2nd Jan 03: 47813 worked the 1A03 Penzance - Paddington sleeper. The 1C17 Paddington - Plymouth was recorded 102 minutes late at Taunton today, as the leading HST power car had a broken window. However although 47791 the Newton Abbot THUNDERBIRD was called upon to work the train from Exeter. The driver was happy to continue to Plymouth without assistance. It's 2003 and Class 47's are still managing to work mail trains, 47776 worked the down 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth at 19:35 and 47787 worked the up 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden at 20:45 57601 even managed to work for FGW today passing Taunton at 21:00 vice HST on an unidentified service! 3rd Jan: 57601 worked back up this morning on the 1A34 07:35 Plymouth - Paddington. 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey was today worked by 60019 passing Taunton at 16:55 with 9 wagons in tow! 66081 worked at 7C06 18:00 Westbury - St Blazey engineers train this evening however upon arrival at Exeter Riverside Yard the train was cancelled. The consist was then put onto the rear of the 6V70 which then ran as the 7V70 Exeter Riverside - St Blazey with 60019. 67019 worked 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden up through Taunton at 20:45 66087 worked light engine 0B98 Westbury - Tavistock Jn, then it worked 6B99 Tavistock Jn - Riverside before returning through Taunton as the 0B00 Exeter Riverside - Westbury!. 4th Jan: 66107 worked the 6M68 Burngullow - Crewe Basford Hall yard up through Taunton at 14:10, 1hr late due to being delayed by a Wessex 158 which had broken down at Lostwithiel in the morning. The 6W15 Westbury - Liskeard engineers worked down through Taunton at 17:55. With 66233 and 66122 in top and tail formation. The 6W65 Westbury - Plymouth worked down through Taunton at approx 19:00 with 66137 only on the front. The 6W55 Westbury - Cogload Jn (Via Exeter Riverside) was delayed by 1hr as the original Class 66 broke down, so 66079 was found and worked the train down at approx 22:45 Now the biggy for the night, barley 4 weeks after the last Class 37 was sent north in the consist of 6M72. 37717 worked the 6W10 Westbury - Cowley Bridge Jn. This again was late due to having to wait and follow 6W55. But at 23:15 our patients was rewarded with 37717 opening up at the north end of the station and powering through to Exeter. Once at Exeter both trains ran round, 66079 returning north to Hele where the blockade was taking place. 37717 followed with it's CWR train. 5th Jan: 37717 worked up through Taunton this morning after spending a freezing night at Hele, at 08:20. It then worked back to Westbury, as the 6W11 Cowley Bridge - Westbury. 66122+66233 worked up at 10:45 on the 6W15 Liskeard - Westbury, both loco's were on the front of the train. They were held at Obridge for 150241 to pass on a Bristol service and 43170+43023 to pass on a Paddington train which took the Berks and Hants at Cogload Jn. The 6W15 then passed Cogload Jn at 11:25 heading back to Westbury. 66137 worked down through Taunton at 23:40 tonight on the 6W11 Westbury - Exeter engineers train, it later returned at 05:30 heading north as the 6W11 Exmouth Jn – Westbury 6th Jan: Postal Allocations for today were as follows (Cheers RCA): 67002 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth (Tau 10:55) 67??? 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol 67002 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell 67014 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell (Tau 18:55) 47776 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth (Tau 19:30) 67007 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden 67010 1C84 Reading - Plymouth 67006 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO 67017 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO 67021 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth TPO 67006 1C02 Bristol - Penzance TPO 66088 passed Taunton on an engineers train bound for Westbury at approx 11:30. It's thought this was 6C05 Tavistock Jn - Westbury. 66087 worked the 7C27 Whatley - Exeter Riverside and 7C28 Exeter Riverside - Whatley stone today, passing Taunton at 12:55 with the empties on the return trip. 47739 was sent down this evening as an extra treat, as the 0Z40 Bristol - Exeter Riverside this picked up a crippled Res postal wagon in Riverside Yard and worked back as the 5Z40 Exeter Riverside - Bristol. It passed Taunton at 16:50 on the down run and returned early at 18:30 on the way back to Bristol 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey has now been re timed, meaning it is now booked to pass Taunton at 20:52 each night, tonight's loco was 66??? 6M72 remains at it's usual time although there is speculation that it won't run on a Friday now. Keep and eye on the Timetable page for any changes. Tonight's booked loco for this service was 60019. 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn worked down through Taunton at 18:20 with 66222 on the front (This bit has been confirmed it ran as the 6C62 with the 6C06 engineers wagons in tow also). However the train only worked to Exeter where the Tanks were dropped in the yard and then 66222 went on working at the 6C06 Westbury - Tavi Yd engineers. Where it then dropped off these and picked up the empty fuel wagons to take back to Fawley. 7th Jan: 60058 worked the 7C27 Whatley - Exeter Riverside stone today, and the 7C28 Exeter Riverside return, passing Taunton at 12:20 on the return. 60019 passed Taunton just before 17:00 this evening on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey 47776 passed Taunton this evening on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail just after 19:00. The 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn was a little late this evening, it passed Taunton just before 19:00 with 66099 at the front. This is the last ever Class 66 which had never worked further south than Exeter before! 66513 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles this evening, passing Taunton at 19:55. 66151 had charge of the 6M72 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey tonight also. Other Allox for today as follows: 67001 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans, and 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return. 67030 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail. 67010 1M65 Plymouth - Bristol mail. 67009 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth 8th Jan: 66094 worked down through Taunton on an unidentified working at 12:10 today, with ballast wagons in tow. Westbury - Exeter or Tavi Yd? 66137 worked the 7C27 Whatley - Exeter Riverside and 7C28 Exeter Riverside - Whatley stone today, it passed Taunton at 12:30 on the return. 66087+66137 worked a 6W12 Westbury - St Budeaux engineers down through Taunton at 18:20 this evening in T&T mode. 9th Jan: 66087 worked up through Taunton at 12:55 on a return engineers train to Westbury, 59002 followed working the 7C28 Exeter Riverside - Whatley stone empties. 60019 didn't have a load tonight so worked 0V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, passing Taunton at 17:00 light engine. OTHER ALLOX: 66094 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale 47736 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail As of Monday the following services will be booked for Virgin HST's vice Virgin Voyagers to ease the overcrowding on some services. All services have been updated on the timetable. (Cheers KK) 1S61 0711 Bristol to Glasgow 1V49 0643 Dundee to Paignton 1V98 1630 Edinburgh to Bristol 1V70 1352 Glasgow to Plymouth 1S76 1310 Paignton to Edinburgh 1E40 1712 Paignton to York 1M28 1530 Penzance to Preston 1S65 0713 Plymouth to Edinburgh 1E36 1413 Plymouth to York 1V35 0830 Preston to Plymouth 1V31 0644 York to Penzance 1V29 0652 York to Paignton 1V74 1550 Edinburgh to Bristol There is also extensive engineering work in Taunton and Plymouth this weekend, with many trains being diverted via Honiton on Saturday and Sunday. 10th Jan: The 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail was worked by 67006 today passing Taunton at 15:45. 67007 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 47791 is leaving the West Country tonight after a long stint as the Newton Abbot THUNDERBIRD loco, 47736 has now taken it's place after working down on 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth last night. 47791 will work the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO tonight. 66094 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey ENTERPRISE today. 66087 worked the 6C06 Westbury - St Blazey engineers, and entered Fairwater Yard at 15:45, however it was still there at 18:30 this evening!!!! 66003 was booked to work the 6V62 Fawley - Tavi Jn tanks this evening. 47781 was booked to work the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth vans this evening. 13th Jan: 66122+66003 worked up through Taunton light engine this morning at 08:30 heading back to Westbury after weekend engineering at Plymouth. The 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans was double headed today with 67015 and 67008. Passing Taunton at approx 10:30. 66165 also worked up through Taunton at 10:40 on the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor. 66171 took it's first turn on the 6C62 Westbury Yd - Eastleigh tonight, passing Taunton at 18:10 approx. It passed back up through Taunton at 22:45 with Load 9. But not empty fuel, it was scrap which now comes from Cattewater in Plymouth and is marshalled in Tavi Yd. 60023 was also reported to have worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey Enterprise tonight. 14th Jan: 66164 worked North through Taunton at 06:00 this morning on the 6X50 Devonport - Sellafield nuclear flask. 67017 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans, passing Taunton at 10:35 this morning. 66039 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavi Jn tanks tonight, stopping in the station at 17:30 to allow a Voyager to pass by. 67007 worked the 1M65 up through Taunton at 20:45 this evening. In the early evening there was a bridge strike at Pewsey with a lorry presumable getting stuck under one! The Berks and Hants was then closed with all services diverted via Bristol thus throwing FGW into Chaos! 66566 worked up through Taunton at 21:40 on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles Cement. 60023 followed at 21:45 with the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale Enterprise. 15th Jan: After most of the other FGW 47's were allowed out to play before the new year it was only fair that 47811 was allowed out today. It worked the 1C33 12:35 Paddington - Plymouth and 1A83 16:40 Plymouth - Paddington return! It's though the loco was working in place of an HST which was in the wrong place after last nights bridge bash at Pewsey. Virgin ran it's 1S64 Paington - Dundee ECS to Bristol before starting from there, today passing Taunton but not stopping as it didn't have a guard. Needless to say yet more disgruntled passengers!! 66094 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine silver bullets today passing Taunton at 13:25 16th Jan: The 1C99 Paddington - Penzance Sleeper with 47811 was 199 minutes late today, for some reason. It was reported passing Totnes at 08:01 this morning!!! Virgin had their usual flamboyant lateness this morning, The 1V31 Plymouth - York was a Voyager and not an HST today, the 1S64 started at Newton Abbot and not Paington as the unit was late off of Laira this morning, and the 1S65 also managed to produce at Voyager and not an HST today. The 1M84 18:14 Plymouth - Derby was formed on two Voyagers, not sure if this will be a regular diagram or not. The mail allocation for today was as follows: 67023 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol Vans 67001 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell 67021 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67019 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden 67013 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth 67003 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO 67007 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO 67006 1C84 Reading - Plymouth (Worked light engine Plymouth - Reading passing Taunton 18:25, to work 1C84) 66609 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles up through Taunton tonight at 21:20 17th Jan : 66127 failed overnight on the 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow bullets, and 66001 had to come to the rescue. The pair passed Taunton at approx 10:25 this morning. 67001 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans, passing Taunton at 10:35 this morning. Working of the month goes to 33021 today which worked an 0Z61 10:15 Sailsbury - Exeter via Westbury and Taunton today, the little crompton passed Taunton at 11:47 on the down run. It later worked back at 13:30 as the 0Z62 12:43 Exeter - Sailsbury via Westbury. The loco was used as part of SWT driver training, who's units sometimes use the route as a diversion. 66087 passed Taunton at approx 16:10 on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey this evening. The 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn tanks was worked by 66033 as far as Westbury this evening, it was then swapped for 66122 for the trip to Tavistock. 47776 worked the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail down through Taunton at 19:40. Once at Plymouth it was detached and worked the 6T11 22:47 Tavi Jn - St Blazey clay working. 18th Jan: The 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington bullets were re timed to miss the Plymouth engineering, and so passed Pl Plymouth at at 04:20 and were then run to Exeter Riverside where they waited until 12:28 in the afternoon to depart. 66087 worked the train and it passed Taunton with the new shiny bullets at 13:00. Surprise of the day goes to 158841 which turned up at Taunton working with 158819. What's unusual about that I here you say? Well 158841 was out shopped from Doncaster yesterday sporting a jazzy new livery! Part of the Wales and Borders fleet of 158's it's now been re liveried into GINSTERS the pasty makers! Ginsters have just taken over the catering contract for Wales and Borders, so they have marked this event with the painting of this Class 158. It's deep blue in colour, with yellow ends and doors, and has big red ovals on the side of each coach with GINSTERS written inside them. Keep an eye out for it. Later that evening it worked back as the Plymouth (Usually Penzance) - Carmarthen, passing Taunton at 19:02. The 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale now seem to have been re timed so it runs up on at Saturday afternoon rather than on a Friday night. 66001 worked the 14:40 Exeter Riverside - Cliffe Vale up through Taunton at 15:20. The loco had worked up the night before to Exeter on the 6B99 Burngullow - Exeter Riverside. 66033 worked down through Taunton at 20:20 on the 7W41 Westbury - Cowley Bridge Jn. 66023? followed at 21:45 on the 6W40 Westbury - Norton Fitzwarren. The 6W10 Westbury - Bridgwater followed at 21:59 which then returned at 23:20 with an unidentified loco. 20th Jan: 66021 worked a 14:00 Westbury - St Budeaux engineers today passing Taunton at 15:00 66169 worked the Cliffe Vale - St Blazey 6V70 Enterprise today, it passed Taunton at 16:45. 43172 and a barrier car passed Taunton on the 15:57 Laira - Phillips Marsh stock move at 17:10 today 47776 passed up through Taunton at 19:05 on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 66206 closely followed at 19:20 with the 5Z66 15:10 St Blazey - Barton Hill. Conveying 3 Post coach cripples. 47727 worked up at 20:45 on 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. 21st Jan: 67010 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans down through Taunton at 10:15 this morning 22nd Jan: 47739 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail today. 47776 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. The Ginsters Pasty 158841 paid anther visit to the South West today working the 1B67 14:10 Penzance - Swansea! (It's been reported there will be 15 units in total done in this livery!) Early hours of 25th Jan 37689 is booked to visit Taunton with the structure gauging train. Arriving Taunton 00:10 and departing 00:17!!! 23rd Jan: 67028 had charge of the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans today which also conveyed a BLUE and CREAM pullman coach, which was later detached at Plymouth. The train passed Taunton at 10:45. 43094+43157 worked the 1E40 17:12 York - Paignton 6M72 is booked to run this Saturday again, booked Taunton 15:55 24th Jan: 66190+66191 worked the 6M72 Burngullow - Bescot enterprise tonight, however 66190 failed at Ivybridge causing a large tail back to form. 66191 was then started and worked the train in multiple to Totnes where it was looped. First to reach Taunton was 67015 on 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail passing 10 late at 20:55! 66512 followed at 22:00 on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement at 22:00. 60072 was then seen heading south at 22:20 on the 6T36 Westbury - Exeter Riverside engineers. Then 66028 arrived on the 6X50 Crewe - Devonport nuclear flask which stopped in the station for a crew change and to allow the late running FGW HST to pass at 22:40. 66028 then left at 22:59. Then at 23:05 66190 and 191 turned up heading north on the 6M72 running nearly two hours late! 25th Jan: Today saw the running of the first eden tour of the year, 47756 powered the 1Z71 Crewe - Par through Taunton at 09:50. Sadly 47756 failed at St Blazey before returning with a TPWS fault and 67004 worked the tour back to Crewe instead! It passed Taunton at 19:00 on the return. 66062 worked the 6M68 Exeter Riverside - Warrington bullets up through Taunton at 13:25 today. 66171 and 66076 worked the 0Z80 Westbury - Tavi Jn tonight, passing Taunton approx 19:00. 60085+60081 worked down through Taunton at 20:14 on the 7W41 Westbury - Wellington. 60077 also worked the 6W10 Westbury - Bridgwater via Taunton. 1436121, 143622, and 143613 all worked down through Taunton on the 5C35 21:14 Bristol - Exeter ECS. 27th Jan: 67001 and 67007 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans down through Taunton at 10:25 this morning. It was double headed because 67004 worked out of the South West on the Railtour on Saturday. So as 47756 was still undergoing tests, an extra Class67 was required for the postal work. The Pasty liveried Class 158, 158841 worked the 1C89 Carmarthen - Penzance and Penzance - Carmarthen passing Taunton at 11:00 and 18:30 today. 67008 worked up through Taunton at 15:31 on 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans. 67001 followed at 16:20 on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 66085 worked down through Taunton at 17:55 on the 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn fuel. 60034 was booked to work the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey ENTERPRISE tonight, with 47790 (Ex Works EWS with snowploughs!) dead in tow! However at 18:00 it was still in Bescot! 47776 was booked to work the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail tonight. 28th Jan: 47773 (EWS) and 47746 (Res) worked into Taunton on the 1Z14 08:06 Swindon - Taunton serco this morning. They arrived at 09:30 and departed on the 1Z15 Taunton - Paddington around 10:10 following an up HST. 67019 also paused in the station to await the road to Exeter on the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans. 67024 was sent on a jaunt to Exeter light engine to pick up 47756 (Which had failed on the Eden tour on Saturday) It passed Taunton working the 0Z67 Bristol - Exeter Riverside. It later returned with 47756 in tow. 29th Jan: 66028 passed Taunton at 13:30 working the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine Sliver Bullets. 67030 worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans, passing Taunton at 15:40 Tonight's 6V20 Earles - Moorswater is booked for 66612! this will return tomorrow evening (30th) on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement. 30th Jan: 47791 and 47773 passed Taunton this morning around 08:45 in T&T formation on the 1Z14 Paddington - Exeter Riverside via Plymouth serco. 57601 also got a day time working today on the 14:33 Paddington - Plymouth. 31st Jan: 47747 worked the 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth TPO over night, however it didn't leave Taunton until 05:34 (223 Late) because of frozen points in front of it! 47791+47773 passed Taunton at approx 09:05 on the 1Z14 Exeter Riverside - Derby Serco Train. 47737 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans passing Taunton at 11:00 57601 worked up through Taunton at 11:10 on the 1A43 09:24 Plymouth - Paddington. Later that day is was noted that 47813 worked the 1C44 14:33 Paddington - Plymouth and 1A88 16:40 Plymouth - Paddington. 47747 later worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans. 66098 worked down through Taunton at 17:35 with the 6V62 Fawley - Tavi Jn fuel. 1st Feb: D1015 'Western Champion’ and 5029 'Nunny Castle' passed Taunton at speed this morning with horns and whistles blowing, at 08:05 on the 1Z29 Paddington - Penzance tour. 66137, 66140, and 66036 passed Taunton light engine at 12:20 this afternoon working an 0W20 Westbury - Tavistock Jn. 47815 and 47811 followed at 12:40 on the 1C23 10:33 Paddington - Penzance in T&T formation. They were used because a Class 180 had de railed in the depot at Paddington, an HST was used to cover it's diagram. 47815 and 811 were used to cover for the HST. They are booked back up through Taunton tonight at 20:12 on the 1A91 16:40 Penzance - Paddington. 66130 passed up through Taunton at 13:20 today working the Burngullow - Warrington Silver Bullets. 60034 showed up at 16:40 on the 6M72 St Blazey - Bescot ENTERPRISE, after being looped for a north bound Voyager to pass. D1015 returned with the 1Z52 Penzance - Slough at 20:25 tonight, however it didn't take it's booked stop of 15 minutes. It was stationary for 30 seconds before getting the green light to continue! Needless to say a spirited departure was had! 47815+47811 returned at 20:28 on the 1A91 16:40 Penzance - Paddington. 3rd Feb: 66232 worked the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor today. 66171 passed north through the station at 13:15 working the 6Z11 12:44 Tavistock Jn - Westbury engineers. An old friend in the shape of 60098 worked through at 17:35 working the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey ENTERPRISE. Sadly for some reason the 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn was cancelled this evening. 47758 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail this evening, passing Taunton at 20:45. 4th Feb: Tonight's 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn did manage to run tonight, with 66206 and 158 working the train as far as Westbury. 66158 then worked the service on down to Tavistock Jn alone. Passing Taunton at approx 17:45 5th Feb: 66076 and 66171 were sat under Obridge waiting for a road north at 07:30 this morning in top and tail formation, on a rake of RAILTRACK Autoballasters. They would have followed the 07:37 VXC Voyager. 66019 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine Silver Bullets today passing Taunton at 14:00 67005 suffered at TPWS fault while working the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, as a result 47737 was sent to the rescue, the pair passed Taunton at 18:25. However another treat was in store, as 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth vans produced 47737 and 67019! 6th Feb: Wales and Borders, who seem intent on showing everyone how much they like pasties, produced 158841 and 158827 on the 11:03 Manchester - Penzance. The odd ball pairing (Of which there will be 15 in total!) passed Taunton at approx 17:35 7th Feb: 66048 worked the 6T34 Westbury - Tavistock Jn engineers, passing Taunton at approx 09:00 33021 also paid another visit to Taunton working another driver training run, as the 0F76 09:50 Salisbury - Exeter and 0Y80 11:45 Exeter - Salisbury. 66158 worked tonight's 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. Ta to Paul Randall for the below: (57601) was held at Liskeard for about an hour due to the failure of 66193. 66193 with 47790 DIT. with 1 ferry wagon and 3 or 4 bullet clay wagons had headed west through Liskeard about 10 minutes before the 'beds' were due and it failed at St. Germans unable to release the brakes. Because of this 57601 had to do a shunt manoeuvre to get onto the down line so it could run to Saltash ''wrong line''. While this was going on the driver of 601 opened the droplight window and it ''dropped'' and smashed! so on arrival at Plymouth 57601 was run around the triangle at Laira so the smashed window was in the back cab. Departure from Plymouth was now 2 hours behind. passengers were then advised that the Bristol temple meads stop was being missed and that anyone for Bristol was to de-train at Taunton for taxis forward! left the sleepers at Newton Abbot at 0305,so what time it finally got to Taunton I have no idea 10th Feb: 66038 worked up through Taunton at 11:15 as the 0G86 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor, as the usual return 6O92 of the 6V95 from Dollands Moor was cancelled. 67027 had charge of the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans today passing Taunton a little after 15:35. 66187 worked the 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn fuel, passing Taunton at 18:05. Mail Allox for today as follows: 67024 5E43 Bristol - Plymouth ESC vans 67027 1C06 Bristol - Plymouth 67024 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell 67009 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67017 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth 67025 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden 67008 1C01 Penzance - Bristol 67017 1M99 Plymouth - London 47750 (Virgin Livery) 1C84 Reading - Plymouth 11th Feb: Tonight's 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel was worked by 66066 passing Taunton rather early at around 17:30. 66546 worked up through Taunton on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles at 20:45 this evening. Mass spoonage was again seen in the South West again today. 47747 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail up through Taunton at 20:48 47790 was conveyed DIT on 6M72 with 66193 leading passing up at 21:40. And 47737 was allocated to run the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth vans also! A Mega Unit Combination was sighted also at the station with 143613 143620 143612 which were held on platform 3 to allow Virgin's 43091 and 094 to pass by, at 21:05 12TH Feb: After the failure of 67025 working the 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth, 66015 assisted from the Westbury area overnight, as far as Exeter where it seems the train was caped. 66015 worked back light engine to Westbury as the 0F75 03:40 Exeter - Westbury. I'm assuming that 67025 was dumped in Riverside, because 67022 worked the 0Z03 08:00 Bristol Barton Hill - Exeter, and then the 5Z03 11:00 Exeter - Cardiff Canton (Taking 025 for a little bashing?) This would have passed Taunton at approx 11:30 if on time. The 7C27 Whatley - Exeter Riverside and 7C28 Exeter Riverside ran today with Coal Liveried 60057 'Adam Smith' working the train. It worked back through Taunton at approx 14:00 Other workings of interest: 66171 05:50 6W46 Exmouth Jn - Westbury 66124 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine 66247 6V70 Stoke - Burngullow 6M72 (Cancelled) 47727 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden Mail. GENERAL NEWS: Other news includes that Virgin although they won't be letting loco's back to the South West, they have at least seem some sense in the hiring of 2 Midland Mainline HST's for their Newquay Diagrams. However on a sadder note, it appears that Virgin won't be giving such a good service to the Holidaymakers in the South West! 17 trains a day will pass through the station without stopping. With many services working Bristol - Plymouth non stop, to avoid the sea side crowds and the bucket and spade brigade!! Liskeard has no VXC services at all stopping during the Summer season!! The provisional Taunton Timetable for the Summer looks like this, but is still subject to change (Ta kk!) Arr Dep Wttid Origin Destination 00:15 00:17 1C92 PADDINGTN 21:33 EXETSTDAV 00:45 01:41 01:47 1V40 WLSDNPRDC 23:10 PLYMOUTH 03:43 01:55 01:57 1A99 PENZANCE 22:00 PADDINGTN 05:00 PASS 02:02 1C02 BRISPKWRM 00:55 PENZANCE 06:33 PASS 02:13 5V69 BRISPKWRM 01:13 PLYMOUTH 04:17 03:29 03:31 1C99 PADDINGTN 23:51 PENZANCE 08:07 05:32 05:34 1V26 MANCR PIC 00:43 NEWQUAY 08:56 MM HST 06:07 06:09 2M02 EXETSTDAV 05:36 GLOUCESTR 08:16 06:53 ***** 5A28 STPHILHST 05:50 TAUNTON 06:53 07:09 07:11 1A21 PLYMOUTH 05:40 PADDINGTN 09:15 07:29 07:31 1E28 PLYMOUTH 06:10 NCASTLCEN 13:14 07:34 07:36 1C04 BRISTOLTM 06:56 PAIGNTON 08:42 07:34 ***** 2E03 BRISTOLTM 06:30 TAUNTON 07:34 ***** 07:42 1A28 TAUNTON 07:42 PADDINGTN 10:20 ***** 07:52 2M04 TAUNTON 07:52 BRISTOLTM 08:59 08:10 08:12 1A27 PLYMOUTH 06:35 PADDINGTN 10:14 08:33 08:35 1S65 PLYMOUTH 07:10 EDINBURGH 15:16 08:39 08:41 1V04 DERBY 05:55 PAIGNTON 09:53 08:46 ***** 5A37 STPHILHST 07:40 TAUNTON 08:46 09:00 ***** 2E05 SWINDON 07:05 TAUNTON 09:00 09:05 09:07 1A34 PLYMOUTH 07:36 PADDINGTN 10:59 PASS 09:12 1S67 PAIGNTON 08:05 EDINBURGH 16:34 ***** 09:14 1A37 TAUNTON 09:14 PADDINGTN 11:51 09:19 09:21 1V05 DERBY 06:25 PLYMOUTH 10:52 ***** 09:23 2M06 TAUNTON 09:23 BRISTOLTM 10:30 09:28 09:30 1C08 PADDINGTN 07:35 PENZANCE 13:01 09:34 09:36 1C06 PADDINGTN 07:15 PAIGNTON 10:58 09:37 09:39 1E30 PLYMOUTH 08:00 NCASTLCEN 15:13 PASS 09:48 1C52 PADDINGTN 07:25 PLYMOUTH 11:49 (?MANY NOT RUN?) 09:51 09:53 1M61 PENZANCE 06:10 MANCR PIC 14:27 10:09 10:11 1A36 PENZANCE 06:42 PADDINGTN 11:59 10:11 ***** 2E07 BRISTOLTM 09:05 TAUNTON 10:11 10:13 10:15 1S68 PAIGNTON 09:10 EDINBURGH 17:57 PASS 10:15 1V21 MANCR PIC 06:27 NEWQUAY 13:20 MM HST ***** 10:20 2M08 TAUNTON 10:20 BRISTOLTM 11:35 10:35 10:42 1C12 PADDINGTN 08:35 PAIGNTON 12:03 PASS 10:37 1S69 PENZANCE 07:20 GLASGOW C 17:13 PASS 10:39 1V27 LEEDS 06:35 PAIGNTON 11:42 10:55 11:04 1C92 CARDIFCEN 09:15 PAIGNTON 12:51 10:55 10:57 1A40 PAIGNTON 09:40 PADDINGTN 12:50 10:58 11:00 1C13 PADDINGTN 08:45 PENZANCE 14:24 11:09 11:11 1A42 PENZANCE 07:35 PADDINGTN 13:14 PASS 11:15 1E32 PAIGNTON 10:05 NCASTLCEN 17:14 11:17 11:19 1C17 PADDINGTN 09:33 PENZANCE 14:45 PASS 11:23 1V29 YORK 06:50 PLYMOUTH 13:04 11:36 11:38 1S71 PENZANCE 08:20 EDINBURGH 18:37 11:41 11:43 1V31 LEEDS 07:13 PENZANCE 14:57 12:05 12:07 1A45 PENZANCE 08:34 PADDINGTN 13:59 PASS 12:14 1C22 PADDINGTN 10:30 PENZANCE 15:34 PASS 12:18 1V35 MANCR PIC 08:16 PAIGNTON 13:18 PASS 12:22 1S72 NEWQUAY 09:25 EDINBURGH 19:56 MM HST 12:29 12:31 1S87 PAIGNTON 11:28 GLASGOW C 19:22 12:34 ***** 2E11 BRISTOLTM 11:16 TAUNTON 12:34 12:38 12:40 1C23 PADDINGTN 10:35 PAIGNTON 14:01 ***** 12:39 2M12 TAUNTON 12:39 BRISTOLTM 13:44 12:44 12:46 1V39 NCASTLCEN 07:07 PAIGNTON 14:10 PASS 12:53 1A49 PENZANCE 09:38 PADDINGTN 14:39 PASS 12:54 1C25 PADDINGTN 11:06 NEWQUAY 16:16 13:08 13:10 1A50 PAIGNTON 11:42 PADDINGTN 15:14 13:15 13:17 1C27 PADDINGTN 11:30 PENZANCE 16:34 13:21 13:40 6M68 BURNGULOC 08:33 WARRTNARP 20:33 13:26 13:28 1C28 PADDINGTN 11:35 PAIGNTON 14:46 PASS 13:36 1E34 PLYMOUTH 12:05 NCASTLCEN 19:21 13:38 13:40 1V79 MANCR PIC 09:33 PENZANCE 17:40 13:44 13:46 1V43 EDINBURGH 06:35 PAIGNTON 14:59 13:52 13:55 1A61 PAIGNTON 12:37 PADDINGTN 16:20 PASS 14:01 1A56 PENZANCE 10:38 PADDINGTN 15:49 14:03 ***** 1C00 SWDNCBURY 12:30 TAUNTON 14:03 14:12 14:14 1S76 PAIGNTON 13:10 EDINBURGH 21:44 14:18 ***** 2E13 BRISTOLTM 13:13 TAUNTON 14:18 PASS 14:21 1V45 EDINBURGH 07:38 PAIGNTON 15:34 PASS 14:22 1A60 NEWQUAY 11:15 PADDINGTN 16:14 PASS 14:27 1S77 PENZANCE 11:25 GLASGOW C 21:15 ***** 14:29 2G16 TAUNTON 14:29 CHELTENHM 16:47 14:34 14:36 1C33 PADDINGTN 12:33 PENZANCE 18:09 ***** 14:41 1B01 TAUNTON 14:41 SWDNCBURY 15:59 PASS 14:47 1V47 EDINBURGH 07:35 PLYMOUTH 16:19 15:09 15:11 1A65 PENZANCE 11:42 PADDINGTN 17:00 PASS 15:13 1V49 DUNDEE 06:43 NEWQUAY 18:12 15:15 15:22 1B44 PAIGNTON 13:40 CARDIFCEN 17:14 PASS 15:17 1C38 PADDINGTN 13:33 PENZANCE 18:41 PASS 15:19 1S79 PAIGNTON 14:20 EDINBURGH 22:38 15:34 15:36 1E36 PLYMOUTH 14:05 YORK 20:14 15:47 15:49 1V51 NCASTLCEN 09:58 PENZANCE 18:57 16:03 16:05 1A70 PAIGNTON 14:45 PADDINGTN 18:14 PASS 16:13 1M00 PAIGNTON 15:12 MANCR PIC 20:35 16:19 16:21 1V53 GLASGOW C 09:50 PAIGNTON 17:26 16:34 16:36 1C44 PADDINGTN 14:35 PLYMOUTH 18:09 16:34 16:36 1M50 PAIGNTON 15:33 PRESTON 20:37 16:41 ***** 2E15 BRISTOLTM 15:25 TAUNTON 16:41 PASS 16:45 1V55 EDINBURGH 09:36 PLYMOUTH 18:19 ***** 16:50 2M16 TAUNTON 16:50 BRISTOLTM 17:59 17:04 17:06 1A76 PENZANCE 13:35 PADDINGTN 18:50 17:16 17:18 1C49 PADDINGTN 15:35 PENZANCE 20:46 17:22 17:24 1V57 NCASTLCEN 11:45 PENZANCE 21:00 PASS 17:29 1M39 NEWQUAY 14:30 MANCR PIC 21:35 MM HST 17:36 ***** 2E17 BRISTOLTM 16:30 TAUNTON 17:36 17:46 17:48 1V59 EDINBURGH 10:35 PAIGNTON 18:55 ***** 17:50 2M18 TAUNTON 17:50 BRISTOLTM 19:09 18:06 18:08 1A83 PAIGNTON 16:50 PADDINGTN 20:15 18:12 18:14 1E40 PAIGNTON 17:09 YORK 22:38 18:19 18:21 1V61 ABERDEEN 08:55 PENZANCE 21:36 18:34 18:36 1C56 PADDINGTN 16:35 PLYMOUTH 20:14 18:35 18:37 1E42 PENZANCE 15:25 LEEDS 23:12 18:55 ***** 1C53 PADDINGTN 16:15 TAUNTON 18:55 19:04 19:06 1A84 PENZANCE 15:41 PADDINGTN 20:50 19:20 19:22 1V65 NCASTLCEN 13:46 PLYMOUTH 20:48 ***** 19:27 1A88 TAUNTON 19:27 PADDINGTN 22:12 19:31 19:33 1M32 PLYMOUTH 18:05 DERBY 22:46 19:34 19:36 1C65 PADDINGTN 17:35 PLYMOUTH 21:09 19:39 ***** 2E19 BRISTOLTM 18:30 TAUNTON 19:39 ***** 19:43 2M20 TAUNTON 19:43 BRISTOLTM 20:48 PASS 19:52 1A52 PLYMOUTH 18:15 PADDINGTN 22:16 (?MAY NOT RUN?) 20:10 20:12 1A89 NEWQUAY 16:50 PADDINGTN 22:17 20:14 20:16 1M34 PAIGNTON 19:17 DERBY 23:14 20:16 20:18 1C77 PADDINGTN 18:35 PENZANCE 23:31 20:22 20:24 1V70 GLASGOW C 13:51 PLYMOUTH 21:50 20:54 20:56 1A91 PENZANCE 17:30 PADDINGTN 22:46 21:15 21:17 1C86 PADDINGTN 19:15 PLYMOUTH 22:50 21:21 21:23 1V72 NCASTLCEN 15:48 PLYMOUTH 22:58 21:37 21:39 1C81 PENZANCE 18:00 BRISTOLTM 22:40 22:14 22:16 1C88 PADDINGTN 20:15 PLYMOUTH 23:50 22:31 22:32 2C65 BRISTOLTM 21:30 EXETSTDAV 23:03 23:07 23:09 1C89 PADDINGTN 20:30 EXETSTDAV 23:38 13th Feb: 47780 worked up through Taunton at exceptional speed at 20:40 (5 early) on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. At 20:50 66562 followed after being looped on Fairwater Yard for the spoon to pass by. This presented the first track scratch of it's kind for the cement since Freightliner takeover (As far as I am aware). There is no access from Fairwater Yard to either of the up tracks, this meant the train was routed out through the down Platform 5! The train was then held out under Obridge Viaduct to allow a FGW HST and a Virgin Voyager and a Wessex 150 to pass before departing at 21:05 At 21:16 66242 slipped past on the 6T36 Westbury - Exeter Riverside with a rake of Railtrack Hoppers in tow. 14th Feb: 47727 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans today, and the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return passing Taunton at 16:25 on the up run. 43065 and 43068 worked up through Taunton at 17:15 with a full 8 car HST set. This was working the 5M98 15:45 Laira - Longsight ECS move. 15th Feb: 66050 and 66038 worked the 0W20 Westbury - Tavistock Jn light engine move. Passing Taunton at 10:47 Today saw another Steam/Diesel charter grace the rails of Taunton. 'The Exe Taw Express' saw 46035 (Ex D172 'Ixion') bring the tour down from Crewe, passing Taunton slap bang on time at 08:56. With a severe frost overnight, the BR Blue loco looked superb as it passed Creech St Michael in the morning sun. The loco worked the tour to Newton Abbot where steam traction would take over in the shape of 5029 'Nunny Castle' which had been at St Blazey after working a tour to Penzance a couple of weeks previous. From Newton Abbot the train was then to head back to Bristol and on into Wales for a trip to Bridgend. Nunny graced the sea wall in pure Great Western style and made good time along the route, after a quick water stop at Tiverton loop she tackled Whiteball, and then descended to Taunton which she passed at speed at 11:52. 46035 was just following light engine passing a few minutes afterwards at 11:57. 66043 worked the 6M72 Burngullow - Bescot ENTERPRISE with 66247 working the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington silver bullets. 17th Feb: 66008 worked the 7C27 Merehead - Exeter Riverside stone today passing Taunton at 06:10. 18th Feb: 66093 worked today's stone train from Merehead (7C27 and 7C28) Today's serco was cancelled it's hoped it may run tomorrow. 47747 worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans, passing Taunton at approx 15:40 66066 worked down through Taunton at 17:50 on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavi Jn fuel. Load 22 , it dropped 2 off at Exeter, 12 at Tavistock Jn, and left another 8 for Laira. (Ta JT!) Postal Allocation for today as follows: 67011 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth (Failed at Plymouth, allox 0V33 with 67022) 67027 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell (Stand in for 67011) 67009 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67022 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth. 67025 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO 67018 1C84 Reading - Plymouth. GENERAL NEWS: Royalty also visited the Station today in the shape of The Earl and Countess of Wessex. Who travelled by normal FGW HST to Taunton on the 08:35 from Paddington arriving at 10:35. They had a full day of engagements: The Earl and Countess of Wessex 12:00 noon will visit the Sydenham Family Centre, Bridgwater, Somerset. > The Earl and Countess of Wessex 12:50 p.m. will visit the Enterprise Resource Centre, Northgate, Bridgwater, Somerset. > The Earl and Countess of Wessex 2:30 p.m. will visit the Somerset Brick and Tile Museum, East Quay, Bridgwater, Somerset. > The Earl and Countess of Wessex 3:10 p.m. will visit the Huntspill Project, West Huntspill, Somerset. > The Earl and Countess of Wessex 4:00 p.m. will visit the Brainwave Centre, Bridgwater, Somerset. They later returned using the ramp at the back of Platform 6 so as not to attract to much attention. Once it arrived they slipped onto the 17:00 from Taunton - Paddington (Ex 13:45 From Penzance) (Ta to Taunton Trains elite Jt for the above!) 19th Feb: The 6W74 04:45 Truro - Westbury was cancelled at Truro and the train ran to St Blazey instead. 67024 had an outing today to work the 0Z24 09:03 Bristol Barton Hill - Exeter Riverside to pick up some more mail cripples and work back to Bristol at the 5Z24 11:14 Exeter - Bristol. 60065 worked the 7C27 Whatley - Exeter Riverside and 7C28 Exeter Riverside - Whatley today, passing Taunton at 13:25 on the return run. 20th Feb: 60075 worked the 7C27 and 7C28 stone to Exeter Riverside today, passing Taunton at 13:25 on the return. 67015 worked 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden up through Taunton at 20:30 this evening, a full 15 minutes early. 66605 followed 5 minutes later on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement. 60098 bought up the rear on 6M72 at 21:15. With an EWS Inspection saloon noted in the consist. (Wonder where that's been then, wink wink!) 21st Feb: 66156 was back down today on 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, passing Taunton at 16:05. 67016 raced up through Taunton at 17:40. (I think this was the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail running 1hr late!) This may have been caused by the Air Head who drove into a bridge at Ivybridge, or the problems with Voyagers and the sea wall (Surly not!). Ta Q! 66050 worked down through Taunton at 17:46 on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. 47813 managed to escape the capital today also and worked the 18:33 1C33 Paddington - Plymouth service for FGW. It passed Taunton at 20:42. 43158+43067 arrived Taunton at 21:40 with a barrier car in-between (6330) on a stock move to Laira, the 16:03 from Longsight (5V97) however brake problems saw them stopped and switched off at Taunton in platform 2. They were still there next morning at 08:00 awaiting attention from a fitter. 22nd Feb: 47813 worked back out of the South West on the 1A17 05:40 Plymouth - Paddington, which should have passed Taunton at approx 07:10. A Major engineers procession at Highbridge&Burnham saw many engineers train appear at Taunton during the evening from Westbury to run round and head back to Bridgwater and Highbridge. 66133, 66040,66046,66206,66171 were all involved, did anyone else see any others? 23rd Feb: 66206 arrived at Taunton at 11:15 from Highbridge. It ran into Fairwater Yd and ran round it's lengthy rake of Mineral wagons before running out to Obridge. It allowed a Voyager to pass by (All trains diverted in the Berks and Hants because of the engineering) then followed it back to Westbury. Shortly after 158 (Ginsters) 153 (Red) and 153 (Central Trains RR) worked down at 11:55. 66206 then worked back up through Creech St Michael at 12:04, with it's train heading back to Westbury. Shortly after 66171 worked down at 12:05 from Highbridge - Taunton. This then duly ran round and returned north through Creech at 12:53 following 221142 Yet again just after this had gone, 66046 joined us, working down at 13:05 from Highbridge. This followed a 5 Car Virgin HST (43103+43090) 66162+66127 also worked down at 13:35 top and tailing a rake of Railtrack Autoballasters, as the 6W44 12:45 Westbury - Bridgwater via Taunton. This pair returned at 14:07 working up to Highbridge. 22nd and 23rd of March will see yet more engineers working to Taunton with the down main receiving attention at Bridgwater station over that weekend. (Ta to the King of Cellophane City) 24th Feb: After a busy weekend things returned to a slower pace for a Monday. 66067 worked north bound through Taunton at approx 14:30 with 67003 'Petal' in tow light engine. 66067 was already at St Blazey, having worked into Cornwall on 6V70 last Wednesday 19th February. 67003 had been in Cornwall since at least the same day, if not before, but worked 6B99 to Riverside on Friday 21st. It then sat in Riverside until yesterday (Monday) when 66067 picked it up on the way through to Barton Hill. 66046 which was still in Fairwater Yd where it was left on Sunday arrived back at Westbury at 16:03. It must have left Taunton at approx 15:03 did anyone see it? Postal allocations for today were as follows: 67014 (Pet Skip!) 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol Vans. 67005 worked the 5E43 Bristol - Plymouth vans and 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return 67029 was 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67030 was 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth 67018 was 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden Freight allocations: 66091 worked the 6O92 Exeter - Dollands Moor passing Taunton at 10:50 (Ta PR!) 66115 was 6V70 Cliffe Vale - Somewhere in Cornwall 66046 was 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn fuel. 66095 had worked the train to Westbury from Fawley. 66518 has been allocated 6V20 Earles - Moorswater (Due Taunton early hours of 25th) 66217 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow silver bullets (Due Taunton early hours on 25th) 25th Feb: 66222 turned up at Taunton this morning and entered Fairwater Yard from Westbury. It then worked the 6Z21 08:40 Fairwater Yard - Bardon Hill. It left at 09:00 from 40 Steps with 29 old ARC hoppers in tow. The wagons have been in store in Taunton for ever since I can remember!!! 66003 worked down through Taunton at 08:00 on the 7C27 Whatley - Exeter Riverside stone. It later returned on the 7C28 Exeter - Whatley passing Taunton at approx 14:00 (Ta PR) 26th Feb: 57601 failed last night while working the 1A99 Penzance - Paddington sleeper near Truro. It was reported that the loco had a major fuel leak. Problems suggested so far: Fuel cap left off so fuel drained out of tank, and tank ruptured. Passengers in the train were reported having been moved to the rear of the train at Truro for their own safety, and the Fire Brigade called as a precaution. 47813 had to run light engine to Truro from OLD OAK COMMON! Due to the non availability of any EWS traction! If anyone has any official report as to what happened I will be only to pleased to here from you. 66162 worked the 7C27 and 7C28 stone from Whatley - Exeter today. 