32-755A WSL Bachmann Class 57/3 57314 Arriva Wales

As a result of a desire to improve rail services between north and south Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government introduced a loco-hauled set between Holyhead and Cardiff from December 2008. Operated by Arriva Train Wales under contract, the train was pitched at business travellers and included first class accommodation and full kitchen facilities. Motive power initially came from the Class 57/3 ‘Thunderbird’ fleet, where there was now a surplus of locos following improved reliability from the Pendolinos. 57314 and 57315 were both repainted in full Arriva colours for use on the train, although they still saw action with Virgin as well, such as dragging Class 390s to Holyhead. The Class 57/3s remained in charge until March 2012 when they were replaced by Class 67s, thereafter returning to Virgin duties. By November 2012, 57314 had been stripped of its Arriva logos ahead of its sale to West Coast Railways a month later. The first half of 2013 saw the loco used on charter trains still in its de-branded two-tone blue livery but it succumbed to a maroon repaint that June.