TAUNTON THEN AND NOW
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| 37675 and 37674 are seen on a North bound 'Speedlink' service on the 7th June 1988 passing Charlton Bridge on route from St Blazey. (Photo: Derek Garrett) | 66527 'Don Raider' is seen passing the same spot on the 17th May 2005 working the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles cement. (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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| 1986, an unidentified Class 47 races north on an 11 coach passenger train made up from a mixed rake of Mk1 and Mk2 coaching stock. Note the out of use up and down slow lines. (Photo: Derek Garrett) | 14th May 2005, some 19 years later and Class 47's are still out running in the South West! 47316 leads 47714 North through Charlton on the return leg of a charter from Crewe - Kingswear run by Heartland Railtours (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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| 47294 is seen working North through Charlton towards Cogload Jn on the 10th may 1979 on the 08:50 Exeter Riverside - Walton Jn mixed freight (Photo: Chris Perkins) | 59205 is seen arriving at Charlton exiting an engineering blockade on the 27th December 2005. The Class 59's train came to 2700 tonnes. and was heading back to Westbury via Bristol TM (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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13th September 1975, D1071 'Western Renown' powers the 12:00 Paignton - Paddington passenger service through Charlton having just left Taunton (Photo: Chris Perkins) |
20th November 2006 43150 leads 43094 North working a Plymouth - Paddington express North through Chalrton having just left Taunton (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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| 13th September 1975, D1022 'Western Sentinel' races South with Cogload Jn in the background with an express passenger service from London Paddington (Photo: Chris Perkins) | 220020 'Wessex Voyager' is seen heading South at Cogload Jn on the 23rd January 2005. (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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A unknown Western rounds the curve taking the Berks and Hants to London Paddington. Cogload Jn flyover can be seen in the background. This image was taken during 1973. (Photo: Chris Perkins) |
66603 is seen rounding the same curve on the 23rd June 2005 working the 6F95 Meldon - Hinksey stone. It's no longer possible to view the Cogload Jn flyover in the background. (Photo: Mike Rowland) |
| CREECH ST MICHAEL | |
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| 31st August 1986 a rare sight of Class 20's passing through the village of Creech St Michael. 20194+20094 are seen working 'The Chopper Topper' railtour which worked between Wolverhampton and Penzance using various traction on route. It's possible to see the outer two tracks where out of use at this time. Note also the Class 20's are using the wrong line, due to the ongoing clear up at Cogload Jn after a cement train derailed several weeks previously. (Photo: Paul Clarke) | 30th July 2006, 6024 'King Edward 1st' races through the village with the 1Z27 'Torbay Express' to Kingswear. Note the extensive growth since the last photo was taken when the 4 tracks used to run through the village (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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| In the snowy Winter of 1987 an Intercity HST heads South through Creech St Michael with 4 track mainline still in place, although it would appear only two tracks were in place at this time. (Photo: Derek Garrett) | On the 9th April 2005 Two Virgin Voyagers head South through Creech St Michael heading to Plymouth while a Wessex Trains 150 heads North on a service to Cardiff. (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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| Creech St Michael in 1965 showing the 4 track mainline, an Creech St Michael halt, note the road to the local Mill clearly visible, and the houses in Station Road (Photo: Bernard Mills) | On the 23rd November 2006, 33029 makes an ironic scene leading 850 'Lord Nelson' through the former Creech Halt, the scene has changed vastly from that shown opposite in 1965 by Bernard Mills. Ironically,33029 started life as D6547 in March 1961 then allocated to Hither Green depot where a large number of the class were allocated. As the “Nelsons” were not withdrawn until 1962 there was obviously a brief spell in the early 60s when 33029 and 850 were both in service on the then Southern Region of British Railways,both locos subsequently making it into preservation. (Photo: Quentin Hawkes) |
BATHPOOL |
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30th April 1978, 50007 'Hercules' which later became celebrity 'Sir Edward Elgar' is seen passing Bathpool with the 13:45 Plymouth - Paddington (Photo: Steve Awford) |
12th March 2005, A surviving preserved Class 50 (50049 'Defiance') works a charter through Bathpool. The 1Z50 returns to Watford after a day out in Minehead (Photo:Adam Hiscock) |
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September 1998, 47228 leads 47XXX through Bathpool with the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor 'China Clay' for export. (Photo: Dave Jones) |
20th February 2005, 66002 stands at Bathpool on the down line during weekend engineering/ track replacement works at Bathpool. (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
| OBRIDGE FLYOVER | |