27th Feb: 60030 worked the 7C27 Whatley - Exeter Riverside stone today, passing Taunton at 07:05 on the down run, it later returned as the 7C28 Exeter Riverside - Whatley, passing again at 13:47 28th Feb: 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn was again load 22 this evening with 66049 providing the power. 43168 + 6336 worked a Phillips Marsh - Laira stock move tonight passing Taunton at 19:10 as the 5Z77 18:00 Phillips Marsh - Laira. 43168 later returned with 43125 as the 0Z74 21:50 Laira - Phillips Marsh. 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey worked down through Taunton late at 19:35 with 66239. Mail Allox: 67011 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67017 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth 67005 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden 67025 1C01 Penzance - Bristol P'way TPO 67019 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO 67022 1C84 Reading – Plymouth 1st March: 47778 worked down through Taunton at 13:00 working a VSOE 'Orient Express' to Par from Ashford. The 47 was in almost Ex Works condition and had stock from the Northern Belle in tow. This followed 43069+43078 on a 5 car Voyager set. 66008 worked the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington silver bullets up through Taunton at 13:25. 66181 is booked to run the 6M72 Burngullow - Bescot ENTERPRISE today. Due at Taunton 16:50. 47815 worked down through Taunton at 18:25 as the 0Z77 16:50 Phillips Marsh - Laira. Conveying barrier 6338, and power cars 43004+43179. 7W40 18:45 Westbury - Highbridge was cancelled this evening and as a result didn't run. 6W10 19:21 Westbury - Hemerdon raced through the station at 20:08 (10 Early) with 66127 with the CWR train in tow. Next came the 6W41 19:59 Westbury - Highbridge, 60030 wad leading and 60083 on the rear of a very long rake of box wagons, a mixture of Yeoman, ARC, and even TML (From the Channel Tunnel days!) The pair arrived at 21:04 and promptly entered Fairwater Yd. 66093+66227 followed on a short rake of ballast urchins, on the 6W41 20:29 Westbury - Bridgwater. Arriving at 21:49 but unusually double heading, however only the front loco providing power, the other just ticking over. 22:03 60083+60030 appear from Fairwater Yard and head off North to Bridgwater. 22:20 and 66095 arrived on the Down Main working the 6W43 21:08 Westbury - Bridgwater, this time it stopped to allow an HST to pass, however the down main does not give access to Fairwater Yd so a station run round was required. Once the HST had cleared at 22:22 the light was given to allow 66227+66093 to come back out of Fairwater Yard and run past 66095 as it did. The pair were still double heading back to Bridgwater. Once the pair on 6W41 had departed, 66095 was then uncoupled from it's train  and ran round in order to couple to the other end and head off back to  Bridgwater. This train conveyed more ballast and several flat wagons of  concrete sleepers also. This departed at 23:00.    After the last tram of the night at 23:03, our last train of the night  arrived on the shape of 60081 working the 6W14 22:27 Westbury - Taunton,  which later works the 6W14 23:55 Taunton - Cowley Bridge.  One still shot was grabbed as it stopped to pick up a shunter (No not an  08!) in the down main platform, before it ran out into the darkness to await  the signal to Exeter.  Interestingly 60081 seems to have a brand new rake of RAILTRACK grey flat  rail wagons in tow, with a large mechanical grab on the rear. 2nd March: Loco's began to return from Highbridge during the morning after the night out, all as follows: 66127 6W10 08:30 Totnes - Westbury. 66227 6W42 14:15 Bridgwater - Westbury (Departed to Westbury 11:50) 60030 6W41 Bridgwater - Westbury (Arrived 10:40 to run round) 60083 6Z41 Bridgwater - Westbury (Arrived 12:05 to run round) With the engineering procession just south of Highbridge loop I took a little diversion on the way back from Newport today to check out what all these engineers were up to! Below is what all the fuss was about! Other workings for this evening are as follows: 6W43 20:00 Bridgwater - Westbury will be 66093+66095 (arrived at Taunton  20:50, departed 21:15) 6W44 01:23 Bridgwater - Westbury will be 66040+66158 (Due Taunton 01:23) There is also a booked 6W11 Westbury - Exeter St Thomas with 60081 again tonight (Due Taunton 22:48) the loco is then booked to return up in the morning stopping at Taunton from 07:15 - 07:32 to allow a London bound HST to pass. 3rd March: 57601 worked to Penzance - Paddington sleeper over night to London with 47815 on the rear of the train. 60081 was on time returning this morning on the 6W11 05:10 Totnes - Westbury. It was sat at Obridge Viaduct this morning to allow an HST to pass, then departed at 07:32 to Westbury. It has 1xYEA and 12xJZA wagons in tow. The same train  it took to Cowley Bridge on Saturday night. 66127 worked the 7C27 05:20 Westbury - Exeter Riverside and 7C28 12:43 Exeter Riverside return today. 66158 ran light engine 0V95 07:40 Westbury to Exeter Riverside in order to work the 6O92 10:14 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor china clay train. 47778 worked the return 1Z30 13:55 Par - Ashford VSOE (Or PoshEx) back up through Taunton at 16:34 (17min late) 60086 'Schiehallion' worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey today, pausing at Taunton at 16:43 to allow an HST to pass by, before continuing. 66131 worked the 6C62 17:01 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn, down through Taunton at 17:45. Load 1! This was also the first time this loco had worked the train. 66080 (PET SHED!) is allocated to work the 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow, silver bullets!!! Postal Allocation: 67008 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth and 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell 67017 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol 67025 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67028 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth 67022 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden 67016 1C01 Penzance - Bristol P'way (TPO) 67026 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden (TPO) 67001 1C84 Reading - Plymouth 67015 5V69 Bristol P'way - Plymouth 67017 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth (TPO) 4th March: 66226 worked the 7C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone, and the 7C28 return. 66561 worked today's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement, early up through Taunton at 18:47. The 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn was delayed tonight and passed Taunton at 18:58 with 66189. 67001 was working the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. Passing Taunton shortly before 19:00 After working the 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow over night, 66080 then worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Bescot ENTERPRISE this evening. 5th March 66217 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine silver bullets up through Taunton at 13:15 66123 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey down through Taunton at 17:00. However when the train reached Exeter Riverside the train had no forwarding driver so and 47750 (Thunderbird) was used to drag the train to St Blazey as it was going back there anyway. 6th March 43027 in the new revised 'Barbie' livery worked up through Taunton at 17:05 with two barriers in tow. 67026 worked down through Taunton at 19:40 on the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth. 67026 then worked up at speed and early on 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden at 20:33! 60086 worked up through Taunton at 21:10 after a long recess in Exeter Riverside on 6M72 (Arrived at 18:40!) 47782 is allocated to work the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth vans tonight, it should return at 15:45 tomorrow working 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol. 7th March 43043 (Midland Mainline) passed Taunton on it's own this morning at 07:35 heading south. Sadly it was no where near the railway and was in fact on a low loader heading to Plymouth on the M5! It is going to Devonport DML for an overhaul. 60086 worked back to the South West today on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey. It passed Taunton at 16:40 with load 15 in tow. At Exeter it teamed up with 66244 which had worked up to Riverside on the 6C43 St Blazey - Exeter Riverside (Via Heathfield!). The pair then worked down to Plymouth. Two Virgin HST power cars worked up at 17:10. Laira - Longsite stock move? 66093 had it's first ever turn on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel tonight. Passing Taunton at 17:40 After working the 1C82 last night, 47782 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail tonight. It passed Taunton with throttle open and horns blowing at 19:00! Big up Spoons! 67026 worked the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, with 67016 following on 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO. More spoon action was allocated last night also on the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth in the shape of 47786! 8th March 60086 worked back out of the South West today on the 6M72 Burngullow - Bescot ENTERPRISE. It passed Taunton at 16:00. First to arrive at Taunton this evening was 66188 on the 6W41 19:15 Westbury - Bridgwater. This arrived at 20:38 on Platform 3 which of course gives no access to Fairwater Yd so a station run round was hastily undertaken. The manoeuvre was completed along with a brake test by 21:00. Then the loco set back as it was several wagons past it's departing signal at the north end of the station. At 21:20 60089 arrived with it's train, the 6W42 19:45 Westbury - Bridgwater. This rolled on through Platform 2 and into Fairwater Yard. It's load of 36 Urchins training behind. Some more willing to move than others! 21:22 60089 is on it's way into Fairwater and 66188 departs to Bridgwater. 21:38 60081 is in sight, but again rolls into Platform 3. 081 having 44 wagons in tow then sat in Platform 3 for a long while as the shunter had gone to Fairwater on 60089. During this period 143617 arrived back at the station on Platform 2 having departed earlier on the 20:26 Taunton - Bristol from Platform 6. No passengers were on board, and the unit ran up to the red signal at the South end of the platform. It appears this unit had hit something and smashed the north bound drivers window (Or something had hit it!) after leaving earlier in the evening. The 143 was then shunted into the siding directly behind platform 1, parked up and switched off! The crew I assume departed to the Taxi Rank for their ride home. 22:15 and 66189+66051 arrive on the 7W44 20:42 Westbury - Bridgwater (Even announced as the late running Virgin service to Plymouth!) Having realized the down platforms were somewhat blocked. 7W44 with it's 17 Box Wagons, 1 Urchin, and 1 Crane (78220, Ta JT!) were shoved quickly down into Fairwater Yard out of the way to allow 221114 to pass by, along with a FGW tram which was following. 22:25 60089 appears from Fairwater and waits at the Signal on the Relief south of the station, shunter then walks over and uncouples 60081 from it's train. 60081 then scuttles off to run round using Platform 4. 22:38 60081 now out at Obridge after some top notch acceleration through the station. 60089 crawls up Platform 2 and stops at the signal at the North of the platform. (Posing for photo's of course!) Signal then given so 089 'The Railway Horse' erupts into life as only Tug's can and lumbered on out with 36 loaded wagons in tow! 22:45 60081 then sets back into the station with it's train, and again more photo's are obtained! 22:52 60081 gets it's road to depart and does so gurgling with delight as it moved off. 22:58 Last one of the night 7W44 66051+66189 The pair departed T&T as they were when they arrived towards Bridgwater. Other items of note this evening. Tamper 'Puma' with limited platform clearance was in Platform 1, and had been started when we left so this could well turn up at Highbridge tomorrow also. Seems Virgins ticket reservation systems are not quite up to working order again, almost all the Voyagers seen tonight (Including 221120+220010 which were working together) all seemed to have reverted to those famous paper tickets in tops of seats! Oh dear!! Oh dear!! And of course 30 40 and 50 minute late running was assured from out favourite company, due to line side equipment failure. 9th March 66189 returned from Highbridge at 12:10 today on the 7W44 Bridgwater - Westbury, this ran round and headed back, 66051 then followed at 12:17, and followed suit. 60081 worked the 6W43 from Bridgwater down at 13:40 to Taunton, then after a station run round headed back to Westbury, passing Cogload Jn  at 14:15. 10th March 66212 worked up through Taunton at 11:01 on the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor. 67001 worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans up through Taunton at 15:35 with 67001 at the helm. 66032 passed Taunton at 16:40 with the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - Burngullow ENTERPRISE, just load 4. However it picked up more wagons at Exeter and departed there Load 19! 66095 worked the 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn fuel down through Taunton at 17:50. Load 1. As a result it only worked as far as Exeter 47811 had an outing for FGW tonight, working the 1C56 16:35 Paddington - Penzance! At 19:59 47727 followed on the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth. 20:03 and Wessex Trains latest 150 Refeb (150254) arrived on the 2C93 18:00 Cardiff - Taunton. This 150 has pictures of the South Coast and Weymouth area on the side and also carried the NEW 'Wessex Trains' branding/logo on each end of the coach under the cab window. Simply written in bold type, but clear and effective! (I resisted the temptation of a bucket bash to Bristol for the next report!) This unit then departed on the 2W54 20:24 Taunton - Bristol. 47786 roared through at speed on the 1M65 Willesden - Plymouth vans. After 47811 arrived at Penzance it was immediately used to to work the 1A99 Penzance - Paddington sleeper service, as 47815 had a brake fault which was going to take all night to fix.   11th March 47815 once fixed at Penzance worked this mornings 1A45 08:34 Penzance - Paddington. 66095 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 18:25. It was running late as the loco had a TPWS fault at Castle Cary and had to run at 40 mph for the rest of the journey! At Exeter it was removed and switched for 66123 which was DIT on 6M72. 66095 was then sent back on 6M72 47727 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. Passing Taunton at 18:55 66510 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement. Passing Taunton at 20:38 with a hefty load in tow. 66239+66095 (DIT) worked the 6M72 Burngullow - Cliffe Vale Enterprise. Passing Taunton at 21:20. 66123 was removed from the train and used to run 6V62 to Tavistock Jn. Postal Allox for today: 67002 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol Vans 47727 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67026 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth 67013 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden 67015 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO 67012 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO 67016 1C84 Reading - Plymouth 12th March 66239 worked 6V70 Cliffe Vale - Burngullow  down through Taunton at 16:50 today, load 16. 13th March Sadly the unlucky 13 struck today for DRS. Although not passing Taunton but this is relevant to the area. 37611+20307 worked the Nuclear Flask to Bridgwater today. However during the shunting back into the yard around 08:30 area 37611 de-railed one bogie and hence there was a little problem! The flask at the time was empty and at no point left the rails, despite what was originally reported by the local media. As is usual with such incidents these days, a gaggle of orange vests were on site after a short while. But with no hope of the 37 being put back on the rails, it  was decided to leave them where they were.  At no point was the train blocking the main line and there was NO danger to the public during the incident. Obviously the original reporting from the media as usual got things wrong, and only served to give the wrong impression to those listening. Points West also showed pictures of the Incident, and interviewed local residents. They were very concerned that if the wagon had tipped over a melt down situation would have occurred. (Sadly someone forgot to tell them the wagon was empty!) Some media organisations however did revise their reports once they found out the train was empty! Precisions were in place though, with 4 police cars being spotted at Jn24 ready to seal off the main A38 into Bridgwater at the time of this incident. It would seem that they were on full alert until the situation was confirmed at safe. As a result the 6C91 ADJ-Bridgwater hauled by 37694 was cancelled at Avonmouth as access to the Yard was blocked. Other news closer to home: 47778 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. The 6M72 Enterprise was worked by 66006+66209!   14th March DRS UPDATE: 37611 was re-railed at approx 19:00 last night after being uncoupled from the 20. The Class 20 then shunted the empty flask into the compound while the 37 was surgically removed from the mud with heavy lifting gear and put back on the track. The 37 was then driven (Or towed) into the compound where both loco's and the flask were locked in.   Railtrack officials have been on site most of the day inspecting the track and the loco to determine the cause of the incident. The 37 is likely to require a fitness to run exam before being allowed to return to Carlisle.   Back to Taunton news: 66101 worked the 6G77 02:15 Didcot Yd - Ernesettle MOD train this morning. 66235 worked the 6V70 Bescot - St Blazey ENTERPRISE today with 2 EWS inspection saloons in the consist. 66161 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel tonight, LOAD 18. It passed Taunton at approx 19:40. Running 95 minutes late. The 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO was heavily delayed tonight, due to a brake problem on the rear coach. 67015 was 120+ late when passing Taunton. As a result the 5V69 Bristol - Plymouth TPO was used to convey the mail that would have gone down on 1C02. This ran as the 1V69. 15th March 47773 (EWS) passed Taunton this morning at 09:55 on the 1Z27 Milton Keynes - Par, Eden Special. D1015 'Western Champion' followed about 10 minutes late at 10:25. Working the 1Z46 Crewe - Okehampton. 46035 had worked the Crewe - Bristol leg of the tour in the morning. 66082 worked the 6M72 Burngullow - Bescot up through Taunton at 15:40. 73096 (Standard Class Steam Train) worked to Taunton on a leg of the Waterloo - Exeter - Waterloo, which saw the loco work on the Southern to Exeter then up to Taunton (Water stop 17:03-17:23) then to Westbury where the train was towed back to Waterloo by 47488. Many engineers trains were out and about this evening, for yet more work at Highbridge/ Puriton. However many turned up very late, with the first train, 6W41 with 60010+66030 in T&T formation turning up at 22:25 at Taunton from Westbury.   16th March With more engineering on offer in the 'Local-ish' area I decided it would be worth another trip out to find the Class 60's which had been promised the night before. 60010 and 66030 had already left on separate trains in during the morning. Arriving and departing from Taunton - Westbury around 11:00-12:00. 60071+60040+66051+66167 were all visible at Highbridge, parked one behind the other waiting to enter the procession where part of the down main had been lifted and re-laid. 60071 finally returned to Taunton at 15:45 passing Cogload Jn (Despite sitting at Highbridge all afternoon empty waiting to depart!) However by the time it got to Taunton and worked into Fairwater Yd, the driver worked out he would be over hours by the time would get back to Westbury. So EWS arranged a relief driver to catch a train to Taunton, in the mean time the driver who didn't fancy the walk back to the station decided that he might as well take the 60 with him. So at 16:25 60071 emerged from the yard passed under 40 Steps and parked in Platform 1 (The BAY!!!!) Where the driver got out and left the loco for the next driver to take back. By 17:50 the loco had recouped to the train and worked back up through Creech St Michael heading for Westbury with it's 44 wagons in tow!! At 18:00 60040 had finished with it's payload at Highbridge and worked down through Creech St Michael, again once it had run round in Fairwater Yard it returned north at 18:25. Today also saw a couple of Mini GTI HST moves using the Berks and Hants line to Westbury then up to Bristol. 43033+004 0Z77 Phillips Marsh-Laira (Cogload Jn at 15:15) Back to Back 43151+170 0Z74 Laira-Phillips Marsh (Cogload Jn at 15:50) Back to Back   17th March The engineering at Highbridge overran this morning, due to several items of plant machinery breaking down and blocking the main line. As a result the 04:53 Cardiff - Penzance was cancelled at Weston Super Mare, but was re-started from Taunton as the 2Z63 Taunton - Penzance. Pinching the Unit which was working the 2G06 which in turn was cancelled at Taunton. 66146 worked up through Taunton at 11:14 working the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor with 17 wagons in tow. This loco had worked light engine from Westbury earlier in the morning to Exeter. 67010 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans, passing Taunton at approx 10:45. This later returned at 16:40 on the 1C43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. At around the same time 66082 worked down on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey ENTERPRISE. This was following 67025 which was working down light engine in front of the 66. 67015 worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans. Passing Taunton at 15:45 The 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn passed Taunton at 17:40 with 66057 and one fuel tank in tow. 47758 was booked to run the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail this evening. 18th March The 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans was worked by 67025, with 67021 working 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth and 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell. 66035 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn this evening. 66527 worked up through Taunton at 20:35 on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement, however after passing Taunton 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden was in quick pursuit, and was running on ambers following the 66 until it was looped at Highbridge to allow the 67 to pass. 19th March 66085 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine silver bullets up through Taunton at approx 13:20 today. 67013 passed Taunton on time working the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans. 66071 worked 6V70 to St Blazey down at 16:49 this evening. 20th March 66071 worked a special train today passing Taunton at 12:00. It's consist was a rake of Old Silver Bullets bound for Wembley. Working as the 6Z92 Burngullow - Wembley the wagons are eventually bound for a trip through the tunnel to Dunkerque!! 67028 worked the 1C06 Bristol - Plymouth vans today. Passing Taunton at approx 15:45 67015 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail this evening. There was also another extra working today, it was the 6V62 Eastleigh - Tavistock Jn, but not with fuel in tow!! No it had 18 SSA Scrap Wagons in tow bound for Cattewater.  The Fawley Tanks often take them back from Tavi to Eastleigh. It passed Taunton at 18:25 with 66035.   21st March Unusually 67025+67026 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans today, passing Taunton shortly after 10:40. This was because 67005 had failed on 1C02 the night before at Penzance and had to be towed back to St Blazey for attention. 005 Was later put dead in tow on the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO. It's thought the loco would have been taken off at Bristol for attention. 2 VXC Power Car's passed Taunton at approx 17:10 back to back today, they were thought to be working the 0M98 Laira - Longsite. 66201 passed Taunton at 18:00 this evening working the 'proper' 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. The Virgin Cross Country service, the 21:52 departure from Taunton (Edinburgh - Plymouth) was heavily delayed due to a freight train (6V37 with 60xxx, seems a wagon was causing the problem, train moving at walking pace!) in the Ashchurch area tonight, as a result at 21:52 it was showing booked arrival at Taunton of 23:42!!   22nd March 67008 worked the 1Z27 Paddington - Par 'EdenEx' down through Taunton on time at 10:02 this morning. However 67014 (PET SKIP) is now allox to return the train to Paddington tonight, booked to pass Taunton at 19:52. 66223 worked the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington silver bullets up through Taunton just after 13:00 today. 66035 a Motherwell loco worked the 6M72 Burngullow - Bescot today, passing Taunton at 16:50 67014 worked the return 1Z28 Par - Paddington 'Edenex' back up through Taunton at 19:50 (2 Early!) 7W44 Westbury - Cogload Jn arrived at 21:05 with 66213 and worked into Fairwater Yard, with a rake of loaded Seacow's and small Shark wagons at each end. As I stepped out of my car, 66034+66238 worked through light engine (0W20 Westbury - Exeter Riverside) a full 117 early! Shortly after 66038 arrives at 21:25 with the 6W53 Westbury - Cogload Jn about 2 hours early, this passes through Platform 2 and into Fairwater Yard. Next to arrive was 66015+66104 in T&T mode, which although worked via Bristol arrived at Taunton 21:40 nearly two hours early!! They parked in Platform 3 with 015 directly parked above the road bridge, imposing a 126 Tonne dead load on the bridge. Then it was over to Platform 5 for a shot of the VSOE passing through. While waiting 66213 emerged from Fairwater Yard after it's run round and worked in through to Obridge to allow 47799 to pass before following behind. 47799 passed by at speed (And late!) at 22:15. Back on Platform 2 again, time fore tug action, 60042 arrives at 22:22 on 6W51 about 12 late and worked into Fairwater Yard, by 22:55 it had run round and was heading back out to Bridgwater. So once 60042 had cleared the section, 60010 was routed into the station from where it had been waiting at Obridge, this arrived at 23:00 with a nice rake of MRA Railtrack Self Discharge, open wagons. That was it, unusually for the run round's it seems there must be some points that are not working in Fairwater Yard, as loco's seemed to be routed out of the southern end of the yard, working back up the main line to the station and then back into the northern end of the yard. Another night for the Tug's but trains seemed to be running to their own times as usual.   24th March 47767 worked up through Taunton at 15:27 on the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans, in Ex Works EWS. Complete with yellow snowploughs and has been re named 'Mappa-Mundi' 60028 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey down through Taunton at approx 16:50 today. 66030 worked down through Taunton at 17:45 on 6C62 Westbury - Tavi Jn with 2xTTA's in tow 2xOCA's and 1xOBA in tow!! OCA's and OBA's being generally used for engineering and ballast jobs!! 67029 worked 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell up through Taunton at 18:50!   25th March 66030 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 17:35 today. FNW 150223 and 153377 worked a Penzance - Bristol service up through Taunton today at about the same time as the Falwey Tanks passed by. 66612 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles with 66143 worked 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale, 60028 didn't work this train as it failed at St Blazey with brake problems and is now N/313 DETAILS BELOW OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS ON THE WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY, MY THANKS TO RICHARD JONES FOR THE INFORMATION. WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY SPRING STEAM GALA   -  28-30 MARCH 2003 Engines now confirmed as:  GWR/BR(W) Nos 4141, 4160, 5224, 5542, 5764, 5786, 6412, 7820 Dinmore Manor;  LSWR No 30053;   LMR No 41312;   plus Peckett 1788 Kilmersdon. No 5786 replaces No 5553, which has been withdrawn for repair following a recent incident at the Churnet Valley Railway. Nos 4160, 7820, 30053 & 41312 will face smokebox north (towards Minehead), the remainder will face smokebox south. Intensive timetable in operation, with trains crossing at Blue Anchor, Williton, Crowcombe Heathfield & Bishops Lydeard. Goods train, plus top-n-tail steam workings to Norton Fitzwarren. Preview Day on Thursday 27th features Nos 4160, 5764, 6412 and 30053, including the latter on a goods train from BL-WN. Souvenir programme  -  which includes the complete Working Timetables, plus engine and coaching set diagrams  -  now available, priced £2.50. Lineside Photographic Permits available for the weekend, but these MUST be purchased in advance.   WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY, CROSS-COUNTRY WEEKEND  -  10-11 MAY 2003 Class 220 Virgin Voyager No 220 008 will be named "Somerset Voyager" in a ceremony on the platform at Minehead Station at 11:00 on the Saturday. No 220 008 will arrive on the WSR ex-Bristol Barton Hill Depot on both days.   Upon arrival, the set will be used on service trains on both days. EWS will be providing a dual-braked Class 47 to work trains, and a Class 45 'Peak' is also expected to be present..........more details shortly once final confirmation has been received. The owners of LMS 4-6-0 No 5690 "Leander" have regrettably had to withdraw the engine from the event, due to continued leaks in the firebox which require further attention.   A replacement (appropriate) 'guest' steam engine is being actively sought. Other locomotives expected to be in action are: 7820 Dinmore Manor, D1010 Western Campaigner and (33) 6566. Intensive timetable in operation, which will be different on both days. Full information on both events available on the following WSR websites:- www.West-Somerset-Railway.co.uk www.wsra.org.uk www.wsr.org.uk 26th March After a points failure at Bridgwater the 6V52 Crewe - Bridgwater empty flask was forced to carry on to Taunton in order to run round and gain access to the yard at Bridgwater. The train, with two Class 20/3's on the front arrived Taunton shortly after 09:10. 20312+20313 ran round their train, and departed back to Bridgwater at 09:40. 66239 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine bullets passing Taunton at 19:19. 66143 worked the 6V70 Bescot - Burngullow ENTERPRISE this evening, the consist also had a wooden brake van in tow. The mixture passed Taunton at 17:06. 47811 was allocated to work the 1C49 15:35 Paddington - Penzance today, passing Taunton at 17:36 with coaches 9490, 5710, 5657, 5700, 5679, 6721, 3255, and 3269. This was another planned moved by FGW as 47832 which is at Penzance was broken, and 47811 will be working the up Penzance - Paddington sleeper tonight. To cover for this move 47815 was then moved light engine 0Z70 from St Phillips Marsh - Old Oak Common and will be working the down Paddington - Penzance sleeper. If all goes to plan 47832 OR 47815 will work back up through Taunton in daylight tomorrow. Even more excitement was to follow when news filtered through to TT today, detailing that a Full 8 Car Virgin West Coast HST would be working a 5Z59 15:50 Laira - Taunton ECS. The excitement was justified when it was discovered that the 1V59 Edinburgh - Taunton (Virgin Voyager 220031) was to terminate at Taunton and passengers were to be transferred to superior traction (43080, 44081, 42105, 42177, 42176, 42175, 40437, 41059, 41045, 43094). The set then worked the 1V59 Taunton - Paignton. The Voyager then worked back to Bristol ECS as the 5Z31 Taunton - Bristol Barton Hill. 66213 worked a 6C06 Westbury - Tavistock Jn engineers train this evening, passing Taunton at approx 20:10 27th March A slight correction to last nights Class 47 workings, 47832 worked the Up Penzance - Paddington sleeper, and not 47811 as predicted. 47811 returned through Taunton at 13:14 (10 Late) on the 1A49 09:35 Penzance - Paddington service. However it was Bridgwater yet again that got all the attention today again, but this time not because of the Nuclear Flask (Although it was there with 20306+20315). It was 60067 that attracted all the lime light, despite being one of the first Class 60's to work the 6C91 ADJ-Bridgwater the loco managed a SPAD (Signal Passed at Danger) while manoeuvring the train. The driver was immediately stopped from driving with the loco left on the Down Main blocking all trains heading South for nearly 30 minutes. An inspector was called who shunted the train into the Yard out of harms way. An investigation is now underway into how the incident occurred. However Virgin Train were doing their best again today with the 1V31 06:44 York - Penzance HST reported running 146 late when passing Cheltenham. It's thought the delay on this occasion was because of a bridge strike further up the country. Upon arrival at Plymouth the service was terminated. Wessex Trains had their FNW 150 out again today, back from Cardiff (Where I assume it had been on Exam) The unit worked the 5Z76 14:10 Cardiff - Exeter ECS. Passing Taunton just after 16:00 There is an extra freight booked to run tomorrow 0G67 Newport - Tavistock Jn  light engine move to pick up what is thought to be SSA Scrap wagons from Tavistock Jn (Where they have been filled at Cattewater) and return them to Newport as the 6G68 Tavistock Jn  - Cardiff Tidal. (Taunton on the down stopping 15:35-15:44 and Taunton on the return 22:21) 47793 (Now Ex Works EWS!) named 'Christopher Wren' worked the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth passing Taunton at 19:55, top thrash from the driver too! 66519 worked up through Taunton at on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement at 20:40, closely followed by 67029 on 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail at 20:50 at speed! Postal Allox: 67030 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth and 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell 67028 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 47793 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth 67029 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden 67009 5V69 Bristol - Plymouth   28th March: The 1C07 06:05 Gloucester - Penzance was formed of 150240 and Ex Virgin 158751 (A bit of a wreck of a Unit!) They passed Taunton at approx 08:50 67002 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans, passing Taunton at approx 10:05. The loco of course later worked back on 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell. 66043 worked the 13:30 0G67 Newport Godfrey Road - Tavistock Jn light engine move down through Taunton. It was sent down to pick up some SSA wagons filled with scrap metal to work the 6G68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal. Passing Taunton at 21:52 With Virgin guards on strike today there was a severe lack of Virgin service trains in the South West today, 220002 even worked a 5Z22 Birmingham - Laira ECS. 47793 worked back through Taunton today (after having had it's TPWS fault fixed). It worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail, passing Taunton at 15:35. 66167 worked down through Taunton at 17:50 on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. 220030 also worked a 1Z59 Bristol - Taunton extra service because of the guard strike, arriving at 18:20 (30 late) then working back to Bristol shortly after. 67026 passed through at 18:52 with the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 66154 then worked down at 19:25 with the 6G06 18:30 Westbury - Tavistock Jn engineers train. 67011 then followed at 19:35 on the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail. 67009 raced up through Taunton at 20:30 on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. 220015+220021 worked a 1Z73 21:12 Bristol TM - Plymouth as an extra to cope with the guards strike. They passed Taunton 22:15 (37 Late) 66077 also worked a 6T36 22:50 Westbury - Tavistock Jn engineers train tonight. 67013 worked 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TM TPO up through Taunton at 23:15. 67027 followed about 20 minutes later on 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO. 29th March: 47734 passed Taunton this morning working the 1Z29 Hove - Par 'Eden Ex' with a nice rake of Green Mk 1's in tow at 10:22 (Approx 10 late) This wasn't all though, 67006 also worked a 1Z27 Finsbury Park - Minehead charter and worked onto the WSR at Norton Fitzwarren at 10:50 (15 early) this morning. The tour worked in conjunction with the WSR's 2003 Spring Gala which was taking place on the line. While all the excitement was on the WSR, other engineer’s trains headed down to Plymouth in readiness for tonight's engineering blockade between Plymouth and Totnes. 66025, 66154, 66077, 034 all worked the 0W43 Westbury - Tavistock Jn 60071 worked the 6W40 15:18 Westbury - Hemerdon. This passed Taunton at 16:40 66199 was used to work the 6W41 16:45 Westbury - Tavistock Jn this worked through at 16:45 66057 was then employed to work the 6W42 Westbury - Tavistock Jn passing at approx 17:50 Other workings today included 66057 on the 6M72 Burngullow - Bescot, and 66143 working the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington. The 5C15 11:07 Bristol TM - Laira (ECS) 43140+43041 came into trouble at Newton Abbot when a 30 year old lady fell under the train and was dragged along the length of the platform. Thankfully reports suggest that she was alive, and taken to Hospital with no loss of limbs! (Very Lucky!) 67006 worked back up through Taunton tonight from the WSR at 18:35 having spent the day at Minehead, the loco worked the tour back to Finsbury Park. 47734 then followed a little later with it's 1Z30 Par - Hove at 19:10 heading home for the night. Sadly a devastating fire broke out on a thatched house next to the railway line (nr Combe Florey) shortly after Pannier 5764 and M7 30053 passed by. It's by no means certain what started the fire as yet, until the Fire Brigade finish their investigation. However the house has been severely damaged in the blaze and is the same one which caught alight several years ago on the line. 6 Fire Engines attended the blaze, which required most of Taunton's fleet and another attending from Williton, along with the Police. The main A358 was closed for about 2 hours while the blaze was bought under control. The Police also requested that the Steam Trains stop running for a short period to allow them to reduce the risk to passing trains. More news will be posted here when known. 30th March 66199 worked back through Taunton this morning on the 6W41 Totnes - Westbury at 11:00 66091 passed Taunton at midday on the 6W46 Westbury - Totnes engineers train. At about this time 66057 worked back to Westbury on it's train of ZKA's 66034 then returned at 13:52 to Westbury with its train from Totnes. 6W40 which had 60071 working the train made Exeter Riverside from Totnes before being cancelled. I have heard no more on this trains movements. 31st March 60071 and 66057 worked the 6Z40 13:04 Exeter Riverside - Westbury today, after 60071's 6W40 was cancelled on Sunday morning. The pair passed Taunton at 12:50 today. 43137 and 43191 worked a back to back power car move today, the 0Z74 14:46 Laira - Phillips Marsh. The pair passed Taunton at 16:12 heading north. 47832 earned it's keep again today by working the 1C44 14:33 Paddington - Plymouth and 1A88 16:40 Plymouth - Paddington return, both instead of the booked HST. It passed Taunton at 16:18 on the down and 20:17 on the return. 67028 worked 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth and 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return. 66170 worked 6V70 down through Taunton at 17:49 from Cliffe Vale. 43084+43154 both Virgin Powercars also worked north at 17:09 together. 66173 worked tonight's 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn fuel it passed Taunton at 17:52 working down, load 2. It later returned very early at 20:35 load 1. A Green and Blue Network Rail Serco Unit also worked down through Taunton at 17:53. Following 6C62 67029 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell up through Taunton at 19:00 Also 47737 working on 1M65 tonight was a little late because it's headlight (Normally situated to the lower of the two marker lights) was not working. The loco had been reduced to 75MPH with a novel addition to the front of the loco in the shape of a lamp (Similar in appearance to a tail lamp but with a bright white bulb) This was slotted onto the lamp iron just beneath the two front windows!! The train passed Taunton at 20:54.   1st April 66091 worked down through Taunton at 08:15 this morning from Westbury, working to Exeter Riverside yard light engine at the 0T34 08:00 Westbury - Exeter. It then worked the 6T34 10:00 Exeter Riverside - Didcot with 22 ZKA and MKA wagons in tow. 66199 worked tonight's 6V62 Falwey - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 17:50 , this is the loco's 6th appearance on this train since being introduced into traffic. 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey was cancelled at Bescot this evening and so didn't pass Taunton, however 66001 formed the train as the 18:35 6V70 Exeter Riverside - St Blazey after working up to Exeter during the afternoon on 6C43 via Heathfield. The 6M37 Moorswater - Earles was early tonight, passing Taunton at 19:27. With 66528 60028 finally returned from Cornwall after nearly a weeks stay, working 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale. Passing Taunton at 21:20.   2nd April The first MASSIVE working of the year occurred today with 37886 making it into the South West and later on Cornwall. 886 worked the 6G97 08:26 Cardiff Tidal – Tavistock Jn with 16 empty scrap wagons in tow. The tractor growled past Taunton at 10:45. Once at Tavistock Jn the loco then worked 0G97 Tavistock Jn - St Blazey light engine. It's thought that the loco is booked back on Friday night with the loaded train at 22:00. After the 37 had passed by, normal service resumed with 66167+66025 working up at 11:15 on a rake of Railtrack Autoballasters from Exeter Riverside yard, assumed to be running to Westbury. 66001 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine silver bullets today, passing Taunton at 13:46. 66179 worked 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey down through Taunton at 17:05 tonight, however upon arrival at Exeter Riverside, 47750 (Ex Virgin) which is the South West 'Thunderbird' was attached to the front an piloted the train all the way to St Blazey!! Two Virgin HST Power Cars passed Taunton at 20:15 tonight heading to Laira. 66077 worked the 6T36 22:50 Westbury - Exeter Riverside down through Taunton at 22:50 66528 followed down at 23:55 on the 6V20 Earles - Moorswater cement.   3rd April After the huge appearance of 37886 yesterday most people in Taunton through things couldn't get any better. We it did. How's about 56018 on a rake of HAA MGR wagons?? The 56 this morning worked the 0G77 06:10 Newport - Exeter Riverside light engine move. Passing Taunton at 07:50. It's return was booked at 11:54, however once the 56 had coupled up to the stored MGR wagons at Exeter is requested to control that it was ready to depart, and it was given a path. 56018 stormed back North through the station at spot on 11:00 on route to Wales as the 6G77 11:18 Exeter Riverside - Margam. 66528 worked back up through Taunton a little early at 20:30 on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement. 67008 again was right behind following at 20:33 on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. 66034 worked the 6T34 Westbury - Tavistock Jn engineers train down through Taunton at 23:50.   