News Archive for May 1985
Early Shift for Agincourt
Published on 28th May 1985
BR Large Logo Class 50 No. 50013 'Agincourt' passes 40 Steps on the 28th May 1985.
The loco was operating the morning 1B18 06:35 Bristol Temple Meads - Plymouth service formed of five Mk1 coaches and one parcels van.
(Photo: Jeff Treece)
1B18 Peak and Hoover
Published on 21st May 1985
BR Blue Class 45 No.45069 and No. 50012 'Benbow' pass under the gantry at 40 Steps having taken their booked stop at Taunton on the 21st May 1985.
The pair were operating 1B18 06:35 Bristol Temple Meads - Plymouth formed of both Mk1 passenger coaches and parcels vans.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Jeff Treece)
Failed Peak
Published on 18th May 1985
PWM Class 97 Shunter No.97652 is pictured stabled on Taunton Depot with Class 45 No.45016 on the 18th May 1985.
It's thought that the Class 45 had failed and been removed to the sidings area to stable.
To view the gallery, please click here.
PWM Class 97 Shunter No.97652 is pictured stabled on Taunton Depot with Class 45 No.45016 on the 18th May 1985. It's thought that the Class 45 had failed and been removed to the sidings area to stable.
(Photo: Jeff Treece)
Tractor On The Stopper
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 17th May 1985
BR Blue Class 37 No.37126 runs around its stock at Taunton Station on the 17th May 1985.
The loco then formed the 17:40 Taunton - Bristol Temple Meads stopping service. The image was taken from Great Mills car park.
Freight Avoider
Published on 11th May 1985
BR Blue Class 47 No.47226 is pictured at 40 Steps on the 11th May 1985 using the Taunton avoider line conveying lifted track panels from the track rationalisation works at Taunton.
The Class 47 would remain in service until 1998 when it was withdrawn from traffic and was scrapped 10 years later in 2008.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Jeff Treece)
The Skirl 'O The Pipes 6
(Photo: Jeff Treece)
Published on 10th May 1985
F&W Railtours operated the ‘Skirl o the Pipes 6’ charter on the 10th May 1985.
Departing Plymouth on the Friday evening the three day charter would reach Oban and feature a total of 24 different locomotives. No.31175 and No.31178 operated the 17:20 Plymouth – Edinburgh let of the trip between Plymouth and Bristol Temple Meads where No.37180 and No.37189 took over for the run Derby. The full set of diagrams can be found on Six Bells Junction. The pair of Class 31 locomotives are pictured at Taunton shortly before departing.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Freight Avoider
(Photo: Jeff Treece)
Published on 4th May 1985
BR Blue Class 45 No. 45044 'Royal Inniskilling Fusilier' and Class 50 No. 50020 'Revenge' pass through 40 Steps on the 4th May 1985 taking the Taunton avoiding line between Taunton East Yard and Fairwater Yard.
The pair are thought to be hauling the 05:50 Severn Tunnel Junction - St Blazey Speedlink service.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Benbow Tramps South
(Photo: Jeff Treece)
Published on 2nd May 1985
BR Large Logo Class 50 No. 50012 'Benbow' is pictured at 40 Steps on the 2nd May 1985.
The loco was operating the 14:08 Liverpool Lime Street - Exeter St Davids service.
To view the gallery, please click here.
To view news stories from April 1985 click here, or for news from July 1985, click here.