AUTO. Where Trains Go To Die....

Quite frankly, a sombre topic for anoraks and rail fans alike.... trains just disappearing quite literally into the undergrowth and becoming forgot about. 

So today I thought I'd dig up details of some of the locations where trains are withdawn and scrapped, and possibly twigging memories of this stock with the elder generation of readers. Readers of a nervous disposition, turn away now.....

Pig's Bay is one of the less known sites where trains go once withdrawn. Situated just next to the beach in East Shoebury, linked to the C2C line near Shoeburyness Essex, the site is primarily used by the MOD for training. 

However, it's hardly talked about as a place where rail vehicles are stored or scrapped - even though it's large site! There's approximately 6 miles of track across the site, with many junctions and sidings (as seen to the right) to store many ex-Railway stock. 

For example, at least 5 Class 302s are stored here (possibly what's seen below), with many 1959/1962 tube trains and ex-GatwickExpress MK2s also on the land. 

Once ready, trains are often sent from this site to Newport in South Wales where the trains are converted into something useful once again - parts for your car? A tin foil plate? Or a tin can?

Long Marston is another location to store trains once they're finished with, and is definitely one of the most known of locations in the UK. A safe and secluded haven where Off-Lease trains go on 'vacation'. 

Until recently, class 86s were stored here, no longer needed in the UK. Many of these have since been shipped to Bulgaria and many European countries for traction there. 

Overall, there are certainly some good sites which focus in on the site, like all these snaps here and also the detailed report here. I will now summarise some of the other stock contained on this isolated site: MK3s, 47s, HSTs and also DVTs, 

Crewe is also home to a scrapyard, such as class 37s and 57s. And here's a list of steam locomotives and diesel locomotives which managed to escape being scrapped, some of which are now even preserved. 

Vic Berry's and CF Booth are two other sites, but they just recycle stock to give it a new lease of life.... as a tin can. And for Steam locos, there's the Barry's site. 

All other sites have been stated on the blog in the past, as I can remember uploading photos of 86s and other stock/locos ready for a new future, so I won't talk about these.

Talking of older stock, I've seen photos of 42343 in Intercity colours. It even saw use on the FGW network, and used with Prototype 41101 before they bought the other MK3s.

And talking of GWR, 20 of their sleeper coaches are currently being overhauled at Wolveton, repainted into GWR green and also internally refurbished. However, two remaining coaches will be used to provide spares for the upgraded fleet. 

Overall, it's a shame to see stock leave the network to be withdrawn or scrapped, but at least its becomes something useful rather than being left to sit in misery under foliage. 

Also due to the rapid expansion of the UK railway network there are many new trains being built to replace the ones which have passed their time, and some parts of these trains might've even been recycled from their by-gone predecessors!

Well that's my posting marathon complete until the 24th! I was covering, but now you'll have a healthy mixture between authors as many are now back!