Exploring Devon And Cornwall In Castles
Castle is the name given by Great Western Railway to their four- and five-car InterCity 125 trains, with which they run services in the West Country.
These pictures show the trains, as I meandered up and down the Cornish Main Line.
These are my observations.
The Doors
These trains now have electrically-controlled sliding doors and it seems to be a conversion, that has been carried out to a high standard.
Certainly, all the doors appeared to be working, as they should.
The Seats And Tables
The seats were comfortable, but not as comfortable as some seats I’ve used in Mark 3 coaches.
Could there be a few more tables?
The Ride
My pocket dynamometer was showing a speed of about 65 mph and the ride was as you’d expect from a well-maintained Mark 3 coach.
Access Between Platform And Train
This is not good as the pictures show.
This is the step on a Castle.
And this is the step on a new Class 755 train
Think buggies, heavy cases and wheelchairs.
The Class 755 train, really is the Gold Standard of step-free access between platform and train.
Conclusion
These iconic trains will do a good job for Great Western Railway.
You could certainly find a good hotel in Devon or Cornwall and have a few enjoyable days riding between Penzance and Exeter, to explore the area
I do hope that they eventually put a catering trolley on the train.
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The Anonymous Widower 
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