4th April 66167+66057 worked North through Taunton at 07:50 this morning, top and tailing on a rake of Autoballasters. 66034 worked the 6T34 Tavistock Jn - Westbury return trip back up through Taunton at 14:50 today. 47787 worked up today on the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans at 15:32. 66125 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey Enterprise today, passing Taunton at approx 17:10. 23 Late. First Big working of the day was 60068 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 19:05 on the fuel 51 minutes late. The loco was held at Cogload Jn also to allow 43034 and 027 to pass before continuing. The 60 later returned again late The biggest working of the night though goes to the 6G68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap. With 37886 N/317 at St Blazey (Brake Problems) 66179 was used to tow the 37 light engine from St Blazey - Tavistock Jn, passing Taunton at 19:45 on route to Exeter Riverside. Here the pair picked up their train and worked to Exeter Riverside. However 66179 was then removed and went back to St Blazey with 66125 on 6M72. In the mean time, 37402 had worked down from Newport as the 0G68 Newport - Exeter Riverside light engine. 37402 then coupled to 37886 and the train worked north to Taunton. The pair arrived at Taunton at 22:33. They were routed through Platform 4 and then rolled through and out to Obridge where they were held to allow 150219 to pass by before continuing with their train.   5th April 66031 passed Taunton at 12:55 working the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington bullets. 66170 passed Taunton at 15:45 today working the 6M72 St Blazey - Bescot Enterprise. 66206 worked down through Taunton at 15:55 on the 6W40 Westbury - Hemerdon 66167 then followed at 16:05 on the 6W41 Westbury - Hemerdon 66144+66173 worked the 6W42 Westbury - Hemerdon down through Taunton at 19:50 heading for engineering work taking place near Totnes overnight.   6th April (My Birthday!) A load haul 60 visited Taunton very briefly this morning with 66132 on the rear of it's train. It had been working near Frome overnight, the pair returned to Westbury via Bristol TM. The 6W42 Totnes - Westbury with 66173 worked north through Taunton at 12:05, 66210 then worked South at 12:11 on the 6W45 Westbury - Totnes with a rake of Railtrack Autoballasters in tow. 150233, 150230 'Branchline Betty', 150234 and 158868 were used to work a strengthened service from Exeter - Cardiff for the LDV Vans football cup at Cardiff. They returned at 18:10 through Taunton. 66144 also spent most of the afternoon and evening parked in Platform 6 at Taunton. It worked the 6W43 Totnes - Westbury as far as Exeter Riverside, then dropped off it's wagons and worked solo to Taunton! 7th April 66081 worked the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor today, passing Taunton at 11:13 on the up service. 66170 was reported working the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey ENTERPRISE tonight. 31452 and 31459 worked a truly remarkable train through Taunton today. The loco's had worked from Hornsey EMU Depot in London the night before, and stabled at Woking.  This morning they were taken from Woking to Eastleigh to pick up three stored 73's (73134, 73103, and 73117) in order to take them to Meldon! Working as the 0Z31 14:15 Eastleigh - Meldon they departed 69 late at 15:24, working in top and tail formation. They worked through Romsey, Sailsbury, to Westbury then reversed taking the Berks and Hants to Taunton and Exeter Riverside Yard. The cavalcade passed Taunton at 17:35 heading south, catching a lot of locals unaware! The 73's are being taken to Meldon Quarry by Fragonset for secure storage as they now belong to them, and of course leaving them in EWS yards is not a very clever thing to do! Once at Meldon the 31's quickly re-formed and headed back to Taunton. They arrived at 20:33 behind the Gloucester unit and were held for several minutes on Platform 4 until the 150 had cleared the section! 66217 worked tonight's 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavi Jn fuel with one tank in tow. It passed Taunton at 18:15. With Load 1 it may have only gone as far as Exeter. 67015 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell up through Taunton at 18:50 67014 (Pet Skip) worked down through Taunton at 20:05 in the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail.   8th April 66027 + 66210 worked the 6W15 Cowley Bridge Jn - Westbury early this morning. 66034 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel down through Taunton at 17:50 this evening. 47782 worked the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth vans, down through Taunton at 19:50 66520 worked up on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement this evening passing Taunton at 21:10   9th April 60060 worked the 6G67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap train today, it passed Taunton at 12:05 The 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine bullets was worked by 66219 today. 66149 was allocated to run the 6Z99 12:57 Westbury - Crediton today after a broken rail was discovered and closed the Barnstaple branch for the day. 66170 was again used on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey passing Taunton at 16:40 47782 which worked down last night on 1V33 is tonight working a TPO back up. Working the 5C01 St Blazey - Penzance and 1C01 Penzance - Bristol.   10th April 47782 worked back to the South West on the 1C02 Bristol - Penzance TPO  overnight. 47736 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans this morning, passing at approx 10:35, it later returned on 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 66226 worked down on the 6Z17 15:25 Westbury - Exeter Riverside engineers. 60059 in load haul black passed through light engine on route to Exeter from Newport working the 0F76 around 12:00 today. It later returned light engine again as the 0A59 Exeter Riverside - Newport. 66086 worked up through Taunton at 18:45 on the 6Z17 Exeter Riverside - Westbury engineers 67027 worked up through Taunton at 18:52 on 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell. 66610 worked up through Taunton at 20:50 on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement this evening. 47782 is allocated to work the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO this evening. 47811 worked the 1A99 Penzance - Paddington sleepers this evening, this stopped at Taunton at 01:52. However when the loco broke down between Bristol and Bath later on, and had to be towed to Reading by a 66 from Westbury.   11th April 67014 (Pet Skip) worked today 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans and 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail return. It passed Taunton at 16:45 on the up. 37886 nearly made another fleeting visit to the South West again today, when it worked the 6V62 Falwey - Tavistock Jn fuel. However it was widely expected to happen (And Did!) that the 37 would be replaced with a 66 at Westbury. 66199 did the turn from Westbury - Tavistock Jn passing Taunton at 17:45. 67026 passed Taunton at 18:55 on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 60060 worked up through Taunton at 21:55 complete with it's 'Coal Sector Markings' on the Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap metals train 43121+43158 worked down at 22:07 back to back heading for Laira 66086 then followed on a Westbury - Crediton engineers train at 22:13 66199 then returned at 22:15 on the 6O34 Tavistock Jn - Eastleigh empty fuel tanks. 47784 had to assist 67003 working the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth main tonight. It was reported departing Reading 63 minutes late. However 67003 never made it to Taunton and the South West as it was left in the Bay at Reading.   GENERAL INFORMATION: This weekend will see diesel haulage on the West Somerset Railway. On 12th April D9526 (Class 14) will make it's comeback to the WSR.  It's booked to depart Bishops Lydeard at 11:35, and then departing Minehead at 13:40 heading back to Bishops Lydeard. Also 33048 will also be covering the diesel diagram on the weekend instead of the normal DMU. This departs Bishops Lydeard 10:25 and 14:35, and departs Minehead at 12:15 and 16:00.   12th April Class 14 D9526 made a welcome return to the WSR today running a special train from Bishops Lydeard - Minehead and return for invited guests. The loco was superbly turned out for the occasion. With the loco still smelling of fresh paint! The photo's below show the superbly turned out 'Teddy Bear' complete with 1Z14 headcode! It's nice to see another loco back on the track after a full refurbishment. It certainly sounded very nice working up the banks today. Back on the main line, 66027 worked the 6w40 15:18 Westbury - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 15:55. 66031 worked up through Taunton at 16:45 on 6M72 Burngullow - Bescot. With 7 bullets in tow and 3 Tiphook Wagons. 66014 worked the 6W41 Westbury - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 17:50. A little late to say the least! 66236+66144 worked down double headed on the 6W42 Westbury - Tavistock Jn engineers at 19:10. 13th April 66027 worked back through Taunton at 09:30 this morning after it's night out on engineering work at the foot of Hemerdon Bank near Plymouth.  It was working the 6W40 Tavistock Jn - Westbury 66014 followed at 11:55 on the 6W41 to Westbury. 66144 worked the 6W42 Totnes - Westbury back from engineering at Hemerdon 66173 then worked down at 13:25 on the 6W45 Westbury - Totnes, working to the procession with a rake of Railtrack Autoballasters in readiness for a ballast drop later this evening. 66236 passed through light engine at 18:27 on the 0W43 Exeter Riverside - Westbury. The loco had earlier worked the 6W43 from Totnes - Riverside.   14th April 66006 worked the 7C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone down through Taunton at 07:30 this morning with a nice rake of MRL (Mendip Rail) box wagons in tow. Shortly after 09:30 this morning, Taunton was bought to a stand after a body was found on the tracks near Wellington in suspicious circumstances.  By 10:45 the down line was still closed but the up had been re opened for single line running, however progress was further hampered by the 1A34 HST setting off a Hot Axel Box Detector (HABD) which then bought this train to a stand while it was inspected. As a result of the above the 1V29 York - Paignton HST was sent via Honiton to Exeter. 66069 worked this mornings 6V95 empties to Exeter Riverside passing Taunton at approx 10:00. The 6092 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor china clay passed Taunton at approx 13:20, a little later than usual, due to the mornings events. 67001 had the 5C43 and 1E43 return mails today, passing Taunton at 16:40 on the up. 60088 made a welcome appearance on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey ENTERPRISE service today, passing Taunton at 16:40 heading for Cornwall 66199 worked the 7W81 Westbury - Looe engineers train tonight, it passed Taunton at 18:00 heading South. The train was expected to attach another loco at some point on the way down to assist on the Looe line. The 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn followed right behind with 66007. Again very lightly loaded tonight with 2 TTA's in tow. As a result the loco only worked as far as Exeter. It then headed back light engine at 19:50 through Taunton. 67028 pottered through Taunton at 18:55 on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 67011 worked down on 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth a little late at 20:15 this evening, while 47750 (Ex Virgin Loco) still with it's Virgin Livery but with EWS branding worked up on 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden vans at 20:20. This now means 47784 is the Newton Abbot ' Thunderbird Loco' 15th April 60003 worked this mornings 6C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone. It passed Taunton at little before 06:30, it had the same rake of MRL Box Wagons in tow as yesterday. 003 returned with the empties at 11:50. 47787 had the duty of 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans tonight and 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell standing in for the booked Class 67. It passed Taunton at approx 09:50! Thinking we had seen the last of 60003 for the day, a few heads were turned at 17:55 when 60003 rolled into Taunton on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. It had worked to Westbury where it was quickly utilised to cover the normal Class 66 diagram! 47760 dropped onto the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail today passing Taunton at 19:45. 66050 worked up through Taunton at 20:55 on a rake of empty ballast wagons, These had dropped their load on the Looe Line the night before, 050 had worked down with a full rake to be dropped on the Newquay branch tonight earlier in the morning as the 7W82 11:00 Westbury - Tavistock Jn 66535 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles up through Taunton at  20:35 heading back north. 16th April 60091 worked this mornings 6G67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn empty scrap train. It's due to return tomorrow evening due to the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend. It passed Taunton at approx 11:30 on the down. Not to be outdone 60083 worked the 6C27 and 6C28 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone today. 47760 worked back up through Taunton today at 15:30 on the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail. However not before turning some heads in Cornwall by working the 6C06 St Blazey - Tavistock with 30 CDA's in tow (A regular 67 move) But 47760 did it with 47772! 66179 worked down at 15:40 on the 7W83 Westbury - Truro ballast, which will be dropped on the Falmouth Branch tonight. 67019 worked the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail up through Taunton early at 16:25 this afternoon. 47772 surprised a few tonight when it was assisted by 'Thunderbird' 47784 on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail!! Bringing back those welcome memories of when 1E41 used to by double 47's every night. Oh how times change. They pair passed Cogload Jn with horns blowing at 19:25. 47772 had been having difficulties climbing Hemerdon so 47784 was requested at Newton Abbot to help out. 47784 was then removed at Bristol with 47772 and 47787 took over for the run North. 66135 was a little late this evening working the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey ENTERPRISE. It passed Taunton at 21:26! It later only got to Exeter Riverside where the train was held overnight. 17th April With a strike by guards today trains were a little sparse at Taunton today. Virgin had an hourly Voyager service running with 221+220 formations, First Great Western were also providing a skeleton service. Wessex in the Taunton area at least were not running. As a result of 47784 working to Bristol last night, today's 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans was formed of 47784 leading and 67013 inside the train. The pair passed Taunton at 11:00 a little later than usual. 67016 worked the 1C06 up through Taunton at 15:30, clouting a slow seagull in the process, needless to say the 67 won! 66179 worked down through Taunton at 15:45 on the 7W85 Westbury - Truro ballast train. This would later be dropping ballast on the Falmouth Branch. 67006 worked the return 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell today and not 67013 that went down on 5C43 in the morning. This passed Taunton at 16:20 today. 60088 worked tonight's 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale up through Taunton very early at 19:00! 67014 (Pet Skip) was tonight's 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth working down at approx 19:40 66601 'The Hope Valley' was tonight's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement, passing Taunton at 20:30.   18th April 66122 worked the 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow bullets down through Taunton at 07:30 this morning, it was assisted over night by 56065 but it's thought this may have been removed at Newport on the way down. 66154+66006 followed in Top and Tail mode on a Westbury - Uphill Jn engineers train. The pair later worked back up from Taunton. The 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail was today top and tailed 67's. 67019+67026 worked up through Taunton at 16:35 heading north. 026 was on the back as the 1E41 had been re-timed to start at Bristol. 66008 worked to Taunton on a Uphill Jn - Westbury engineers during the late afternoon, it then headed north again to Westbury at 18:25. The Fawley Tanks set two more records today, the first being the use of 60075 on the train. This makes this loco the top Class 60 to have worked the train on two full turns. The second being the use of two 60's on two consecutive trains in one week! 60075 passed Taunton at 17:45 heading South. 47757 also worked the down 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth, again via the Berks and Hants due to engineering work at Uphill Jn over the Easter period. This passed Taunton at 19:40. 19th April 66207+66006 worked down through Taunton in T&T formation at 21:40 tonight on the Westbury - Hemerdon engineering train. 20th April 66154 + 66008 + 66179 were all involved in engineering work at Uphill Jn over the Easter Weekend Period. 66154 worked down to Taunton at 10:25 from Uphill Jn, and later returned. 60090 also put in an appearance on the 6W76 Westbury - Cogload Jn. This worked down to Taunton at 18:45 and returned at 19:25 to Cogload Jn after running around it's train. 21st April 66154 and 66207 worked the 7W17 Westbury - St Budeaux Jn in T&T formation with a rake of seacows, down through Taunton at 19:18. 1 Hour late, as 66008 was booked to run with 154 but had flat batteries. 66241+66045 also made a surprise visit to Taunton this evening on a massive T&T engineers train, consisting of 13 Railtrack Autoballasters and 9 Seacows. The pair worked down to Taunton at 19:50 from Uphill Jn (Where engineering work has been taking place all Easter) and returned at 20:20 heading back to Westbury. 22nd April 66007 had charge of tonight's 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. Passing Taunton at 18:10. 47789 also passed Taunton on 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth at 19:45. The 6T36 20:30 Westbury - Tavistock Jn engineers was hauled by 66241, passing Taunton at 21:20 with a long rake of Railtrack Autoballasters in tow. 67024 worked the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth passing Taunton at 23:30 tonight. 23rd April 47736 and 47792 (Ex Works EWS!) visited Taunton this morning on the Serco Test Train. Arriving at 09:50 as the 1Z14 08:06 Swindon - Taunton they then left the station as 10:14 Taunton - Paddington. 66187 worked the very late 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey down through Taunton at 18:10 this evening, with a lengthy train!! 47789 worked back on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, with 47791 following at 20:30 on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden. 67006 also headed south at 20:05 on the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth service. 24th April 47736 and 47792 worked the 1Z14 06:45 Paddington - Exeter Riverside serco test train through Taunton this morning at 10:45 211 minutes late. 67014 (Pet Skip) worked 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth down through Taunton at 19:45 this evening. 67019 then worked 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden. The 6M37 Moorswater - Earles passed Taunton a little later than usual at 21:08 tonight. With 66514 providing the front end power for the train. 25th April 143611+143613 working the 2W04 06:20 Exeter - Bristol failed at Hele early this morning. 143611 was reported to have a tripping circuit breaker. The troublesome twosome left Exeter on time, but amazingly arrived at Taunton a whacking 178 minutes late, at 09:59!!! (Exeter - Taunton in 3Hrs 40minutes, must be a new record!) Further planning though saw the Bendys nod their was past Weston Super Mare non stop, and making up some time, arriving 151 Late at 10:31. Their on going service from here was cancelled. As a result of this, it's thought that the 1S65, 1A21 and 1A25 were diverted via Yeovil to Bristol. 47744 worked a special VSOE charter from London Victoria today, it passed Taunton at 13:44 working as the 1Z82 Victoria - Truro. Not to be outdone by Wessex, Wales and Borders Unit 158820 (Along with another UID unit)  working 1V80 Manchester - Penzance this afternoon dragged it's way to a stop at Taunton. Dragging Brakes on 57820 saw it removed, and although on the down platform was shunted into the up Platform 6 at around 16:30. At 18:45 the unit was receiving attention from fitters at the station, and was being driven up and down the platform a short distance. By 19:00 it had been switched off and there was no one in sight! 66007 worked the 6V62 Falwey - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 17:45 this evening, with 4XTTA's in tow. 47791 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell up through Taunton at 18:54 tonight at speed. However at Bristol P'way it was removed at 67003 was added to take the train north. 47791 was then allocated 0F74 20:14 Bristol P'way - Bristol Barton Hill. 47789 was also allocated to work the 1M65 Plymouth - Low Fell mail this evening.   26th April 66125 worked up on the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington 'Silver Bullets' at 12:45 today. 47791 was employed to worked the 0F76 Bristol Barton Hill - Exeter St David's today. It passed Taunton light engine at 16:40. The loco had been summonsed to help out on the VSOE which was working between Plymouth and Exeter and Exeter - Kingswear. 47744 which was working the train had collapsed near Teignmouth during the first up run in the morning. As a result 'Thunderbird' 47784 had to be called upon to move the dead 47. This was done by coupling up to the rear of the train and pushing it all the way to Exeter. 47784 then at the right end towed the train back to Plymouth on time where 47744 was removed from the train. In the evening 47784 was again used to work the VSOE to Exeter, where 47791 which had worked light through Taunton was added to the train for the trip to Kingswear. 47784 returned light engine to St Blazey. At 16:45 66003+66122 passed through heading North on 6M72 Burngullow - Bescot, with 19 wagons in tow it was a hefty load. 66122 was also added at Exeter Riverside. 66179+60085 worked the first engineers of the night (6W40 Westbury - Hemerdon) on time at 18:03. The pair were unusually double heading. 66090 followed down at approx 19:55 with the 6W41 Westbury - Totnes. 66073 worked down at 20:25 on the 6W42 Westbury - Totnes engineers, this train was held up by the 1C62 17:15 Paddington - Taunton HST setting of the Hot Axel Box Detector when it passed Cogload Junction. The HST arrived at Cogload 19:55, and finally reached the Taunton Station at 20:17. The HST then had to form the 1C80 20.22 Taunton to Paddington, Car 42269 has brakes isolated. It was then instructed to travel 10 mph below line speed over 100 mph   60088 and 60094 worked down at 21:08 on the 6W45 Westbury - Totnes engineers in T&T formation. 27th April 47791 worked the 1Z88 Okehampton - Victoria VSOE up through Taunton at 16:10 this afternoon. This was after the train had worked into Meldon Quarry during the morning on a small excursion to the Dartmoor Railway. The 1C17 14:43 Bristol TM - Paignton was formed of 143619+158871 today. It passed Taunton at 15:45. The 143 was then removed at Exeter and went on shed, with the 158 working on to Paignton. 28th April 60094+60088 worked back up through Taunton at 06:50 this morning, after engineering work at Hemerdon over the weekend. They passed in T&T formation as they were when they went down. 67023 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans, passing Taunton at 10:10 heading South. It later returned with 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell. 66025 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey down through Taunton at 16:40 today. 67015 worked up through Taunton at 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 66080 (PET SHED) worked the 6W80 Westbury - Truro engineers down through Taunton at 19:09. 67011 worked down through Taunton at 20:05 on the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth. 67021 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail up at 20:40. 47772 worked the late night 1C84 Reading - Plymouth, passing Taunton at approx 23:30. 29th April 66080 returned through Taunton this morning heading back to Westbury with the 6W81 04:15 Camborne - Westbury. 66006 also had an early morning start on the 7C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone. It was seen in Exeter at 07:30. 66180 worked down through Taunton at 17:50 on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. 67018 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, passing up at 19:05 66080 (PET SHED) returned again this evening working the 6W81 Westbury - Liskeard engineers. It passed Taunton at 20:30 with a short rake of Autoballasters. 66525 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles up through Taunton at 20:50, however it was held at Obridge for an up Voyager to pass by and the 1M65 mail which was running late. 47744 made another attempt at working the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail after disgracing it's self on the VSOE at the weekend. Sadly it wasn't to be and was piloted by 67024 up through Taunton at 21:05 tonight, taking Platform 5 as the up fast was still occupied by 66525! 30th April 47778 worked a light engine move from Bristol Barton Hill - Exeter Riverside to collect a mail cripple this morning, it passed Taunton at 08:45 heading south. It later returned at 10:10 as the 5Z24 10:33 Exeter Riverside - Bristol Barton Hill. 66033 worked the 6G67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap train today, it passed Taunton at 12:13. 66054 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey down through Taunton at 16:15 this afternoon. 66080 again worked the 6W82 Westbury - Truro, it passed Taunton at 20:30 heading South with a rake of Autoballasters. 66164 passed down through Taunton working the 6X50 Crewe - Devonport Nuclear Flask. After stopping at Taunton for a pathing stop it continued on about 22:35. This weekend (Saturday 3rd May) will see Double Headed steam loco's 5051 'Earl Bathurst' and 5029 'Nunny Castle' return to the South West. Bringing the site and sound of Double Headed Castles back to the eye's and ears of many!! Working from Finsbury Park the steam loco's are attached at Bristol and work to Plymouth and return. Confirmed Timings are listed below: Taunton: 10.50 Exeter St Davids: 11.24 - 12.52 (Take on Water) Newton Abbot: 13.17 Plymouth: 14.08 Plat 8 Plymouth: 16.45 Newton Abbot: 17.36 Exeter St Davids: 18.01/18.38 (Take on Water) Taunton:19.11   1st May 66080 worked back up through Taunton early this morning at approx 09:25. It worked to Newton Abbot with 47784 which was then detached for 'Thunderbird' duties. 66080 Then headed back to Westbury with it's train! 47793 worked a special 1Z27 London - Par. to the Eden Project in Cornwall. It passed Taunton at 09:05 with Blue and Cream 'Northern VSOE' coaches in toe, along with Blue and Cream Mk2's and IC Mk2's also! Coaches as follows: 17105, 3228, 3240, 3223, 3244, 1683, 5276, 5341, 5366, 5748, 5752 & 5794 (My Thanks to JT!) 60033 (In Corus Colours) and 66008 worked the 0W12 18:01 Westbury - Tavistock Jn this evening, the mad pair passed Taunton at 19:00 heading South. Upon arrival at Tavi, 60033 was booked to return on the 6T36 21:20 Tavistock - Westbury, and 66008 was then to work the 6W12 Tavistock - Par engineers. They in turn passed 67017 on the outskirts which was working 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 47793 returned with it's tour at 19:35, heading back to London from the Eden Project with it's train. Pet Skip 67014 worked down (15 early) on the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail this evening, at 19:45. Once at Plymouth it worked it's usual 0C33 Plymouth - St Blazey. But took 66164 along for good measure, after it worked the Devonport Flask late last night. 67016 worked up at 20:50 on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. 66080 was out yet again tonight working the 6W83 21:01 Westbury - Plymouth engineers. Passing Taunton at 22:22. 66025 worked the 6M72 Burngullow - Cliffe Vale this evening, conveying an EWS saloon, and it also was  booked to pick up 47772 which was dead in Exeter Riverside Yard. (772 Assigned B Exam at Crewe). 66529 on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles was heavily delayed this evening after delays in getting back onto the main line. It passed Taunton at approx 22:30! Today's Postal Allocation is as follows: 67006 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol 67021 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell 67017 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67014 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth (Pet SKIP!) 67016 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden 67004 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO 67012 1C84 Reading - Plymouth 67027 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO   2nd May 66220 passed Taunton on the 6G77 Erenesettle - Didcot MOD train today at approx 11:20. Transrail liveried 60092 worked tonight's 6V70 Cliffe Vale - Burngullow down through Taunton at 20:15, running a little bit late. 66134 was used to work tonight's 6G68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap train. Passing Taunton at 22:00 3rd May STEAM REPORT: Today saw the return of Steam to the South West again, this time in the shape of 5049 ‘Nunney Castle’ and 5051 ‘Earl Bathurst’ The tour which started at Finsbury Park and worked around the North London Line, to Acton and onto Bristol with 47793, then picked up the two steam loco’s at Bristol. The tour met a right time departure from Bristol and the pair stormed through the village of Creech St Michael at 10:48, the twosome making a magnificent sight as they passed by. The train then headed onto Exeter, where it took on water before heading on down to Plymouth. Sadly the return run was not to be as smooth. As departure time loomed news began to filter through that 5051 ‘Earl Bathurst’ had a. overheating valve gear eccentric strap (A component of locomotive valve gear offset to driving axle to impart a fore and aft movement to eccentric rods and valve gear. The metal strap is fitted to the eccentric and drives the eccentric rod. The rod is attached to the eccentric sheaf driving the valve rod of the locomotive) this fault would mean 5051 was not going the make the trip back north with 5029. The locos and stock of course had gone out to Tavistock Jn to stable and water out of the way during the layover at Plymouth. The decision was taken to put ‘Thunderbird Loco’ 47784 behind 5029 ‘Nunney Castle’ which was going to tackle the Devon Banks on its own. Shunting and manoeuvring complete the train main a 25 late departure from Plymouth and headed back north to Bristol. Passing as it did 5051 which was now in Tavistock Jn yard. However this was not the end of the problems by a long way. Nunney made it over the banks with its massive load in tow. Upon gracing the sea wall the loco passed Teignmouth and then onto Dawlish. However upon passing through one of the 3 tunnels before emerging onto the Marine Parade at Dawlish, some masonry from on of the bridges was somehow dislodged (Possibly by the blast of steam coming from the chimney) and it fell down, striking a member of the footplate crew on the head. The loco immediately pulled up to the signal between Rockstone Bridge and Langstone Rock. Although displaying a green aspect signal, a member of the crew climbed down from the loco and requested to the signalman that the train was to be routed into Dawlish Warren station where it could be stopped for medical attention to be received!! The train was then allowed into the loop and such was the hurry to get the injured person from the footplate that the rear of the train was left sticking out onto the main line. Once he was off the train was pulled forward so as not to cause too much disruption to other services. An ambulance was called, and a speed restriction was then put into place on the stretch of line over which the train had just passed. It was also reported that the 47’s cab window directly behind 5029 had also been hit by the falling debris, which had cranked it and pushed it inwards. By now this extra but vital stop had caused the train a massive delay, and it still had to stop at Exeter in order to take on water and detach the 47 which would now not be needed as the only gradients were that of Whiteball Tunnel, which is less that those already traversed. Once shunting and watering had taken place 5051 departed Exeter a total of 86 minutes late. (1Hr 26 Min) 5051 and crew were keen to make up time and a storming run was made between Exeter and Bristol. Whiteball was taken at 37MPH on the assent of the bank and reported (but not confirmed) to have been taken at 75 MPH on the decent, and it wasn’t going much slower at Taunton when it passed through at 20:35. However another 41 minutes was lost in the Flax Burton area (Yatton) where the train had to stop due to a clogged spark arrestor, caused by some poor and dusty coal. Once the train reached Bristol the steam train was removed as originally advertised and a Class 47 was then added for the run back along the Great Western Main Line to London, where again it took the North London Line and onto Finsbury Park. Other News for today: 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington CANCELLED!, 6M72 Burngullow - Bescot ran light engine to Exeter with 60092, where we have seen no reports other than it was sighted in Exeter Depot shunting the Fawley Tanks! A few engineers passed Taunton this evening, heading yet again to Hemerdon for engineering work. First to pass was 60017 on the 6W40 17:30 Westbury - Hemerdon at 18:30, next was 66210 working the 6W41 18:00 Westbury - Totnes at 18:55. Then a light engine move with 66153 as the 0W42 Westbury - Exeter Riverside, where it would pick up it's train and work down to Totnes. 6W44 18:50 Westbury - Totnes was 66170 passing at 19:52. Then came 6W45 19:30 Westbury - Totnes which was worked by 66046+66142 in T&T formation. 5th May With today being a bank holiday there was  reasonable amount of action to be had. First to turn up was the Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor china clay. This passed Taunton at 10:53 with 66117 and was then held at Obridge for a few passenger services to pass by. It was finally allowed to depart at 11:25 where it then worked out to Cogload and took the Berks and Hants to Wembley. Next to arrive only a matter of minutes later was 47815! (Yes that right a 47 on a passenger service!) FGW were short of HST's or were catching up on maintenance over the bank holiday. 47815 was sent out to work the 09:30 Paddington - Plymouth and the 14:35 Plymouth - Paddington diagrams. It stopped at Taunton at 11:45. It later returned a little late at 16:15. Then as if that wasn't enough 66067 passed by at 11:55 heading south working the 0G78 Westbury - Tavistock Jn. light engine move. It later returned at 16:45 towing a CWR (Continuous Welded Rail) train. This was held at Obridge again until the 17:00 passenger had cleared. 37114 and 37067 worked down to Taunton tonight from Westbury! After D1015 had worked a Yeovil - Llandudno excursion during the day, D1015 arrived back at Westbury early and as planned 37114+37067 which had been at Yeovil Jn open weekend were attached to the stock. They then worked Westbury - Castle Cary where the rest of the passengers got off. Then they worked down to Taunton to run around their stock and had back north to Crewe overnight. The pair arrived at 11:32 to run round, and departed at 00:03! Just an update for those of you who read the South West Steam report  on the 3rd of May. Taunton Trains has now received word that Tom Boddington, (The crew member who was struck by the masonry from the tunnel) is recovering well from his injury, and had to have 5 stitched at Exeter Hospital on the afternoon of the incident! My thanks to Don Bishop (5029 Support Crew Member) 6th May 60016 'Rail Magazine' worked the 7C27 and 7C28 Stone to and from Exeter today. 016 passed Taunton on the return at 12:28 with the empties. 66179 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 17:35 this evening, running nearly 30 early. 7th May Taunton saw more Royal Action today when HRH Prince Charles passed through the station in the very early hours of the morning on the Royal Train. He was visiting Cornwall for the day. 47798 'Prince William' and 47799 'Prince Henry' top and tailed the train. Today was the turn of 66080 (Pet Shed) to work the 7C27 and 7C28 Stone to and from Exeter today. This was reported in Exeter this morning at 06:45. It later returned just after 12:00 with the empties. Sadly yet again this week the 6G67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn was worked by yet another 66. 66224 passed Taunton at 11:02 this morning heading to Tavi. 66222 had a bit of Top Class Mail running over night. Following the failure of 67010 at Bristol Barton Hill, 66222 was hired to work the 0C84 Didcot - Reading where it then worked the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth vans throughout.  8th May The Royal Train returned to Wolverton today, empty from Cornwall. The two loco's worked north at 11:40 as before in T&T formation, after dropping Prince Charles in Devon. 66067 had charge of the 7C27 and 7C28 stone again today, passing Taunton at 12:03 on the empties back to Westbury. 66529 passed Taunton at 20:30 this evening on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement. 9th May In readiness for the other South West gala this weekend at the South Devon Railway. Freightliner moved 47279 down through Taunton light engine at 13:55 this afternoon. The loco made a stop at Exeter in order to take on some fuel before heading south to Hackney Yard. Tomorrow it's planned to work the loco down early to the Bodmin and Wenford railway, to collect 33110+20166 and tow them to work on the South Devon Railway for the weekend with the Freightliner 47. 66066 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 17:37 this evening. 5051 'Earl Bathurst' finally made it's trip to the WSR tonight from Tavistock Jn, working as the 0Z51 Tavistock - Bishops Lydeard it arrived from the South into Fairwater Yard at 21:50. Once it had run round it's support coach it then worked tender first onto the WSR at 22:35. In the mean time, 66066 returned North at 21:58 with the 6O34 Tavistock Jn - Eastleigh empty fuel tanks, and 66176 then followed at 22:22 with the 6G67 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap train.   WSR "CROSS COUNTRY WEEKEND" UPDATE 1.    Repairs have been carried out to No 5051 at Tavistock Junction, following its failure on the main line charter on Saturday 03/05, and the engine is scheduled to move from Plymouth direct to Bishops Lydeard on the evening of Friday 09/05, together with its support coach (which will be worked from Barton Hill to Plymouth in a van train). The loco's support coach conveyed in the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans.   2.    The diesel convoy (comprising Peak 46035, an EWS 47 and 67) will arrive at BL from Bristol Barton Hill early on Saturday morning 10/05, and return back to BHL  -  together with 5051 + its support coach  -  on Sunday evening 11/05.   3.    The Class 220 Voyager that will be named "Somerset Voyager" at Minehead Station at 11:00 on Saturday 10/05 will now be unit No 220 001, not 220 008 as originally planned.    The unit will arrive in Bristol ecs from Central Rivers Depot early on Saturday morning 10/05.   4.    Some tickets are still available for the unique opportunity to travel on 220 001 from Bristol Temple Meads to Minehead and return on both days.   Cost just £20, or £28 to include a WSR Day Rover ticket.    Please ring the WSR at Minehead Station direct (01643 704996) to book.   All proceeds from ticket sales will go direct to the RNLI.   5.   Finally, and most importantly, an lot of people in the railway industry  -  from the WSR, Virgin Trains, EWS, Waterman Railways and the Great Western Society  -  have put in a great deal of time and effort towards the XC Weekend on 10/05 & 11/05.   We hope that you will come and support the event  -  Rover Tickets are by far the best way to see and enjoy everything.   With five diesels (Voyager, 46035, 47, D1010, D6566) in action, a number of engines on display at BL, and two 'kettles' in action (5051 & 7820) you will, I am sure, not be disappointed. Many Thanks to Richard Jones (WSR, Planning Team) Full timings for the stock moves to and from the WSR are listed below: Stock Moves to the WSR for the Cross Country Weekend. 10/05/03: 5G50 Bristol Barton Hill - Bishops Lydeard 47732+67010+46035 Bristol Barton Hill 06:05 Taunton 07:26 - 07:28 Norton Fitzwarren 07:36 - 07:41 Bishops Lydeard 08:01 1Z52 Bristol Temple Meads - Minehead 220001 (To be named 'Somerset Voyager' at Minehead) Bristol Temple Meads 09:15 Taunton 09:45 - 09:47 Norton Fitzwarren 09:53 - 10:02 Minehead 11:12 1Z53 Minehead - Bristol Temple Meads 220001 'Somerset Voyager' Minehead 16:50 Norton Fitzwarren 18:30 - 18:38 Taunton 18:43 - 18:45 Bristol Temple Meads 19:33 11/05/03 5G51 Bishops Lydeard - Bristol Barton Hill 47732?+67010+46035 Bishops Lydeard 19:50 Norton Fitzwarren 20:10 - 20:15 Taunton 20:21 - 20:22 Higbridge Loop 20:47 - 20:56 Bristol Barton Hill 21:51 1Z52 Bristol Temple Meads - Minehead 220001 'Somerset Voyager' Bristol Temple Meads 09:15 Taunton 09:45 - 09:47 Norton Fitzwarren 09:53 - 10:02 Minehead 11:12 1Z53 Minehead - Bristol Temple Meads 220001 'Somerset Voyager' Minehead 16:50 Norton Fitzwarren 18:30 - 18:38 Taunton 18:43 - 18:45 Bristol Temple Meads 19:33 10th May (WSR REPORT) This weekend saw the West Somerset Railway 'Cross Country Weekend' in full swing. The highlight of the event saw the naming of a new Virgin Voyager at Minehead station, after the Unit had worked a special Bristol - Minehead charter for ticket holders only. It's yet  another new class to break new ground by reaching the most northerly part of the railway. The New Voyager which has been working on British soil for some time now worked several return services to and from Minehead during the day before heading back to Bristol in the evening for cleaning and servicing, before it returns for another day of running in the morning on another charter from Bristol. First to arrive this morning were the loco's from EWS at Bristol Barton Hill. Headed by a tatty 47732 towing 67010 and 46035 the threesome (along with two TPO vans and  a Chocolate and Cream support coach for braking) arrived at 07:40 into Bishops Lydeard.   47732 was also another favourite loco for the 'enthusiast' to ride behind.  The Class 47 originally entered service at D1762 in the 1960's, under the ownership of BR for most of it's working life it had several other numbers applied. 47167 came first. Then in the 80's it became 47580 when it would have worked on the 'Cross Country' route. Then once again in the 90's it entered a dedicated pool of Postal Locomotives that was created ranging from 47721 - 47793. These loco's were given a full overhaul and a repaint into RES  (Rail Express Systems) livery, this was the  company set up, and who were made responsible for the day to day movements of all the mail trains nationwide. Most of this new fleet of 'dedicated locos' were then named with words which contained 'RES'. In this case 'Restormel' 47732 'Restormel' is now operaterd by EWS, and still occasionally hauls mails up and down the country, as well as weekend charter work, like those that travel down to the Eden Project most weekends. This 40+ year old machine is still going strong along with many others. It's paintwork is now looking a little worse for ware, but the Class 47 is still very much the workhorse of the railways. 