News Archive for September 1984

The 1st September 1984 provided the incredibly rare sight of a Class 58 freight locomotive at Taunton.

No.58002 is pictured at Taunton coupled to the 1V87 12:10 Liverpool Lime Street - Penzance service, formed of No.43131 and No.43149. The Class 58 was added to Birmingham New Street after the HST had failed and worked the train through to Plymouth. The Class 58 itself also ran into issues at Plymouth but was able to make Plymouth where the train was terminated. The same day No. 50038 'Formidable' hauled No.58002 from Plymouth to Exeter where No.31202 took over and towed the Class 58 back to Bristol Bath Road. Because so many enthusiasts had turned out to ride this train, British Rail then also allowed the use of an Empty Coaching Stock train (operating between Newquay and Malago Vale) to be used by passengers between Plymouth and Taunton to transport them part way home hauled by No. 45040 'Kings Shropshire Light Infantry'.