This early photo taken in the 1960's shows a British Railways Maroon liveried Western racing towards Taunton with the 1M95 to London Paddington. The train made up from 13 matching Maroon Mk1 coaches. The scene at Silk Mills crossing is now very different, and a far cry from the semaphores and telegraph poles from the 1960's.

(Photo: John Ford)

This shot shows another Maroon liveried Western with a full yellow end arriving into Platform 3 (Now Platform 5) at Taunton. This classic scene also features the Classic 1960's mini skirt on the far right!

(Photo: David Ford)

On the 27th July 1974, D1021 'Western Cavalier' has a change of crew at Taunton while working a Southbound express from London Paddington.

D1021 was released from Swindon on in June 1963. the loco lasted until August 1976 (just two years after this image was taken). On the date of scrapping she had clocked up over a million miles on the Great Western Network!

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

On the 30th October 1976, D1023 'Western Fusilier' and D1009 'Western Invader' stand on the centre platforms at Taunton working the R.P.P.R 'Westerns South Western' Tour. The charter operated as the 1Z08 Paddington - Meldon Quarry via Taunton on the outward leg, returning to London via the Southern on the return.

(Photo: Derek Clarke)

17th July 1974 D1030 'Western Musketeer' is seen fresh from a Laira repaint paused at Taunton for a crew change with 1V34 the Kensington - St Austell motorail the heaviest booked passenger working of the day and invariably a hydraulic (by then a Western as the Warships were gone). This was because it regularly exceeded the loading over the South Devon banks for all diesel electrics of the day.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

On the 10th May 1975, D1034 'Western Dragoon' storms through Silk Mills crossing with the Northbound Penzance - Cardiff service. (Note the length of the train, the equivalent service from Taunton would now be just two coaches!)

D1034 was built in April 1964, and lasted in front line service until October 1975. A total of 11 years service saw the locomotive clocking up 1,144,000 miles before she met with the cutters blow torch.

(Photo: Chris Perkins)

D1047 'Western Lord' pauses at Taunton on 27th July 1974 working the Southbound 1V46.

Released from Crewe in February 1963. Western Lord spent it's time on the rails clocking up 1,256,000 miles before it was withdrawn from service in February 1976

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

D1059 'Western Empire' is seen at Taunton shunting mail vans onto a train on the 30th August 1975.

At this time, mail was not only conveyed on standard passenger services but also in dedicated services to and from London with intermediate pickup points in between.

D1059 was built in April 1963, lasting until October 1975 (Just two months after this image was recorded at Taunton)

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

On the 20th April 1974, D1061 'Western Envoy' can be seen stabled in Taunton Shed between duties with an unidentified peak. Large amounts of locomotives could often gather at Taunton for servicing and out of course repairs.

Western Envoy was released into traffic in April 1963, but was withdrawn in October 1974, just 6 months after this image was recorded.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

3rd August 1974, D1063 'Western Monitor' stands on Taunton Shed between duties with a pair of Class 08's for company.

Western Monitor came into building using May 1963 and operated until April 1976

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

3rd August 1974 saw D1064 'Western Regent' at Taunton using the centre road on a Southbound passenger service from London Paddington.

Western Regent clocked up a respectable 1,216,000 miles in traffic for British Rail before she was withdrawn.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

D1067 'Western Druid' is seen stabled in Taunton Shed with two Class 08 shunter's and a Class 25. Note also the Class 47 in the Southbound Platform waiting to depart.

Scenes like these will never be repeated but thankfully some Westerns did make it into preservation as detailed below:

D1010 Western Campaigner D1013 Western Ranger
D1015 Western Champion
D1023 Western Fusilier
D1041 Western Prince
D1048 Western Lady
D1062 Western Courier

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

.D1072 'Western Glory'. On a very wet 12th February 1976 the Western Class locomotive is seen at Taunton taking its booked stop while hauling the 14:40 from Penzance to Paddington.

(Photo: Peter Townsend)