News Archive for March 2012

Colas Timber

(Photo: Wayne Potter)

Published on 28th March 2012

Colas Rail Freight Class 66/7 No.66745 is pictured exiting from Whiteball Tunnel on the 28th March 2012.

The loco was operating 6Z51 14:41 Teigngrace - Chirk loaded timber.

Triple Tractors

(Photo: Paul Finnimore)

Published on 23rd March 2012

In a rare triple-headed combination, Direct Rail Services Class 37 locomotives lead Network Rail Class 37 north through Bathpol on the 23rd March 2012.

No.37229, No.37409, and No.97301 were operating as 1Q13 08:16 Newquay - Derby RTC. No.37409 had been added to the train at Exeter Riverside Yard.

To view the gallery, please click here.

WSR Spring Steam Gala 2012

Published on 22nd March 2012

March 17th – 18th and March 22nd - 25th, 2012, provided a two-part Spring Steam Gala event on the West Somerset Railway.

The second weekend provided much better weather than the first weekend and was reminiscent of the glorious conditions from the Autumn Steam Gala in 2011. The lineside presentation was impeccable, with over-winter vegetation maintenance presenting the railway at its best. The final weekend also provided most steam locomotives running boiler first (where possible). Visiting BR Standard Class 7 No. 70000 'Britannia' was also able to be turned on the Norton Triangle. The use of a GWR Manor, Hall, and King was also very popular with enthusiasts, providing the last chance to ride and photograph King Class No. 6024 'King Edward I' before its overhaul. The Spring Gala event was also complemented on Saturday 24th, with a night shoot at Crowcombe Heathfield after the last train for a paid 'Night Shoot' organised by WSR Journal Editor, David Williams. The unique event involved visiting 14XX No.1450 complete with its Autocoach No.178. The loco was posed in several positions within Crowcombe Heathfield station and provided a fitting end to a good days photography. Although the amorous couple in the rear coach of the last train to Bishops Lydeard probably didn't plan on such a large group of photographers witnessing their own 'steamy' activities as the train departed.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Darrem Jones)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Class 97 Visits

Published on 21st March 2012

Network Rail supplied its own Class 97/3 to provide power for one of its own test trains on Wednesday, March 21st 2012.

No.37229 and No. 37409 'Lord Hinton' had worked South through Taunton with the 1Q13 to Exeter Riverside during the evening of 20th March. However, a problem with the rear loco ( 37409 'Lord Hinton') resulted in No. 97301 being summoned from Derby to assist the train in the South West for the remainder of this week's diagram. No.97301 is seen passing Taunton light engine as 0Z13 06:15 Derby RTC – Exeter Riverside light engine movement.

(Photo: Alex Martin-Brown)

Freightliner HOBC

Published on 21st March 2012

One of the more regular freight services through Taunton is the daily 6C72 / 6C73 HOBC trip working to and from Westbury to load with ballast.

On the 21st February 2012, No.66621 passes a freshly cleared 40 Steps with the return 6C73 12:12 Westbury to Fairwater Yard. Recently, Network Rail has been carrying out extensive vegetation clearance in this area, and should be commended on their good work.

(Photo: Alex Martin-Brown)

Central Trains

(Photo: Alex Martin-Brown)

Published on 20th March 2012

A colourful combination of Class 153 units is pictured passing 40 Steps, Taunton on the 20th March 2012.

Still carrying London Midland colours and branding No.153325 leads First Great Western 'Dynamic Lines' No.153370. The pair were operating a St Philips Marsh - Exeter TMD stock transfer returning from maintenance.

To view the gallery, please click here.

First Great Western

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 18th March 2012

First Great Western HST formed of No.43130 leading and 43XXX at the rear, arrive at Taunton on the 18th Mach 2012.

The set was operating 1C86 14:46 London Paddington - Exeter St Davids.

Last Day of Central Trains Livery

Published on 18th March 2012

Sunday, 18th March 2012, saw another 'last' event at Taunton.

Former Central Trains/Centro/ London Midland Class 150/1 No.150108 became the last of the sub-class to operate in non-First Great Western colours. No.150108 is pictured arriving in the evening sunlight at Taunton Station with the final 2C81 16:00 Bristol Temple Meads – Taunton stopping service. It then formed the slightly delayed 2M66 17:11 from Taunton to Bristol. From here, the unit is expected to enter the workshops, ending another colourful livery variation in the South West. The unit will soon emerge in First Great Western blue with pink doors to match the rest of the fleet.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

The Last Ascent

Published on 17th March 2012

With its current mainline career spanning well over 10 years, GWR King Class Locomotive No. 6024 'King Edward I' made its last mainline passenger outing on the 17th March 2012, hauling Pathfinder Railtours 'The Torbay Limited' steam leg from Bristol to Kingswear and back.

The locomotive has been at the forefront of the South West mainline steam operations during its long operational period. The time has now come for the locomotive to enter the works for a major overhaul. Because of the exceptional reliability and popularity of the locomotive, it has become easy to be complacent with the use of the locomotive on regular steam services, such as 'The Torbay Express', but that said, it's also surprising just how many images have been recorded over the years, many photographers gathered at lineside locations to record their last 'frames' or 'pixels' of the loco operating on the mainline.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

P&O Nedlloyd Atlas

Published on 17th March 2012

As the evenings draw out, it's possible to record Saturday engineering services operated by both DB Schenker and Freightliner Heavy Haul.

