APRIL NEWS :
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Colas Rail provided a colorful end to April with this working on the 30th. 47727 'Rebecca' transported the Colas Rail mini HOBC set from Rugby to Tavistock Jn.The 6Z44 from Rugby passed Taunton at 17:45. After a crew change at Taunton 47727 is seen taking the relief line at Taunton being looped for a Voyager to pass by. (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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For those early risers among us, Taunton is currently providing some superb early morning light. On the 28th April this superb image was captured at 06:35 of 66615 as it rolls back into Taunton with the 6Y11 0400 Wootton Bassett Junction to Fairwater catching the early morning glint as it passes through Taunton's Platforms. 66621 is out of sight on the rear. (Photo: Mike Rowland) |
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For those who can find time for some extravagance during the recession in the South West, the VSOE provided a £225 Luncheon Special from Plymouth - Taunton and return. DB Schenkers tatty 67030 was provided to haul the pristine stock while in the South West, and is seen here climbing Whiteball Bank with the 1Z27 from Plymouth. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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After a bit of an extended break for Easter we are returning to normal service, with a large batch of updates completed on the 21st April. On the 17th April, the unique silver 67029 'Royal Diamond' is captured passing Creech St Michael on a private charter operating from Great Chesterford through to Torquay. Royal 67005 was also on the rear of this train. After spending the weekend in the Devon Rivera the charter returned to Cambridge on Monday 20th. (Photo: Steve Yarde) |
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Advenza Freight operated a light engine move from Gloucester, Horton Road to Laira on the 6th April using 47818 'Emily' for the trip. The loco worked South to the First Great Western depot at Laira before collecting a barrier vehicle and returning to Gloucester around 3pm. 47818's odd ball livery is as a result of it's former 'One' livery being partly removed. The locomotive is in need of a decent repaint! (Photo: John White) |
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Network Rail finally managed to lift the stricken wagon during the 4th/ 5th April. With a night time blockade cranes ADRC96713 (Wigan) & ADRC96714 (Margam/ Canton) were used in a duel lift which started around 23:30 and was complete by 02:40. This unique operation is likely never to happen in the Taunton area again in the very near future which is why we made the efforts to record the lift for the future.We will be adding more photos and video of the entire operation to our news pages in due course. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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Today's front page photo does not feature a locomotive, but instead pictures three of the UK's rail cranes which are now all located in Fairwater Yard, from right to left, ADRC96715 ADRC96713 ADRC96714 are seen in Fairwater Yard on the 4th April. Rewiring work and point/ track maintenance was the only work taking place in Fairwater Yard on the 4th. For more photos see our news page. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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Third Time (Crane) lucky. After one of the two rail cranes touched an overhead power line on Tuesday night in Fairwater Yard, DB Shenker (Formerly EWS) delivered a third rail crane (from Wigan) to Taunton on Thursday 2nd April using 66177. Chaos was caused to trains all day on Wednesday after the rail crane hit the overhead power line which subsequently blew wiring to signals between Taunton and Bradford on Tone. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |