News Archive for July 2013

 Steam/ Diesel - The Torbay Express

(Photo: Brian Garrett)


Published on 21st July 2013

With a partial steam ban still in place following the unprecedented hot weather on the 21st July 2013, the Torbay Express operated with BR Two Tone Green Class 47 No.47812 tucked inside the leading locomotive.

GWR Castle No. 5029 'Nunney Castle' passes Creech St Michael with the 1Z27 09:15 Bristol Temple Meads - Kingswear running slightly ahead of schedule.


Western - Diesel Diagram


Published on 20th July 2013

Turning back the clock on the West Somerset Railway, Class 52 Western No. D1010 'Western Campaigner' is pictured at Bishops Lydeard with the 11:40 diesel diagram to Minehead on the 20th July 2013.

The Western has finally returned to a period of reliability and its pleasing to see this former mainline locomotive operating in full health, even if 3 coaches was not taxing for such a powerful locomotive.

The Western is seen passing Roebuck Crossing while working the 17:35 from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service. All three coaches were packed with enthusiasts enjoying the sound of the Western working through the Somerset Countryside.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Wayne Potter)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)



Class 59/2

(Photo: Wayne Potter)

Published on 18th July 2013

Thursday 19th July 2013 saw a DB Schenker Class 59/2 venture into Devon.

The locomotive was used to haul the sporadic aggregate flow from Merehead Quarry to Exeter Riverside Yard. Having worked south during the early morning, Class 59/2 No.59201 is seen returning through Cogload Junction operating 7C28 13:41 Exeter Riverside - Whatley Quarry with the empties.

To view the gallery, please click here.


 London Midland Twins

Published on 16th July 2013

First Great Western currently operate two former London Midland Class 153 single car units as part of their fleet.

On rare occasions the LM Twins operate as a pair. Both units carry their former London Midland green/grey livery with smaller FGW branding. No.153333 and No.153325 pass through Creech St Michael on the 16th July 2013 working the 13:07 from Taunton to Cardiff Central.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Quentin Hawkes)


Grid on Logs

(Photo: Wanye Potter)

Published on 10th July 2013

Colas Rail Freight continue to utilise Class 56 locomotives on their South West timber diagram.

On the 10th July 2013 Class 56 No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' made it's first foray to Somerset and Devon. The loco had previously visited when working for Nemesis Rail in Fastline Freight colours. The Class 56 makes an impressive sight at Cogload Junction working the 6Z52 07:13 Chirk Koronspan - Teigngrace empties.

To view the gallery, please click here.


Saltonians Head Home

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 8th July 2013

With Saltionians having bathed themselves in glorious Devon sunshine over the weekend, West Coast Railways provided traction back to their opposite north eastern coastline on Monday 8th July 2013.

The return run of 'The Saltburn Riviera' saw No.57313 leading whilst in top and tail formation with fellow West Coast classmate No. 57601 'Windsor Castle' on the rear. Having worked down the previous Friday for a weekend tour to Torquay, 1Z64 09:50 Torquay - Saltburn is seen here running downgrade through Marlands.

To view the gallery, please click here.


 HOBC

Published on 7th July 2013

Freightliner Class 66/6 No. 66601 'The Hope Valley' passes Cogload Junction on Sunday 7th July 2013 operating in 'top and tail' formation with No.66613.

The pair were retruning the Network Rail HOBC set from overnight ballast cleaning duties, operating as 6Y11 08:00 Cheltenham - Fairwater Yard.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)


Flat Front Class 150


Published on 7th July 2013

First Great Western Class 150/1 No.150128 passes Cogload Junction on the 7th July 2013 operating 2C45 08:28 Bristol Temple Meads - Penzance.

Operating the only direct service to Severn Beach of the week through Cogload Junction on the 7th July 2013. First Great Western Class 150/1 No. 150129 'Devon & Cornwall RAIL PARTNERSHIP' and Class 153 No.153373 are pictured operating 2K18 09:35 Exeter St Davids - Severn Beach.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)



 Heritage Diesel - Torbay Express

(Photo: Brian Garrett)


Published on 7th July 2013

With the increase in temperatures Network Rail imposed a steam ban in the South West thwarting the start of the steam hauled 'Torbay Express' charters, however a Heritage Class 47 was supplied from Riviera Trains to operate the service.

On the 7th July 2013 Ex-Virgin Trains Class 47 No.47812 (D1916) is seen passing Cogload Junction operating 1Z27 09:15 Bristol Temple Meads - Kingswear looking superb with a matching rake of chocolate and cream stock. Like many celebrities these days the loco has seen a little 'cosmetic surgery' to the bodysides panels.

To view the gallery, please click here.


Robin of Templecombe

(Photo: Bob Tucker)

Published on 5th July 2013

Following slightly behind a Saltburn - Torquay charter on the was Colas Rail Freight on the 5th July 2013.

The company was moving a set of overhauled HOBC wagons from Cardiff Canton back to Fairwater Yard. Class 47/7 No.47739 'Robin of Templecombe' was used for the duty. The loco is named after former Colas driver Robin Gould who was the last ex-Templecome S & D driver. Sadly Robin passed away earlier this year, but the loco continues to carry his memory around the UK where ever it goes. No.47739 is pictured passing Banklands operating as 6Z56 15:12 Cardiff Canton - Fairwater Yard.

To view the gallery, please click here.


Saltburn - Torquay


Published on 5th July 2013

West Coast Railways Class 57/6 No. 57601 'Windsor Castle' paid a second visit in as many weeks back to its old stomping ground in the South West on Friday 5th July 2013.

The locomotive (painted in West Coast Railways mundane Maroon livery) hauled 'The Saltburn Devonian' from Saltburn to Torquay. The loco operated in top and tail formation with former Arriva Trains Wales liveried Class 57 No. 57313 'Scarborough Castle'. The charter operated as 1Z71 08:10 Saltburn - Torquay.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Bob Tucker)

(Photo: S A Ginn)



 Tangmere 'One Way Visit'

Published on 4th July 2013

Southern Region steam returned to Taunton for a brief visit on the 4th July 2013, when Westcountry No. 34067 'Tangmere' put in a one way appearance hauling 'The Devonian' between Exeter and Poole (via Bristol).

After an early evening water stop at Taunton, No. 34067 'Tangmere' is seen passing Banklands at speed while hauling 1Z82 16:10 Exeter St Davids - Poole.

(Photo: Quentin Hawkes)


To view news stories from June 2013 click here, or for news from August 2013, click here.