47732 now also carries the 'Cockney Sparrow' a trade mark transfer applied by fitters at London sheds to 'Pet Locos'. Several other locomotives also have this 'unofficial' livery variation, and a similar transfer (A Highland Stag) is applied to pet loco's in Scotland. 67010 one of the new EWS mail locomotives was on show at Bishops Lydeard all day and weekend. It was available for cab visits for those who wished to look inside the new generation of 'multi purpose' loco's which also now haul mail, charters, and the occasional freight! Sadly these loco's are not all the popular with the enthusiast. But who knows in 40 years time, will they still be running as the Class 47's still are?   Although the weather was bad for most of the day, a bright spell did emerge towards the end. Although I'm sure that passenger numbers were not helped by the fact that the South Devon Railway and the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway all had their diesel gala's on over this weekend also! What a shame we couldn't have also seen a Class 40, and maybe a Virgin 47/8 with a Rake of Mk2 Coaches also. All in all a nice event, shame about the weather. (All shots by the Creech Crusader unless otherwise stated) 11th May 66044+66090 worked down through Taunton at 21:05 with a very long rake of Railtrack Autoballasters in tow. This was heading for engineering work on the Barnstaple Branch which will see the line closed for a week! 12th May 66226 worked the usual 7C27 and 7C28 stone to Exeter Riverside and back this morning. It was sighted in Exeter at approx 07:00 this morning. First North Western liveried 150223 worked the 04:53 Cardiff - Penzance this morning, passing Taunton at 06:50! 43094+43080 worked the 1V49 Dundee - Paignton today, and are now formed of 2 power cars and 6 coaches. All Virgin HST's are to be strengthened for the summer season to help cope with increased passenger numbers. After taking 20166+33110 back to the Bodmin and Wendford Railway from the South Devon. Freightliner 47279 worked back up through Taunton at approx 13:20 this afternoon on route to Dagenham. 66210 passed Taunton heading south at 16:40 on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey ENTERPRISE service. The 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn was cancelled tonight. 13th May The 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor was cancelled today, but will run tomorrow. 66044 worked the early morning 7C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone. After appearing at the WSR Gala over the weekend 47732+67025 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans down through Taunton at 10:30 this morning. 47732 was then allocated to work the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO this evening. 67005 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, this passed Taunton at 19:00 66518 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement, and even stopped in the Platform this evening before departing at 21:00. 14th May 66066 worked light engine from Westbury - Exeter this morning in order to pick up the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor China Clay. This passed up through Taunton with the train in tow at 11:05. A surprise South West visitor today was 43089, as it's now just been out shopped in Midland Mainline's new colours. As they will have the use of this Power Car for the foreseeable future. However it seems at the moment that Virgin are still using it. So today it made a rather smoky trip out on the 06:44 York - Penzance passing Taunton at 11:50 and the 1M38 15:30 Penzance - Preston, again arriving at 18:55 66147 worked the 6G87 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap passing Taunton at approx 11:55 this morning. However upon arrival at Exeter Riverside the train was cancelled. So the wagons were uncoupled and the loco was worked light engine to St Blazey. 'Thunderbird' 47784 was sent on a mission this afternoon passing Taunton at 17:00. It worked the 0Z74 16:24 Plymouth - Bristol Barton Hill. It was sent to pick up the 1V49 Dundee - Plymouth HST which was formed of 43080+43097. (Both ropey in the first place) The train blew up when it was decided to try and use 43080 to power the train to Exeter where the 47 could assist. 080 then proceeded to smoke out Bristol Temple Meed's station and the train was cancelled. 47784 was then summoned to haul to set to Laira for a quick bash with a few spanners this evening in time for it to work in the morning. The train passed Taunton at 19:20.   15th May 47756 worked the 1Z27 04:00 Leeds - Par 'EDENEX' this passed Taunton at 10:10 this morning heading south. After it's day out at the oversized Cornish greenhouse the train passed Taunton. 67021 was tonight's 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell passing Taunton at 18:50 this evening. 67010 which was of course on static display at the WSR 'Cross Country Weekend' worked the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail this evening. 66518 was tonight's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement, passing Taunton at 20:55. 60049 worked a surprise 0T36 21:00 Westbury - Tavistock Jn light engine move. Passing Taunton at 22:00. A rather large yellow rail grinder passed north through the station at 22:10 working the 20:00 Tavistock Jn - Bristol East Goods Loop!   16th May 66179 worked tonight's 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel.   17th May 47709 worked a Green Charters special onto the WSR today, working from Leeds as the 1Z27 it came down via Seven Tunnel Jn. Arriving on the WSR at 11:25. The tour later returned north through Taunton at 18:15 heading back home to Leeds!! 66080(Pet Shed) +66024 passed Taunton today at 18:00 working the 6W41 Westbury – Probus, in T&T formation. With Pet Shed leading the show into Cornwall.   18th May   66024+66080 returned back north through Taunton at 13:27 today still in T&T formation after a night out at Probus. Both the up and down Cliffe Vale services have now revised their running day’s with the start of the Summer Timetable. They  will now run as follows: 6V70 Cliffe Vale – St Blazey: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday Only. Also Re-timed for 19:10 at Taunton 6M72 St Blazey – Cliffe Vale: Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday Only. Booked up about 21:00   19th May 47773 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden Mail A Class 180 WILL visit Exeter on Bank Holiday Monday 26th it will work on the 1433 Paddington to Exeter and 1746 Exeter to Paddington, but this is a ONE OFF....? Only time will tell!   20th May 66123 worked the 6V62 Fawley – Tavi Jn fuel down through Taunton at 17:55 this evening it returned at 22:00 with the empties on route back to Eastleigh, it was followed at 19:00 by 66079 on the retimed 6V70 Cliffe Vale – St Blazey. 21st May   66180 worked the 6S55 Burngullow – Irvine silver bullets up through Taunton at 13:00 heading north to Scotland. 66024 worked the 6W15 Westbury - Truro engineers. It passed Taunton at approx 18:40. 66603 worked down tonight (just!) at 23:58 on the 6V20 Earles - Moorswater Cement. 22nd May 31602 surprised tonight by working a 5Z31 Westbury - Exeter. It arrived at Taunton just before 16:00 with a rake of Intercity Mk2's in tow. These were being taken to Exeter for storage because of lack of space at Westbury. The 'Goyle' departed at 16:00 and worked to Exeter. It later returned light engine at 18:00 heading back to Westbury. 67026 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail up through Taunton at 18:53 this evening. 66603 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement up through Taunton at 20:40 this evening. 23rd May At around 06:30 this morning a fire was reported to have broken out in / around the booking office area of the station. The station was immediately closed and all trains were made to stop on the approaches to the station. At 06:40 permission was given for them pass straight through the station without stopping. The fire was quickly put out and by 07:00 most services were back to normal. 66245 had charge of the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel tonight. 47811 managed to escape for a run to the South West when it dropped on to work the 1C65 17:33 Paddington - Plymouth. It passed Taunton at approx 19:40. Tonight's 6G86 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap was worked out of the South West by 66152 at 22:00. 67030 worked tonight's 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, it passed Taunton at 23:17 heading North. 24th May 66004 worked the 6W40 Westbury - Truro down through Taunton at 17:15, this was closely followed by 66226 and 66080 (Pet Shed) in top ad tail formation at 17:45. 66090 worked the 7W15 Westbury - Truro engineers. This passed Taunton at approx 20:30 this evening. 25th May 66079 passed Taunton at 12:40 heading north with the 6W40 Truro - Westbury engineers. 66080 (Pet Shed) and 66226 followed at 13:10 with the 6W41 Truro - Westbury. 26th May 47811 got up early this morning and worked up at 09:40 with an ECS Laira - Old Oak Common. 66040 ran the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor China Clay up through Taunton at 11:20 66122 then worked a 6Z70 Washwood Heath - St Blazey (Normally 6V70 but re-timed because of the bank holiday) down at just before 11:00. Virgin ran a little GTI HST this afternoon, which matched nicely with their new advertising campaign. The current poster which is to be plastered up at stations around the country uses the slogan "More Horny than Hornby" which is quite apt as 43098 and 43068 worked north at 17:25 with two Virgin coaches between them, this just happens to be the same amount as those supplied with a Virgin Hornby Model HST.  It wasn't a stunt by Virgin (well not as far as we know!) but they were working the 5M98 15:45 Laira - Longsight after repair at Laira. There was also a balancing working with 43080+43092 as the 0V97 16:00 Longsight - Laira. First Great Western used a pair of their new Class 180 'Adalante' units to work the 1C44 14:33 Paddington - Exeter and the 1Z69 17:45 Exeter - Plymouth. Breaking new ground for the class the pair worked via the Berks and Hants to Westbury before arriving in Taunton a few minutes late at 16:40. 180101 and 180114 worked back up on time at 18:15 this evening, with only 114 carrying fare paying passengers. 101 was locked out of use. Another rare visitor to the station shortly before the 180's was 153369. This is a Central Trains Class 153 which is currently on hire to Wessex Trains and works all over the South West. It's one of a pair that are on hire. 66079 worked the 6W91 Westbury - Totnes engineers down at 20:30 this evening with Railtrack Autoballasters in tow!! The 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale was worked by 66145 today, this passed Taunton at 20:50 heading north. 27th May 66078 worked light engine through Taunton at 12:10 on the 0W15 Westbury - Tavistock Jn, the loco worked down in order to pick up 66090 and it's train from Tavistock Jn Yard as 090 had failed. The pair then worked back up with 66090 DIT at 19:29 as the 7W15 Tavistock Jn - Westbury. 66245 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn, down through Taunton at 17:52. 66214 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey down through Taunton at 18:40 (30 early) 67021 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, passing North at 18:50. 66079 worked down at 19:05 on the 6W92 Westbury - Westbury via Totnes with a rake of Autoballasters in tow. 47778 in EWS livery passed Taunton this evening on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail at 20:40 66054 followed at 21:10 with the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale. 28th May 67022 worked the 0Z37 Bristol Barton Hill - Exeter Riverside this morning. Passing Taunton at 08:40 light engine. 66194 worked the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap train down through Taunton at 10:32. 158832 and 153362 (Orange!) worked the 1M61 Penzance - Manchester today. Perhaps fellow 'Enthusiasts' 'Spotters' and General TauntonTrains readers would like to look the following article by the BBC, apparently we are now branded 'Terrorist' for photographing trains in London! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2943304.stm Tomorrow will also see the first ever visit of a GBRF Class 66 (66717) visit to the South West. It will work the 6V20 Earles - Moorswater Cement down through Taunton just after midnight tonight, then work back up at 20:40 tomorrow (29th) evening. The loco is new to the country and arrived by boat last week. It's currently on hire to Freightliner Heavy Haul who run the cement.   29th May As promised 66717 did put in an appearance on the Moorswater Cement. The loco, which had only arrived into the country last weekend by ship at Newport Docks, is currently on hire to Freightliner Heavy Haul along with sister loco 66716. As a result 717 managed to drop onto the over night 6V20 Earles - Moorswater Cement. This passed Taunton at 00:40 on Thursday morning heading south. The loco caused quite a stir which most photographers in the South West and many spent the day chasing it around Cornwall. After working to Hackney Yard (Newton Abbot) in the early hours of the morning and splitting the train. 66717 worked down to Moorswater with it's first portion of the train. Once delivering this into the Moorswater loading facility the loco then worked back to Exeter for fuel before returning to Hackney to pick up the rest of the wagons to take down to Moorswater. The late running of this train in the evening saw it pass Taunton at 21:45. Which of course means no local photo's were obtainable! Many thanks to Sam for these shots taken with many other photographers in a field at Restormel. Other News from today: 67022 worked down light engine this morning at 08:45 on the 0Z37 Bristol Barton Hill - Exeter Riverside. Pet Skip 67014 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail tonight, passing Taunton on time at 19:00.   30th May 66231 worked the 0Z92 Westbury - Exeter light engine this morning in order to work the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor. It passed north through Taunton with it's train at approx 10:45. 66064 took it's 11th turned on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn working down through Taunton at 18:20 this evening. 47746 also stood in for the booked Class 67 on the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail. Passing Taunton 30 late at 20:25. It was diverted on route via Bath due to an emergency track inspection at Hullavington. 67006 was working the up 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden. This worked up some 15 early at 20:30! 66034 worked tonight's 6G68 Tavi Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap. It passed Taunton early at 21:20!   31st May Ex Works 47792 (Ex Saint Cuthbert, now Robin Hood) worked the Ipswich - Par 'EdenEx' this morning passing Taunton on time at 09:40. 66122 also made a surprise visit this morning at 12:00 working what is thought to be the 6Z70 Washwood Heath - St Blazey. First Great Western were short of an HST again today so 47832 was sent out to cover the 1C22 10:30 Paddington - Penzance. It passed Taunton some 30 late despite doing Reading - Exeter non stop at 12:40. 66189 made a rare and notable appearance this afternoon by working the 0Z75 13:30 Westbury - Westbury via Taunton. It arrived at 14:15. 66035+66078 worked down at 18:05 in T&T formation working with 5 Railtrack Autoballasters. The train was working down to Burngullow in Cornwall for ongoing engineering works. 47792 returned with it's tour from Par at 19:45 about 15 early through Taunton.   1st June 47832 'Tamar' returned to the big smoke today after it's brief holiday in the South West. The loco dropped onto the 16:44 Penzance - Paddington. It arrived at Taunton around 20:30.   2nd June 47746 worked the up 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden up through Taunton at 20:40 this evening. Other allocations for the evening are as follows: 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale = 66004 (Taunton 20:25) 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn (Via BTM) = 66068 (Taunton 19:40, load 1!) 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow = 66249 6V20 Earles - Moorswater = 66548   3rd June The RAILTRACK bubble car Class 121 (977859 Ex W55025 ) worked down to Taunton today on a video recording run. It worked down to the Norton Fitzwarren boundary at 14:30 before working back up to Westbury via Bristol. Major engineering work on the Berks and Hants nr Langport is seeing many engineers trains visiting Taunton for the next two weeks. I'll try to report on some, but they do tend to turn up at the most inappropriate of times! 66236 worked down to Taunton to run round from the Berks and Hants at 14:35 today, it later returned with it's old track piled high at 17:40. At 18:40 66078 appeared from the Berks and Hants and worked to Taunton with it's train of open box wagons, about a few minutes later 66147 worked up on an immense train of 43 wagons, all loaded with ballast. The 66 was working very hard to get the train moving.   67022 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. It passed Taunton at 18:52 following a local service. 66194 worked the 6M72 St Blazey- Cliffe Vale up at 19:45. 66087 then followed at 20:05 with it's train back to Westbury via BTM. 19 Box wagons in tow. Because of the closure of the B&H the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn is forced to run via Bristol. It finally passed Taunton this evening at 20:10. At 20:18 66189 then worked down from the B&H to Taunton, again to run round it's engineers train with 20 green Railtrack Urchins in tow. At 20:35 67021 worked up on 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail, followed by 66548 on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement. 66004 then worked down at 20:48 on 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey. 66085 amazingly passed by to Taunton at 21:15 with another load 40+ train to run around at Taunton station.   4th June 66170 worked the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn Scrap train down through Taunton at 10:50 this morning. The Railtrack Bubblecar returned south through Taunton at  12:05 today, heading for Plymouth and then St Blazey with more rail analysis tests 67003 'Petal' worked up at 18:50 through Taunton on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 66194 worked down at 19:11 load 5 on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey. 66087 worked north from Fairwater Yard at 19:50 with 40 loaded urchins in tow. The loco has worked down earlier in the evening in order to run round and return north and onto the B&H 67001 a rarer visitor to the South West worked the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail down at 19:45   5th June 66055 worked a surprise 0Z66 Didcot - Exeter Riverside today. It passed Taunton at approx 15:00 light engine. 47787 managed the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail today, passing Taunton at 15:45. 67018 was the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell working up at 16:40. 67022 had charge of the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. 66194 worked tonight's 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale up through Taunton at 21:20   6th June 66017 had charge of tonight's 6V62 Fawley - Tavi Jn, it worked down at 18:00. 67021 worked the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth down through Taunton at 19:55 47734 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail up through Taunton at 20:30 6M72 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey turned a few heads tonight. It was worked initially by 66199 to Bescot, where Mainline Blue 60044 was added to the front of the train and worked it to Cornwall. Despite arriving at Bescot on time the train managed to leave about 260 minutes late! It passed Taunton at 22:05 heading south.   7th June Yet again today FGW found themselves short of an HST and 47813 was scrambled to work the 12:30 Paddington - Penzance. Running about 10 late it passed Taunton at 14:55.   8th June 43101+43158 worked a back to back powercar move today from Laira - Longsight. 47813 also returned working the 1A88 Penzance - Paddington at 20:30.   9th June The Railtrack 121 'Bubblecar' passed through Taunton this morning at 11:50 heading north to Bristol. 66207+66082 worked down in T&T mode this morning into Fairwater Yard at 10:15 as part of the Berks and Hants engineering. They returned back north about an hour later. 66043 then appeared at 12:05 again heading into Fairwater. This ran around it's wagons in Fairwater a little quicker and emerged at 12:35 heading back northbound. 66148 then coasted through at 13:40 heading to Taunton again with yet more engineers materials in tow for the Berks and Hants line engineering. This spent most of the afternoon in Fairwater Yard. Returning north at 17:30 67015 passed through at 15:30 on 1C06 Plymouth - Willesden mail. Unit working of the day went to Wales and Borders. It's Manchester and Milford Haven - Penzance service was formed of a 'Ginsters' 158827 and an unidentifiable Wessex 143! Needless to say the 143 was removed at Exeter and the 158 worked solo to Penzance. 1E43 Plymouth - Low fell worked north at 16:40 with 67017. 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell followed at 18:50 with 67027 66147 worked down at 19:15 with yet more wagons for engineering work. 66143 worked down through Taunton at 20:30 with the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey. The train also had two EWS inspection saloons in tow. These will be dropped at Plymouth for use with another train hauled by 66199.   Mainline Blue 60044 worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale up through Taunton at 22:15 43098+43068 with coaches 42108+41166 worked down through Taunton at 21:40 with the 5V97 Longsight - Laira stock move. Some allocations for tomorrow: 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow = 66008 6V20 Earles - Moorswater Cement and 6M37 Moorswater - Earles = 66558 10th June 60018 worked today's 6V70 China Clay from Bescot - St Blazey. The train was worked by 60044 from Cliffe Vale - Bescot. This train passed Taunton at 19:38 47782 worked tonight's 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth. It passed Taunton at 19:45 heading south. 66558 spent the day in the South West today working the Moorswater Cement. Passing Taunton at 20:30 it worked back up north to Earles Sidings. 66143 had charge of the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale china clay. The 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn was running late today, it passed Taunton at 20:00 with 66017 on the front.   11th June 66199 worked the Devonport - Crewe Flask up through Taunton in the early hours of this morning away from prying eyes. 66243 worked the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn. This passed Taunton at 11:50 this morning. 66122 had charge of the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine bullets today, this passed Taunton at 13:25. There are reports that a Valley Lines Class 150 made it to Exeter today on a working from Wales! Can anyone confirm? 47782 also worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans. This passed Taunton at 15:30 heading north.   12th June 66143 had charge of the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey it passed Taunton 30 early at 18:40. 67014 (Pet Skip) worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail up at 18:50. 60093+66147 appeared from the Berks and Hants at 20:40 this evening in T&T formation. Arriving in the station they duly departed a short time after. 60018 worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale this evening. Having been severely delayed the night before due to a Landrover jumping a bridge and landing on the track at Longbridge, 66553 was delayed by 4 hours overnight. As a result it was later running all day although at one point it was only 2 hours behind schedule. Further loopings at Lostwithiel in the evening saw it loose even more time. It finally passed Taunton with the 6M37 at approx 22:00 tonight.   13th June 47773 managed a working on the mail again today when it worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth ECS. It was then to return on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell, passing Taunton at 16:40. Following the working during the week another Valley Lines Class 150 Sprinter made it to Taunton today when 150267 made it onto the 1C81 07:05 Pembroke Dock - Exeter service. It passed Taunton at 13:10 (10 late) and later worked back on the 14:43 Exeter - Cardiff. Central Trains 153329 worked a 5Z89 Exeter Riverside - Cardiff Canton today passing Taunton at 14:25 heading to the Welsh Depot. Following a day of speculation in a will they won't they situation. At 17:05 this evening I received the information which everyone had been waiting for! During the morning most people had learned that 37372+37425 were allocated to work the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. Most people thought, including myself that the loco's would be removed at Westbury due to the driver not having any route knowledge  on the class. However we were all proved very wrong when at 17:05 I was told the pair had departed Westbury on the train and were heading for Tavistock Jn! At 17:55 they arrived at Cogload Jn on a red signal, from the Berks and Hants line (Which is now open) where they duly waited for a down Voyager to pass before continuing onward to Tavi. A truly stunning event saw the first Class 37's loco's to work the train since 16th October 1998, and the first pairing since 23rd May 1993! After attacking so much attention the pair returned north at 23:20 heading back to Eastleigh with the empties! 60018 also worked back down to the South West on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey ENTERPRISE. It passed Taunton at 18:15 (55 early) heading South with 11 wagons in tow. 66239 and 66143 working in multiple dropped onto the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap today. With a mega heavy load in tow the pair passed Taunton at 00:20 after having brake problems at Newton Abbot followed by a signal failure. 14th June 66118 was today's 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington. It was held at Taunton for some 40 minutes awaiting a path north. Finally leaving at 14:30! 66082 worked the 6W41 Westbury -  Long Rock down at 19:00 66067+66147 followed T&T on Railtrack Autoballasters on the 6W42 Westbury - Roskear Jn at 19:20   GENERAL NEWS: The Glastonbury Shuttles will the year feature Top and Tailed Class 31's working on several trains a day. Along with the usual strengthened unit which will work a second diagram. Times for these trains and the dates have now been added to the WORKINGS PAGE,   15th June Another mad working occurred this afternoon, when news that the 1V59 Edinburgh - Paignton Virgin HST was in trouble, and a Class 47 was being sent from Rugby in order to drag the HST from Bristol - Exeter. At 19:10 Ex Virgin Cross Country 47841 arrived at Taunton with 43158+43101 in tow! The train was dragged to Exeter where the service was cancelled. The HST was then dragged empty to Laira. The 47 then worked back up through Taunton light engine at 23:45.   16th June 66172 worked the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor this morning. This passed Taunton at 10:55 this morning. 66046 passed Taunton at 18:00 with two fuel tanks in tow, working the 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn, however as is so often the case on a Monday night, the train only worked as far as Exeter before returning to Westbury light engine. 6M72 turned up two loco's this evening on a heavy train, 60018 and 66008 passed Taunton at 21:25 this evening.   17th June This morning saw another visit of a Class 60 to Taunton, for the same on reason. Yes 6C91 ADJ - Bridgwater was running, and yet again another points failure at Bridgwater caused 60067 to run to Taunton in order to run round it's train and gain access to the Yard at Bridgwater. 66044 passed Taunton this evening on 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn at 17:55. It later returned at 21:54 with the empties. 67016 worked tonight's 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail, passing Taunton at 19:46. 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale ran at an all time early of 19:55 when it passed Taunton tonight with 66241 Working of the week goes to 6V70, which had 47758 in EWS piloting 60018 on a lengthy train. The pair passed Taunton at 20:15 with the 47 in fine voice!! 66561 working the 6M37 was bought through Platform 5 this evening to allow 67003 to overtake on 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. The 66 passed through and was held at Obridge at 20:40.   18th June 67001 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth ECS vans this morning passing Taunton at 09:50. It later returned on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell as booked. 66096 worked this weeks 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap train. This passed Taunton at 11:19. 66199 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullet's passing Taunton at 12:20 The 'Daily Mail' liveried Class 158 worked the 1B67 14:53 Penzance - Swansea service. 67029 worked the up 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. Passing Taunton at walking pace following a stopping service at 18:54 66151 passed Taunton at 19:10 spot on time with the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey. 43092+43097 passed Taunton at 21:20 tonight back to back on a Longsight - Laira stock move. 19th June 66563 was today's 6V20 Earles Sidings - Moorswater. Running very late the train passed Taunton at 02:20 this morning. 43123+43157 worked down at this evening with just a Mk3 Buffet Car between them. Working a Longsight - Laira stock move the pair passed Taunton at 20:25 66563 passed Taunton on the return 6M37 Moorswater - Earles at 20:17 this evening. 67013 followed at 20:38 on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mails. 66065 worked the 6M72 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey passing Taunton at 21:20.   20th June This morning saw the first ever visit of the Yellow 'Network Rail' HST to Taunton. Working the 1C00 Didcot (Usually Paddington) to Plymouth the set passed Taunton at 08:46 this morning. It later returned at 12:26 on the 1A00 Plymouth - Paddington. Stopping at Taunton until 12:46 for a booked pathing stop! The train was formed of 43062, 977984, 977974 (Track Lab), 975984, 999550, 975814, and 43014 Once again today 150267 was noted working the Pembroke Dock - Exeter service in it's Valley Lines livery!! 66023 passed Taunton with the 6V62 Fawley - Tavi Jn fuel at 18:05 is later returned with the empty wagons at 22:50. 60018 was rostered for the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap this evening, passing Taunton at 22:35 (35 late) it worked the lengthy train northwards. With speculation rife that the 66's are not able to cope with such a train over the banks, it could well emerge that the Class 60 will be favoured traction for this train in the future.   21st June Once again this morning the 'Yellow Peril' HST came to Taunton. It had a busy day working the following diagrams: 1B00 06:00 Old Oak Common - Swansea 1L00 10:22 Swansea - Swindon 1C00 12:30 Swindon - Taunton 1B01 14:30 Taunton - Swindon and then Swindon - Derby. 66143+66082 passed Taunton on a Westbury - Penzance engineers train in T&T formation at 18:20 At 20:30 66043 also followed down on another engineers to the same destination. 22nd June 66082+66143 returned this afternoon at 13:50 with the Penzance - Westbury engineers. Wessex Trains are progressing well with their Class 150 refurbishment program. Only 4 Class 150's are now left in the original Regional Railways livery in which they entered service. These are 150232 150233 150236 and 150238. 150246 is currently the latest unit to be out shopped in the new livery, and internal fittings. With classmate 150263 due into works after the Glastonbury period. (Ta to Shedmaster for the info!) 23rd June 66043 returned north this morning working the 6W77 04:30 Camborne - Westbury engineers. Valley Lines 150's seem to be a regular feature on the 1C81 Pembroke Dock - Exeter service at the moment, today 150278 made the trip. Comedy story of the day goes to Virgin who very kindly made an unscheduled stop at Cheltenham, as two passengers who had boarded the train at Taunton had to disembark as they thought they were going to Torquay!! 66023 was tonight's 6C62 Westbury - Tavistock Jn, but now as is a regular feature for the Monday night train, it only worked to Exeter where it then returned to Westbury light engine. 66164 worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale up through Taunton at 21:20 with 18 wagons in tow!!   24th June This morning saw the usual Newton Abbot 'Thunderbird' fail in the morning as a result 47782 was called upon to work Light Engine down from Bristol, this passed Taunton at 11:25 However later in the morning 47758 was bought to Plymouth in the consist of 0C06 BZ - Plymouth, 47758 then attempted to work to Bristol light engine. However it's progress was halted at Cogload Jn when it was stopped by a Voyager (1S79 Paignton - Edinburgh) which had failed at Bridgwater with it's Fire Alarms ringing. As a result it was sent back to Exeter to try again later on. Once again 150281 in Valley Lines livery worked the 1C81 Pembroke Dock - Exeter service today. But later failed at Exeter causing the return service to be cancelled. 43158+Barrier 6393 worked the 5Z58 12:00 Neville Hill - Laira stock move today, passing Taunton at 16:55. 66170 was tonight's 6V62 Fawley - Tavi Jn fuel, passing Taunton at 19:02 a full 60 late! 66522 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement today, passing Taunton on time at 20:40 with 6M72 not far behind on the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale.   25th June Wessex Trains latest Refurbished 150246 worked the 04:53 Cardiff - Penzance today. 47811 made a surprise appearance after an exam at Landore, it worked a St Phillips Marsh - Laira stock move this morning passing Taunton at 09:15 this morning. It had a barrier in tow, and 43082! Today was of course scrap day, and the usual boring Class 66 appeared yet again, passing Taunton at 10:50 with the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn turn. 150281 was today's Pembroke Dock - Exeter service, once again in Valley Lines livery, this passed Taunton at 12:58. It's that time of year again, yes GLASTONBURY, "Hippy Ex Shuttles" This year shared with 2X31's and a single 143 from Taunton - Castle Cary. 31458+31602 worked to Taunton at 12:40 today departing again shortly after. 66143+66170 worked the 19:45 Westbury - Lostwithiel engineers this evening.   26th June 66143+66170 returned this morning from their overnight jaunt to the Fowey branch. They worked up at 07:55 through Taunton returning to Westbury. Virgin are continuing their mad stock moves at the moment, again today saw 43157+43153 work up back to back at 17:40 this evening. 67022 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell up through Taunton this evening at 18:57. 66525 was tonight's, 6M37 Moorswater - Earles Sidings cement loco, passing Taunton at 20:40.   27th June 150279 in it's Valley Lines livery was used again today to work the 1C81 Pembroke Dock - Exeter and return, on the return once it had departed 31458+31602 followed with one of the Taunton - Castle Cary "Hippy Ex" shuttle services. 6V70 was tonight's loco on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey. Passing Taunton at 20:30 some 80 minutes late. 66063 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel down through Taunton tonight at 18:22 (22 late) It was followed by the Edinburgh - Plymouth (Virgin HST), which was probably allowed to pass the tanks at the station. 47767 worked a circular VSOE tour tonight from Bristol TM - Bristol TM, via Westbury, Yeovil, Honiton and Exeter, it passed Taunton at 22:00 with it's immaculate train in tow 66186 later followed at 22:45 with the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap.   28th June Today was supposed to see a Class 46 (46035, ex D172 'Ixion') working back into the West Country on a solo trip to Penzance. However problems in the Worcester area with the TPWS (Train Protection Warning System) equipment on the loco failing to work properly forced Pathfinder Railtours to utilise 47756. Upon arrival at Bristol Temple Meads 47756 was added to the front of the train, and the pair then both worked the train on into the Duchy. The tour passed Taunton at 09:05 this morning, with both loco's in power and only 30 minutes late! 66065 worked the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington 'Silver Bullets' up through Taunton at 13:15 today. Welsh liveried 143609 worked the 2E13 Bristol TM - Taunton and the 2G16 14:29 Taunton - Cheltenham today, This service is usually covered by a Wessex Trains 143! 66143 worked down at 15:05 working the 6W25 13:59 Westbury - Long Rock engineers train, 66061+66023 followed at 15:20 with the 7W26 Westbury - Camborne T&T engineers. The return Peak Excursion wasn't without it's problems either, during the stop over at Penzance it was reported that the Peak was given a light engine test run to St Erth and back to test the TPWS equipment, however it was then decided to isolate the TPWS and leave the 46 inside 47756 for the return trip. A 40 minute late departure was had, and the train ran into more problems on route. At Milltown Viaduct (West of Lostwithiel) the train was bought to a stand once again with many orange jackets to be seen at the front of the train. Again it's reported but unconfirmed that a small oil leak was seeping into or around the traction motors on one of the loco's. Once underway again now 1 hour late the train made good time, and finally passed Taunton at 20:35 this evening down to about 40 minutes late again. 29th June 66023+66061 passed Taunton at 19:40 this evening heading back to Westbury from Penzance engineering. 67002 made a made dash through Taunton this evening towing 43067+43097 at 20:00 as the 5V61.   30th June 66014 worked down through Taunton light engine at 08:15 this morning in order to work the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor. With the Glastonbury Festival over the masses flocked back to their normal lives today with trains packed out. Once again 31458+31602 were in action as well as a fleet of 150's and 143's. Not to mention the hundreds of Double Decker buses being used at Glastonbury !! The 17:00 Castle Cary - Manchester was added with a 6 coach Virgin HST supplied this worked to Taunton then worked back North to Manchester. 66094 made it's first ever appearance on the 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn this evening, passing Taunton at 18:45 with two tanks in tow. It later dropped these at Exeter and worked light engine to Tavistock to get it's empty load back to Eastleigh. 67010 was the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail this evening, racing up at 18:55 60051 was also light engine tonight after leaving it's load at Exeter Riverside. This passed Taunton at 20:35 as the 0M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale. 67028 worked down at speed with the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail, passing at 19:40. In contrast 67019 crawled up through Taunton at 20:30 with the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail.   1st July Valley Lines 150282 was working the 1C81 Pembroke Dock - Exeter service this morning when it failed at Bristol so it later was attached to the rear of the 1F24 Portsmouth - Cardiff service in order to get the unit fixed! With a fairly quite day on the cards most interesting freight has all been cancelled. 6V20/6M37 Cement caped as Moorswater have enough at the moment. 6V62 Fawley - Tavi Jn was 66103 passing Taunton at 18:03, another first time loco for this service. This later returned north with the empties at 21:34 (125 early!) 6V70 which was running as 0V70 (Light Engine) was cancelled at Bromsgrove when 60051 was called upon to pilot 60076 on the 6E35 Llanwern - Lackenby!. 6M72 was also cancelled. 67002 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell up at walking pace at 18:55 following 143602+143603 on the Taunton - Bath stopper! 66143+66023 appeared at 19:10 on the 7W95 17:50 Westbury - St Budeaux engineering in T&T formation heading south!   2nd July 66023+66143 returned north through Taunton at 06:10 this morning heading back from their night out in Plymouth. 150281 in it's Valley Lines livery worked to Taunton again today on what seems to be a usual diagram for these Welsh 150's. 1C81 07:05 Pembroke Dock - Exeter. 66165 rather boringly turned up on the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap at 11:35. While 66004 was working the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine bullets. 67011 passed Taunton this evening with the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. Seems like stock moves are the order of the day, with 43154+43097 working down at 20:20 with a Mk3 coach in-between them, and then  two FGW powercars worked north at 22:30 with a barrier car between them! 67017 was tonight’s 1C84 Reading - Plymouth passing Taunton at 23:08, with 67007 passing up at 23:18 with the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO.   3rd July Ex Works 43089 passed Taunton at approx 18:00 this evening heading North, the power car in resplendent Midland Mainline livery passed Jn25 on the back of a Heanor Lorry heading back to Derby! 43097+43154 returned north at 17:45 from Laira - Longsight today after working down yesterday with a Mk3 coach. In the mean time, both the China Clays were not running this evening which left us with just the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles Cement. Passing Taunton at 19:45 with 66563!   4th July This morning saw the visit of 'The Yellow Peril' to the south west, working from Paddington - Plymouth and back it passed Taunton this morning at 08:30 and returned north at 12:30 for it's booked pathing stop! 43062+43014 were the powercars on the train today. The morning's 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans saw double heading today due to the poor performance in recent days of 67's in Cornwall. As a result 67007 which failed at Penzance yesterday was still not working this morning, this meant that 67024+67028 were sent down on 5C43. 67024 later returned on it's booked 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell, with 67028 covering the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell, passing Taunton at 18:55! 43158+barrier, 6393 passed Taunton at 17:45 tonight heading north from Laira - Longsite. 66089 was tonight's 6V62 Fawley - Tavi Jn, this passed Taunton at 17:50 heading south. 66020 had charge of the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal engineers this evening.   5th July 66046 worked up through Taunton today towing 67007 which failed at Penzance earlier in the week, the 67 was being taken to Bristol for attention, they passed Taunton at 12:15 heading north with 66046 returning light at 14:10. The Yellow Peril paid a flying visit to Taunton today working the 1C00 Paddington - Taunton and the 1B44 Taunton - Swindon. It arrived at 14:49 departing 14:57 This then passed 66061 working down to Cornwall on the 6W25 Westbury - Long Rock Engineers train. 66143+66023 followed at 16:00 with the 7W26 Westbury - Long Rock engineers in T&T formation.   6th July 66061 returned north at 12:45 this morning from Penzance from it's night out.   7th July 66232 passed Taunton this evening working the 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn. The Railtrack 150 passed Taunton at 18:15 this evening heading south, it stabled at Exeter overnight. 