News Archive for November 2012

Unprecedented Rainfall


Published on 21st November 2012

Unprecedented Rainfall fell on already saturated ground on the night of the 20th/21st November 2012 causing widespread flooding and disruption right across the South West.

Taunton and the surrounding areas were badly hit, with wanted racing off the Quantocks and Blackdown Hills into the River Tone, which later burst its banks in several locations. The railway was badly affected throughout the day with flooding in Devon, Avon, Dorset and Wiltshire, more locally flooding at Whiteball Tunnel, Wellington, Taunton, Athelney and Somerton caused more pressing issues. Unusually 40 Steps at Taunton was also affected, trains were cautioned while running through the area. A Cross Country Voyager is pictured negotiating the water logged ground conditions.

(Photo: Stephen Jervis)

(Photo: Stephen Jervis)



Loco Convoy


Published on 16th November 2012

BARS/DCR moved a convoy of locomotives from their base at Burton on Trent to Meldon Quarry on the 16th November 2012 in preparation for Christmas Specials on the Dartmoor Railway.

BR Class 31 No.31601 provided the transport for classmate 31452 and repaired BR Blue Class 47 No.47375. The 0Z34 11:00 Burton Wetmore Sidings - Okehampton convoy was held at Fairwater Yard due to a broken rail at Whiteball (which caused severe delays for most of the afternoon). 31452 and 47375 will take part in Christmas 'Polar Express' services on the Dartmoor Railway during the festive season, while the current dispute over 47701 'Waverley' (also based on the line) continues.

DCR Class 31 No.31601 later returned to Taunton and stabled in Platform 1 at Taunton the loco arrived back light engine operating as 0Z31 17:20 Meldon Quarry - Taunton (changing direction at Exeter Riverside Yard). The loco stabled at Taunton for the night before returning to Bristol the next day.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Jeff Treece)



HST To Paddington

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 10th November 2012

First Great Western HST formed of No.43025 leading No.43078 is captured in the Autumn sunshine on the 10th November 2012.

The set was operating 1A80 08:45 Penznance - London Paddington.

To view the gallery, please click here.


 Rail Head Treatment Train

(Photo: Brian Garrett)


Published on 10th November 2012

The 2012 Autumnal colours have been some of the best for years, after such a wet summer the trees have produced some stunning scenes.

For Network Rail the battle continues to rid the railway network of leaf mulch on the rail heads. DB Schenker Class 66 locomotives No.66011 and No.66094 pass through Cogload on Saturday 10th November 2012. The RHTT set was returning from Westbury and Salisbury with the 3S13 08:40 Westbury - St Blazey via Salisbury.

To view the gallery, please click here.


 Crompton To Cornwall


Published on 9th November 2012

Friday 9th November 2012 saw the rare appearance of a mainline registered Class 33 at Taunton.

West Coast Railways finally found a serviceable locomotive to work light engine from Southall to Bodmin to collect the GWR Railmotor for onward transport to Liskeard. The previous weeks charters on the Looe line had to be cancelled after two West Coast Locomotives failed in succession. The battered Class 33 No. 33207 'Jim Martin' passes Taunton operating as 0Z37 10:29 Southall Depot - Bodmin Parkway. The locomotive renewing the last visit from September 2011. The 33 also became the first class member to visit Cornwall since 18th March 2006.

To view the gallery, please click here.


56087 First Appearance

(Photo: Jeff Treece)

Published on 7th November 2012

Making its first appearance on the Teigngrace log flow, Colas Rail Freight Class 56 No.56087 powers away from Taunton on the 7th November 2012.

The loco was operating 6Z52 07:29 Chirk - Teigngrace log empties for loading in Devon.

To view the gallery, please click here.


To view news stories from October 2012 click here, or for news from December 2012, click here.