Peter Kerslake says "In typical 1971 condition "Western Ranger", one of the Swindon built examples , lasted in service until the end of February of 1977 but following an enthusiasts' railtour worked together with "Western Fusilier" both were to escape the cutters' torches and made it into preservation together with five other members of the class.
In their late working years the "Westerns" were still working the principal passenger services from Paddington to Birmingham and beyond as well as working fast fitted freights and Mendip stone freights.
1976 was a particularly bad year for the class with no fewer than twenty six being condemned resulting in just seven left at the beginning of 1977, the last four of which were finally withdrawn in late February 1977."