67017 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell up through Taunton at 18:50, with 67010 working 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth down at 19:30. (Thanks Mike!) 8th July 59103 worked the 6C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone through Taunton at 06:55 this morning, loaded with stone for the virtual quarry at Exeter. It was also using an old rake of Iron Ore Box Wagons! Today saw the visit of the the second of the GBRF Class 66's to the South West which are on hire to Freightliner Heavy Haul. 66716 was employed to work the cement to Moorswater from Earles Sidings. Everything was going to plan until the loco departed to go and collect the second portion of the train from Newton Abbot. The loco reached Hemerdon where it was promptly routed into the loop. It was held because a broken rail had been found ahead near Totnes which meant it had to be repaired before any more trains could head north. However this caused chaos at Plymouth with all northbound services stacking up waiting for a path. At 12:09 66716 was given the signal to depart and duly worked on to Newton Abbot, however the loco required fuel so then had to work on to Exeter in order to fill up. Arriving just before 13:00 the Heavy Haul team promptly filled the loco up and worked back to Newton Abbot about 13:40. During the stop at Newton Abbot connecting to the train, the latest Freightliner Headboard was added to the front of the loco. This latest board features the wording "HEAVY HAUL TEIGN VALLEY" with the old Newton Abbot shed plate painted in Black at White at the top of it. These headboards are very much liked by enthusiasts, drivers, and shunter's alike and it's nice to see this extra adornment on the front of the train. Let's hope there are many more to come in the future! After a short period the train was routed back on to the main line from Hackney passing Aller Jn at 14:30 heading for Moorswater. Upon arrival at Liskeard the loco switched ends, and another headboard was added for the trip down to Moorswater, this one owned by SWRG (South West Rail Gen) with the wording "SWRG ON TOUR" this then made the short trip to Moorswater arriving at 16:20 where the loco shunted the second portion into the terminal for loading. Once unloading was complete the loco then re-marshalled all the wagons and headed back to Liskeard for the trip to Par in order to run round and head back north to Earles Sidings, passing over Moorswater Viaduct at 19:45, with a very quick run round at Par the train departed at 20:27 and was back over Moorswater at 20:55! Good progress was made through Plymouth and at 21:58 the train departed Newton Abbot after dropping off the shunter and removing the headboard, passing Exeter at 22:23 and Taunton at 22:57. 67006 worked north through Taunton at 15:36 today on the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail. 66206 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 18:05 this evening. It later returned at 21:55. 66212 worked the 6V70 with a huge 24 wagons in tow down through Taunton at 20:05.   9th July 60029 worked the 6C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside down to Exeter again this morning to top up the virtual quarry. 66221 passed Taunton at 10:45 on the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap train, but dropped the wagons at Exeter Riverside before working light engine to St Blazey. 67021 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail up through Taunton at 18:50. 66165 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey down through Taunton at 19:10 this evening in full sun! Later evenings give a chance to see a few mails, many thanks to Mike Rowland for the continued sightings of these at the station: 67010 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth, Taunton 20:10 67013 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, Taunton 23:15 67004 1C84 Reading - Plymouth, Taunton 23:33 67002 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO, Taunton 23:45   10th July 66164 turned up on the 6C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone today. Valley Lines 150280 worked the 1C81 07:05 Pembroke Dock - Exeter SD again today passing Taunton at it's normal time! 66545 was tonight's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles passing Taunton at 19:58 a full 30 minutes early. 67029 was tonight's 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden passing Taunton at 20:28 66221 worked 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale up through Taunton at 21:15 tonight. 67027 passed by on 1C84 Reading - Plymouth at 23:09, with 67013 working northbound at 23:22 on 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO.   11th July 59002 in Mendip Rail green and orange worked the Westbury - Exeter stone this morning passing Taunton at 06:55, it later returned after unloading at 11:30. 66170 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel down at 18:21 this evening. This later returned with 20 wagons in tow at 22:25. 67017 worked north at 18:50 on the 1E41 Plymouth - Willesden mail. 60037 dropped onto the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey this morning passing Taunton at 19:39 after being held in Platform 2 for the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail to pass with 67010 66031 passed Taunton working the 6H67 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap at 21:45 tonight. 47784 worked 1C84 Reading - Plymouth late tonight, passing at 23:26.   WSR INFO: Hymek D7017 will be working on the WSR this coming Saturday and Sunday on the standard diesel diagram.   Green timetable in use.   The following trains will be worked by the Hymek:  09.40BL-MD, 11.10MD-WN, 12.05WN-MD, 14.50MD-WN, 15.45WN-MD, 17.30MD-BL.    80 miles of 'Maybach music'...!   D7017 will also work the "Fish & Chip Special" on the Saturday evening (12th)  -  1850BL-MD & 2100MD-BL.   Two steam engines also in use (No's 5542 and 80136), plus 7820 on a Footplate Experience "Taster" course at BL on the Saturday.   Day Rover tickets available at just £11 (Adult). The Swindon Heritage Diesel Gala on Fri/Sat 8-9 August will feature No's D1010, D7017 & D9526  GWR 2-8-0T 5224 has departed from BL to 'guest' at Barrow Hill's "Great Western at The Roundhouse" event, also this coming weekend.  The engine will return to the WSR after this event. GWR 4-6-0 4936 "Kinlet Hall" is expected on the WSR in mid-July.   It will remain on the WSR until at least the Autumn Steam Gala, where it will share train workings over the summer with 5542, 7820, 80136 and 5224. 5542 has returned to service following the fitting of new pistons.  The boiler has been lifted from 4160 at Buckfastleigh, and sent to LNWR Crewe for overhaul. MANY THANKS TO RICHARD JONES FOR THE ABOVE   12th July: 66174 worked the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington Silver Bullets passing at 13:46 66204+66229 passed Taunton on T&T formation this evening on the 7W26 Westbury - Long Rock at 19:10 66170 worked the 6W25 Westbury - Camborne passing Taunton at 15:45   13th July: 47813+47832 worked the 1C28 09:16 Paddington - Penzance and the 1A80 15:41 Penzance - Paddington return today vice the usual HST. The pair in T&T formation passed Taunton at 11:57 today on the down and returned at 20:29.(Ta 81D and JT!) 66229+66204+66170 passed Taunton at 16:15 on the return 7W27 Penzance - Westbury engineers. 43068+43080 passed Taunton back to back working the 0Z77 11:30 Neville Hill - Laira stock move at 17:45   14th July: 66023 worked this morning 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor China Clay, passing Taunton at 11:00. 66075 worked the Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone, returning north at 12:30 with the empties! 66075 worked tonight's 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn fuel. A 47 managed mail turn today, with 47782 working the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. 60037 also worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale, passing Taunton at 21:35   15th July 66017 was today's 6C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone. 66545 worked the Cement to Moorswater again today and the return 6M37 in the evening passing Taunton at 20:45. 66230 passed Taunton at 21:20 on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey China Clay. 66165 worked up on 6M72 at 21:38 tonight heading back to Cliffe Vale. TPO's tonight were 1C01 67010 and 1M99 67030.   16th July 60064 in Grey Loadhaul worked the 6C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone. 66075 worked down from Westbury on the 6W14 Westbury - Par  engineers train at 20:10. Various Mails (Thanks to M Rowland for the continued reports!) 67030 1C84 Reading - Plymouth (23:24) 67013 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden (23:39)   17th July 66075 returned early this morning on the 6W14 04:55 Par - Westbury 43184 passed Taunton this morning in Virgin Livery. But on the back of a Lorry at Jn25 around 07:30 heading north from Plymouth - Derby. 60064 worked the Exeter stone turn again today this passed Taunton at 11:45 on the return train. 67003 was tonight's 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail passing at 18:55. 66230 worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale, pausing to let 67008 on the Plymouth - Willesden mail pass by at 20:34. 47815 was let out for a late afternoon turn tonight on the 1C77 18:35 Paddington - Plymouth service. It passed Taunton at 21:10. 66545 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement, passing Taunton at 19:25 some 70 early!   18th July 66178 worked the 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow passing Taunton at 04:47! 47815 returned this morning on the 1A21 05:55 Plymouth - Paddington service, passing Taunton at 07:30! 66235 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel, passing Taunton at 17:57. 66206 was working the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey China Clay, this passed by at 19:36.   19th July Two Centro Class 150's (102 and 126) worked down through Taunton this morning. These two are now on hire to Wessex Trains for the Summer Season, they worked down as the 5Z50 06:00 Birmingham - Exeter 66075 worked the 6W25 14:45 Westbury - Roskear Jn. 60063+66002 passed Taunton in T&T formation on a Westbury - Penzance engineers train at 19:20 this evening. 47832 worked the 19:25 Paddington - Plymouth this evening to cover for another HST.   20th July 47832 returned to the capital on the 1A24 08:35 Plymouth - Paddington today. 66002+60063 returned north at 12:30 this morning. 66075 also returned north with the 6W25 08:32 Camborne - Westbury engineers 47811 was sent out by FGW to cover the 1C43 12:33 Paddington - Plymouth and the 1A69 17:00 Plymouth - Paddington return.   21st July 66248 worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale passing Taunton at 20:53.   22nd July 66068 worked the 6C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone today, returning back north at 13:58. 66109 made it's first ever outing on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavi Jn fuel tonight. 66021 passed at 20:10 (60 late) on 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey 66545 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles yet again passing at 20:20   23rd July 47787+47798 worked the Royal Train up through Taunton at 12:15 this afternoon, the train had been used the night before to take to Queen to Plymouth for a ceremony on the HMS OCEAN. It had stabled on the Heathfield Branch the night before. Where it departed around 08:00 for Plymouth. 66032 worked the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn SCRAP down through Taunton at 11:00. 67014 (Pet Skip) worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail today. 43186 worked the 5Z77 Phillips Marsh - Laira stock move this afternoon with a barrier coach. It Passed Taunton a little after 17:00. 66248 was tonight's 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey. Passing Taunton at 19:20.   24th July 66117+66057 were reported to have worked the 6W17 20:17 Westbury - Cowley Bridge Jn. 66207 worked the 6C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone again today. 47760 managed a turn on the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth vans tonight, passing Taunton at 23:10. The loco worked the 0C84 Bristol - Reading to join the train.   25th July 47760 returned on the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail at 15:45. 47832 was dispatched this evening on the 1C49 15:33 Paddington - Penzance, it passed Taunton at 17:30 about 15 minutes late, however this will mean a Summer Saturday Penzance - Paddington working should appear tomorrow. 66002 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel down through Taunton at 19:20 this evening some 80 minutes late! 66032 worked the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap up through Taunton at 21:50 this evening.   WSR UPDATE Saturday 26 July The diesel diagram in the Green timetable will be worked by the two 'main line' diesel hydraulics, 'Western' No D1010 "Western Campaigner" and 'Hymek' No D7017.    The 'Western' will work:   08.40 WN-BL (light engine),  09.40BL-MD,  11.10MD-WN,  12.05WN-MD  and  14.50MD-WN.   Upon arrival at Williton at 15.34, the locos will be swapped over and the 'Hymek' will take over the diagram working: 15.45WN-MD,  17.30MD-BL, together with an evening "Fish & Chip Special" (18.50BL-MD, 21.15MD-BL).   Day Rover tickets are available at normal rates - e.g. Adult £11. Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 August This weekend sees the WSRA's annual Steam Fayre & Vintage Vehicle Rally at Bishops Lydeard - a must for those of you with a keen interest in all forms of vintage transport.   In addition to three steam engines. Friday 8 & Saturday 9 August A feast of hydraulics!    Nos D1010, D7017 & D9526 will all be in action at this impromptu Diesel Gala.   All three locos will work passenger trains over the two days, with the Class 14 also working a demonstration engineers' train.   An enhanced Green timetable will be in operation. THANKS AS ALWAYS TO RICHARD JONES 26th July 47734 took over on the 1C02 Bristol P'way - Penzance TPO in the early hours of the morning. Passing Taunton at 01:45. The two CENTRO flat front 150's which were on hire to Wessex Trains (see photo below) have not been doing that well. 150126 has spent a fair amount of it's time out of service at Exeter with various faults. However because Central Trains have smashed one of their 170's they wanted 150126 back. So early this morning 150126 worked the 5Z26 04:40 Exeter - Gloucester and then 5H50 Gloucester - Tyseley 66250 worked the 07:35 Westbury - Long Rock engineers this morning, it then stabled at Exeter for most of the day before continuing later in the afternoon. Once again today FGW (who are seriously short of traction at the moment) sent 47811 out on the 1C56 Paddington - Plymouth. It left Taunton at 18:47 (11 late) Later in the evening 66117+66163 followed down with the 6W26 18:05 Westbury - Camborne. The pair passed Taunton at 19:09. The two CENTRO flat front 150's which were on hire to Wessex Trains have note been doing that well. 150126 has spent a fair amount of it's time out of service at Exeter with various faults. However because Central Trains have smashed one of their 170's they wanted 150126 back.   27th July 66083 worked north at 13:00 with the 6W25 Penzance - Westbury standing in for 66250 which was reported to of had problems and was now on St Blazey having attention. 47811 returned this afternoon after a night out in Plymouth it passed Creech at 15:20 with the 13:40 Plymouth - Paddington. As if one 47 wasn't enough 47815 later in the evening was sent out to work the 1C74 18:33 Paddington - Penzance passing Taunton at 20:40 (15 late)   28th July 47815 returned north this morning on the 1A36 06:34 Penzance - Paddington, passing Taunton at approx 10:30. FGW Spoons at their limits 57601 was called upon to work the 1C33 12:33 Paddington - Plymouth, and the 1A83 16:40 Plymouth - Paddington return. The return working passed Taunton 18:36 (20 late) 66204 was reported to have worked the 6C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone. 66060 worked the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor China Clay 66248 was reported on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey and 66028 worked the 6C62 Westbury - Tavistock Fuel. 66250 worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale passing Taunton at 20:25 Then 47734 passed by on 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail after working down on the TPO in the early hours of Saturday. MANY THANKS TO MIKE ROWLAND FOR HIS RECORDS WHILE I WAS ON HOLIDAY!   29th July Another busy day saw yet more good traction through Taunton today. Starting off the day was a Hanson liveried Class 59/1 which worked the 6C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone passing through at 07:13. Next in a worked not usually seen in the area, 47488 (Owned and run by Fragonset, and painted in Two Tone Green) worked a Network Rail inspection saloon (999506) from on the 2Z02 Bristol - Penzance. This arrived at Taunton around 10:45 this morning departing at 11:25. This loco then stables overnight at Penzance before returning to Reading West. It's booked to pass Taunton at 16:12. It's even more rare to see this loco as it only has single fuel tanks so only does short trips where it's able to fuel each night! 47811 was sent out for FGW again today this time working the 1C44 14:35 Paddington - Plymouth. Running a little late it departed at 17:00 from Taunton. 66005 worked it's 5th turn on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. Passing Taunton at 17:57 this evening. 67029 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, however tonight it got a little held up by the local stopping service, and was bought to a stand in Creech at 18:57 to await the road ahead to clear. 66518 was out with Freightliner today, on the Moorswater Cement, it worked back north at 19:45 through Taunton. 6V70 had a few problems in the Bescot area today, 66248 failed with low coolant and was assisted to Bescot by 66019. 66248 was later removed and 66019 worked the train down solo. It passed Taunton at 20:10 at full 60 minutes late. 47811 later retuned north to the Capital on the 1A89 18:40 Plymouth - Paddington, it passed Taunton at 20:20! 66223 passed through Taunton at  21:15 with the 20:02 Westbury - Tavistock Jn engineers tonight with 5 Autoballasters in tow. 30th July Valley Lines 150281 worked the 07:05 Pembroke Dock - Exeter service today. 47488 returned north from Penzance today to Reading West with it's inspection coach after a night out in Penzance. It arrived at Taunton well before 16:10 and was held in Platform 4 until right time. 43173 + Barrier 6348 worked an 07:15 Laira - Phillips Marsh stock move this morning passing Taunton at 09:30. At around the same time 67020 (Which has spent over a year out of service at Cardiff) worked down through Taunton at approx 09:20 to collect 67011 (Which was also dead) from Exeter Riverside Yard along with a crippled mail van. The down working was the 0F76 08:30 Bristol Barton Hill - Exeter Riverside with the return recorded as the 0F84 11:00 Exeter Riverside - Cardiff Canton. 67005 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans and 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return today. This mornings 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn turned up yet another 'Shed' with 66221 passing Taunton at approx 10:40 this morning. 66178 was today's 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullets' passing Taunton just after 13:00. Another surprise visitor to the South West tonight was 47841 which was used to drag the 1V61 Aberdeen - Penzance HST after in expired nr Norton Bridge (Stafford). 47841 dragged the service from Stafford to Plymouth where the train was terminated. Running over 250 minutes late 47841 departed Taunton at 21:45 with 43065+43102 in tow. 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey was also very late, this departed Taunton at 22:50 nearly 4 hours late. 66021 was the traction, it was looped to allow a down FGW HST to pass before continuing. However the service was so late that it was stopped short of it's destination at Exeter. Where it was stabled in the yard overnight before continuing the next morning!   31st July 66204 worked this mornings 7C27 Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone, it later returned north with the empties at 12:05 through Taunton. Central Trains 153329 RR Liveried (On hire to Wessex) worked the 2C05 Gloucester - Plymouth down through Taunton at 07:40 this morning. 67020 seems to be making a good recovery after it's long period out of use. It worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans this morning and later returned on 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. Sadly the loco later failed while climbing the 1:37 gradient of the Lickey Incline south of Birmingham! Freightliner did very well in the South West today 66549 had worked the overnight 6V20 Earles Sidings - Moorswater and the train managed to depart Moorswater a full 91 minutes early. After a good run up through Plymouth and Exeter it passed Taunton at 18:18 a full 230 minutes early!! A stunning result for the train after quite a few problems on recent services they have run! Big up the FHH Team! 1st August 67029 worked this morning’s 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans, passing Taunton at 09:15! 150281 was employed to worked the 07:05 Pemborke Dock - Exeter service today. 66106 passed Taunton at 18:15 on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. 67014 (Pet Skip) passed Taunton at 19:20 this evening (20 late) on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail.   2nd August Today saw one of the most looked forward to 'Railtours' of the year so far pass through Taunton. Run by the Worksop Committee each year they run a train from Worksop in the Nottinghamshire coal fields to a rare location somewhere in England. Up until this year the train has always been run by a pair of Type 5, Class 58 locomotives, however with EWS having withdrawn this fleet from service the Committee utilised a pair of Type 5, Class 56's and took them to the sea side at Paignton for the day. To make the occasion more notable the pair were in Orange and Black, LoadHaul livery and both were tarted up for the occasion with a body side wash, painted white buffers, and red buffer beams! 56107+56118 met with a 40 minute late departure from Worksop due to an AWS fault on 56107. However by Bristol the train had made back the time. The tour passed Taunton at 10:25 heading south, with BR Green Mk1's in tow! (Loco's: 56118+56107) (Coaches: 17015, 3150, 3124, 3127, 3114, 1696, 5037, 5027, 4986, 5023, 4925, 5007, 5278) Upon arrival at Goodrington Sidings (after dropping passengers at Paignton) the pair ran round and 107 was again shunted so that it was behind 118. The pair also didn't make their move to Exeter for fuel. It's thought that either they had enough to get home again, or complicated shunts to keep 56107 behind 56118 at all times because of it's AWS (Automatic Warning System) fault would have caused a delay to the train. The return run met with no problems in the West, after a spectacular departure from Paington they worked North at a fair rate of knots. With a 10 minute pathing stop at Exeter to allow a Virgin HST to pass, which also allowed me to get from Aller Jn - Cogload Jn with 5 minutes to spare! 66214 worked the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington 'Silver Bullets' today.   4th August 66167 worked the 6C62 Westbury - Tavistock fuel down through Taunton at 17:40 67021 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail with 67012 working 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth 47784 passed Taunton at 20:40 on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. 47772 worked the overnight 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth TPO   5th August 37216 made an amazing run to Plymouth overnight on the 6G76 Didcot - Ernesettle MOD train, it later returned north through Taunton from it's fleeting visit at 12:15 47772 worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans, passing at 15:51. Sporting it's weird split headcode boxes painted at Worksop the other week when it worked the ECS stock from the 56 tour! 67008 worked the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, passing the station at 16:40 66523 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles up through Taunton at 18:15 this evening running over 2 hours early again. Well done to FHH again! 66223 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel down through Taunton at 18:20 with 66062 on 6V70 working down just behind at 18:30. 66215 worked down light engine on the 0T36 Westbury - Tavistock Jn late at 22:20. The railway in general has been plunged into chaos over the last few days because of continuing problems with the heat. With temperatures reaching 30 degrees, speed restrictions have been imposed over sections of track which could be prone to buckling. Line side equipment and other train failures are also contributing to the huge delays!   6th August With the heat playing havoc with the railway again today most services were VERY late indeed, buckled rails in Bristol also closed the line for a while. 66032 was on today's 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn SCRAP train, this passed by at 10:40 66022 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullets' passing Taunton at 14:00 66019 passed Taunton at 19:10 on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey 43191+43181 worked up at 17:05 on route from Laira - Phillips Marsh. 43191+43028 worked down at 19:19 back to back on a Phillips Marsh - Laira stock move. 43075 passed Taunton on the back of a low loader from Devonport today after overhaul. Passing at 10:20 (Ta TW)   7th August 67020 worked the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail passing Taunton at 16:30 67018 worked the overnight 1C84 Reading - Plymouth, passing at 23:01 57601 was let out to play on the 18:33 Paddington - Plymouth this evening, as FGW were short on HST's again. Tonight's 6M37 was worked by 66549 passing Taunton at 20:20 with the SWRG ON TOUR headboard attached. 47810 made a surprise visit through Taunton dragging the now empty 5V97 Virgin HST to Laira for attention, the train passed Taunton at speed at 21:20. After 67003 failed at Par on the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, 47635 (In it's BR Blue Livery!) was called upon to pilot the train to Bristol. The loco then worked back on the train solo to Penzance overnight. Before working the empty stock to BZ in the morning.   8th August 57601 returned on the 1A34 Plymouth - Paddington this morning but was turned around at Reading due to late running, it then returned to Plymouth as the 1C28 from Reading - Penzance. Until it reached Dockyard Station where it broke down. A Class 08 was then sent out to collect the train and drag it back to Plymouth station! 43014+43062 on the Network Rail measurement train passed Taunton at 09:00 heading for Plymouth on it's usual test run. It returned north a little after 13:00 47810 also returned north this morning after it's trip to Laira, but it was towing again. This time the 1S87 11:33 Ex Plymouth had been failed. The train passed Taunton at 13:20 47789 was sent down light engine at 15:45 to go and collect 67005 from Plymouth, it later returned at 19:30 with 67005 in tow, The 47 looking and sounding in poor health! 67020+67005 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans this morning, this was to compensate for 67003's failure on 1C01 the night before.  67020 worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail return, but 67005 failed at Plymouth so 47635 in it's NEW Large Logo Blue was used to work the train. Further delays were met at Taunton due to a power failure the area was at a stand. 1E43 finally worked North from Fairwater Yard area at 18:00! 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn was also late tonight with 66223, passing Taunton at 19:20. 66019 worked the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap, passing Taunton at 22:10 9th August This morning saw the passing of another major event, D1015 worked it's first Paddington - Penzance railtour, passing Taunton at 10:15 in fine voice the Maybach engines sounded superb! 66032 passed Taunton at 13:20 working the 6M68 Exeter Riverside - Warrington 'Silver Bullet's' The service worked up from St Blazey last night as part of the 6C99. 43014+43062 came to Taunton today on the Railtrack Measurement Train, arriving from Swindon at 14:40 it promptly departed again and headed back to Swindon. The convoy of loco's to be stored at Meldon (The Dartmoor Railway) finally made their final leg of the journey today. 45112 had dropped 47348+31301+31439+31423 at Westbury last night. The 45 then worked back north light engine, 47712 was then added to the train and after initial problems of leaking air, the convoy passed Taunton at 16:00 this afternoon heading for Meldon. Its thought at least one Class 31 if not more will come back to life on the railway in due course. 67007 worked up light engine at 16:30 working from St Blazey - Bristol Barton Hill with a straight swap for 47757 which returned south at 19:00. 19:39 was D1015 storm back through Taunton running early and managing Exeter - Taunton in a little over 23 minutes! Which really does show just what can be achieved.   10th August Today saw the return of the Summer Season steam back to the South West, with 7802 'Bradley Manor' working a series of weekly Sunday trips from Bristol - Kingswear and return. 7802 passed Creech St Michael this morning with whistles blowing at 10:35 heading for the Seaside with the fully booked train. The tour, run by Past Time Railtours, picked up at Weston Super Mare, Bridgwater, Taunton, Exeter, and Dawlish Warren. Once the loco had watered it departed a little late at 11:05 heading South from Taunton. However at Exeter the train was delayed again with attention turning to the bearings on one of the driving wheels. Later once on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway it was announced to passengers that a diesel loco 37402 was being sent from Bristol to tow the train back to Bristol as Bradley Manor was unable to continue back with the train and would have to be repaired on the Railway. 37402 worked the 0Z31 14:00 Bristol Barton Hill - Kingswear, this passed Taunton at 14:40 light engine heading south. 37402 upon arrival at Kingswear took over the train and worked the tour back to Bristol, attempts were made to fit the 'Torbay Express' headboard to the 37 but it was just to wide and would have made the train out of gauge as the below photo shows!  All was going well until Exeter on the return where more problems were encountered with point failures and the lack of drivers. The 1Z31 Kingswear - Bristol finally called at Taunton around 19:50 with the 37 now providing the power before taking the rest of the passengers home to stations north of Bristol. It's now thought that 5051 'Earl Bathurst' could be made available for next Sundays trip if 7802 isn't repaired in time.   11th August The 1C34 07:35 Plymouth - Paddington used Class 47 haulage again this morning due to Firstgroups on going HST shortage. 47811 passed Taunton at 09:15 this morning. 67007 worked this afternoons 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. Passing Taunton at 16:40 66222 worked the 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn down at 18:05 tonight with two TTA's in tow. 67012 working 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail passed Taunton at 18:55 this evening. 43090+43094 on the 1V61 Aberdeen - Penzance passed Taunton at 19:30 this evening a full 60 late this evening. 12th August For those 'early birds' among us some of you may have got the chance to see a 47 rescue at Taunton early this morning. 57601 had been given the task of the 1A99 Penzance - Paddington Sleeper, but yet again with it's 2 other failures last week behind it, once more the loco failed after leaving Exeter on the up service to London. (It's thought this is part of it's ongoing earth problem which has plagued the loco for months now, if anyone knows any different please email me!) As a result 57601 was unable to continue and 47813 was sent out from Laira at 03:00 in order to rescue the Type 5 where it pushed the 57 to Taunton, and then ran round the train in order to tow it to London. 47813 finally left Taunton at 05:20 this morning taking the Berks and Hants route to try and make up some time, 203 minutes late! The train met with further delay near Reading after the emergency cord was pulled, the train was then terminated at Reading at 07:25. 66015 was running late on the 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow bullets this morning passing Taunton at 07:35 47778 dropped onto the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail, passing Taunton at 15:45 66245 passed Taunton at 18:20 with the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. 66558 was tonight's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement, however the train left 6 PCA cement wagons at Moorswater to be picked up on Thursday and left Moorswater at 16:30 and ran round at Liskeard. This will mean the up service will have 17 PCA's and 9 Cargowagons in tow! 66558 passed Taunton a little shorter at 20:00 After working the 6V41 66015 was stand straight back on 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale passing Taunton at 20:35!!   13th August 66181 worked today's 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap. 47813 worked a 5Z70 Laira - Old Oak Common stock move today, it passed Taunton at around 14:20. 66015 returned on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, China Clay today passing through at 19:10 14th August 66064 and 66126 passed Taunton this evening working an engineers train at 18:20. The pair were again in T&T formation. 66558 worked the Moorswater Cement again today, passing Creech at a crawl approaching a red signal it passed at 20:05.   15th August 66245 made Taunton tonight on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavi Jn fuel. Passing through at 18:00. Many thanks to Mike Rowland for the shot below!   16th August 66051 worked the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington up through Taunton at 13:15.   17th August Today saw Steam return to Taunton once again, this time in the shape of 5051 'Earl Bathurst' standing in for 7802 'Bradley Manor' after it's failure last week, working the 1Z31 Bristol - Kingswear and return. 5051 arrived at Taunton at 10:30 to take on water, providing plenty of opportunity for shots to be obtained.    5051 departed Taunton at 10:57 heading onto the coast for the day, with another packed train in tow. The trip to the South West saw no major problems with the loco at all. Running to the Manors timings it was often early at some points. The return train to Bristol arrived at Taunton 19:25 and stopped for a pathing requirement to allow a HST and Voyager to pass. However the staff took this opportunity to empty the loco of  ash which collects at the front of the loco's boiler, as well as shift more coal to the front of the tender for the run to Bristol. The train departed at 19:43.   VIRGIN TRAINS TO END HST USE ON CROSS COUNTRY! Virgin Trains have announced that as of 29th September all Virgin Cross Country HST sets will be returned to their leasing company, Porterbrook. This will end the 22 year reign of HST's on the Cross Country network, from which they started in 1981. What's even more scary is that I'm also 22 and was born in the same year as these workhorses started with Cross Country! This will of course mean from Monday 30th September ALL Virgin services will then be in the hands of Virgin Voyagers! As another part of Railway History takes place before our eyes, the usual commuter may not even notice the change. The HST Fleet has slowly been reduced over the last year to the extent that now almost all services are worked by the Virgin Voyager Fleet. However questions still remain over their ability to cope with 'Sea Wall Storms' and I suppose only the winter will show us if the Voyagers are capable of running in these conditions, as the HST's have managed since they first operated the route. I'm sure the day will be marked with celebration by Virgin, but I'm not so sure the Enthusiast Market will be jumping for joy. I think it's safe to say the last ever Virgin HST Turn will be one of the most photographed trains over it's entire journey in a long time! 18th August 66081 returned from it's weekend away in Cornwall this morning, passing Taunton on route to Westbury at 07:50 66090 worked the 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 17:50 this evening with one fuel tank in tow. As a result the train was terminated short at Exeter as there were no other tanks to come back from Tavistock. By 18:50 the loco departed light engine back to Westbury. 67030 was running late on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail this evening, passing 30 minutes later than usual at 19:35. Chaos insured this evening, after it was announced that the 1A86 18:58 Penzance - Paddington failed at Horse Cove near Dawlish at about 19:45. Blocking the mainline for some 40 minutes. With no loco's in the area and the HST causing some serious hold ups north and south. It was decided to use another full length HST to drag it out of the way. The 1C56 16:34 Paddington - Plymouth HST (43152+43023) were sent down the up line at Dawlish, and removed all it's passengers at Dawlish station, who transferred to the downside platform at 20:20 to await another HST to pick them up later on. By 21:07 the 16 Car HST set worked north through Dawlish to Exeter consisting of 43023+43152, 43164+43018! This blockage caused hours of delays to services with some working wrong line from Newton Abbot to attempt to carry on their journey! Don't worry about the passengers they were picked up by 1C56 Paddington - Penzance which made an additional stop at Dawlish to collect them all. 43164 was the offending power car which failed and caused the following delays to trains passing Taunton as a result:1A89 119 Late. 1A92 78 Late. 1M65 92 Late. 1V72 47 Late. 1C65 72 Late. 1V33 37 Late. 1V70 41 Late. 1M32 90 Late. 67003 made Taunton on 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail at 22:40 tonight as a result of the earlier HST fiasco at Dawlish!. 47778 also worked down overnight, on the 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth TPO. 19th August 67011 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans down through Taunton at 10:15 this morning. 47778 managed to work back north on the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans. 47790 made a fleeting visit to Taunton on the T&V run to Taunton and back (Shame it wasn't run in front of the Steam Special on Sunday would have caught a few idiots on the track then!) It arrived just before 14:00 and departed straight away not even reaching in the station area. (Ta to JT!) 66152 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel down through Taunton at 17:45 this evening. 66067 followed at 18:10 on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey China Clay 66044 worked a Westbury - Lostwithiel CWR Train down through Taunton tonight heading through at 19:10 60019 was sent on a mission to Taunton this evening as the 0Z15 18:30 Westbury - Fairwater Yard, arriving at 19:30 it entered the yard and that's where it stayed. The 60 was  booked back out as the 8Z10 21:45 Fairwater Yard - Bristol East Yard, however it ended up returning light engine north at 22:40. It's assumed that the head shunt was needed to be used but it's very overgrown, attempting such a move with old wagons at night would have not been very clever. 67018 was running a little late on the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth tonight, passing Taunton at 20:00 some 20 - 30 minutes late. 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale was loaded until Exeter Riverside tonight it then worked as the 0M72 from Exeter, passing Taunton light engine at 20:13.   20th August 67011 was today's 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans passing Taunton at 10:15. 66043 worked today's Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap train, passing Taunton at 10:50 this morning. 66062 was the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullets' today passing Taunton a little after 13:30 66109 was today's 0V70 (Yes 0V70) no load from Cliffe Vale - Exeter Riverside, it then picked up 6 wagons and took them on down to St Blazey.   21st August Virgin moved a mass amount of HST Powercars from Laira today as the 5M98 Laira - Longsite. 43084+43102+43097+43103 passed Taunton at a little after 17:10. 66529 worked today's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement, passing Taunton at 19:30 being held at Obridge for a Voyager to pass by. Fairwater Yards head shunt has been cleared of undergrowth so it appears EWS do want to move some more wagons out of the yard. We await another visit from an EWS loco then!   22nd August 47790 made a fleeting visit to Taunton on the T&V run to Taunton and back today, arriving around 13:50 it then worked back to Newton Abbot 66142 worked the 0V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn tonight down through Creech at 17:55. It later returned with its loaded train from Tavistock. 66051 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, passing Taunton at 19:20 66109 was tonights 6H68 Tavistock - Cardiff Tidal loco, with 28 scrap wagons in tow!   23rd August 180101 made an early morning appearance at Taunton this morning; it was used to work the 07:42 Taunton - Didcot service. 66051 worked the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington 'Silver Bullets' passing Taunton at 13:15 66064 passed Taunton at 17:40 this evening on route to St Germans from Westbury with the 6W10 CWR Train. 43014+43062 visited Taunton early today with the Network Rail Yellow HST, arriving with the 1C00 12:30 Swindon - Taunton at 13:55, it then worked back north to Swindon.   24th August 5051 'Earl Bathurst' was used on the 1Z30 Bristol - Kingswear special charter again today, with the added safety precaution of 47790 shadowing the service from Taunton - Kingswear and return in case of any fires which could break out on the line side during it's visit to the South West. 5051 departed Taunton for Kingswear at 10:50 66064 returned from St Germans - Westbury at 10:30. 43172 passed Taunton with a barrier car on a Laira - St Phillips Marsh stock move at 12:05   25th August 66133 worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale up through Taunton at 19:50 this evening. 66210 arrived at Taunton tonight at 19:30 as the 0Z15 Westbury - Fairwater Yard in order to collect 17 old cement wagons from Fairwater and take them to Bristol East Yard. It finally departed Taunton at 22:12 heading north at a very slow pace as the 8Z10 Fairwater - Bristol East Yard. Many thanks to KK for the below, this is the wagon consist for 66210! TRN ENQUIRY RESPONSE FOR 838Z101725. BOOKED ID 8Z101 2145 MO FAIRWATER - BTLED DGL BUSINESS SECTOR 8 TRAIN CATEGORY H DEPT FAIRWATER 2205 25 ARR BTLED DGL 0047 26 LATE RSN IB EX ORIGIN STN 09 SETOUT 81511 BTLED DGL 66210 WBAN A 3300 126 68 7 075 0 AKM TO X20 1620 0000D 0000D 20 09 SETOUT 81511 BTLED DGL RC 10053 E PCA 28 35 1 012.850 06 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10064 E PCA 28 35 1 012.850 06 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10061 E PCA 28 35 1 012.850 06 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10035 E PCA 27 35 1 014.000 00 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 E TARMAC RC 10036 E PCA 27 35 1 014.000 00 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 E TARMAC RC 10044 E PCA 27 35 1 014.000 09 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10030 E PCA 27 35 1 014.000 09 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10039 E PCA 27 35 1 014.000 09 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10037 E PCA 27 35 1 014.000 09 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10032 E PCA 27 35 1 014.000 09 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10031 E PCA 27 35 1 014.000 09 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10029 E PCA 27 35 1 014.000 09 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10046 E PCA 27 35 1 014.000 09 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10060 E PCA 28 35 1 012.850 06 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10052 E PCA 28 35 1 012.850 06 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10051 E PCA 28 35 1 012.850 06 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC RC 10057 E PCA 28 35 1 012.850 06 001 81512 732 CIFVMM 83005 A TARMAC 0 LDS 17 MTYS 230 TONNES 466 FT 114 POTENTIAL AIR BRAKE FORCE 0 LDS 17 MTYS 230 TONNES 466 FT 114 POTENTIAL AIR BRAKE FORCE 1 UNITS 3300 HORSEPOWER 126 TONS 70 FT 68 BRAKE FORCE 536 FT-TOTAL TRAIN LENGTH 182 TOTAL TRAIN BRAKE FORCE The wagons that 66210 took away from Fairwater Yard were originally taken in by 60043 on the 12th March 2002, it worked up from Exeter as the 6G95 Exeter Riverside - Fairwater Yard, where the loco returned south light engine shortly after. (Many thanks to Jeff Treece for this info, photo may follow) All other freight services today were cancelled as it was a Bank Holiday.   