In an unusual move not seen before in preservation, a HST power car has been scrapped at a heritage railway.

The class 43 power car no. 43161 arrived as an empty shell at the Plym Valley Railway in Devon.

It was scheduled to be scrapped at the railway, which not only gave the chance for a heritage railway to take part in an unusual process to scrap a withdrawn mainline locomotive it also enabled them to salvage parts which can be used on other preserved Class 43 power cars across the country.

Plym Valley has thanked the contractors and volunteers who worked long hours to cut up and remove the power car and its subsequent parts.

Prior to its disposal, the Plym Valley held an HST Enthusiast Enthusiast Day, offering the public a last chance to see 43161 prior to scrapping.

Work began on cutting up the power car on Saturday 11th January with the locomotive consigned to history on Tuesday 14th January.

While this is a sad end to this particular member of the class, some preserved examples can still be seen and enjoyed at many heritage railways across the country and on the national network, with a select few being trialled with ETCS.