News Archive for February 2013

Published on 24th February 2013

Sunday 24th 2013 February saw more Mendip Rail and DB Schenker Class 59 locomotives being used on South West engineering services.

On Sunday 25th, DB Schenker liveried Class 59/2 No.59204 arrives into Taunton hauling the 6W32 11:48 Westbury - Fairwater Yard with a rake of Autoballasters. The loco then ran round the loaded wagons before returning east for a ballast drop at Blatchbridge Junction overnight.

DB Schenker liveried Class 59/2 No. 59206 'John F Yeoman' passes 40 Steps, Taunton on the 24th February 2013. The loco was operating 6W32 10:00 Newton Abbot West Junction - Westbury returning old track sections from the engineering blockade to Westbury for recycling.

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Published on 23rd February 2013

Nine months after the Queens Jubilee celebrations First Great Westerns 'Jubilee' Powercar No.43186 is still making regular appearances on the FGW network.

On Saturday 23rd February the powercar fronted the 1A15 09:18 Paignton - Paddington (via Bristol Temple Meads) service. The unique liveried powercar is seen at Taunton during its booked stop at Taunton.

On the 24th February the 'Diamond Jubilee' powercar No.43186 and No.43195 pass Cogload Junction with a southbound express passenger service from London Paddington.

Published on 21st February 2013

Wednesday 20th February 2013 saw two veteran Class 31 locomotives (dating from 1959) stabled in Platform 1 for the night.

DCR sent No.31190 to Meldon Quarry to collect classmate No.31452 before operating as 0Z32 16:13 Meldon Quarry - Taunton and recessing at in Platform 1 overnight. 31452 had used by the Dartmoor Railway during Christmas 2012 to haul Polar Express charters. The two locomotives departed Taunton the next day heading to Doncaster.

DCR Class 31 locomotives No.31452 and No.31190 departed Taunton on the 21st February 2013 heading for Doncaster West Yard. The pair first exited their overnight accommodation in Platform 1 heading to 40 Steps before forming 0Z31 09:25 Taunton - Doncaster. The pair are seen smoking their way towards 40 Steps before changing direction with No.31190 leading north.

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Published on 17th February 2013

Freightliner return the Network Rail HOBC set to Taunton after overnight ballast cleaning duties.

No.66613 and No.66620 pass Cogload Junction on the 17th February 2013 operating 6Y11 09:00 Abbotswood Junction - Fairwater Yard.

Returning from overnight engineering work in Devon EWS liveried Class 66 No.66067 passes Cogload Junction on Sunday 17th February 2013. The loco was operating as 7W31 09:50 Tavistock Junction - Westbury conveying two Colas YJB rail cranes and 14 Coalfish.

EWS liveried Class 66 No.66070 passes Cogload Junction on the 17th February 2013 running early. The loco was operating 6W32 10:50 Tavistock Junction - Westbury formed of 14 Coalfish wagons. The loco later returned south back to Saltash with a replenished set of wagons.

A Yeoman liveried Class 59/0 made a surprise appearance in the Taunton area on Sunday 17th February 2013. The heavy freight locomotive No. 59002 'Alan J Day' hauled 25 wagon rake of loaded Network Rail autoballasters south as 6W41 11:18 Westbury - Fairwater Yard before later returning to Wiltshire. The loco is pictured passing Cogload Junction heading for Taunton.

Published on 10th February 2013

With many of the DB Schenker Class 60 locomotives now being put through a mid-life overhaul program at Toton its pleasing to see these British built machines finally regaining strength in numbers.

Visits to the Taunton area are still sparse, but on the 9th February DB Schenker liveried Class 60 No.60010 operated into Devon on an overnight engineers. The loco made its first visit to Taunton in over 5 years and is seen passing 40 Steps returning the 6W97 08:45 Totnes - Hinksey Yard on the 10th February 2023 returning with a fully loaded welded rail train. Unfortunately the equipment broke down on the CWR train which meant no rail could be unloaded during the overnight blockade.

Following closely behind the British built Class 60 was the American built EWS liveried Class 66/0 No.66017, this loco returned a rake of loaded Autoballasters from Plymouth to Westbury as the 6W32 08:50 from Plymouth. The small train is see passing through Taunton, 40 Steps at speed returning to Wiltshire from Devon on the 10th February 2013 with 5 loaded Autoballasters in tow.

Published on 10th February 2013

Pathfinder Railtours operated their 'Hullaba-Looe' charter from Bristol Temple Meads to Exmouth, Liskeard and Looe on the 10th February 2013.

The train was formed three of DRS Class 37s locomotives with No.37609 and No.37218 leading and No.37608 on the rear for the southbound run. These were the same locos and stock which operated the previous days charter 'The Winter Settler' from Bristol to Carlisle and return. There was a delay departing from Bristol owing to the stock from that tour needing to be turned. The return leg of the charter was even more rousing with the three Class 37 locomotives leading the charter back between Plymouth and Bristol.