26th August Newly refurbished Wessex Trains 150263 worked the 04:53 Cardiff - Penzance this morning, this now leaves 150232 in Regional Railways livery, with 1980's Stripy seats, this unit worked it's last ever turn to Okehampton in it's old livery on Saturday, and is due into Cardiff for overhaul on Friday. So get your shots while you can! 67011 was yet again on the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans again today. 66559 was on today's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement, it passed Taunton at a record early of 17:50, after leaving 6 PCA's and 2 Cargo wagons at Moorswater, it's likely that as a result Thursdays train may not run. 66090 passed Taunton with a heavy load of TTA's on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel at 18:19. 66092 then worked down light engine at 19:11 as the 0V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey. Tonight's 6M72 was worked north by 66249, this passed Taunton at 21:05 67013 dropped onto the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO this evening, passing Taunton at 23:50.   27th August The 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap ran with yet more boring EWS traction today. 66232 provided the front end power as far as Exeter passing Taunton at 11:00, where again at Exeter the loco was detached and sent light engine to St Blazey. Today's 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans was hauled by 67003, with 67025 working the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell. 66117 and 66089 worked the 6W15 Westbury - St Budeaux engineers in T&T formation, passing through at 18:30 67017 was the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell passing at 18:50, with 67013 returning on 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth at 19:40 66210 worked the 6W18 Westbury - Lostwithiel engineers down at 20:20 heading south with it's CWR train in tow. 67027 was on tonight's 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, passing Taunton at 23:18, with 67006 on 1C84 Reading - Plymouth working down at 23:26.   28th August 66559 was on today's Moorswater Cement again, making  another early departure from Liskeard at 13:20 to Lostwithiel for run round. It then worked north to Hackney Yard where it stabled for most of the afternoon before moving north later in the evening. The train passed Taunton at 19:50, still running early despite it's stop off in Newton Abbot. The next working for the Cement will now be 4th September as Tuesdays turn has been cancelled. 66156 passed Taunton this evening at 18:47 heading south with the 6W12 17:33 Westbury - Bere Alston (Gunnislake Branch), it had 6 tatty old wooden OBA's in tow, which suggests either cutting back foliage or old ballast will be loaded overnight. At Exeter Riverside 66156 then joined 66092 (Which had worked DIT in 6M72 to Exeter) the pair then worked in T&T Formation to Plymouth before accessing the branch to Gunnislake! Shortly after this 67006 worked north on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, 67009 followed at 20:31 with the 1M65 Plymouth - Low Fell.   29th August 66014 worked down overnight on the 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow 'Silver Bullets' passing Taunton at 05:19 this morning heading back to Cornwall. 150282 in Welsh 'Valley Lines' livery worked the 07:05 Pemborke Dock - Exeter service once again today! 7802 'Bradley Manor' (Yes remember her!) the steam loco which disgraced itself on the first running of Past Time Railtours 'The Torbay Express' a few weeks back, made a welcome return to the main line today. After the efforts of all the support staff and the Paington and Dartmouth Steam Railway. 7802 made the trip with it's support coach from Paignton - Bristol Barton Hill this afternoon. The loco now in fine shape and left Taunton at 18:40 following the Taunton - Bath stopper. 7802 now seems to be ready for another bash at the 'Torbay Express' this Sunday, she has been running a few heavier trains on the PDSR over the last couple of days. This move will also mean that Barton Hill in Bristol will play host to two GWR Steam loco's until Saturday when 5051 'Earl Bathurst' works back to the Didcot Railway Centre. 66044 was on tonight's 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel, passing Taunton at 18:25. 67013 worked the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mails. The 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal worked up this evening with 66092 working the scarp.   30th August 47793 worked an charter to the Eden Project in Cornwall today, passing Taunton at 10:56 with the 1Z30 Derby - Par. It later returned during the evening at 19:40. Virgin seemed to have a little mix up with their trains today, the 1V21 was worked by 221133 and worked to Newquay, forming the 1M39 Newquay - Manchester return service, with 43122+43080 working 1S79 Paignton - Edinburgh instead of the booked Voyager, they passed Taunton at 15:35. 66043 worked today's 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington 'Silver Bullet' train, passing Taunton just before 13:00. 66142+66151 were sent out on engineers duties this evening, having passed Taunton at around 20:30 in T&T formation from Westbury.   31st August 7802 'Bradley Manor' made a welcome return to the main line again today, working the 1Z30 Bristol - Kingswear steam service, for Past Time Railtours. 7802 steamed into Taunton on time at 10:20 heading to the Seaside for the day. A bit later on 57601 worked north light engine at 11:10 heading north. The 57 returned at 14:10 with a rake of FGW Mk3's in tow with barrier cars at each end. 66151+66142 worked north from Tavistock Jn - Westbury at 12:45 today, however it wasn't long and they were working back down again at 15:52 heading back to Tavistock Jn! 7802 'Bradley Manor' returned north early this evening, it's thought it may not have taken it's booked stop at Tiverton Loop on the way back up, which caught a few (including myself) slightly on the hop! It arrived into Taunton just before 19:00 and then departed at 19:20. It wasn't booked to leave until 19:40! The loco worked well today and I'm sure that the team involved in it's repair at Paington were all relived that it managed a problem free journey! 1st September The first day of the month saw very little action indeed, until the evening when 37142 passes Taunton. However it wasn't in the conventional way! 37142 has been bought by the Bodmin and Wenford Railway and the loco was returning to it's old Cornish home by means of a Henor Lorry, the lorry stopped off at Taunton Deane Services overnight before continuing on to Cornwall the next day. Other news from today: 67027 worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail up through Taunton at 15:26 66094 was tonight's 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale passing Taunton at 20:05, 66044 was the 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn fuel, it's though the 6O34 return train worked north with 66156 in the train also. 67006 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 43004 passed north through the station at 20:20 this evening on a Laira - St Phillips Marsh stock move. It also had a barrier car with it. 67004 then followed at 20:30 with the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden Mail.   2nd September 67021 was on this mornings 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth TPO, passing Taunton at 09:30 this morning. 66001 was on the 6V62 Falwey - Tavistock Jn, passing Taunton at 18:00, and returning north at 22:00 Tonight's 6M37 was cancelled as there was a backlog of cement at Moorswater with no more required until Thursday. 66094 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey down through Taunton at 18:45 this evening. 67019 passed Taunton at speed with the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail at 20:35.   3rd September 66178 was allocated and worked the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap train today, passing Taunton at approx 11:40, the train was later cancelled at Exeter Riverside and the loco worked to St Blazey in the consist of 6V70 later in the day. FGW were moving HST Powercars about again today, with 43183+43129 sent north from Laira - St Phillips Marsh at 12:55 this afternoon as the 0Z74 11:51 LA - SPM, with 43016+43168 returning as the 0Z77 14:30 SPM - LA! 66094 was working the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullets' 67017 on the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail passed at 15:28, 67003 was the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell passing at 18:51, 67015 was 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth passing at 19:45, 67029 was 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO passing 23:17, 67024 was 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO passing 23:38. (Many thanks to Mike R!) Today also saw the welcome return of a long lost friend, 66080 (Pet Shed) worked back into the South West on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey china clay, passing Taunton at 20:10 an hour late! 66039+66151 worked a T&T engineers train down through Taunton late in the evening for overnight engineering work in Devon, as the 6W15 19:25 Westbury - St Budeaux Jn   4th September 66547 was today's 6V20 Earles - Moorswater and 6M37 Moorswater - Earles loco, passing Taunton in the early hours at approx 01:05 this was the loco's first trip out on this train! 66151+66039 returned north this morning back to Westbury at approx 09:10 67019 was on the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail passing at 15:33, 67028 was on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail passing at approx 16:45, 67024 was 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth working through at 19:43, 67017+67027 worked north in T&T formation on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden, 67015 was the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO passing at 23:43. 66547 returned north with a mega long train of 1208ft on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles at 20:00. 66080 (Pet Shed) also worked north on the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale china clay this evening at 20:15 60077 also put in a nocturnal appearance on an overnight engineers, working south at 23:48 with a rake of Railtrack Autoballaster. It was working the 6W57 23:03 Westbury - Westbury via Totnes, and was dropping ballast south of Exeter. There are a number of other similar workings for the rest of the week: Mon 6W91 19.26 Westbury - Westbury via Tavistock Jn Tue 6W92 20.29 Westbury - Westbury via Totnes Wed 6W93 20.27 Westbury - Westbury via Exeter Thu 6W94 20.27 Westbury - Westbury via Exeter   5th September 67014 (PET SKIP) was out on the 1E43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail vans this morning passing Taunton at approx 09:50. 43013+43014 were out on their Yellow HST run again today, however problems with only one powercar working saw the train terminate at Exeter instead of working to Plymouth. 66130 passed Taunton at 18:05 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. 66033 was tonight's 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey after passing Taunton the train was later cancelled at Exeter due to no forwarding driver. This service should work down to St Blazey tomorrow morning. 66135 also worked the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap train, passing at 23:30   6th September This morning saw 67020 pass Taunton on Hertfordshire Railtours trip to the Eden Project, working from Paddington as the 1C52 Paddington - Par (Stopping at Bodmin Parkway for their steam gala) the Pride of the Nation set (finished in two tone, cream and British racing green) passed at just after 10:00. 43102+43100 were also following the tour on the 06:20 Manchester - Newquay. 66014 was on the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington bullets today, it was looped in the station at 12:28 to allow 43103+43157 pass on a north bound Newquay - Manchester. 43013+43014 visited Taunton again today on the 1C00 12:30 Swindon - Taunton, arriving at 14:03 they then departed again at 14:35 for the trip back north. The 17:03 departure from Weston Super Mare, (The 16:30 Bristol - Taunton) formed of a Wessex Trains 158 was delayed on arrival at Taunton this evening by 20 minutes, due to a points failure at Uphill Jn, this meant the unit had to work back north through Weston Super Mare station to Worle Jn in order to gain access to the main line! 67020 returned to Paddington from Par this evening, passing Taunton at 19:50, sadly with the nights now drawing in, my planned 'glint shot' was no possible. Overnight 60070 worked a 6W70 20:43 Westbury - Totnes  CWR train down through Taunton at 21:38. (3 early)   7th September 7802 'Bradley Manor' made her last down run of the season to Kingswear working the 1Z30 Bristol - Kingswear this morning, arriving at Taunton at little late at 10:30 after a tennis ball at Worle Jn (Weston Super Mare) caused a points failure by wedging the point arm open! 60070 worked back up through Taunton on the 6W70 05:30 Lipson Jn - Westbury, passing Taunton at 11:10. 7802 'Bradley Manor' returned north this evening arriving at Taunton for servicing and water at 19:15. After more coal had been shovelled forward and water had been added the loco departed at 19:43 heading for Bristol. This was the last run for the Summer Season Steam in the South West.  With good passenger loadings, and only one week when a 47 was used to follow the train in case of a line side fire. Let's hope that next year will see a return of these popular trains with some more GWR Traction. 8th September 67003 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans this morning, passing Taunton at 09:57. Surprise of the morning was the appearance of 20313+20314 in Taunton. The pair had come down from Bridgwater on the Flask train in order to run round. It's assumed, although not confirmed, that there was another points failure at Bridgwater and the loco's were sent to Taunton in order to run round. The pair departed the station at 09:55 heading north. 67027 was the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans passing at 15:30 very slowly on the up, 67003 returned north on 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell at 16:13, 67017 was 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell passing at 18:50, 67012 was the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth passing south at 19:30, with 67009 held for a local unit to depart at 20:27. 67024 was also the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO! 66158 worked the 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn fuel, passing Taunton it's thought around 18:00, it only went as far as Exeter this evening and so returned with one tank in tow at 20:50. 66033 passed North through Taunton this evening on the usual 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale service at 21:19. 66076 also worked a 6W91 19:26 Westbury - Westbury via Tavistock Jn, passing Taunton at approx 20:30 37670 is set to return to the South West for the 'Sandite Season' and should be conveyed DIT in tomorrow's 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, it's currently showing on Bescot. 37674 also another Ex Cornish loco is expected to also be based in the South West area over this period. 9th September: 67002 was on this mornings 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans, passing Taunton at around 10:30 this morning heading South, it later returned on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail at 16:40. 66024 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 18:00,  this passed one of the Central Trains 153's on hire to Wessex Trains which was working the 2C68 16:20 Plymouth - Bristol. 67019 raced north bound at 18:55 on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 66561 passed Taunton at 19:06 on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles empty cement. 66080 (PET SHED) worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale tonight. Tonight was also supposed to see the welcome return of 37670 to the South West, which was being conveyed DIT on 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, with 66229 leading! However extremely late running saw the pair arrived at Exeter Riverside at 00:20! As a result the train was cancelled and was then allocated to work south the next day.   10th September 66231 worked the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap train this morning, once again the train was cancelled at Exeter Riverside and the loco coupled up with 47790 which had worked up from St Blazey the night before and they both worked light engine to St Blazey. 66053 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullets' passing Taunton around 13:00? 67004 was today's 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail, passing at 15:37. 67022 was of course 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth and the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return. 66080 (Pet Shed) passed Taunton on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey a total of 154 early this evening at approx 16:40!! 66061 worked the 6W15 from Westbury  - Liskeard CWR train this evening, passing Taunton at 19:27. Mails passing Taunton this evening, 67015 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO passed 23:18, 67027 1C84 Reading - Plymouth passed 23:22, 47790 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO passed 23:40. (Ta Mike R!)   11th September 67025 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans today. 66097 worked a 6W94 20:07 Westbury to Westbury via Exeter Riverside this evening. 66556 was tonight's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles sidings, also the first time this loco has appeared on this train, passing Taunton at approx 20:23 Mail Allox for today: 67025 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell, 67012 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell, 67017 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth, 67019 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden, 67027 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, 67015 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO.   12th September 67010 passed Taunton at 13:26 this afternoon working the Victoria - Truro VSOE special charter. The trai remains in the South West this weekend working a series of Charters to Exeter from Plymouth before returning north on Sunday! 67025 passed Taunton at 16:20 on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 66156 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel down at 18:04 this evening. 67018 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 66080 (Pet Shed) passed Taunton at 19:45 this evening on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey service. 66045 worked a very strange turn this evening of the 0Z66 Avonmouth - Exeter Riverside, passing Taunton at 22:02, it returned light engine north again at 23:57. 66061 worked today's 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap service. Tonight's 1C84 Reading - Plymouth mail produced 47776, passing just before 23:00 67027 worked the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, passing Taunton at 23:15, with 67017 passing at 23:41 with the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO. 13th September 66226 worked the Hertfordshire Railtours, trip to the West Somerset Railway and the rear ale festival today. The train with the green and cream 'Pride of the Nation' Mk1 set in tow arrived onto the WSR at 10:35. The return trip to Paddington was sadly delayed after a points failure at Norton Fitzwarren causing about 30 minutes of delay to the train before it even start heading home! 66231 worked the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington 'Silver Bullets' today, passing Taunton around 13:00. 66097 and 66070 also passed Taunton on the 6W20 Westbury - Liskeard engineers train today in T&T formation, passing Taunton at 14:55.   14th September 66070+66097 returned north this morning on route to Westbury after their night out on engineering, the pair in T&T formation passed Taunton at 11:50 67010 later also followed north with the return 1Z88 Truro - Victoria VSOE 'Orient Express' passing Taunton at 15:17.   Just a quick comment: Well done to the Somerset County Gazette for printing on Friday that Steam Loco 'Bradley Manor' would be making one last run to Paington today, when it finished last week!! This succeeded in sending people out to see the train when it wasn't even running, and even gave details of how to book tickets!  Thank God some of us know what's going on!! Other NEWS: TauntonTrains has today launched a Sister Website, www.tauntontrains.fotopic.net The website is the latest revolution of the internet where 250MB of photo's can be displayed at any one time, so over time this site will expand with photo's taken in and around Taunton. A few have been uploaded already, keep your eyes peeled for more in the coming weeks!! This will in no way effect the information of photo's on the main site, it's just a more effective and permanent way of storing them for all of you to see! Thanks to all those who also help contribute to this website, I couldn't of done it all on my own!   15th September The 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor finally ran for the first time in weeks today, with 66097 providing the power the train passed Taunton around 10:00 with the china clay bound for Italy in tow. 67003 was today's 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans and 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return mail. Virgin moved 43068+43123 from Laira - Longsite today, passing Taunton at 17:30 with both powercars back to back. As usual for a Monday night, the 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn fuel was worked by 66213 with one TTA in tow, this train passed Taunton at 18:00. 67012 worked tonight's 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, passing Taunton at 18:58, 67029 worked the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail, passing at 19:42.   16th September Virgin seemed to be short of a Voyager set this morning, as so hired 150254 to work the 1S65 07:13 Plymouth - Edinburgh as far as Bristol! Now for Taunton event of the year with the appearance of two Class 37's in one night, during the evening word spread quickly that 37109 had been allocated the 6W91 20:04 Westbury - Cowley Bridge Jn (Via Exeter Riverside) and that 37248 was also allocated the 0W91 Newport - Exeter Riverside. The pair were to work to Exeter Riverside Yard at separate times and then team up in T&T formation for a trip up the Barnstaple Branch overnight! 37109 appeared first with 10 Railtrack Autoballasters in tow at 22:22, with 37248 not that far behind, passing at 23:20 at speed light engine! Needless to say there was quite a gathering at the station for this event! Other sightings from this evening include: 66241 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, working South 20:02 66556 6M37 Moorswater - Earles Sidings, working North 20:23 67018 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden Mail, working North 20:34 66213 6O34 Tavistock Jn - Eastleigh, working North 23:15 67014 1C84 Reading - Plymouth, working South 23:22 67027 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, working North 23:30 67029 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO, working North 23:48!   17th September After the stunning events of the night before it was a fog bound Taunton which echoed to the south of 37's once more, firstly 37109 returned to Westbury working the 6W91 05:30 Cowley Bridge Jn - Westbury with the autoballasters in tow, this passed Taunton at 06:40, with 37248 in hot pursuit heading back to Wales with the 0A59 05:45 Exeter Riverside - Newport Godfrey Road. 66148 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine bullets up through Taunton at approx 13:00 today. 67003 had charge of the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans and the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail returning north at 16:28. 67014 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail northbound at 19:05 66052 passed Taunton this evening at 19:07 on the 6W15 18:03 Westbury - Liskeard CWR train. 67016 was the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mails passing at 19:28 through Platform 2! 66070+66090 were used to work the 6W92 20:17 Westbury - Westbury via Exmouth engineering train this evening. The pair in T&T formation passed Taunton at 21:15.   18th September 67003 was used on the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans and 1E43 Plymouth Low fell, with the train passing Taunton at 16:20 this afternoon. 43121+43084 passed through Taunton south bound with a single coach, at 20:20 this evening 67017 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail, passing Taunton at 20:37. 66560 made it's first ever run to Cornwall today on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement, passing Taunton a little late at 20:50 but being held for a couple of passenger services at Obridge before working on to Bristol. A FGW Class 180 'Adelante' was sent to Taunton this evening, as the usual 1C79 18:45 Paddington - Plymouth HST was running 125 late with only one powercar working, as a result it was cancelled at Bristol and the Class 180 service the 1C89 20:30 Paddington - Weston Super Mud, was extended to Taunton. The 180 arrived at 23:20.   19th September 67003 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans passing Taunton at 09:45 43014+43062 the Network Rail Yellow Measurement Train passed Taunton again today on it's two weekly cycle. Working the 1C00 07:17 Paddington - Plymouth and the 1A00 10:47 Plymouth - Paddington. 47749 was sent to Exeter Riverside this morning to pick up two cripple TPO vans, it worked down light engine during the early afternoon. 66242 made it's first ever outing on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel, passing Taunton at 18:24. 47813 nearly made it out working for FGW this evening, working the 1C65 17:33 Paddington - Plymouth the loco promptly broke down at Taplow where the train was cancelled! 67024 was on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, passing at 18:52, 67009 worked the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth, with 67014 working the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail passing at 20:33. 66080 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey China Clay passing Taunton at 19:10 with a very large load. 66046 worked the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap tonight. 20th September Today saw two tours heading to the South West, first came 67017 on the 1Z30 07:45 Bristol - Par, an SRPS (Scottish Railways Preservation Society) initial hopes of some double headed 37's or a DELTIC were dashed when the tour operators opted for the standard EWS 67 (Yawn!) The tour passed Taunton at 08:20. However a little later the real traction appeared over Cogload Jn in the shape of 50031+50049 in BR Blue, following an HST the pair made plenty of racket passing through to Taunton. This pair passed Taunton at 09:37. 66035 passed Taunton this afternoon on the 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington bullets, passing at 12:53. Once again today 43013+43062 paid their two weekly visit to Taunton with the Network Rail Measurement Train Working as the 1C00 12:30 Swindon - Taunton and arriving on time just after 14:00 in Platform 2, the set then worked out to 40 Steps where it took up residence on the down relief for 30 minutes, while the rush of services worked through the station. At 14:30 the train departed from Swindon again. 67017 returned north at 18:54 with the SRPS Charter back to Bristol at speed. 50031+50049 followed not long after with their train to Slough from Par, the 1Z51 passed Taunton at 19:53. Another piece of history also happened this evening with not only 2 50's passing north through Taunton, but within the hour we had two Class 31's in the station, (Just like old times!) they were working the 4Z08 Derby - Plymouth 'Serco Ultrasonic Test Train' it was booked to stop at Taunton from 20:40 until 21:27. 31128+31601 were in T&T formation with 128 in Fragonset Black and 601 in Railtrack Blue and Green. The pair departed at 21:29 as the 7Z08 with the train which then ran at 30mph recording all the way to Plymouth!   21st September 47832 'Tamar' was sent out to work for First Great Western today owning the loss of an HST set yesterday which was involved in a coming together with a JCB/Tractor near Newquay. 832 worked the 1C28 09:32 Paddington - Penzance, departing Taunton at 11:55. 47815 was also to work the return 1A80 15:41 Penzance - Paddington service. Which it did as far as Plymouth where it was replaced by an HST   22nd September 66183 worked the 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn, it was looped in the station until 18:20. 66241 worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale, after appearing for the Weekend on the Bodmin and Wenford Gala! Some of today's mail diagrams are as follows: 67018 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol 67014 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth, 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell 67015 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67029 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden 67017 1C84 Reading - Plymouth 67027 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO 67009 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO 23rd September 47815 worked on north today with an ECS working from Laira - Old Oak Common in London, as the 5Z70 12:45 LA - OOC. The service passed through Taunton at approx 14:40 66075 was tonight's 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel, it worked down at approx 18:00, returning north a little later at 23:33 where it was looped for the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO. A stranger site than usual was 43178 passing M5 Jn25 this evening on the back of an Allelys Lorry heading north from Laira to Derby by road, missing it's branding the strange site passed at 18:15. However about 20 minutes behind was another loco on another lorry also heading north, this time it was a steam train which had been down at the South Devon Railway for their mini Gala! 67017 was the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail passing Taunton just before 19:00. 43181 worked a stock move from Laira - St Phillips Marsh with a barrier car tonight, passing at just after 19:00 66204 worked tonight's 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale China Clay. 66241 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, however as it was 300+ late it was terminated at Exeter Riverside. 66186 worked a 7X52 18:23 Crewe South Yard - Tavistock Jn Nuclear Flask this evening, passing Taunton in the early hours. 67019 1C84 Reading - Plymouth passed Taunton at 23:04, 67027 worked the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO passing at 23:17, and 67013 worked 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO passing at 23:49.   24th September 66169 worked the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn Scrap train today. It passed Taunton at 10:10. 67021 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth and the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return, passing Taunton at 16:40. The most amazing visit of the day (and another piece of History) was that of D9016 (A DELTIC!) and 50002 in Network Southeast Livery. D9016 in Ex Works, Two Tone Green was used to haul 50002 back to it's home on the South Devon Railway, from years in store at Barrow Hill. The pair were supposed to be routed via Yeovil and Honiton to Totnes, but after Railtrack Southern Zone decided once the train reached Bristol that the 50 was not allowed on that route, D9016 was sent through Taunton instead! The 0Z55 passed Taunton through Platform 2 (As the Bath - Taunton stopper was in 3) at 17:43. 66236 worked the 0W15 17:38 Westbury - Camborne this evening, passing Taunton at 18:40. The loco was booked to pick up it's train at Exeter Riverside.   25th September Virgin sent their first HST from Laira - MOD Bicester for storage today in the first of three booked diagrams. The first passed Taunton at 14:33 heading north as the 5Z43 12:50 from Laira, it then took the B&H to Westbury. However problems with loss of air at Somerton saw the train stationary for hours and blocking the main line at Castle Cary. It finally passed Castle Cary at 1905, and as a result is now dumped at Westbury awaiting movement onto Bicester. 67018 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail tonight, passing just before 19:00 67009 worked the 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail this evening. Today's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement was worked by 66612, passing Taunton at 19:50 Tonight's 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale was worked by 66139 this worked the train as far as Bescot where 66031 took charge of the train and worked forward to Cliffe Vale.   26th September 66236 worked the 6W16 05:00 Truro - Westbury engineers back from Cornwall in the early hours. 67009 worked the 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol mail up at 15:40 67021 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans and the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return passing Taunton at 16:20 heading north. 66221 worked it's first ever 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 17:50 this evening. 67015 worked the last ever 1V33 Willesden - Plymouth mail, this is the first service to be axed which will follow with the non running of 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol on Monday. However upon arrival at Plymouth the loco was immediately sent to help 67020 on 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO. This worked back up as far as Bristol P'way as a pair. 67020 was of course dead. 66204 worked the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap. 47727 crept down overnight while working the 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth TPO, stopping to pick up mail (The only train that does this!) in the early hours.   27th September 47786 'Roy Castle OBE' worked the 1Z27 Letchworth - Par 'EDEN EX' this morning, passing Taunton at just after 10am. However the loco later failed with a Power Earth Fault and as a result 47776 was used from St Blazey to return the tour to Letchworth. Today was also the last day of the Summer Timetable and as a result the last day of Virgin HST operation in the South West!  The last booked HST workings for Virgin were as follows: 43099+43100 worked 1S71 08:20 Penzance - Edinburgh (Taunton 11:30) 43154+43157 worked 1S77 11:25 Penzance - Glasgow (Taunton 14:27) 43092+43160 1V49 06:43 Dundee - Newquay (Taunton 15:29, 16 Late) 43065+43093 worked 1V59 Edinburgh - Paignton (Vice Voyager) (Taunton 18:30, 44 Late) The 1S77 and the 1V49 also had sticky on headboards marking the end of HST's on the Cross Country route, after a 25 year stint on the route. Virgin Voyagers will now rule the roost!   29th September 66056 worked light engine from Westbury - Exeter Riverside this morning in order to collect the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor China Clay for export to Italy. It passed Taunton heading South to get the train at 08:40. After a shortage of traction on St Blazey the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans was formed of 47749, 67025, and 67015 from Bristol - Plymouth, the triple service passed Taunton at 10:24, but later met with huge delays at Hemerdon when 47749 died with Low Power. As a result it appears a slight shunt move took place and 67025 lead 67015 and 47749 to Plymouth. The stop caused a 2 hour delay to the train and also meant the last ever 1C06 Plymouth - Bristol vans was cancelled due to 47749 being unfit to work the train! 47815 was in better health and worked the 5A99 06:22 Plymouth - Old Oak Common, empty sleeper stock north through Taunton at 09:15. With more rolling stock going for store, 43102+43160 worked the 5Z43 12:50 Laira - Bicester in order to put the set into store, as it's no longer to be used by Virgin. After the fun and games of the morning, 67025 worked the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail without incident in the South West, passing Taunton at 16:40 Virgin West Coast are retaining HST's so there is a chance of seeing stock workings still between Laira and Longsite on a regular basis, 43094 with Club Class coach 41114 and 43098 worked a 'GTI' HST up at 17:20. 66237 worked down through Taunton at 18:05 with one Fuel Tank in tow, on the 6C62 Westbury - Tavistock Jn. This was also this loco's first time on the Fawleys, it later returned north at 20:17. 67018 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail passing just before 19:00. At 20:06 this evening 43121+43097 worked south with a full West Coast rake set to Laira for servicing. 67015 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden, this passed at 20:42. At 20:50 66241 worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale up through Taunton. 67027 passed Taunton at 23:16 on the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, with 67021 working down at 23:24 on the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth. (Also of note is that 1C84 has now reverted to 4 Vans, from the usual 8!) 67012 worked the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO through at 23:40 66563 worked it's first ever turn to the Cornwall overnight on the 6V20 Ealres - Moorswater Cement, passing Taunton at 00:50. More late night postal action (Thanks to Mike Rowland for this!) 67014 passed through with the 5V69 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans at 01:17, 67016 was the 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth TPO, stopping to pick up mail which departed at 01:56. 67027 was the 1C02 Bristol - Plymouth TPO passing at 02:40.   30th September Virgins third HST movement for store took place today with 43103+43093 working the 5Z43 12:50 Laira - Bicester for storage. The train passed Taunton at 15:20 this afternoon. The 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn turned up a little something 'extra' this evening, upon arrival at Westbury 66156 attached 37676 to the train and then worked with the 37 DIT, from Westbury - Tavistock Jn. The pair stopped at Taunton around 18:10 to allow a Voyager to pass by before heading South. 37676 looks like being the SW Sandite loco with 37670 now assigned to Cardiff Canton for attention in the next few days! 66156 later returned north at 21:55 from Tavistock with the empties for Fawley. 66179 was tonight's 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, passing Taunton at 18:50. 67016 worked north bound on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell at 18:53 66563 returned north at 19:43 with the 6m37 Moorswater - Earles empties after it's day out in Cornwall. The 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale was worked by 66186 this evening, although it also had 47727 DIT as this was broken and was being worked north for attention.   1st October 31458+31602  worked the 0Z31 08:10 Westbury - Exeter in order to take 5 Mk2 Coaches which are at Exeter to Okehampton. The loco's then formed the 5Z31 10:30 Exeter - Okehampton. The pair passed Taunton heading South at 07:25. 67013 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail vans down through Taunton at 09:45 this morning. This later returned as the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell at 16:40. The 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock  Jn scrap was worked by 66072, the train passed Taunton at 12:05 heading South. Pannier Tank 1369 should have arrived on the West Somerset Railway today, it was seen heading Southbound on the M5 early this morning, 1369 is being used on the WSR for the Gala this weekend. 66081 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine bullets passing Taunton at approx 14:00. 47813 passed Taunton with a made stock move as the 5Z77 13:55 Landore (Swansea) - Laira (Plymouth) with a barrier car and 43034 in tow! The made mix passed Taunton at 16:07. After having worked to Plymouth the loco worked back to Exeter where it was used to assist a FGW HST which only had one power car working. 67017 worked 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail up through Taunton at 18:51. 66144 worked this evening's 6W15 19:37 Westbury - Camborne, passing Taunton at 20:15. 67024 had charge of the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden, passing at at 20:40 as usual.   2nd October 31468+31602 returned from Exeter this morning as the 0Z32 08:40 Exeter - Westbury this morning after yesterdays trip to Okehampton they stayed the night at Exeter depot before returning to Westbury this morning. The pair worked through at 09:05. 67021 had the task of the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans today, passing Taunton at approx 10:15. It later worked back as usual on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail passing at 16:40. 67002 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, passing Taunton at 18:55. 66563 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles again this evening, passing Taunton at 19:43 this evening. Other mail allocations for this evening were as follows: 67016 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden passing at 20:33, 67013 1C84 Reading - Plymouth, 67027 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, 67014 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO. 3rd October 37676 made an overnight move from St Blazey - Bristol Barton Hill. Working the light engine 0F74 23:00 from St Blazey the loco passed Taunton in the early hours of the morning. 66238 worked the overnight 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow 'Silver Bullets' passing Taunton at 05:20! 66039+66144 passed Taunton double headed at 09:35 this morning heading north, the pair were working the 6W16 04:50 Long Rock - Westbury, 66039 had been attached at Tavistock Jn in order to also get it back to Westbury. 66123 also put in a rather later appearance on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey China Clay, having been stopped at Bristol Parkway overnight because it was so late, the train headed south this morning passing Taunton at approx 10:30! 43169 with coaches 6336, 44002, 40231, 6630 worked the 11:17 Laira - St Phillips Marsh stock move, however a late departure saw it pass Taunton at 17:07! 67009 had charge of the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail vans, and as usual returned on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail at 16:20 66059 worked it's first ever turn on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel this evening, passing Taunton at approx 18:00. 66039 passed Taunton with a rake on 30 wagons in tow, working as the 6C08 18:25 Westbury - St Blazey, the train was terminated at Tavistock Jn with the wagons ready to be used on Engineering work over the weekend at Hemerdon. 66117 also worked down with another rake of wagons for the same job, working the 7Z24 19:30 Westbury - Tavistock with wagons for the following days 7W24. The loco then returned north in the early hours of the next morning with the 0Z24 23:15 Tavistock Jn - Bristol Barton Hill. 67023 was the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail passing at 18:55, with 67018 also heading north at 20:40 on 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail, the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth was 67012 which passed at 23:03. 