Laira T&RSMD, Plymouth

The Laira Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot that I knew during the 1980s was where the west country's traction was maintained and stabled, including the Class 50s used on the express services, and on the Waterloo route. Whenever you were heading in to Cornwall yo would prepare yourself to look left and see what was "on shed" as the train passed by. I only visited the depot once for an open day. It remains an important facility for the privatised railway but no longer will there be Westerns, Hoovers, Duffs, Growlers and Rats hanging around like they used to do. But HSTs can still be seen there, so not all is lost!