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| 50043 departs Taunton and is seen passing Obridge viaduct during the 1970's/1980's. The 13 coach train is in complete contrast to today's 7 and 8 coach services to and from London! (Photo: Colin J Marsden) | On the 23rd January 2007, 59101 is seen on the approch to Obridge with the 7C28 12:26 Exeter Riverside - Westbury stone empites. Unfortunatly large amounts of tree growth have meant that this shot is no longer the clear location it once was. (Photo: Darren Harris) |
TAUNTON STATION |
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20094 and20124 arrive at Taunton on 31st August 1986 with the 'Chopper Topper' Railtour. Taken from the North end of Platform 2 at Taunton (Photo: Red Cow Alien) |
43014 and 43062 arrive at Taunton on 20th September 2003 with the 1C00 12:30 Swindon - Taunton, Network Rail 'NMT'. Taken from the North end of Plat 2 at Taunton (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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47109 is seen on the Ince 'Fertilizer' train on 12th November 1979. Taken from the North end of Platform 5 at Taunton (Photo: Chris Perkins) |
66110 is pictured on the huge auto ballasting train on 28th November 2002 working from Exeter Riverside - Bridgwater. Taken from the North end of Plat 5 at Taunton (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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47109 is seen on the Ince 'Fertilizer' train on 12th November 1979. Taken from the North end of Platform 5 at Taunton (Photo: Chris Perkins) |
66616 is seen working the 6M37 Moorswater - Earles empty cement tanks up through Taunton station on the 13th May 2004. Taken from the North end of Plat 5 at Taunton (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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D1047 is seen arriving at Taunton on the 9th August 1975 . Taken from the North end of Platform 2 at Taunton (Photo: Chris Perkins) |
37425 'Pride of the Valleys is seen passing through Taunton on the 11th May 2006 working the 6Z11 Cardiff Tidal - Exeter Riverside trip working. (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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31110 is seen parked on the Taunton avoider behind the parking area for the Royal Mail in the 1980's. Photo taken on the North end of Platform 2 (Photo:Dave Jones) |
The view in November 2003 couldn't be more different. The car park and buildings still exist but the railway has long since disappeared. Photo taken from the North end of Platform 2 (Photo: The Creech Crusader ) |
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| D804 is seen at Taunton in 1963 on a North bound passenger service. (Photo: Nick Kyberd) | The same view taken in 2005. 43138 and 43141 are seen at Taunton with one train heading East to London and another heading West to Plymouth (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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| 28th October (1969?) D820 'Grenville' calls at Taunton while working the 1A59 Paignton - Paddington service. (Photo: Roger Geach) | 2nd July 2005 A GNER HST on hire to Virgin Trains calls at Taunton working the 1E33 Paignton - Newcastle. Both powercars 43116 and 43120 at the time carried the London 2012 'Back the Bid' slogan (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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33005 is seen paused in the snow at Taunton on the 15th January 1987. Photo taken from South end of Platform 2 (Photo: Virgins Finest) |
Oh how times do change, taken on the 27th January 2004, 33202 is captured in exactly the same position as 33005 some 17 years after the first photo was taken! (Photo: Steve Thompson) |
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| 50045 is see paused at the South end of Taunton Station on the 22nd June 1979. Photo taken from South end of Platform 2 (Photo: Steve Awford) | 37029 is seen at Taunton on the 23rd June 2006 while working driver training runs for Direct Rail Services. Photo taken from South end of Platform 2 (Photo: Mike Rowland) |
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D1071 is seen parked in sidings situated behind Platform 1 at Taunton with a unidentified Class 31 in 1976. The Western had failed while working a South bound service from London Paddington. (Photo: Brian Aston) |
In 2005, the sidings where D1071 was parked in 1976 are now overgrown and access to the rear lines is impossible. 20313 is seen parked in Platform 1 with the shed and undergrowth in the background (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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A Class 45 is seen parked in Platform 6 at Taunton in the 1970's 80's at Taunton ready to depart North with a possible stopping service to Bristol TM. (Photo: Colin J Marsden) |
158861 'Spirit of the South West' is seen departing from Taunton station having just been named in Platform 6 on the 15th October 2005. (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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50046 (Which later became 'AJAX') is seen storming through Taunton's centre road with a South bound passenger service from London Paddington on the 13th June 1979. (Photo: Steve Awford) |
43004 the latest HST to be fitted with the new MTU power unit is seen at Taunton on 28th June 2005 having arrived from London Paddington. (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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25254+25250 are seen on the 23rd July 1977 working then 1V83 12:20 Birmingham New Street - Newquay departing Taunton (Photo: Steven Awford) |
47810 is seen departing Taunton around 1998 on a Virgin Trains service to Plymouth (Photo: Dave Jones) |
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The 15th May 1976 see's D1054 working the 1B65 and 46039 working the 1V86 stood side by side at the South end of Taunton Station (Photo: Steve Awford) |