66080 (Pet Shed) made the move from the South West to Wales tonight by means of the 6H68 Tavistock Jn  - Cardiff Tidal scrap train, passing Taunton just before 22:00 heading north.   4th October More late night mail action thanks to Mike Rowland as usual the TT resident insomniac: 67014 (Pet Skip!) 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth TPO 01:41, 67013 1C02 Bristol - Penzance TPO 01:56. The 1A99 Penzance - Paddington Sleeper was worked by 47811 stopping at 02:00 The 1C99 Paddington - Penzance Sleeper was worked by 47815 stopping at 02:06 With the line South of Newton Abbot closed for Engineering work over the weekend, a procession of engineers were booked to pass Taunton, these are detailed as follows: 6W20 00:30 Westbury - Hemerdon (66144) passed 01:27, 0W21 01:05 Westbury - Tavistock Jn (66236,66237,66137) passed 03:27, 6W20 15:58 Newton Abbot - Westbury (66144), 6W21 18:00 Newton Abbot - Westbury(66236), 6W75 21:10 Westbury - Bridgwater (66039). 37308 passed Taunton at approx 12:00 working the 0Z90 11:08 Westbury - Exeter Riverside, the loco was working the the Yard to help out with the Steam Tour being hauled by 34067 'Tangmere'. 37308 was attached to the rear of this train and worked back from Okehampton later in the day. 34067 'TAGMERE' a rebuilt Bullied Pacific passed Taunton for the first time after her restoration tonight. The 'Spam Can' as they used to be referred to in steam days had worked a circular tour from London Waterloo - Okehampton during the morning. As there are no turning facilities in the area the train was worked back to Exeter by 37308 in Br Blue, where 34067 was then used to head the tour north again from Exeter - Paddington via Taunton and Westbury. Between Exeter and Taunton 'Tangmere' was looped at Tiverton, to allow 66144 to pass by on the 6W20 Newton Abbot - Westbury, 'Tangmere' passed Taunton at 19:52 with it's tour to London, with 37308 following up light engine as the 0Z75 18:43 Exeter - Westbury at 19:55.   5th October 66237 was reported to have worked a light engine move as the 0W22 08:25 Exeter Riverside - Bristol Barton Hill during the morning. 66137 worked north through Taunton at 10:45 with a return engineers from Hemerdon - Westbury.   6th October The short term flow of stone to Exeter Riverside to top up the virtual quarry started again today with Class 60 haulage. 60041 passed Taunton a little after 06:30 this morning with the 7C27 Merehead - Exeter Riverside. The 7C28 return working passed Taunton at 12:33. 47815 worked the 5A99 Plymouth - Old Oak Common empty sleeper run this morning, passing Taunton at 07:30 66144 worked the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor China Clay train, passing Taunton approx 09:15 this morning with a rake of Polybulks in tow. It appears that Friday nights 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey never made it's destination recessing in Stoke Gifford Yard (Bristol Parkway) and as a result passed Taunton this morning at 11:00 with 66031+66014. Not a bad performance only a full 2 1/2 days late! 67009 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans and the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return passing at 16:20. The 6C62 Westbury - Tavistock Jn fuel was worked by 66218, with 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale having 66179 for it's haulage.   7th October With the Westbury - Exeter Riverside stone running this week, it's bought a welcome return on Class 60 haulage to the South West, this morning was the turn of 60067 in Two Tone Grey to work the train, passing Taunton at 07:10. 67021 had charge of the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans, passing at approx 09:00, and returning on the 1E43 Plymouth - Willesden at 16:40. Working to it's earlier booked time the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey passed Taunton with 66179 at 16:05 this evening. 66201 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn down through Taunton at 17:50 this evening. 66238 was on tonight's 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale, passing Taunton early at 20:28. 66557 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles Cement tonight, passing Taunton at 20:37 and getting held at Obridge for the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail to pass, which was hauled by 67023. 47749 now fixed after it's failure during the week, worked the 5Z47 Laira - ? Passing Taunton at 22:45 With more late night mail action from Mike Rowland who observed, 67013 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO passing 23:15, 67009 1C84 Reading - Plymouth passing 23:30, 67020 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO 23:44   8th October Central Trains liveried 158855 worked the 1C11 Cardiff - Penzance and the 1C87 12:10 Penzance - Bristol TM diagram today 60057 was on this mornings Exeter Riverside stone complete with Trainload Coal decals, the loco passed Taunton at 06:30. The return empties passed back north at 11:52. 66123 had charge of the long distance Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullet' turn today. With 66087 working the 6H67 Cardiff - Tavistock Jn scrap. 43084+43153 (Virgin HST Powercars) worked north back to back with a Laira – Longsite move just after 17:00. 66238 managed to get 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey China Clay past Bristol today, passing Taunton at 17:10 this afternoon heading South. 67027 had control of tonight's 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, passing Taunton at 18:55. 66215 worked an overnight engineers train with the 6W15 18:04 Westbury - Long Rock, the train passed Taunton at 19:15. 67014 (Pet Skip) had charge of the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail, this passed the station at 20:35, 67013 worked the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO passing at 23:14, and 67016 passed south on 1C84 Reading - Plymouth at 23:25. 9th October The 9th October saw 67014 (Pet Skip) working the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans passing Taunton at approx 09:45. Of course it then returned later on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail at 16:20. Mad working of the month award goes to the 6C91 Newport - Bridgwater service, today this was hauled by non other that 'clag monster' 56103!! Due to problems at Bridgwater (surely not!) 56103 was sent to Taunton to run round! Arriving just after 11:00 this morning it worked down into Fairwater Yard where it then sat until 13:45. The train was not allowed to proceed north again until the yard at Bridgwater was empty. It was occupied by DRS who were running the nuclear flasks, it appears that some problem with the points not prohibits two trains from being in the yard at the same time, so 6C91 may well pay a few more visits to Taunton until it's fixed! Later in the day Ex Virgin Class 47805 passed Taunton at 18:15 heading South light engine. It is now in use be Freightliner and carries Freightliner Branding under each window but still has it's old Virgin livery intact. The loco was working a Southampton - Laira crew trainer. Freightliners usual train of the day, the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles empty cement passed Taunton at 20:00 with 66523 at the front. 67025 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail passing Taunton at 20:35 67013 had charge of tonight's 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, with 67022 working the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden.   10th October Freightliner Heavy Haul's 47805 returned north this afternoon at approx 14:45 with the 13:00 Laira - Southampton. 67014 (Pet Skip) had the chance to work the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans, and returned on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell at 16:25 66244 passed Taunton at 18:55 with an unusual load on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn Fuel. The train was also conveying a rake of Railtrack Autoballasters also bound for Tavistock Jn. EWS were just using the 6V62 in order to save sending two loco's down to the same place on different trains! 67018 passed Taunton at 18:55 on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 43092, 43068, 43065, and 43123 worked the 16:50 Longsite - Laira stock move this evening, in a back to back formation. 66072 worked the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap train passing Taunton at 21:50   11th October 67013 worked the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol and the 1C02 Bristol - Penzance passing Taunton at 02:03! The overnight 6M68 Burngullow - Carlisle passed Taunton at the unearthly hour of 02:05. The 1C99 Paddington - Penzance sleeper was worked by 47815 this passed Taunton at 02:06. Engineering work which was to take place over the weekend period at Dawlish saw 60031 pass Taunton at 02:42 on a long ballast train heading for the Sea Wall from Westbury. By morning 60031, 66032, 66244, 60057, 60074, and 66236 were all sat on the sea wall. 60074 returned north with it's empty train heading back to Westbury at 16:51. 66236 worked north at approx 21:10 with it's train from the Sea Wall to Westbury.   12th October Another stunning move this morning caught quite a few unaware! 56081 which was stabled at Westbury was used to work a light engine move as the 0W33 from Westbury  - Exeter Riverside. This would have passed Taunton around 10:30 heading south. It was then used to work the 6W33 11:30 Exeter Riverside - Westbury engineers. The wagons had been used on the sea wall overnight and although the load wasn't taxing for the 'Grid' it made a fine noise climbing to Whiteball Tunnel on the return trip, passing Taunton at 12:20 heading back to Westbury. 66236 and 60031 also returned north in front of the 56 at approx 11:50 double heading. 66032 and 66201 departed Taunton at 15:38  with an engineers from the Dawlish procession, the pair were heading back to Westbury in T&T formation.   13th October 66221 had charge of the 7C27 Merehead - Exeter Riverside stone, with 66216 working the 0V95 Westbury - Exeter Riverside i order to work the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor. 47813 passed Taunton at 08:20 this morning with the 5A99 Exeter - Old Oak Common ECS Sleepers. The engineering at Dawlish overran causing all trains heading south to stop short of their destination during the morning and return from Exeter. 67027 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail vans, passing Taunton at 09:55. 66231 worked the 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn fuel. 66038 worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale with 47786 DIT after the 47 broke down while working an Eden charter a few weeks back. This pairing passed Taunton at 20:43. 43098 and 43098 worked down to Laira for servicing with the 22:30 Birmingham New Street - Laira.   14th October 67017 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail and the return 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell, passing Taunton at 16:25 66059 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel passing Taunton at 17:55 with 7 Fuel Tanks in tow and 10 Bitumen. 66187 was booked to work the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey China Clay, it was in Exeter Riverside by 17:50. 66031 worked tonight's 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale up through Taunton with it's China Clay in tow.   15th October Those early risers among you may have seen 66244 pass through Taunton at 05:50 this morning with the Merehead- Exeter stone in tow. 67022 was also up early this morning working a 5Z23 07:30 Bristol Barton Hill - Exeter Riverside in order to pick up some TPO Cripples in Exeter Riverside yard. It passed Taunton at 10:45 with a few other items of mail stock in tow (Presumably for storage). It later worked back as the 5Z37 11:30 Exeter Riverside - Bristol Barton Hill with TPO's 80341, and 80355 in tow. 67012 had charge of the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail vans this morning, and returned on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell. 66158 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullets' and 66015 had charge of the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap, today's train was actually a monster with 33 SSA's in tow! 43094+43098 passed Taunton tonight with a balancing working with a Laira - Longsite, stock move for Virgin West Coast. Passing Taunton at approx 17:15. 43065 and 43068 worked a 5Z97 13:40 Derby - Laira (Which had previously worked from Longsite in Manchester) stock move today with a coach between them. However on arrival at Taunton for a driver change around 18:20 46065 duly failed leaving 43068 'The Red Arrows' to do all the work. However attempts at then getting them to move again were in vain when 43068 was more than happy to sit and do nothing while the power was applied. After a bit of fiddling the pair managed to move off with 43065 still dead at the front at 18:45. The train was sent down the relief line through Fairwater Yard, as long as it made the end of the yard then it will have been allowed back onto the main line and onto Laira. 67008 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell up at 18:52 this evening. 66137 passed at 19:00 with the 6W15 18:02 Westbury - Long Rock engineers, with it's CWR train in tow. 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey started off today with 66031 on the front, however in the Birmingham area 66031 was removed and 60051 was used as the rescue loco and worked the train down to Cornwall. The train passed Taunton stopped at Taunton for 5 minutes from 20:05 - 20:10. The 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden passed Taunton at 20:30 with 67029 on the front end.   16th October 66244 worked the 7C27 Merehead - Exeter Riverside stone train again this morning, passing Taunton at approx 06:00. Problems overnight with the 67s on mails saw 67013 and 67022 working the 1C02 Bristol - Penzance TPO, with 66059 assisting 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth from Westbury after 67020 blew up. As a result of 67020 out of traffic the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans produced 67002 and 67026 passing Taunton just after 10am. 67002 later returned with the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell. 67026 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell passing Taunton at 18:56, with 67018 working the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail, passing at 20:30. 66059 worked the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale China Clay today, passing Taunton at 21:35 heading northbound. 66523 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles empty cement again this evening, however problems between Plymouth and Newton Abbot were encountered when PCA Cement Wagon 11016 set of two HABD Detectors. As a result the train was made to stop at Newton Abbot and shunt the offending wagon from the consist and leave it in Hackney Yard. The train finally passed Taunton at approx 23:00!   17th October With the early promise of Class 60's on the short term flow Merehead - Exeter Riverside stone, it seems that Class 66's have hauled most of the trains since last week. 66241 had today's diagram working the 7C27 Merehead - Exeter Riverside and the 7C28 return passing Taunton at approx 11:50. The 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans and the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail return was entrusted to 67002 today. The Yellow Network Rail Measurement Train passed Taunton again today with 43013+43062, a little later than usual passing Taunton at around 15:00 heading south from Paddington - Plymouth. It later returned just as late at 19:00! 66059 worked back to the South West on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey today, passing Taunton at 17:05 on route to Cornwall. 66079 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel this evening. Passing Taunton at 17:57. 67027 was tonight's, 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail passing at 18:50. 43068 and 43092 passed Taunton at 19:20 with a Laira - Longsite ECS after servicing at Laira. 60051 which had worked down during the week on the China Clay, tonight was utilised to work the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap, with nearly 30 SSA wagons in tow the 60 was certainly proving it's worth working through Taunton at 21:55. With Mike R on another late night session the following workings were observed: 66137 Westbury - Totnes engineers passed at 01:23, 67021 stopped with the 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth TPO to load at 01:35, 66015 worked north at 01:41 with the 6M68 Burngullow - Carlisle 'Silver Bullets', 67013 passed with the 1C02 Bristol - Penzance TPO at 01:55. The sleepers were worked by 47815 on the 1A99 to Paddington at 01:57, and 57601 on the 1C99 to Penzance at 02:05.   18th October The Yellow NMT HST paid another visit to Taunton today with the 1C00 12:30 Swindon - Taunton, it arrived at 14:00 before departing at 14:20 to head north back to Swindon and then on to Derby. The 14:30 Exeter - Cardiff was worked by Valley Lines 150281, and Ginsters liveried 158825 passing Taunton at 15:00 20th October 60041 was the early riser this morning, working the 7C27 Merehead - Exeter Riverside stone, it later returned at 12:00 where it was held for a pathing stop in Taunton station and Obridge. Also at 07:30 this morning was what's assumed to be 66137 in Platform 4 at Taunton, which had spent the weekend out on engineering work at Dawlish and Teingmouth. The train was waiting for a path back to Westbury. 57601 'Purple Ronnie' as it's known, put in a rare daylight appearance, this loco was working the Penzance - Old Oak Common Sleeper ECS and passed Taunton at approx 08:10 this morning heading back to London. 67012 worked this mornings 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail and the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return. It's also thought that two FGW Green Powercars passed Taunton at some point during the afternoon, on a Laira - St Phillips Marsh stock move. Although no other details are known, did anyone else see them? Monday's usual 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor turned up it's usual predictable boring Class 66. Today's train had a total of 15 wagons in tow with 66059 on the front. The train passed Taunton at 10:55. 66137 made a return SW trip through Taunton this evening with the 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn, although with only 2 TTA's in tow it's more than likely it will only go to Exeter Unit Depot and work back to Westbury from there. The train passed Taunton at 18:07 heading South. 37676 made a stonking appearance through Taunton tonight with the 0Z37 17:15 Bristol Barton Hill - St Blazey light engine move. This was run because 37670 is currently out of service at St Blazey and 676 is being sent down to cover the 'Sandite' duties that 37670 was performing. 37676 passed through at 18:10. 66173 and 66244 later worked up at 18:49 with a T&T engineers working north from Exeter Riverside (Where they worked to on Saturday afternoon) to Westbury. Sadly today Freightliner have had to pull out of the West Somerset Railways 'Great Trains Extravaganza' which is taking place this weekend 25th - 26th. A 66/5 (possibly 503) was to be named 'The Railway Magazine' and work a special charter during the event. However Freightliner have had to pull out of the event after the loss of two Class 86 electrics on the West Coast Main line last week which are severely damaged in a bad crash. The other blow came when GBRF who had two of their loco's on hire to Freightliner asked for their loco's back to work their new contract flows! As a result this effectively leaves Freightliner with 4 loco's less, and therefore could not sanction the loss of a 5th locomotive from Southampton for a naming ceremony for the day at the WSR. Railway Magazine are now working with Freightliner in order to fix another date for the naming, which won't necessarily be on the WSR! Which is a real shame as the WSR have done their best to try and accommodate this extra loco and ceremony for the weekend.   21st October 66038 worked the early morning Merehead - Exeter Riverside stone this morning. With the mound of stone at Exeter growing daily this could be the last week before this flow ceases to run again for a while. 67026 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail vans passing Taunton at 09:55. Hopes that the Westbury - Meldon convoy of loco's for store would pass Taunton today were dashed when the train was routed via Yeovil and Honiton to Exeter and on to Meldon. The convoy with Fragonset 47709 leading, then 'Dutch' 31437, 'Dutch' 31426, 'BR Blue' 31415. Serco Coach 977335 and 'Res' 47716 were heading to Meldon for safe storage. However 47709 did return north through Taunton later in the evening after dropping the latest batch of loco's off. 709 will tomorrow work from Westbury - Eastleigh light engine to pick up two Network Rail Class 73's from Eastleigh and tow them to Derby here they will then receive a full repaint into Network Rail Yellow for use on the T&T Serco Test Train. This now means that the once bustling quarry of Meldon now plays host to: 73103, 73117, 73134 (Working!), 31301, 31415, 31426, 31437,31439, 31423, 47348, and 47716!!  67014 (Pet Skip) had charge of the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, passing at 18:55. With 67028 working the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO and 67024 working the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden passing at 23:48! 43133 worked a 5Z74 15:51 Laira - St Phillips Marsh with Buffet Car 40231 and barrier 6338 in tow. It passed Taunton shortly after 17:00. 66244 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel with 66528 was tonight's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement empties. 22nd October Can Taunton do no wrong? Today saw the visit of not one but TWO more Class 37's to the station! 37294 and 37689 worked a 6Z00 12:20 Bristol Barton Hill - Bristol Barton Hill via Taunton and Westbury 'Water Canon' trip. For those with little knowledge of what I'm talking about: The Water Canon is similar to the Sandite Train. But instead of applying a sticky solution to the track the Water Canon uses High Pressure Water (From two tank wagons) to blast leaves and other debris from the rail to prevent poor performance of other trains. The pair arrived at 13:05 and then departed about 10 minutes later taking the Berks and Hants to Westbury and Bath to Bristol Barton Hill. Many thanks to Mike Rowland for his 'mail by rail' sightings: 67025 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell passed 18:54, 67005 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden passed 20:35, 67007 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO passed 23:17, 67017 1C84 Reading - Plymouth passed 23:24, and 47749 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden passed 23:48   23rd October 66231 was sent out on the early morning Merehead - Exeter stone turn this morning for stone for the virtual quarry in Exeter Riverside Yard.  66528 worked the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles empty cement again today, passing Taunton at 19:59. 66233 passed Taunton very slowly with 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale at 20:25, it was then held at Obridge until 21:00. More Mail workings: 67003 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth 67006 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67008 on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden passed at 20:45 67007 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO 67017 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO   24th October 66233 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey China Clay, this passed Taunton at 16:42 on the down. 43123+43121 passed Taunton north bound at 16:53 with a Laira - Longsight ECS HST move. 66126 worked this evenings 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. 37670 made a miracle move and dashed for Wales this evening, working the 0A59 19:00 Exeter Riverside - Newport it departed Exeter at 18:11 a full 49 minutes early. 66167 worked the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap. This evenings mail trains ran as follows: 67027 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67007 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO 67005 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO   25th & 26th October With the main line to the South of Taunton closed all weekend for engineering work and no Permanent way trains running to keep us entertained the only event of interest this weekend in the area was the West Somerset Railways 'Great Trains Extravaganza' The event is a new one for the WSR, with a last big running day before the Winter Shutdown and the Santa Specials. It featured a range of steam and diesel traction. The 25th saw the following loco's out working: Diesel: Class 14 (D9526), Class 25 (D7523), Class 33 (33048), DMU. Steam: 5542, 7820 'Dinmore Manor', 80136, 5553. Steam Loco  5542 spent most of the day working with the GWR Autocoach 178. The first working of the day saw the only diesel double header of the day, Class 14 (D9526) and Class 25 (D7523) worked the 09:40 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service, the pair looked superb in the Winter frost and sunlight at Crowcombe. The next move turned out to be the downfall of the event for those who wanted photo's of 5542 and the Autocoach. It's first turn unusually was the 09:55 Bishops Lydeard - Crowcombe. However it appears that this move was unpublished, and most other photographers went to Norton Fitzwarren for their photo of the train in the frost. Speaking with may other people out photographing on the line, most were under the impression that the Autotrain therefore was not running, and had moved up the line to photograph other items of rolling stock. Imagine their surprise and disappointment when they were informed that indeed 5542 was working and it's first working was to Crowcombe and not Norton Fitzwarren and it wouldn't be leaving Bishops Lydeard again until 11:40. Perhaps a little more detail of workings before the event could have been emailed or even listed on the WSR website, as many people were also unaware of the Class14+25 double header! Class 25 (D7523) worked an out and back diagram on the line, the loco is now looking very 'weathered'. However it sounded great paired with the Class 14, and was doing a great job rattling up and down the line. Perhaps over the Winter the loco may receive some 'cosmetic enhancements' ready for next season. It's seen above parked at Bishops Lydeard after arriving back from it's duties and having shunted it's coaches. Steam was also a major feature of the event with the lines only operational Manor 7820 in steam, and 5542. Other 'hired in' traction produced 80136 and 5553. 80136 is seen below at Bishops Lydeard towards the end of the day, catching the glint from the setting sun. The Saturday proved to be very kind with the weather, and provided some glorious Autumn/Winter photo's. (More to follow when slides come back) Although the clouds gathered during the afternoon, it didn't stop people going out to see the workings and travel on the trains. My only other comment on the event would be it would have been nice to see D1010, and 4936 'Kinlett Hall' used on both days, as I'm sure that this would have given people more options, for those who may have wished to attend the WSR Gala on the Saturday and the SDR Gala on the Sunday?!   27th October Today's mail trains ran as follows: 67024 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty vans, and 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return, 67012 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell passing at 18:56, 67008 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden passing at 20:29. 66128 worked the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor China Clay train, passing Taunton at 11:00. It would appear 66248 worked the Merehead - Exeter Riverside stone this morning, passing Taunton at approx 12:30 on the return. First Great Western ran a couple of stock moves today, firstly they sent 43177 43150 43146 43015 as the 0Z74 16:01 Laira - St Phillips Marsh. This passed Taunton at approx 17:30. The cavalcade later returned at 19:50 with 43146 43015 43040 43185 coaches 6330, 42185 and other powercar 43169 as the 5Z77 19:25 St Phillips Marsh - Laira. 66131 worked north at 20:07 with the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale China Clay. 43003 and 43138 met with trouble on with the 1C77 from Paddington. It had set of the HABD detectors near Taunton and was ordered to stop at Taunton while the problem was sorted in Platform 2. Mean while 43094+43098 working a Longstie - Laira HST stock move passed them at 21:15.   28th October The overnight cement run by Freightliner Heavy Haul had a loco change at Bristol before passing Taunton. 66549 worked the train down from Earles Sidings and was swapped at Bristol for 66551. This was to allow 66551 to work the 6M37 to Hope Sidings and then back to Crewe in time for an exam. 66130 worked the overnight 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow 'Silver Bullet's passing Taunton at approx 06:30 heading South. 66027 worked today's 7C27 Merehead - Exeter Riverside stone, passing Taunton at 12:10 on the return to Westbury. 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey was worked by 66131, 6V62 was worked by 66160 which was this loco's first ever time on the fuel tanks.   29th October 66153 was up with the larks this morning working a 6G77 02:14 Didcot - Ernesettle MOD Train, with 4 vans in tow, it later returned light engine. Today's 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap was worked by none other that 66080 (PET SHED!) passing Taunton at 11:00! 67009 passed Taunton at 23:15 with the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, with 67024 following on 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPo at 23:46.   30th October Today's Merehead - Exeter Riverside stone was worked by 66182 passing Taunton before daylight had even thought about making an appearance, but did return later at 12:50 heading back to Westbury with the empties. 66248 also worked an 05:45 Westbury - Ernesettle light engine move and later returned with 4 wagons in tow with the 09:25 Ernesettle - Didcot MOD Train, this passed Taunton at 12:15. 31454 (In Intercity Colours) and 31602 paid a visit to Taunton today, with the 5Z45 14:10 Westbury - Taunton with 5 coaches between them. They arrived at 14:40 and departed shortly after. 66233 passed Taunton at 20:20 this evening, working the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale China Clay. 66555 followed at 20:40 with the 6M37 empty cement, and was looped to allow 67012 pass by on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail.   31st October 43013+43062 with the Yellow Network Rail HST, worked the usual 1C00 13:07 Paddington - Taunton and 1A00 18:20 Plymouth - Paddington on it's track recording run again today. The pair returned with the 1A00 at 18:54. 67017 passed Taunton at 09:50 with the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail vans. 66182 was sent out on the Merehead - Exeter Riverside stone run today, the empties returned north at 12:00 but worked via the relief line and departed from Platform 2 at 12:10. 66137 also worked south light engine at 12:20 from Westbury. Possibly to Exeter. 43050 passed through the County today, as was sighted at 'Grahams Truck Stop' on the A38 Jn24 M5 at around 14:00. The Mildland Mainline liveried powercar was on route from Plymouth (Devonport) - Derby. 66233 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey China Clay this then joined forces with 66080 at Exeter which had already worked up to Riverside from St Blazey with the 6C43 earlier in the day. 66121 had charge of the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel tonight. The 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell passed Taunton at 18:50 with 67018. At 18:58 43094+43092 worked north with a full rake Virgin West Coast HST with the 5M98 Laira - Longsite move. 66131 worked the 6H68 Tavistock - Cardiff scrap train tonight.   1st November Trains from the early hours of the morning, as recorded by 'Mike the Bat' 66196 and 66027 worked down in T&T formation on route to Tavistock Yard from Westbury at 01:00 66013 worked the overnight 6M68 Burngullow - Warrington 'Silver Bullets' passing at 01:24 67027 made it's booked stop on the 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth TPO, at 01:35. 47811 worked the Penzance - Paddington 'Sleeper Service' stopping at 01:57 and a minute later saw 67009 working south with the return 1C02 Bristol - Penzance TPO. During 'Normal' hours when most others are awake things were a little quiet to say the least. One item of interest was the Welsh 'Valley Lines' Class 150 working the Cardiff - Exeter service. The other was the visit of 43013+43062 on the Network Rail Measurement Train which paid it's usual twice weekly Saturday visit to Taunton. Arriving at 13:55 with the 1C00 12:30 Swindon - Taunton, the train wasted no time in departing on the return run. Although booked out at 14:46 it departed at 14:05 with the 1B01 14:46 Taunton - Swindon. Today should have also seen a Railtour from London run by Past Time Railtours, however this train was cancelled, after a dispute between Kinlet Hall's owner and the WSR. No further details have been released as to the nature of this dispute. We hope to have more information in due course.   3rd November 67004 had charge of the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail this morning. 66246 worked the 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn fuel, but as usual for a Monday night, it only reached Exeter before returning to Westbury light engine. A Pair of Back to Back Virgin HST Powercars passed Taunton at 17:15 on a Laira - Longsite stock move. This evenings 2E17 16:00 Bath - Taunton stopping caused mild amusement from those watching from afar when 143611+143620 broke down at Weston Milton. As a result 150240+153318 were summoned to rescue the stricken pair and push them to Taunton. Other mad goings on at Taunton saw the 1C95 17:00 Cardiff - Exeter formed of 158815 hit a shopping trolley on the approaches to Taunton. the train was already 63 late due to the failures that 143611+143620 had caused. The driver simply stopped the train removed the trolley from the track and went on his way! 67027 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Willesden mail, passing at 18:52. Pet  Skip 67014 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden Mail.   4th November The overnight 6V20 Earles - Moorswater Cement was cancelled along with the 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow. 67004 had charge of the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail vans again, as yesterday. 66196 passed Taunton at 13:30 with the 6T34 11:00 Tavistock Jn - Westbury engineers having worked down earlier in the morning to Tavistock from Westbury. The 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn was worked by 66179 this evening, this loco was working it's 6th turn on this train.   5th November Bonfire night sadly saw little action in terms of trains through Taunton with a pretty standard day by all accounts! 66001 worked the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap train, this passed Taunton at 10:25 with only around 10 wagons in tow. Pet Skip 67014 was then right behind passing at 10:35 with the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail. 66233 managed to work out of the South West after a per longed spell on the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullets' 66130 had charge of the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey 'China Clay'. 67029 had charge of the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth mail.   6th November The overnight 6V20 Earles Sidings - Moorswater cement produced Freightliner 66559. 67026 worked the 5E43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail, passing Taunton at 10:50. Central Trains liveried Class 158855 in Green was out working the Wessex Trains 07:47 Penzance - Portsmouth Hbr working today, passing Taunton at approx 11:40. 66001 worked out of the South West on the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale 'China Clay' while it seems 66233 can't stay away and returned on the overnight 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow! 66559 passed Taunton with the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles empties at 20:18, 67027 wasn't quite up with it though and had to follow to Highbridge before it was allowed to pass on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail.   7th November 67005 had charge of the morning 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail, passing Taunton at 10:56, this later returned with the 1E43  Plymouth - Willesden mail at 16:40. 158855 was off on another jaunt today working the 1B01 10:30 Penzance - Cardiff service, passing Taunton just after 14:00. Tonight's freight was also little to get excited about with 66001 returning to Cornwall on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, working down at 16:48. 66004 working the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff scrap, and 66183 booked for the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. 43068+43153 passed Taunton with the usual 5M98 Laira - Longsite VWC HST Stock Move today at 18:07. It would appear Taunton his hit it's 'lean period' again which seems to happen every now and then, I'm sure we will have some rateable traction and rare workings on the way shortly.....Let's just hope these periods aren't as regular as some females get them, else we'll have nothing to report on! 66197 worked the 7T34 08:15 Westbury - Tavistock Jn this morning, but recessed in Exeter Riverside until 19:10 before heading on to Tavistock and St Blazey. Late night mails from Mike Rowland the stations resident BAT. 67009 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, passed 23:19, 67023 1C84 Reading - Plymouth 23:23, 67014 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO passed 23:48.   8th November 66241 worked the overnight 6W30 05:55 Westbury - Devonport engineers, for track re-laying on the Devonport Dockyard Branch. 66130 had charge of the overnight 6M68 Burngullow - Carlisle 'Silver Bullets' The 6W32 16:24 Westbury - Plymouth was worked by 66007+66163 in T&R formation, with the 6W33 20:12 Westbury - Plymouth being worked by 66044+66246.   9th November 66197 returned north at approx 00:11 with the 7W31 Plymouth - Westbury empty engineers, with 66241 following at 09:45 this morning with it's train from the MOD Branch Engineers. 66163+66007 then returned north at 14:00 with the 6W32 Plymouth - Westbury with 66246+66044 right behind at 14:05 with the 6W33 Plymouth - Westbury. Both trains were T&T formation with Railtrack Autoballasters between. 10th November 66081 had charge of the Mondays Only 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor 'China Clay' 67030 worked the usual 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth vans, and returned on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell passing at 16:20 67008 ambled through the centre road on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail at 18:54 this evening. The 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn caused a stir today, first thing this morning it was allocated 66146, during the day this was changed to 66217, and then the best news of all it was switched for 60064 at Westbury! The Loadhaul Grey Beast passed Taunton at 19:05 (55 late) with the 1 TTA Fuel Tank in tow!   11th November A Yellow Railtrack 'Bubble Car' Class 121 DMU passed Taunton this morning at 10:20 heading South on a track recording run. The 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell passed Taunton at 18:55 this evening with 67013 at the head. 66007 worked down through Taunton this afternoon on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey. However it later also returned with the late running 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale passing Taunton at 23:40. 66183+66027 turned up on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel this evening, but not because of a loco failure. It was because EWS chose to combine two trains into one and save a crew. 66183 was the 6V62 loco, but paired up with 66027 with it's 6W14 Westbury - Truro CWR train to work to Exeter with both loads in tow, where the train was then split. They passed Taunton heading South at 19:10. However the story continued as in the late evening 60099 was then allocated to work the 6Z62 21:43 Westbury - Tavistock Jn with a single TTA Fuel tank, passing Taunton at 23:02. The train took the down relief in order to allow the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth mail pass by on the down main. This worked the TTA to Tavistock Jn where it then worked light engine to St Blazey 67017 worked the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO, passing north at 23:49. 66528 on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles didn't fair that well today after the loco failed while passing Largin between Liskeard and Bodmin P'way. The loco was on route to Lostwithiel for a run round but assistance had to be called in from EWS in the shape of 37676 which towed the train clear and dropped it off in the loop at Lostwithiel. It's now thought that if 66528 can't be fixed at St Blazey overnight then 47843 will work down to Cornwall tomorrow from Bristol light engine to collect the train and tow it back north.   12th November A Central Trains Green 158 worked the 06:10 Cardiff - Penzance service this morning. Taunton was today back on track for the mad and weird workings we are used to, first thing this morning Ex Virgin 47843 worked the 0Z37 08:45 Bristol Kingsland Road - Lostwithiel today in order to pick up yesterdays 6M37 from the sidings. The light loco move passed Taunton at 09:32 this morning on route to Cornwall. This also passed 66027 which at the time was heading back north with the 6W14 05:00 Burngullow - Westbury CWR Train. 66159 was today's 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap, as usual the train was left at Exeter Riverside with the loco working on light engine to St Blazey because of the lack of a shunter at Tavistock Yard. Even more of a miracle this morning was the news that after 60099 had worked to St Blazey late last night, that it had been allocated to the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullets' this was the first time a Class 60 had worked the train in several years of solid Class 66 haulage!! The 60 passed Taunton at approx 13:15 today heading for Bonnie Scotland! Once 47843 arrived at Lostwithiel is was then allocated the 6Z37 13:31 Lostwithiel - Earles Sidings, and duly worked it's way back through Cornwall, Devon and Somerset passing Taunton at just before 16:30. Carrying the 'Teign Valley Heavy Haul' headboard made the event even more memorable! As for 66528, this remains in the EWS Depot at St Blazey, the loco has a computer fault, and a new module was put into a van at Crewe this morning as was sent by road to St Blazey. There was no 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey today as it was terminated at Bescot overnight! Back to the mundane stuff, 67023 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell, passing Taunton at 18:52. 66122 and 66118 worked a late night 6W76 21:30 Westbury - Exmouth Jn engineers passing Taunton at 22:24 in T&T formation. 67005 worked north at 23:15 on the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO.   13th November 67009 had charge of the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail and the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell return. 