St Philips Marsh Depot Tour - 23rd April 2022

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The 23rd April 2022 provided a rare opportunity to attend a 90 minute guided tour of the GWR St Philips Marsh Depot (Bristol). The  charity ticketed event provided a chance to go behind the scenes at one of the UK’s oldest mainline railway depots still in operation today. With a history established in 1910, the depot has modernised to fit in with the 21st Century. The biggest change being the introduction of the InterCity 125 High Speed Train fleet in 1976, with a brand-new maintenance shed being built, which is still in use today. I would like to thank Alex and the team at GWR who took time out of their busy schedules to make this visit possible. All proceeds from the ticket sales went to 'Action for Children' as part of the FirstGroup Corporate Charity Partnership, raising over £5000 for the charity.

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The St Philips Marsh Wheel Lathe pictured on the 23rd April 2022. In the background 'Muffin' (A remote control rolling stock shunter).

First Great Western / GWR staff training coach Mk2 No.5636 is pictured at St Philips Marsh Depot on the 23rd April 2022. The coach also offers an insight into how the loco hauled coaching stock which FGW once operated could have looked had they decided to relivery the Mk2 fleets from thier earlier Green/Ivory livery. The coach is mainly used for fire evacuation training and has been used for meetings in the past.

GWR Class 158 No.158766 is pictured at St Philips Marsh Depot on the 23rd April 2022, with HST No.43192 behind.

St Philips Marsh coal sidings on the 23rd April 2022. No.0882, stored Class 143 units No.143617 No.143618 and No.143619, Class 158 No.158765 and Class 166 No.166214

St Philips Marsh coal sidings on the 23rd April 2022. Class 166 No.166214, Class 158 No.158765 stand alongside stored Class 143 units No.143617 No.143618 and No.143619.

St Philips Marsh coal sidings on the 23rd April 2022. No.08882, stored Class 143 units No.143617 No.143618 and No.143619, Class 158 No.158765 and Class 166 No.166214

Bristol St Philips Marsh, Victoria Sidings provide storage for overnight cleaning of trains (formerly used for full length HSTs), overnight these sidings are full with GWR units being cleaned.

The St Philips Marsh train wash is pictured. Trains which come off servicing in the main sheds pass through the train wash each night as the head down to Victoria Sidings.

The former HST sheds built in 1976 showing roads A,B, and C (left to right), Road D was built for the Class 180 Adelante units originally. All service roads have now been converted to allow servicing and heavy maintenance of units.

Having completed its exam on D Road, St Philips Marsh. GWR !66 No.166219 exits to the sidings on the 23rd April 2022.

GWR Class 166 No.166214 is pictured at St Philips Marsh Depot Coal Sidings on the 23rd April 2022.

GWR Class 166 No.166207 is pictured on A Road at St Philips Marsh Depot on the 23rd April 2022. The unit had undergone a engine change. On C road, Class 158 No.158958 is pictured having an C6 Exam.

GWR Class 158 No.158958 is pictured on the 23rd April 2022 undergoing a C6 overhaul which includes the overhaul of all operational equipment below the sole bar.

GWR Class 158 No.158958 is pictured on the 23rd April 2022 undergoing a C6 overhaul which includes the overhaul of all operational equipment below the sole bar.

GWR Class 166 No.166216 is pictured at St Philips Marsh on the 23th April 2022 undergoing maintenance.

GWR Class 43 No.43192 and partner No.43198 with (set GW16) is pictured at St Philips Marsh on the 23rd April 2022.

A pair of refurbished Class 150 bogies from Pullman Rail at Cardiff are pictured at St Philips Marsh ready to be installed on the 23rd April 2022.

GWR Class 158 No.158958 is pictured on the 23rd April 2022 undergoing a C6 overhaul which includes the overhaul of all operational equipment below the sole bar.