full-blown intercity, and they have First Class on all trains and a trolley service on most of them. Even if it's only drinks ☕🧃🍺 and snacks 🍫, it's better than nothing! I missed the bit in the video at Plymouth where they uncoupled the diesel engine and hooked in a couple of horses 🐎🐎 to pull the train through Cornwall ... or at least, that's what it felt like when I went down that way a few years ago, cross the Royal Albert Bridge and suddenly it became so sloooooooooooooow 🐌!

[@glennwright2197]

Brilliant content sir..highly enjoyed excellent quality.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks a lot!

[@andrewpreston4127]

Right at the beginning of this video, on the left of the pavement as you walk up to the main entrance of Temple Meads, you're actually walking past Brunel's original station. On the quality of travel, unlike the reviewer, I've never found the ride of the HST's to be bouncy. What I particularly like about the HST's is that they have decent, properly upholstered seats. Unlike the successor carriages, which seem to have those thin, airline economy class, things ..., apparently designed so that more people can be crammed in. Like cattle.

[@radders261]

Always wanted to transverse the Dawlish wall on a HST. Another fantastic video btw!

[@bazza945]

Another 'good one', Dylan, thanks.

[@louislegrand2865]

Thanks, Dylan! Well, I watched your video.

[@Prabodh4]

Loved every bit of the vlog Dylan. Especially the timing when it comes to balance when to speak & when not to speak. I thoroughly enjoyed scenery down the line. Keep up the good vlog. More power to you. With you I enjoyed the complete ride.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@davidwright-sp3zx]

You're almost at 100k!

[@railwaydays7596]

Hi Dylan Great video 👍 Really enjoyed it and was wondering what app you were using for the speedometer? Thanks in advance 😃

[@Neville60001]

Dylan, you have to come here to Toronto and take a trip on our regional (commuter) train, run by GO ( *G* overment of *O* ntario) Transit from Toronto to Niagara Falls-you'll love the experience, believe me, and you'll also like the towns and cities on the way there.

[@davidwilliams8405]

Beautiful countryside, I noticed this train, this trip, had a lot more passengers on board as on other rides. So there really is a city named Truro...I've heard it mentioned on that tv show "Doc Martin." I had an uncle who was in the Navy 23 years, stationed in Norfolk, who was always talking about making port calls in Plymouth and Bristol. When I lived in New Jersey we used to go to a bar/club in Manhattan called "The Bristol Pistol."

[@luisstransport]

Great trip report

[@FinleyIsaac]

i have to say, i audibly laughed out loud when i heard "weston is a picturesque seaside resort" 😂

[@traincentre4739]

You are very close to 100k. Well done!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@pumpkin79]

So close to 100k!! Great video as always! :D

[@BaconTrains]

Great video as always!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@strikeyz]

Excellent video as always :) And your subscriber count seems to be getting rather close to a very nice round number..

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks a lot 😁

[@Robslondon]

Wonderful video Dylan.

[@TheVlogger110]

I remembered going on that route 2 weeks ago.

[@serenawells170]

We have just come across your video on you tube. Would like to mention I am standing at Taunton platform with 3 boys in your video. Wearing a blue hoodie. 😊

[@DylansTravelReports]

Awesome!

[@coliniancooke8848]

first time I've ever heard of the Mk 3 coaches described as bouncy in all the years since they were introduced !!

[@shirleynitka5030]

One more lovely journey. Agreed, it is too far to go without any food service. I am diabetic & if I was to go without food or drink for 6+ hours, my sugar may crash. It was very careless on the railways part to not have soap in the bathroom. During a pandemic we all need to be on top of everything. That was a big negative for me. The cost of the journey was excellent. That flashing overhead sign in the aisle would set me off. (maybe it just appeared that way) Flashing lights, etc. can send me into a seizure or an A typical migraine. Not something you want while on vacation. I know I'm not the norm, but......it's a factor for me. Hope you got to spend some down time in Cornwall. See you on Monday!

[@kiwitripreportsofficial]

5:38 They’re *not* Mk III coaches; they don’t even have slam doors!

[@johnferguson1412]

Super route, must do it one day. Love the class 43s. No catering though - terrible.

[@VaralakshmiKondagunta]

hey dylan 1 day i suddenly saw ur travelling video on amtrak from chicago to los angeles from that day i got mad by watching ur content very neat clear explanation in all ur videos i really from that day i have seen 75% videos in ur channel well done dylan u have won my heart with ur content

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks a lot for your kind words.