66003 worked north through Taunton light engine at 11:25 on a light engine move to Westbury. It had worked down early this morning with a 6G77 02:14 Didcot - Ernesettle MOD Train. The loco was working back as the 0G77 09:20 from Ernesettle - Westbury. The termination on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey last night paid off last night, as 60001 dropped onto the 07:30 Bescot - St Blazey and bought the train down in daylight. The Class 60 passed Taunton at around 12:00 this afternoon heading for Cornwall after having been routed via Weston Super Mare! Today's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles Sidings passed Taunton at 20:37 this evening with 66559 AND 66528 working the train, although 66528 was still dead, and is being towed up country for attention. 528 is now showing having a 'Main Auxiliary Generator Fault' so some mechanical attention will be required. 66233 was hot on the tail of 6M37 this evening with it's own 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale 'China Clay' passing Taunton at 20:43, and as if that wasn't enough 67004 on the fastest train of them all, the 1M65 Plymouth - Low Fell mail worked past at 20:49! 66122 was out working the 6W78 20:16 Westbury - Newton Abbot, this arrived at 20:25 but had to be sent on it's way at 21:43 due to occupying a section of track required for the arrival of the Paddington - Taunton HST! As a result the 66 then departed in front of the awaiting Voyager and a expect was looped at Tiverton to allow this to pass by! 14th November It would appear that overnight 31128+31285(Railtrack Yellow!) worked a 1Z06 Derby - Exeter Riverside with the structure gauging train. It was noted in Exeter Riverside this morning. 66120 worked an extra 6G77 Didcot - Ernesettle this morning after yesterdays train forgot a wagon. It was a one way working, and the loco was then allocated to work the Fridays Only 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap, this passed Taunton at 22:00 heading north. RETB Fitted 66096 worked the 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow 'Silver Bullets' passing Taunton at 07:45 this morning. Amusing story of the day goes to Virgin (Although it could have been a lot worse!) The 1E34 Plymouth - Newcastle service was cancelled at Exeter after it somehow (and don't ask me how) managed to hit a boat in the Starcross Area!! During the evening 31128+31285 made an un advertised dash to Bristol and back with the structure gauging train, departing Exeter at about 17:30 catching most people unaware, including myself who missed them in both directions. The return run was recorded as the 19:02 Bristol - Exeter Riverside, via Plymouth! 66007 passed Taunton at 18:02 tonight working the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. The Yellow Network Rail HST was also about today, and worked it's usual 1C00 Paddington - Plymouth, and 1A00 Plymouth - Paddington turns, it worked back north again at 18:07. Virgin West Coast ran another Laira - Longsight stock move tonight, using 43121+43065. However not to be outdone by the Voyager at Starcross the pair failed in Platform 4 at Taunton around 17:15. So how do you get a pair of HST Powercars on the move? Easy leave them blocking the main line until 23:00 until 47810 can arrive from Birmingham to tow them! 47810 was called upon to work the 0M98 20:30 Birmingham - Taunton in order to then work the train back north. The HST having just failed after receiving attention at Laira that day! Once coupled 47810 waited for 67005 on the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO and 67003 on the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO to pass through and then set off behind at approx 23:50. 66233 worked the overnight 6M68 Burngullow - Carlisle 'Silver Bullets' As is a 47 Dragging an HST wasn't enough, the overnight 5V69 01:13 Bristol P'way - Plymouth empty mail failed at Cogload Jn with 67023!! The train was unable to move and was pushed to Taunton by the 1C02 Bristol P'way - Penzance TPO. Where 5V69 was left on it's own to await an assisting loco to come down from Bristol to tow it and it's train to Plymouth!   15th November 47734 also arrived at Taunton in the early hours with the 5Z27 empty coaching stock (5276 4915 5008 3100 3110 3132 3133 1671 3131 3144 35469) move from Old Oak Common in London. This was in readiness for the railtour the next morning which gave people the chance to start and finish at tour at Taunton! The loco worked the stock into Fairwater Yard at around 02:00 and stayed there until 07:50. Many overnight engineers trains ran through Taunton on route to Plymouth: 7W31  66242 23:42 Westbury - St Germans 6W30  66003 00:39 Westbury - Saltash 6W32  66173 01:45 Westbury - Saltash 6W33  66040 02:15 Westbury - Saltash 47734 worked the 1Z27 08:00 Taunton - Paddington tour this morning, many passengers joined the train from Taunton where they had some top class 47 haulage to Bristol, before Steam Loco LNER A4 60009 'The Union of South Africa' took over for the run to Paddington. 43013+43062 paid their two weekly visit to Taunton today, arriving at the station at 14:05 with 1C00 12:30 Swindon - Taunton and and departing almost straight away with the return 1B01 14:40 Taunton - Swindon. However it was evident that 43013 was actually dead and 43062 was doing all the work!! 47734 finally rolled back in Taunton late tonight after the return leg of the 1Z28 Paddington - Taunton charter had problems on the Great Western Main Line which the brake hose split on 'Union of South Africa' this meant it was left in Challow Loop until a loco could be sourced from Didcot in order to provide braking for the train. This arrived in the shape of Load Haul 60059 which was attached to the rear of the train as far as Bristol TM. The train also took the more direct route through Bristol P'way rather than Bath to make up the 1hr 45min late deficit. At Bristol 47734 took over the train once more for the run to Taunton, where is arrived at 23:35 (approx 55 late) Upon dropping the last of the passengers off it worked down to Fairwater Yard where it stabled over night.   16th November 47734 worked back from Taunton to Old Oak Common in London today with the empty coaching stock from yesterdays steam tour. The ECS move left late and should have run as the 5Z28 11:00 Taunton - OOC, 47734 sleepily crept out of Fairwater this morning at 11:30 after an extended lie in! The train then took the Berks and Hants to London from Cogload Jn.   17th November 67021 had charge of the daily 5C43 empty mail from Bristol - Plymouth this morning, returning on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. 66003 returned from it's weekend jaunt to Plymouth this morning with it's train of mixed engineers wagons to Westbury, it passed Taunton at approx 14:40. 66242 followed suit at 16:30 heading back to Westbury. 66215 made a weird light engine move today as the 0Z66 13:10 Newport - Exeter Riverside. Upon arrival it was then allocated to work the 6C24 to Tavistock Jn overnight. Two amazing stock moves took place for tow different companies one after the other this afternoon. 57601 'The Purple Peril' was employed to work the 5Z77 13:00 Old Oak Common - Laira towing an entire First Great Western HST set (43189+185), this passed Taunton at approx 15:40. Within about 2 minutes of this passing 66202 raced after it with a rake of Virgin Mk3's in tow which had come from store at Eastleigh and were being taken to Laira. 66237 was used on the 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn fuel this evening, but as usual for a Monday night Exeter was it's only port of call before heading back to Westbury.   18th November 66159 passed Taunton at 16:50 tonight on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey 'China Clay' 66092 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. It's through the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO was double headed tonight with 67004 + 67023, can anyone confirm? 66559 had charge of the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement tonight. 19th November 66231 was sent out on an early morning jaunt this morning to work the 6G87 07:35 Westbury - St Blazey engineers. 66146 worked the 6H67 Cardiff - Tavistock Jn Scrap again today passing Taunton at approx 11:30. 67009 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail vans returning as booked on the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell. 67002 worked north with the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell at 18:52, with 67018 following with 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden at 20:30. 67011 worked the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth down at 23:05, with 67005 working the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO at 23:18.   20th November 66184 worked an overnight 6G88 02:15 Westbury - St Blazey engineers, in readiness for weekend engineering work at Plymouth and Liskeard. 66523 worked the overnight 6V20 Earles - Moorswater Cement, and returned with the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles empties at 19:30. The 6W15 19:15 Westbury - Paignton engineers passed Taunton at 20:15. 66001+60001 passed Taunton VERY slowly at 00:17 working the 0G97 23:28 Exeter Riverside - Cardiff Canton. The pair BOTH had very severe wheel set problems with major flats on the wheels. Taking 55 minutes from Exeter - Taunton the pair were both assigned for a trip to the wheel Lathe at Cardiff Canton! 67003 passed Taunton at 23:16 with the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth mail, this loco later failed at St Blazey shed with electrical and control equipment problems. This also passed 67005 working the up 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO working at the same time. The overnight 1C99 Paddington - Penzance Sleeper service operated by First Great Western was worked by the 'NEW' 57602 with 47811 on the rear of the train for insurance. The 57 which has been produced at Brush Loughborough and added onto the end of the Virgin 57 Program was released to First Group about two weeks ago. The loco has now undergone tests and has entered service with First. This will of course mean the beginning of the end for the FGW Class 47 fleet. With 47832 now at Old Oak Common with it's nameplates removed. It would seem that it may soon be returned to it's leasing company as more of the 57/6's come into use. 66147 passed Taunton at approx 04:00 this morning on the 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow 'Silver Bullets'   21st November As a result of 67003's failure on St Blazey this morning, the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail, produced Double 67's in the shape of 67006+67023, passing Taunton at 11:50. 66040 worked an afternoon 6G89 13:00 Westbury - St Blazey, passing Taunton at approx 14:00 it later teamed with with 66173 at Exeter Riverside in order to work to St Blazey. 60097 made a remarkable appearance on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey 'China Clay' today. Passing Taunton at 16:40. 43122+43153 passed Taunton with a 8 car Mk3 HST rake tonight at 17:53, with the 5M98 Laira - Longsight VWC HST move. All the coaches had refurbished and ex works bogies. 66092 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel down at 18:03. 67023 worked back on the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell at 18:52. 67006 covered the 1E43 earlier in the day. Sadly today trains were disrupted for a while today just outside Taunton at Norton Fitzwarren, after a Female was reported to have committed suicide. No other details are known at the moment as to the why's and wherefores on the incident. But as and when they are made available, and if there was a train involved I shall post details here. Although it's yet again another sad occurrence to here of an incident like this so close to Taunton, and must be very disturbing for all those involved. With much engineering taking place at Liskeard and Plymouth over the weekend, Taunton saw a reasonable amount of activity during the night, and many thanks once again goes to the Stations resident bat! 66218 was held at Taunton on the 7W31 Westbury - Plymouth from 23:09 - 23:13 this was to allow 67024 to pass with 1C84 Reading - Plymouth. Just after 66218 had left, 67005 was racing north with the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO. The 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden followed later at 23:46 with two Class67's although one was dead. 67026+67003.   22nd November 66007+66184 worked south in T&T formation with Railtrack Autoballaster at 01:20 with the 6W74 Westbury - Par, followed by 66231+66157 on the 6W70 Westbury - Par at 01:35 with Ballast in tow. The 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth TPO stopped for it's usual 6 minutes this evening to load the mail between 01:45 - 01:51 before departing with 67018. 67005 then followed at 01:55 with the 1C02 Bristol - Penzance TPO, five minutes later and 66147 works up with the 6M68 Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullets', another 2 minutes pass and 66174 passes with the 6W30 Westbury - Plymouth engineers. Another two minutes and 67002 passes with the 5V69 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail, and another 4 minutes and 57602+47811 are in the station on the 1A99 Penzance – Paddington Sleeper service in T&T formation! Not a bad nocturnal session if I do say so myself!! At a slightly more civilized time of day, Steam make a welcome return to Taunton today in the shape of LNER A4 60009 'Union of South Africa' passing Taunton at approx 10:45 the tour was heading from Paddington - Plymouth. 66131 worked down to Plymouth with the 6W32 at 14:55 with a rake of Autoballasters in tow! 47813 worked a 5Z77 Old Oak Common - Laira stock move during the afternoon passing Taunton at approx 16:30  47813 5700 41093 41094 40707 42183 42184 42185 42107 44001 43171 5Z77 Saturday evening also saw a reasonable amount of activity. At 19:00 66218 returned north to Westbury after a weekend out at Plymouth on engineering duties. Following a 19:05 was a 3 car formation Class 158, formed of Western Mail liveried Unit 158842, A Ginsters Pasties Unit, and a Silver Wales and Borders Unit. A4 60009 returned north with Whistle blowing at 19:10, with a Serco Class 101 DMU following at 19:15.   With Christmas fast approaching we will see two extra mail services between 9th - 19th December this year: 1M24 0724 PLYMOUTH - WILLESDEN PLYMOUTH: 0724, EXETER ST DAVID'S: 0821-0842, BRISTOL: 1031-1112, WILLESDEN: 1404 1C30 1502  BRISTOL - PLYMOUTH BRISTOL: 1502, EXETER ST DAVID'S: 1625-1636, PLYMOUTH: 1752   24th November 66083 was on the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor china clay this morning, passing Taunton at 11:40. 66025 worked the 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn fuel this evening, and as usual terminated at Exeter. In order to save a path heading back it was attached to  66184+66007 which were in a T&T formation on an engineers, and all three headed back to Westbury. Fragonset 47703 passed Taunton at 18:36 this evening heading south light engine. It was working the 0Z47 Kineton - Laira to pick up Virgin Stock which is 'Off Lease'. The driver however was over hours and the loco parked at Exeter for the evening, with the driver making use of the Great Western Hotel for the night.   25th November 66207 passed Taunton at 17:45 this evening on the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. It returned at approx 22:15 running early. 66172 worked south at 18:06 with the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, with 66157 working the balancing 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale passing north at 21:05. 47703 returned north this afternoon with the 5Z81 Laira - Derby stock move with a barrier car and 43101 in tow. 43101 is now 'off lease' and is now to become part of the 'Network Rail New Measurement Train' The working passed Taunton at 15:40. 67026 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail, passing Taunton at 18:53. 67004 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail north at 20:34. The 20:24 Taunton - Bristol service (stopper) was formed of Welsh Liveried 143625! Stunning working of the night goes to 56104 (Still in it's 1990's Trainload Coal livery) the 56 was first allocated to work the 8Z15 20:14 Alexander Dock Jn - Exeter Riverside with 10 wagons in tow, booked to pass Taunton at 22:36. It was then unallocated and worked light engine from Newport to Exeter, passing Taunton at 21:02! The 56 keen to avoid a daylight South West appearance snuck off overnight and worked back with the 6Z15 00:30 Exeter Riverside - Newport ADJ. However it did run earlier than scheduled, and departed Exeter at 22:40.   26th November 66089 worked an overnight light engine move from 0G40 02:15 Westbury - St Blazey, passing Taunton in the early hours at approx 03:15. 66172 also worked out of Cornwall with the 6C05 06:28 St Blazey - Westbury engineers train, with a various selection of wagons in tow. The South West seems to be getting a little bit of a soft spot for Class 60's again at the moment, with 60020 being the latest member of the Class to visit us today. It was working the 6H67 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn empty scrap wagons, and was even held at Taunton for a short while for a pathing stop before departing at around 10:30. The 20:24 Taunton - Bristol stopped was again formed of a Welsh Unit, this time 143614! The 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail was delayed tonight, and passed Taunton at 20:27 pushing 100 minutes late, with 67002. It met with delay at Exeter while it had attention to it's windscreen wipers. Either that or they waited for it to stop raining! Late night mails came in the from of 67005 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO passing at 23:19, 67013 on the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth passing at 23:30, 67006 on the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO passing at 23:45.   27th November 66203 worked the overnight 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow 'Silver Bullet's and passed Taunton in the early hours heading for Cornwall. 67028 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail this evening, and passed through right time at 18:50. 67024 later followed at 20:24 on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail. After working into the South West on the scrap train, 60020 worked out again today by means of the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale 'China Clay' and passed Taunton at 21:40. Freightliner Heavy Haul's Tuesday cement was cancelled this week, and today's turned up 66523  again on the 6V20 6M37 turns. One item of interest was the train today picked up PCA 11016 which has been dumped in Hackney Yard for a few weeks after it set off a HABD detector on the 6M37 the other week. The wagon now fixed was convoyed in the train to Moorswater and then back to Earles Sidings.   28th November 43097+43121 passed Taunton around 17:30 with a full HST set tonight working a Laira - Lonsight stock move. 60020 worked back to the South West again today by means of the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey, thus meaning it will stay with us until at least Tuesday now! 66007 made a brief stop at Taunton this evening with the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel to allow a Voyager to pass and departed just after 18:00. The 'Network Rail' Yellow HST worked it's two weekly diagram to Plymouth and back today, with 43014+43062 providing the power for most of the day, 43014+43062 passed Taunton at 18:44 on their run back to Paddington with only one powercar working again! 66044 provided power for the 6H68 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap tonight. Weekend engineering in Plymouth has provided the South West with 3 more Class 60's to photograph, and chase! During the night saw 60030 pass with the 6W31 01:40 Westbury - Plymouth engineers,  60066+60040 had charge of the 7W32 02:10 Westbury - Plymouth. The other we engineers was worked bulk standard 66007 with the 6W30 00:33 Westbury - Plymouth. 60035 also made some nocturnal moves, when it worked the 6T36 22:50 Westbury - Tavistock with 10 Autoballasters in tow, passing Taunton at approx 23:55 heading south. It then worked back as the 0T36 02:15 Tavistock - Westbury.   29th November 43014+43062 (Now both working) visited Taunton on their usual Saturday Jaunt today, arriving just after 14:00 they swiftly departed again at 14:12 with the 1B01 14:40 Taunton - Swindon recording run.   66148+66082 worked south through Taunton at 17:55 with the 6W33 16:58 Westbury - Plymouth. Later in the evening with so many Class 60's about in the South West, two passed Taunton within minutes. 60040 worked north at 20:03 with a Plymouth - Westbury engineers, while in the other direction 66184+60016 worked south with the 0W34 Westbury - Tavistock Jn, light engine.   Dunster By Candlelight Timings are now available for the Cardiff - Minehead 'Dunster by Candlelight Special' on Saturday 6th December. Hauled by 45112 (Shown above on a previous South West Tour, and at Crewe Works open day in 2003) the timings for this tour are as follows: 1Z29 12:16 Cardiff - Minehead Cardiff 12:16, Newport 12:31 - 12:33, Severn Tunnel Jn 13:00 - 13:03, Filton Abbey Wood 13:18 - 13:23, Bristol TM 13:36 - 13:56, Nailsea and Blackwell 14:06 - 14:09, Yatton 14:16 - 14:19, Weston Super Mare 14:30 - 14:36, Taunton 15:02 - 15:04, Fairwater Yard 15:09 - 15:20,  Minehead 16:35 1Z30 20:15 Minehead - Cardiff Minehead 20:15, Norton Fitzwarren 21:30 - 21:33, Taunton 21:37 - 21:40, Weston Super Mare 22:07 - 22:17, Yatton 22:27 - 22:30, Nailsea and Blackwell 22:37 - 22:40, Bristol TM 22:53 - 22:56, Filton Abbey Wood 23:04 - 23:07, Severn Tunnel Jn 23:19 - 23:22, Newport 23:34 - 23:37, Cardiff 00:00!   30th November After a weekend of Class 60's, another one put in an appearance at Taunton in the light on Sunday working the 6W10 07:00 Uphill Jn - Westbury which arrived at Taunton at 08:25 to run around it's CWR train and head back to Westbury. It departed at 08:50. Later in the day, 66082+66148 returned from their trip to Plymouth in T&T formation, and 60066+60030 also returned light engine to Westbury. 66082 was then sent straight back with the 6W20 17:15 Westbury - Tavistock. 66184 worked north around 19:40 with the late running 6W34 14:01 Plymouth - Westbury.   1st December We enter the festive month, with the knowledge that in January of next year we are likely to see a severe decline of Postal Services through Taunton. So to start off with Today's allocation was as follows: 67002+67013 0C06 St Blazey - Plymouth 67003 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth and, 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell 67005 5C01 St Blazey - Penzance, 1C01 Penzance - Bristol P'way, 1C02 Bristol P'way - Penzance. 67006 0C84 Bristol - Reading, 1C84 Reading - Plymouth 67002 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell 67013 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden (Via Box Tunnel)   66184 worked the 6O92 10:14 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor, the train was unusually routed via Westbury, Trowbridge, Bath Goods Loop, where the loco reversed and then took the GWML to London. The 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn fuel was worked by 66172 this evening, the train worked down to Tavistock which for a Monday night is rare, and then picked up 60016 and worked back with two fuel tanks and a rake of Engineers Wagons in tow. 60020 also made it out onto the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale (China Clay)   2nd December Having worked the overnight 6V20 Earles - Moorswater Cement, 66563 was on today's 6M37 Moorswater - Earles evening service empties. 60020 returned to the South West at 16:40 today with the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey 'China Clay' 66073 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. 67010 raced through on 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail at 18:55. 66089 worked 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale up at 19:49, with 66563 on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles, Cement Empties close behind working up at 19:57. EWS ran tomorrows Cardiff - Tavistock Scrap tonight with 66166 was the 6G55 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn which worked down 20:05   3rd December 31190+31601 worked the 4Z08 Kingsland Road - Laira Test Train through Taunton in the early hours of the morning. Virgin caused chaos for most of the day after the shock announcements that all 44 Class 221 'Super Voyagers' were being withdrawn from Passenger service while checks were made to bolts in the transmission of the units. Leaving Virgin a full 44 5 Car units shot of a good service, and emergency timetable was operated. By mid day some units had been allowed to run again to try and ease the pressure! 66043 worked the 6G78 09:08 Ernesettle - Didcot MOD train today, passing Taunton at approx 11:30. 31190+31601 returned north this morning with the 4Z08 09:51 Laira - Hornsey Test Train, passing Taunton at 11:45. It's thought the 31's took the avoiding line through Weston Super Mare station due to a broken rail which was found on the up line between Uphill Jn and Worle Jn. 60020 worked the out of course return scrap tonight, with the 6G56 Tavistock Jn  - Cardiff Tidal, this passed Taunton at 21:40 heading north.   4th December 47703 paid a visit to Taunton today with the 0Z11 08:34 Derby - Taunton light engine route leaner, arriving at 14:10 it then departed as the 0Z12 14:42 Taunton - Kingsland Road at 14:14! 60020 passed Taunton again this evening with the 6G57 18:00 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap train, it stopped at Taunton at 20:31 until 20:50 for a pathing stop. The 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO, met with delay tonight after 67009 failed at Penzance with an ETH and Brake fault. 66215 was dispatched from St Blazey to rescue the stricken loco. An plan of action was quickly put into place and the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth with 67021 leading had 'Royal' 47799 attached to the rear. Upon arrival at Exeter 47799 was detached from the rear of 1C84, and attached to the front of 1C01.  66215 then worked back light engine to St Blazey, leaving 47799 towing 67009 and 1C01 to Bristol. 47799 later returned with the 1C02 Bristol - Penzance TPO.   5th December 31190+31601 returned from Hornsey today with the 4Z12 10:00 Hornsey - Laira Test Train, the pair passed Taunton at approx 14:00. 66089 on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey 'China Clay Empties' passed Taunton at 16:32 this evening. 66187 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. 43080+43068 worked a Laira - Longsight stock move this evening, passing Taunton at approx 19:10 heading north. 60020 worked the 6G58 20:01 Tavistock Jn - Cardiff Tidal scrap train this evening. 67026 passed Taunton at 23:05 with the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth mail, at 23:19 67021 headed north with the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO. Royal Loco, 47799 worked back out of the South West tonight on the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO, heading north at 23:51. 6th December 66222 & 66082 worked in T&T formation into Fairwater Yard at 01:37 with the 6W20 23:54 Westbury - St Budeaux Engineers. 67012 stopped at Taunton with the 1V40 at 01:44, 67021 worked the 1C01 to Bristol and returned on the 1C02, which was subsequently held to allow 67017 to overtake with the 5V59 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail. 66215 worked the overnight 6M68 Burngullow - Carlisle 'Silver Bullets' through Taunton under darkness again, passing at 02:09! 47811 also worked the 1C99 23:51 Paddington - Penzance 'Sleeper', with 47815 (Below) working the 1A99 Penzance - Paddington up 'Sleeper'. It seems most things happen at Taunton these days in the dark, or when I'm not here! This weekend seems to be no exception. 45112 made the trip from Cardiff - Minehead with the special to the West Somerset Railway and the 'Dunster By Candlelight' event. 45112 departed Taunton at 15:05 and headed for Minehead. It returned at 21:40 heading back to Cardiff. 66207+66007 worked the 6W21 15:48 Westbury - Plymouth engineers, passing at around 16:48. 66082+66222 returned north at around 20:10 with the 6W20 18:45 Plymouth - Westbury engineers.   7th December 66007+66207 returned north at 13:40 with the Plymouth - Westbury engineers from the day before. 31190+31601 returned north tonight pausing at Taunton with the 4Z08 18:51 Laira - Kingsland Road (Bristol) from 22:16 - 22:23.   8th December 66203 returned from Plymouth this morning from Westbury at around 09:40 with the 6G40 St Blazey - Westbury. 66007 worked the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor 'China Clay' for export today, following 66203. The 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn fuel was worked by 66135 tonight. 66075 worked the up 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale 'China Clay' at 20:23. 67017 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail up at 20:32.   9th December The overnight 6V20 Earles Sidings - Moorswater cement was worked by 66523 yet again, this makes 66523 tie for the top spot with 66528 with both loco's having 6 turns on the service so far. The start of the Christmas Postal Rush now gives Taunton tow more daylight services to observe from today until 19th December. 67023 was the first of the day working the 1M24 07:24 Plymouth - Willesden service, this passed at just after 09:00 this morning heading north. 67010 worked south at 10:55 with the usual 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail vans, this returned north at 16:30 with the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell mail. With 'Arriva Trains' now running the 'Wales and Borders' service their mark is already being noticed in the South West. Today a service from Cardiff was formed of a Welsh Liveried 150267 (With Arriva Branding) and 150251 in Wessex Trains livery. The Wessex Trains unit had come off maintainace at Cardiff and was hired to Arriva for the morning to work the 06:07 Cardiff - Barry Island service, in exchange for Arriva adding it to their 07:05 Pembroke Dock - Exeter service so Wessex could use it later in the day! (Well done Wessex and Arriva!) Later in the day, 66046 dropped onto the 6G51 18:00 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn empty scrap, with66234 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel, and 66053 working the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale 66523 was on the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles Sidings again today, passing Taunton at approx 20:30.   10th December The 07:05 Pembroke Dock - Exeter service was today worked by Welsh Liveried 150279 passing South through Taunton at 13:07. Virgin had to take a step backwards today (Or was it forwards?) When because of poor Voyager availability (I can't believe my ears!) they were required to use a full length 8 Car HST set on the 1V35 08:07 Preston - Plymouth. The HST kept good timing all the way down, and arrived at Taunton on time at 13:18 with 43094 + 43080 providing power! As a result of the lack of Voyagers, the South West was in for a real treat when 43068+43123 were drafted in at short notice to work a 1Z69 16:13 Plymouth - Preston service. However sadly on the HST had to be assisted by 66055 near Cheltenham up the 1:37 Lickey Incline, after one of the powercars failed. 67026 worked the 1E41 Plymouth - Low Fell mail up at 18:54. However it wasn't just a pair of HST workings making the news. The Sandite Season is now over and as a result Cornwalls resident leaf fall 37676 was towed up to Exeter last night by 66240 in the consist of the 6B99 St Blazey - Exeter Riverside. However tonight was time for the loco to leave the South West as it should, under it's own power! Working the 0F74 20:44 Exeter Riverside - Bristol Barton Hill it passed Taunton at 21:15. 66202 worked the 6G58 20:00 Tavistock - Cardiff Tidal scrap this evening. As if 37676 wasn't enough, news soon arrived that 37684 was working the 6Z70 22:30 Bescot - St Blazey, it worked overnight through Taunton but sadly never made Cornwall. It was taken off at Exeter Riverside and replaced by 66046. The 37 then worked back to Bristol Barton Hill light engine.   11th December 66523 was back yet again on the 6V20 Earles Sidings - Moorswater service, passing Taunton at 23:45 67010 worked the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell up through Taunton at 16:17 through Platform 5. 66006 worked another 6G51 18:00 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn 12th December 66137  worked an early morning 6G40 Westbury - St Blazey this morning passing Taunton at approx 08:40, it later returned light engine. 67017 had charge of the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail, returning with the 1E43 Plymouth - Low Fell. 66026 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn passing Taunton at 17:50 heading south. 66053 worked down through Taunton at 18:15 with the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey The Yellow Network Rail HST (43062+43013) was doing the rounds again today, working the 1C00 Paddington - Plymouth and 1A00 Plymouth - Paddington turns. It returned north at 19:10. 43080+43094 worked north from Laira - Longsight back to back as a stock move this evening at approx 17:30. 67003 worked the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden passing Taunton at speed at 20:35. 43065+41114+43067 worked a 5V97 balancing move with a Longsite - Laira stock move, it passed Taunton on the approach to midnight if not after! Overnight engineering saw 66222 work the 6W25 01:21 Westbury - Liskeard, and 66137 work the 01:51 Westbury - Liskeard.   13th December The Yellow HST worked it's usual diagram with 43062+43013 working the 1C00 12:30 Swindon - Taunton and 1B01 14:40 Taunton - Swindon track recording run.   14th December 66213+66166 returned from Cornwall today in T&T formation on a rake of Autoballasters, heading north at approx 12:15. 66001+66222 worked an 0W27 17:00 Westbury - Plymouth light engine move, they passed Taunton at 17:40.   15th December 67021 worked the Christmas Postal Special on the 1M24 from Plymouth today, passing Taunton at 09:10, 67013 was on the usual down 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail vans. 66090 had charge of the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor 'China Clay' for export to Italy, this passed Taunton at 11:00. 66089 worked the 6C62 Westbury Yard - Tavistock Jn fuel this evening, with 66001 employed to work the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale.   16th December Arriva are now making their mark on the ex Wales and Borders Franchise, the 06:54 Penzance- Manchester was formed of 2 Class 158's today both with new Arriva Trains  transfers on the side. Today's 6V20 Earles Sidings - Moorswater was cancelled, but 66140 did work the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel, 66001 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey passing Taunton at 17:05, and 66137 was used on the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale. 66007 was employed to work the 6G51 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock  Jn scrap, passing Taunton at approx 20:40. It only worked as far as Exeter Riverside before being cancelled. 67014 (Pet Skip) worked the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO.   17th December The overnight 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth TPO (Which stops at Taunton!) turned up a notable loco in the shape of 47793! With 67's having a reasonable spell of reliability, it was nice to see a 47 being used on one of the doomed TPO services. 67025 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth empty mail this morning. Signalling Problems in the Taunton area hampered services for most of the morning. An Ex-works Class 158 painted in 'Arriva Trains' livery was used on the 10:35 Milford Haven - Penzance service today. Not content with just one Class 47 on mail services, EWS used 47770 on the 1C30 15:02 Bristol P'way - Plymouth 'Christmas Special'  47770 later returned on the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail at 20:36. 47793 also worked the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO. Pioneer Shed 66001 worked the 6S55 Burngullow - Irvine 'Silver Bullets'   18th December 66xxx was used on the overnight 6V20 Earles Sidings - Moorswater cement. 50049+50031 passed Taunton with a Pathfinder Tours 'Dining Special' circular tour today with the 1Z50 14:44 Bristol TM - Bristol TM, via Yeovil, Exeter ad Taunton. They passed Taunton at 15:05. 66095 worked the 6G51 Cardiff Tidal - Tavistock Jn scrap today, passing Taunton at approx 20:15. 67008 was tonight's 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail, this passed Taunton at 20:35. 66558 was Freightliners Choice of the day for the Moorswater Cement, sadly today the train was heavily delayed in Cornwall !awaiting paths back to Earles Sidings, it finally passed Taunton at 22:47! 47734 dropped onto the 1C84 Reading - Plymouth mail tonight, racing through Taunton at 23:12. 67014 worked the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO tonight, working up at 23:30.   19th December 57603 worked it's first ever 'solo' run for First Great Western today, by means of working the 1C99 Paddington - Penzance 'Sleeper' heading south at 02:10. The 19th saw the Taunton 'Night Owls' down the station for an overnight spectacular to record the last of the TPO Mail workings, as well as any other freight that decided to turn up. To start with earlier in the day during more 'civilized hours' other movements noted were: 66144 worked a 7G40 engineers from Westbury down early this morning. The 1M24 07:00 Plymouth - Willesden 'Christmas Postal' was worked by 67009 passing Taunton at 08:45 this morning. Ex Works and newly liveried 158818 now sporting a turquoise and cream 'Arriva Trains' livery worked the 1C89 06:40 Carmarthen - Penzance service this morning and returned on the 1B67 14:53 Penzance - Swansea service. 66135 worked the 6v62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel tonight, and passed Taunton at 18:50 running nearly an hour late after awaiting a driver at Salisbury! Now for the late night action in listed format: 21:10 43123+43092 0V97 16:12 Longsite - Laira (Back to Back) 21:20 66095 6G56 17:30 Tavistock - Cardiff Tidal (Held for Gloucester Unit at Obridge) 23:12 67026 1C84 Reading - Plymouth (Mail) 23:17 67014 1C01 Penzance - Bristol (TPO) 23:53 47734 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden (TPO)   20th December 00:06 66135 6O34 Tavistock Junc - Eastleigh (Empty fuel & oil) 00:15 43151/43004 1C92 Paddington - Exeter (HST stopper) 00:16 5V70 Plymouth - Barton Hill (ECS Voyager, no ID) 01:19 66144 6W25 Westbury - Liskeard (Empty flatbeds) 01:23 67018 5V69 Bristol RMT - Plymouth (Empty vans ex-1V69) 01:41 67009 1V40 Willesden - Plymouth (TPO) 01:51 57603 1A99 Penzance - Paddington (Sleeper) 02:00 67014 1C02 Bristol RMT - Penzance (TPO) 02:21 66137 6M68 Burngullow - Carlisle (Clay slurry, for Irvine) 02:30 66011 7W26 Westbury - Liskeard(?) (Engineers wagons & crane) 03:30 47815 1C99 Paddington - Plymouth (Sleeper) At a slightly more civilized hour, 66177+60074 worked a T&T 7W27 Westbury - Plymouth engineers through Taunton at 16:10. Virgin Trains were severely short of Voyagers again today (surly not!) so as a last resort they gave in and sent 43067+43122 out to work the 1V72 15:48 Newcastle - Plymouth service. The pair passed Taunton surprisingly on time at 21:20. 66181 worked the late night 6W11 21:12 Westbury - Exeter St Davids engineers train, with 66216 following with the 6W10 21:41 Westbury - Tiverton Loop engineers, passing Taunton at 23:20.   21st December As a result of yesterdays miracle Virgin rebirth, (And so close to Christmas!) 43067+43122 were restocked overnight at Laira and were sent back again on the 1E32 09:50 Plymouth - York, the pair reaching Taunton again on time at 11:10. 60074 and 66177 returned on T&T formation this morning with their 7W27 Plymouth - Westbury engineers, working north at approx 12:20. New 'Arriva Trains' liveried 158838 and 'Ginsters' 158825 worked the 09:55 Cardiff - Plymouth this morning, once at Plymouth 158825 formed the 1M41 15:38 Plymouth - Manchester and 155838 in Arriva Livery worked back on the 1B49 19:31 Plymouth - Cardiff.   22nd December Monday saw things off to a slow start, Virgin had problems after the guard who was supposed to work the 1E32 10:43 Exeter - Newcastle service phoned in sick. Virgin to combat this hired in a Class 150 from Wessex Trains! 150243 was used by Virgin with a Class 1 headcode and ran as the 1E32 Exeter - Bristol. It arrived at Taunton 11:14 (4 late) The Voyager which could not be run on a passenger service without this sick guard was run empty to Bristol in front of the 150, where it's assumed a new guard was found and passengers were transferred back onto their original train! 66011 returned from Cornwall engineering this morning, with a full 26 wagons in tow, the train headed back to Westbury through Taunton at approx 12:10. 66181 had also returned north at approx 08:30. 67007 worked the 5C43 Bristol - Plymouth ECS van this morning, headed south at 09:40 on route to Plymouth. A Virgin West Coast HST was used to form a relief service from Birmingham New Street. It formed the 1Z97 18:02 Birmingham - Plymouth having arrived at BNS with the 1G55 16:17 Manchester - Birmingham. The train working via Camp Hill in order to save time getting through New Street. It called at Taunton just after 20:20. The 6C62 Westbury Yd - Tavistock Jn fuel was worked by 66126, passing Taunton at 17:50. The 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale turned up 66220, with the overnight 6V41 Irvine - Burngullow 'Silver Bullets' utilising 66046. 67018 wizzed the 1C01 Penzance - Bristol TPO through Taunton at 23:28.   23rd December Virgins HST from the day before returned north again today on the 1Z87 10:45 Plymouth - Stafford service, calling at Taunton 12:15. 66220 returned for Christmas with the 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey 'China Clay' empties. 66039 worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel this evening. EWS also ran an extra, 6Z68 16:55 Burngullow - Irvine 'Clay' service which would work up to Scotland arriving tomorrow afternoon with 66053. 67011 raced through Taunton at 20:30 with the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden mail, also carrying 'The LAST CHRISTMAS' Headboard on the front. 47734 was used to run the 1M99 Plymouth - Willesden TPO last night, passing Taunton at 23:50.   24th December (Christmas Eve!) Understandably most things have now packed up for Christmas so freight and post were not running, this just left Virgin, Firstgroup and Virgin to cope with the masses who thought they would return home for Christmas with their families. Needless to say there was much shrieking, kissing, and cuddling going on at the station today. (All of which had nothing to do with me I promise!) Virgin did however run an extra Christmas relief service, using 43065+43094 and 7 Mk3 Coaches. It worked as the 1Z80 10:00 Manchester - Plymouth, running non stop through Taunton at 14:38 this afternoon. However as an unadvertised service (On the departure boards at least!) the train passed Taunton with only about 5 people on board, leaving everyone else to be wedged into Virgins 'Preferred Traction' their 220 and 221 Voyagers! A slight waste of bums on seats if you ask me!   25th December - 30th December With the line closed to the South of Taunton (Whiteball Tunnel re-lining work) all trains terminated at Taunton, with some being diverted via Yeovil and Honiton. All freight and mail also took this route.   29th December 150281 in Red and Green Welsh Livery (Arriva Trains Branding) worked the 08:34 Carmarthen - Taunton and 15:09 Taunton - Cardiff service today.   30th December Whiteball Tunnel engineering was handed back to Network Rail ahead of schedule at around 19:00 this evening, meaning that freight and mail traffic would now use the route. Although 66126  had worked the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn as far as Westbury tonight, it continued no further, and therefore didn't pass Taunton. 47793 and the 1M65 Plymouth - Willesden took full advantage of this, and passed Taunton at 20:45 racing north.