Class 159

Britain Rail

Class 159

By 1998, a number of Waterloo to Exeter services had been extended to Paignton, a simple

reversal manoeuvre being undertaken at St David's (merely the driver swapping ends). This

was later followed in April 2001 by the commencement of a Waterloo to Plymouth service.

In the above scene, first of the class No. 159001 is observed passing through Dawlish Warren

on 11th June 2006, Exeter-bound. On the left are the well-known Dawlish Camping Coaches,

which are of the BR Mk 1 variant. David Glasspool

Observed at platform 9 of London Waterloo on 15th June 2004 is unit No. 159002, whilst emerging

in the background at platform 11 is a ''Wessex Electric''. The latter were due for total withdrawal

from service in February 2007, as the EMU fleet on the South Western Division embarked on a

process of standardisation to the recent German builds. David Glasspool

A view along the Dawlish seafront on 11th June 2006 reveals two units - No. 159022 leading -

making their way towards Exeter with a service from Plymouth to Waterloo. Indeed, before

the dark days of the Western Region era on the lines west of Salisbury from January 1963

onwards, Waterloo maintained a through service to Plymouth. However, SR trains instead

utilised the ''Withered Arm'' route to Plymouth, via Okehampton. David Glasspool

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