With a route length just shy of 70 miles, this route would provide plenty of opportunities for fast running between Exeter & Plymouth, as well as a chance to get to grips with another member of the Sprinter family on the Gunnislake branch in the form of the single car Class 153s, which would be almost brand new into service at this time (pre privatisation 1990s) Proposed Rolling Stock Class 117 in BR Blue/Grey One of the main DMU's in this area at the time, alongside the Class 101, the Class 117s were formed of 3 coaches and were built by Pressed Steel between 1959 and 1961, with 39 full sets being produced and there being a surplus of 6 DMS & DMBS coaches. They worked the local services between Exeter & Plymouth up until the May timetable change in 1993, with their final duties being with ScotRail & Silverlink, being retired in 1998 & 2000 for those respective operators, and bringing down the curtain on 40 years of mainline working. Class 153 in Regional Railways livery Converted from Class 155s in the early 1990s, 70 of these single car machines were eventually built, and were instantly set about getting rid of first gen DMU's wherever they could, including on the branch lines to Looe, Gunnislake, Barnstaple & Exmouth to name a few. They also eventually replaced the older stock on the local services between Exeter & Plymouth, operating in multiple with Class 150/2s. For the purpose of this route, they would only operate services to Gunnislake Class 43 'HST' in InterCity Swallow livery The backbone of Britain's non electric expresses for 40 years, these trains have been on just about every diesel main line in the UK. Formed of 7 & 8 coaches respectively (CrossCountry & Western Region sets), these units would provide almost all of the express workings on this route, save for a few Class 47s on CrossCountry workings. During the time the route is set, these beasts would have the Paxman Valenta 12RP200L fitted, renowned for their iconic scream when pulled all the way back into full power and amassing a top speed of 125mph, easily gliding over banks such as the Lickey Incline in Worcestershire, Dainton between Totnes & Newton Abbot, Filton bank just north of Bristol Temple Meads and many, many more. Class 47/4 in InterCity Swallow livery There were many variations of InterCity liveries with the Class 47, with some locos having a black headcode box, others having ploughs, the yellow front being at a different height, the front window surrounds being yellow (47825) etc etc. But I believe that the 2 most common variations are represented above. Also included with them would be Mk2e carriages, with these coaches being fitted with electrical train heating.
Good suggestion, however, there is a part of me which wants to see this done in the 80s when the peaks were still on NE/SW runs because I would love to be able to take them across this line and things like sprinters don't get me as excited as a wonderfully sounding, hard working powerful loco like a peak at work. Nonetheless still a great suggestion. Always up for more BR Blue!
yeah I was kinda unsure whether to set this route in the 80s or 90s as the Peaks are my personal favourite BR locos, but thought the 90s could be more interesting with the addition of 153s and 150s
I don't think Class 117's worked in Devon, although the almost identical Class 118's did until replaced by Class 143 Pacers in 1986 (these were not successful and resulted in replacement by Class 101/108/122 DMUs until sufficient Sprinters were available). Perhaps the route could come with the Class 50s, with Peaks and 47's layered in?
Brilliant suggestion. I think this would sell like hot cakes. Also a great opportunity for DTG to totally rebuild the appalling 150/2 physics and implement decent sounds AND convert to a lovely Valenta HST.