On the 17th March 2012, No. 66532 'P&O Nedlloyd Atlas' climbs Whiteball Bank with the 6Y25 17:13 Hackney Yard – Stoke Works Junction. The loco was hauling an empty long welded rail train for loading overnight. No. 66532 'P&O Nedlloyd Atlas' is a Freightliner Intermodal locomotive hired to Heavy Haul for the weekend. Monday morning will see the loco back in Bristol, ready to work standard Freightliner Services.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

The Cathedrals Express

Published on 10th March 2012

Saturday 10th March 2012 saw A1 Pacific No. 60163 'Tornado' breeze through Taunton with the ‘Cathedrals Express’ charter from London Paddington to Plymouth.

After Winter maintenance, the loco was originally planned to work double-headed into Devon with 'Duke of Gloucester', but owing to a recent shunting incident, the loco had to be withdrawn from traffic. Instead, No. 60163 'Tornado' handled the charter solo to Exeter, where DB Schenker provided a Class 66 locomotive (No.66152) to assist the charter over the Devon Banks. Tornado is seen passing Westford Crossing near Wellington operating 1Z29 08:06 London Paddington – Plymouth.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: John White)

Silver Bullet Movement

Published on 8th March 2012

Thursday 8th March 2012 marked the return of Nemesis Rail and their movement of stored China Clay Slurry 'Silver Bullets' from Burngullow through to Burton on Trent.

Unlike the previous wagon movement (on the 30th November 2011), this time the former Fastline Class 56 led the train on the return through Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset. No.56302 led No.47375 north through the Taunton area as 6Z23 10:00 Burngullow – Burton Wetmore Sidings.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: John White)

(Photo: Paul Finnimore)

Nemesis Head To Cornwall

Published on 6th March 2012

Nemesis Rail operated another movement into Cornwall on Tuesday, 6th March 2012, using their Class 47 No.47375 and former Fastline Class 56 No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' (Now de-branded).

The pair worked the 0Z21 10:18 Burton Wetmore Sidings to Burngullow, where they will collect another rake of redundant Silver Bullet wagons for transportation back to Burton on Trent. These wagons will likely be overhauled and put back into the European China Clay slurry flows, which now operate from Belgium to the UK. No.47375 and No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' are seen passing Westford Crossing near Wellington.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: John White)

Thorney Mill Aggregate

(Photo: Steve Yarde)

Published on 5th March 2012

Freightliner Heavy Haul operated a rare late afternoon service from Thorney Mill to Hackney Yard on Monday, 5th March 2012.

No. 66614 '1916 Poppy 2016' conveyed a rake of empty 22 JGA wagons for onward transit to Brungullow later in the week. The grubby loco and wagons are seen at Cogload Junction, nearing Taunton, operating as 6V87 12:30 Thorney Mill – Hackney Yard. We are also informed that some cutting back of undergrowth is currently underway at Charlton on the southbound trackside, which has opened up the morning photographic opportunities. We hope much more will be done in the coming weeks.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Freightliner Movements - 2nd March 2012

Published on 2nd March 2012

Friehgtliner Class 66/5 No.66509 arrives at Taunton passing through Platform 2 at Taunton on the 2nd March 2012.

The loco was operating 0C84 11:45 Westbury to Fairwater Yard as a light engine move.

Freightliner Class 66/6 No.66616 arrives back into Fairwater Yard on the 2nd March 2012. The loco was operating 6Z85 09:52 Fairwater Yard to Fairwater Yard via Bristol in order to turn the TRT set in preparation for its next usage.

(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

Cross Country HST

Published on 2nd March 2012

A Cross Country HST set with No.43384 leading departs Taunton Station on the 2nd March 2012.

No.43384 and No.43XXX were operating 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh to Plymouth.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

Tamper Movement

Published on 2nd March 2012

Colas Rail DR75406 - Matisa B41UE Tamper No.DR75406 arrives at 40 Steps on the 2nd March 2012.

The Tamper had been operating 6J83 11:00 Westerleigh to Taunton, where it stabled behind Taunton Station.

(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

Radio Survey Train

(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

Published on 2nd March 2012

Network Rail finally managed to operate one of its Radio Survey trains on Friday, 2nd March 2012, in the South West, after various locomotive failures reported on Taunton Trains during the last week.

In a rare Type 2/ Type 3 combination, replacement Class 37 No.37688 is seen working in multiple with 31602 [NN] (on the rear) departing from Taunton (running 3 days late). The 1Q13 07:00 Exeter Riverside to Derby RTC operated via Castle Cary / Honiton / Exeter / Honiton / Castle Cary / Exeter and later back to Cheltenham at Derby. The impressive complete buildings from the first part of the Firepool Development now dominate the scene at 40 Steps.

Freightliner 'Shanks'

Published on 2nd March 2012

Freightliner 'Shanks' liveried Class 66/5 No.66522 exits from Fairwater Yard passing 40 Steps on the 2nd March 2012.

The loco was operating 6A72 14:33 Fairwater Yard to Westbury, conveying a Network Rail HOBC control vehicle with three ballast wagons for loading.

(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

Driver Dave Green

Published on 2nd March 2012

A rare combination of a Network Rail Class 31 and Direct Rail Services Class 37 passes 40 Steps on the 2nd March 2012.

No.31602 'Driver Dave Green' was leading 1Q13 07:00 Exeter Riverside to Derby RTC with DRS Class 37 No.37688 at the rear of the train, having visited Castle Cary, Honiton, Exeter, and back to Honiton before making their way north.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

To view news stories from September 2011 click here, or for news from April 2012, click here.