2nd November 1996 has 47845 stood on the through road at Taunton coupled to 47775 (Out of sight and failed) while an Intercity liveried HST departs South to Plymouth (Photo: Dave Jones) |
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26th March 1976 and D1065 departs Taunton heading South towards Plymouth catching the glint as it departs. (Photo: Steve Awford) |
25th March 2005, 29 years after the original shot was taken, this equivalent was shot by Mike Rowland of the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel tanks departing Taunton. (Photo: Mike Rowland) |
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In 1965 No1028 'County of Warwick' is seen paused at Taunton station ready to head South. Another loco can be seen on Taunton Shed behind. (Photo: Nick Hyberd) |
17th August 2003 and almost the same scene is recreated at Taunton with 5051 'Earl Bathurst' working 'The Torbay Express' (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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The view of the Freight Concentration Tower taken in the late 1980's at Firepool Lock from the Market Carpark. (Photo: Dave Jones) |
The view of the same building in 2003, taken from the same spot. (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
40 STEPS & FAIRWATER YARD |
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The view of Fairwater Yard in 1985 taken from the Staplegrove Road bridge. (Photo: Dave Jones) |
And up to date image, taken on the 11th January 2007, 66581 and 66551 can be seen in Fairwater Yard shunting wagons for the Network Rail South West Track renewal program (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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33027 is seen on the Fairwater Head shunt (Ex Taunton avoider) on the 8th March 1988 seen shunting a large amount of engineering wagons (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
18th July 2007, 66623 can be seen shunting the large Network Rail HOBC from Fairwater Yard to form the 6Y11 departure to Lavington later in the evening. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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50025 is seen passing 40 Steps in the 1980's. The impressive signal gantry was still in place, and BR ownership was very noticeable. (Photo: Dave Jones) |
67016 is seen passing through Taunton heading South on the 1st October 2005 with the 1Z49 Tonbridge - Par 'EdenEx' charter. (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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| 47612 is seen arriving at Taunton on the 26th July 1986 with a North bound passenger service. (Photo: Jeff Treece) | 43034 and 43192 arrive into Taunton working a Northbound service to London Paddington on the 18th July 2007. Note the newly refurbished coaching stock. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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A Pair of Great Western HST's are seen arriving and departing from Taunton around 1996. The changeover from Intercity Livery into the corporate 'Great Western' was still underway at this point. Photo: Dave Jones) |
15th December 2005, Midland Mainline HST (Right) on hire to Virgin Trains due to a shortage of Voyagers is seen departing Taunton with the 1V29 Leeds - Plymouth. Formed of 43048+43066 is passes a Firstgroup HST heading for London Paddington. (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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| This is an undated shot from around 1986 of a Class 45 piloting a possible failed Class 50 around the Taunton Station avoided. This line linked Taunton East Yard with Fairwater Yard which gave a way of routing freight away from Taunton Station. (Photo: Dave Jones) | This is the shot taken in 2007shows the relayed headshut, which is now in use with Network Rail to shunt the large HOBC and TRT trains which are based in Fairwater Yard (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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29th April 1970 shows D7033 departing from Fairwater Yard using the 'Taunton Avoider' which swung behind Taunton Station, over Station Road and linked with Taunton East Yard. This rare photo is also dated by the Mini Van in the foreground. (Photo: Bernard Mills) |
This is the shot taken in 2007, 66611 is seen using the newly extended head shunt to Fairwater Yard, laid on the previous track bed of the old Taunton Avoider. The extensive tree growth shows how well maintained the vegetation used to be under BR (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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| On the 10th June 2001, a brand new 57601 is seen working a test run from Laira to Taunton and back, at the time the loco was operated by Firstgroup. The striking livery of the unique machine made it a popular machine. The loco is seen departing Taunton heading back South (Photo: Brian Garrett) | Nearly 6 years after the shot on the left, 57601 is seen passing the same spot at 40 Steps heading South to Penzance with 47854 in tow. The Loco is now operated by West Coast Railways and was working a light engine move to Penzance to work a return charter to Bristol. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
SILKS MILLS |
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A View taken in the 1980's at Silk Mills Crossing, At the time the Signal Box was still in place next to the crossing. (Photo: Dave Jones) |
April 2007 the alingment of the old road can be seen, gateed access still remains to allow workmet to load road/ rail vehicles (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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Another view taken in the 1980's at Silk Mills with cars waiting for a train to pass by. Little did we know at this point how much this crossing area would change in 2005/2006. (Photo: Dave Jones) |
