(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 30th March 2003
Class 103 Park Royal DMU (50413 and 56169) is picutred stabled at Williton on the 30th March 2003.
The unit was. The WSR had two of these Park Royal DMUs (50414 56169 being the second). This unit pictured was sold to the Helston Railway in 2006.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 15th March 2003
A one way Steam Dreams charter 'The Cathedrals Express' was the second of two charter trains to pass through Taunton on the 15th March 2003.
The steam locomotive had operated to Exeter St Davids from London Waterloo via the Southern route, and retunred in a clockwise fashion from Exeter to London Waterloo via Taunton and Westbury. As the sun sets BR Standard 4MT No.73096 catches the evening light at Oath on the Somerset Levels.
Published on 15th March 2003
Twin Ginsters liveried Class 158s from Wales and Borders at pictured deaprting from a stand at Creech St Michael on the 15th March 2003.
No.158841 and No.158825 were stopped while operating a Penzance - Camarthen passenger service which was halted in Creech to be talked past the singal.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 15th March 2003
Former British Rail Western No. D1015 'Western Champion' rounds the curve at Creech St Michael on the 15th March 2003.
The loco was operating 1Z46 05:39 Crewe - Okehampton 'The Western Quarryman' charter. This was a oneway charter which headed back to London via the southern route through Yeovil.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 15th March 2003
EWS liveried Class 47/7 No.47773 passes Creech St Michael on the 15th March 2003 with the Mk1 'Pridge of the Nation Set' in tow.
The loco was operating Past Time Rail charter 'The Eden Flyer' 1Z27 05:30 Milton Keynes - Par.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Published on 10th March 2003
In ex-works condition the latest Wessex Trains Class 150/2 livery to be produced is pictured at Taunton on the 10th March 2003.
No.150254 arrived into Taunton operating the 2C93 18:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton stopping service. The two-car unit features scenes from Weymouth and Portland and is the latest Class 150/2 to be outshoped in the new striking livery featuring destinations which are visited by the passenger fleet.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 9th March 2003
BR Green Class 117 DMU (51352 59505 51376) owned by the 275 Railway Squadron is picuted at Bishops Lydeard on the 9th March 2003 preparing to depart with the 10:15 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead passenger service.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 8th March 2003
Engineering work to replace trackwork between Bridgwater and Highbridge presented a cavelcade of engineering trains at Taunton on the night of the 8th March 2003 and during the next day on the 9th.
Several Class 60 locomotives were involved in the movement of materials to the worksite, sharing trains with the ubquitous EWS Class 66 locomotives. Of note was the appearance of the 'celebrity' Class 60 No.60081 painted in linded Brunswick Green livery. The loco originally being repainted for the 2000 Old Oak Common open day.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 1st March 2003
Weekend Engineering work taking place between Bridgwater and Highbirdge and a rail drop in Devon on the 1st and 2nd March 2003 saw passenger services either terminating at Taunton or diverted via Westbury (depending upon their route).
With all engineering/ track renewals large quantities of materials are required to be delivered to the work site, which ultimately brings additional engineering trains to Taunton. On the 1st March 2003 a selection of engineering trains arrived into Tauntons platforms from Westbury before changing direction to head back north towards Bridgwater and Highbridge. EWS celebrity liveried Class 60 No.60081 arrived operating 6W14 22:27 Westbury - Cowley Bridge Junction conveying a full train of long welded rail for an overnight rail drop in Devon. The train paused at Taunton for a pathing stop before continuing south. EWS Class 66 No.66095 operated 6W43 21:08 Westbury - Bridgwater (via Taunton to change direction). Upon arrival at Bridgwater the engineers trains entered a blockade and proceeded forward to Highbridge where track renewals were taking place.
We have also included two images of the worksite at Highbridge on the 2nd March and another engineering train waiting to proceed north from Bridgwater.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 1st March 2003
Virgin Trains 'Challenger' set formed of No.43069 and No.43078 head south at Creech St Michael 1st March 2003 operating an unknown passenger service.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 1st March 2003
Past Time Rail operated on of their 'Edenex' charters on the 1st March 2003.
The popular charters from various locations around the UK continue to bring interesting Class 47 haulage to the Taunton area. EWS Class 47/7 No.47778 rounds the curve at Creech St Michael on the 1st March 2003. The locomotive was operating an 1Z82 08:00 Ashford - Par 'Edenex' charter.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
To view news stories from February 2003 click here, or for news from September 2004, click here.