The Plym Valley Railway has announced that Ex-GWR HST Powercar, No. 43063, has entered preservation with them after being withdrawn from service.

43063 is set to arrive in the next few days, along with sister power car No. 43161.

43063 will undergo cosmetic restoration at the railway in the Spring of next year, with the locomotive being put on display, allowing members of the public to climb into the cab.

43161 will be a source of spares for 43063 and other members of the class, so once the cab is lifted, the rest of the locomotive will be cut up during the closed season.

It is hoped that both locomotives will be on display during the Christmas train season, which starts on the 30th of November.

“We would like to thank our friends at GWR for this fantastic opportunity to acquire and preserve one of the most recognised locomotives in the world. I have wanted to preserve a power car for years and am so pleased that we have been given the opportunity. There will soon be a time when the HST is not a regular visitor to the city so to have one preserved less than a mile from where they have been based for decades is amazing. If you would like to get involved in the restoration of our new asset, please get in touch with the railway”

Daniel Phillips, Plym Valley Railway Co. Ltd Chairman