April 2007, The new road bridge can been seen on the left, the and alignment of the old Silk MillsRoad has almost disappeared. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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31st July 1976, 47078 powers away from Taunton with 23:00 Stirling - Newton Abbot passenger service. It's seen passing the South end of Fairwater Yard about to cross Silk Mills road crossing (Photo: Chris Perkins) |
This is the nearest equivalent shot, taken in 2006 from the top of the new Silk Mills Road Bridge. Once all the redevelopment work has been completed in the yard it may be possible to obtain a closer match (Photo: Jon Gill) |
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31st July 1976, 47088 approaches Silk Mills crossing with the 08:20 Plymouth - Leeds service. (Photo: Chris Perkins) |
This is the nearest equivalent shot, taken in 2006 from the top of the new Silk Mills Road Bridge. A firstgroup HST is pictured heading North to London (Photo: Jon Gill) |
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10th May 1975. D1034 Western Dragoon passes Silk Mills with a Penzance - Cardiff service. Note the Silk Mills Signal Box on the right. (Photo: Chris Perkins) |
26th March 2005, This is the equivalent shot taken when the Silk Mills bridge was in construction. On April the 2nd the bridge, lifted into place over the tracks. (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
NORTON FITZWARREN |
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25th May 1996. 56073 passes Norton Fitzwarren with the 'Paignton Decorator' Railtour run by Hertfordshire Railtours. The train ran as the 1Z28 08:03 Paddington - Paignton and 1Z29 17:52 Paignton - Paddington. (Photo: Dave Jones) |
16th September 2005, 66091 passes Norton Fitzwarren with the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn Fuel. Note the derelict site from the Ex Taunton Cider factory, and the increase in foliage! (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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| July 1996, 37798 in Mainline Freight Blue, passes Norton Fitzwarren with the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn Fuel. (Photo: Dave Jones) | 6th October 2005. 66219 passes the same spot with the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. This is a shot with few differences (Photo: Jon Gill) |
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| July 1996, 60096 leads two Class 37's North at Norton with the 6M72 St Blazey - Cliffe Vale. Note the other footbridge still in place at this point, but closed to the public. (Photo: Dave Jones) | 16th September 2005. Freightliners 66616 passes with the 6Z43 Burngullow - Swindon Transfer Sidings. Note the removal of the footbridge, and increased foliage now blocking the Old Hotel (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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September 1996 a HST exits the West Somerset Railway via the Taunton Cider spur. The HST was working a Railtour from the WSR. (Photo: Dave Jones) |
16th October 2004, Hastings Unit 1001 moves along the old Taunton Cider spur to access the West Somerset Railway. Note the derelict site behind. (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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1990, 33110 leads 33114 on a Meldon - Westbury ballast through Norton Fitzwarren. Pairs of Class 33's were common place at this time. (Photo: Dave Jones) |
SHOT NO LONGER POSSIBLE, FOOT BRIDGE REMOVED |
WHITEBALL |
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14th August 2004, 220004+221124 (Out of Sight) are seen heading out of Whiteball Tunnel working a 1Z74 Penzance - Glasgow service for Virgin Trains (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
9th July 2005, 220010+221140 work a North bound Virgin Trains service a year later. A vegetation clearance scheme by Network Rail now allows Whiteball Tunnel to be seen (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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14th August 2004. A GNER HST on Hire to Virgin Trains formed of 43114 and 43006 is seen heading North through Marlands with a Summer Saturday 1E34 Newquay - Edinburgh service. (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
9th July 2005, A GNER HST on Hire to Virgin Trains formed of 43107+43108 is seen working 1E33 Paignton - Newcastle service North through Marlands. Note the cutting back allowing a much improved photo! (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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4th June 2004, 66190 is seen climbing to Whiteball Tunnel passing Beam Bridge with the evening 6V70 Cliffe Vale - St Blazey (Photo: Mike Rowland) |
5th May 2006, 66047 is seen climbing to Whiteball Tunnel at Beam Bridge with the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel. Note the Vegetation Clearance completed by Network Rail (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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September 1996 47287 leads 47XXX up to Whiteball from Exeter with the 6O92 10:30 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor (Photo: Dave Jones) |
30th May 2005, 66187 works the 6O92 Exeter Riverside - Dollands Moor up to Whiteball Tunnel. Note the tree growth on the left forcing a more head on shot (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
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September 1996, 37254 leads Ex Works 37416 over Whiteball and descends towards Tiverton on a small engineers train (Photo: Dave Jones) |
30th May 2005, 67019 works a special charter service for Ex Rover Plant workers in Birmingham. The charter was ran for several days as the 1Z97 Longbridge - Paignton (Photo: The Creech Crusader) |