[@travelingman6511]

has the same creeking noise as the XPT LOL

[@DylansTravelReports]

At least they used that part for the coaches 😂

[@aldertravels]

The XPT was based off our 43s!

[@travelingman6511]

@@aldertravels the XPT is due to retire in 2024

[@Martindyna]

@@DylansTravelReports I expect you're probably joking, the XPT carriages were based on an American (Budd) design and built by COMENG in Australia. BR mark 3 cars were considered unsuitable (perhaps a narrower loading gauge). They were not well maintained (lubrication wise I imagine) and the suspension was often known for it's creaking & groaning. At least Mark 3s have only recently started being annoyingly vocal.

[@christophernoble6810]

Don’t know what has been done to these sets but back in 80s the ride was impeccable, and at a higher speed! They have certainly crammed in an awful lot of seats! With only 4 coaches it would not be realistic to have a First Class option.

[@DylansTravelReports]

They've just aged a bit I guess.

[@Martindyna]

No reason why (apart from cost) they couldn't strip down the suspension, install new bushes etc where necessary and lubricate it properly (rant). Same goes for the XPT whose cars are often very vocal. When you think that, back in the 80s, you usually didn't notice a mk 3 carriage starting to move, now you often get a jolt.

[@theobrattinga500]

Great video !!

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Enjoyable video, thanks Dylan. I do wonder about the economics of employing two Class 43s and just 4 carriages.

[@Martindyna]

Due to their lower gearing (design speed 160 km/h) one XPT power car would be OK apart from possible wheelslip issues. Would be slower though of course.

[@gaminghub8108]

100 views!? Guess I'm early again! Love the vids!

[@AA_8184_1]

Another great video! Almost at 100K subscribers, too!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@HumbertoMesa]

Nice ride .... thanks.

[@briandobson9272]

another great video dylan thanks ,brian d.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 👍

[@davidaarthur]

I really love the GWR colours, both inside and out. It would be a great starting point for the GBR livery that will presumably be developed in the coming year or two. And that view of Truro Cathedral is magnificent!

[@andyrob3259]

Agree. It’s a classy livery. If only more franchises paid attention to branding and use less ‘gastly’ in your face colours.

[@AzKarma2010]

Nothing says class like Carpeted walls… 🥰

[@Martindyna]

Wood paneling ? lol

[@kiwitrains]

Loved it wish I was there. 👍👍🇦🇺

[@Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi]

Muito lindo 🚆 Dylans boa viagem ai

[@EdgyNumber1]

Cardiff to Penzance takes 4 hours in a car, including a stop. You do miss the view over that gorgeous bridge though.. Incredible.!

[@archer7234]

Brilliant video mate, I was on the Rivera line Today!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Cheers! Hope you had a good time!

[@marklee1194]

Very picturesque.

[@shimonsieskel4482]

The carpet on the walls probably helps cut noise and vibration as well as looking nice.

[@barrieshepherd7694]

Pretty sure MK3s had carpet on the walls from new.

[@onkarshinde2041]

Of the about 15 train stations I have been to in UK, Bristol Temple Meads is my second favourite (first being Paddington). 🙂 Last time I was there, I think I saw some murals on one of the platforms beside the waiting rooms in the direction of London. May have been framed paintings, don't remember exactly. Not sure if they are still there.

[@pritamkoli]

Nice coverage

[@truckerallikatuk]

My view on the castle sets: Look what they did to my beloved! Those seats are hard as rock, and the covers are loose already... Edit: Also legroom for me on these things is pitiful.

[@ronalddevine9587]

Plymouth is also where the Mayflower set sail from, and settled in Massachusetts.

[@davidpring9108]

A proper shame the GWR HST's are no longer run in full length sets with buffet... Maybe we will see a full set with a standard rake instead...

[@Martindyna]

It would have been better and more fuel efficient to run full sets half as frequently. It would only inconvience people who do not have access to a Timetable and just turn up at the Station. Being full length sets they would then be able to go over 100 mph, line speed permitting (I understand they are limited to 100 mph due to less brakeforce with only 4 cars). Perhaps there's many stations that cannot accomodate a full length train, idk.

[@bismarckinontario5652]

It’s a shame they are getting rid of the Class 43 now, it’s history from being a last minute replacement for the APT, to the only HSR train in the whole UK. Here’s hoping the rail reorganization plans work.

[@Martindyna]

And it's scheduled that the Australian XPT will be replaced in 2023 (power cars based on the Class 43).

[@Martindyna]

Of course we also had the IC225 ….. Class 91 propelling BR Class 4 carriages, capable of 140 mph (225 km/h) service speed, now sadly largely replaced by Hitachi trains.

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

hi dylan Am Big Fan already ist of ur videos! Brian away from cities yeh more please

[@470danadidas]

It's great to see the HSTs still going strong. For the length of the journey some form of catering should've been provided. You must've been starving by the time you arrived in Penzance ! Good video.

[@tomcarr1358]

Pity the electric vestibule doors do/did not function. That would have reduced the noise particularly the creaking/squeaking from the corridor mechanical interface between coaches. When next at Temple Meads look at the ( ? hammerbeam) roof of the original station which was a desolate indoor car park for some time.

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

Beautiful day for a travel.

[@harrisonsnazel7482]

Love an HST

[@marksmatchboxmemories-xd6qp]

they`ll actually do over 150 with the hitachi engines! the old jet turbines, would still top 140, so i dont know where you got your info! i use to be one of the engineers, in cardiff sheds, in the 90s

[@itsjohndell]

Brunel was so important to 19th century Britain and the US in transportation and communication. While the iron ship Great Eastern was a commercial failure it was the only ship that could lay the first transatlantic cable reducing the message time from America to Europe from days by fast Packet to seconds by telegraph. Fascinating man. Hey Dylan, how about switching lavatory camera hands once in a while? Your gonna wash the skin off the right...

[@DylansTravelReports]

I'm naturally left handed I'm affraid.

[@kiwitripreportsofficial]

11:07 I can’t believe my eyes!

[@ironmantrains]

These HSTs pretty much have old FGW interior just with different colour interior panels and and different seat covers. I will admit I prefer the previous First Great Western livery, branding and interior. In terms of catering I'd add the old micro buffet coaches and extend the formation to 5 coaches to cope with the passenger numbers between Cardiff and Bristol. Also in the morning there's a faster HST from Gloucester to Penzance which doesn't stop between Bristol Temple Meads and Bridgwater

[@Alexw25020]

awww, shame you didn't show any of yatton, the station building there is very nice, it's my local station and I rarely see anything of it in videos

[@richardblackwell1230]

I absolutely love Dawlish both from the train but also as a seaside town ☀️🏖🏖 It’s a pity that they didn’t keep 1st class or the dining cars as these were always the highlight of any travel to Cornwall/Devon 🍽🍽

[@KempSimon]

Two GWR trains each day running in each direction between London (Paddington) and Plymouth (North Road) still offer Pullman Dining each afternoon/evening during the working week.

[@j3xk72r9]

Still so much better than the trains that replaced them. If you think these MTU re-engined locomotives are thrashy, you should have heard the original screaming Paxman Valenta ones!

[@Andrewjg_89]

Was thinking if GWR could allow the Class 43 HSTs to be used on the Riviera Sleeper. Since most of the Class 43 and Mk3 coaches have been replaced by the Class 800 and Class 802 IETs.

[@bignosemac1]

Class 43s cannot provide 'hotel' power to loco hauled Mk3 sleeper coaches. Either the power cars or coaches would need a very expensive conversion and rewire. Not economical to do with near life expired rolling stock. The only reason we have Castle sets and old Mk3 Sleepers hauled by even older Class 57 locos is because of under investment. The West has a crumbling fleet of 1980s DMUSs, along with 30 year old commuter stock hand-me-downs from the Thames Valley. These Class 165/166 suburban commuter trains are totally unsuitable for the inter-regional journeys they now make in the west. Castle Class HSTs are also a symptom of under-investment. Front line express stock ignominiously drafted in to provide capacity on regional journeys. The West is crying out for new regional rolling stock. Converted expresses and hand-me-down suburban DMUs were not, and are not, the answer. GWR should have been allowed to order new trains across their fleet. Instead, the only money forthcoming was for incomplete electrification and complicated bi-mode expresses. The only long term answers are a new fleet of regional MUs and new sleeper trains. There's a place for HSTs and 50 year old locos. In retirement. Not daily scheduled passenger use. Yes, I regard Class 57s as that old. The design certainly is that old, and even the early 2000s reengineering only used reconditioned and remanufactured old parts. I like both the HSTs and the 57s. But the reality is they've had their day and we should have replaced them with new by now.

[@royhumphrey49]

Another favourite and scenic coastal railway section. As my mother was Welsh and both Wales & Cornwall are Celtic lands, I always feel a lump in my throat crossing The Tamar into God's Own Country. Shame we didn't see a view of St. Michael's Mount - cousin to Mont St Michel in Normandy.

[@wudufff]

please do a journey to newquay preferably from portsmouth or brighton