News Archive for October 2013

DCR Leave Taunton

(Photo: Shaun Mockridge)

Published on 28th October 2013

Devon and Cornwall Railways, (DCR) veteran Class 31 locomotives stabled at Taunton overnight on the 28th and 29th October 2013.

No.31452 and No.31190 delivered a Network Rail 'Rail Vac' from Totton Yard to Crediton on the 28th before stabling at Taunton. The pair returned to Totton on the morning of the 29th October 2013 operating as 0Z31 09:19 Taunton - Woking Up Yard. They are pictured passing the Firepool Lock complex departing from Taunton.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Taunton Units

(Photo: David Hunt)

Published on 26th October 2013

First Great Western Class 150/1 No.150101 arrives into Taunton on the 26th October 2013.

The two-car unit was operating 2C77 13:45 Bristol Parkway - Taunton stopping service. Passenger services were starting from Bristol Parkway due to engineering work between there at Cardiff Central, with Bristol Parkway offering quicker bus connections into Wales.

Looking rather odd without its front valance (at both ends) First Great Western dynamic lines liveried Class 158 No.158766 is pictured at Taunton on the 26th October 2013. The unit was operating 2U24 16:07 Taunton - Bristol Parkway where passengers transferred onto buses for links into Wales.

40 Steps - HSTs

Published on 26th October 2013

A First Great Western HST formed of No.43174 leading No.43138 passes 40 Steps arriving into Taunton Station on the 26th October 2013.

The set was operating 1A82 11:54 Exeter St Davids - London Paddington and is seen passing the construction site for the realigned Fairwater Yard head-shunt and new 40 Steps bridge.

Grubby Cross Country powercar No.43357 leads No. 43366 'HST 40' towards its next stop at Taunton passing 40 Steps on the 26th October 2013. The HST set was operating 1S51 12:24 Plymouth - Glasgow Central.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: David Hunt)

HOBC Ballast Replenishment

(Photo: David Hunt)

Published on 26th October 2013

Freightliner Class 66/6 No.66603 is pictured departing from Fairwater Yard at 40 steps on the 26th October 2013.

The loco was operating 6A84 11:08 Fairwater Yard - Westbury to replenish ballast in the HOBC portion to return to Fairwater Yard before overnight ballast cleaning duties.

To view the gallery, please click here.

EWS Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT)

Published on 26th October 2013

EWS Class 66 locomotives No.66187 and No.66074 pass the reconfigured track at 40 Steps, Taunton on the 26th October 2013.

The pair were operating 3J13 08:45 Westbury - St Blazey via Salisbury with the Network Rail RHTT set.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: David Hunt)

DCR Class 31

(Photo: Jason Prole)

Published on 21st October 2013

Another visitor to the Taunton Station stabling sidings on the 21st October 2013 was DCR Class 31 No.31190.

The loco had been used to transport the Network Rail 'Swedish Rail Vac' from Totton to Crediton, to take part in an engineering blockade, before returning to Taunton light engine as 0Z57 18:22 Crediton - Taunton. The loco is seen stabled between duties on the 23rd October.

To view the gallery, please click here.

40 Steps Closes

(Photo: Jeff Treece)

Published on 20th October 2013

The popular viewing platform from 40 Steps bridge in Taunton will be closed to the public from the 28th October 2013.

The 'classic' photo opportunities from 40 Steps will not be accessible until a new bridge is constructed. The work is likely to take around 6 months to complete, and will mean a lengthy diversion for local residents. A new bridge will reopen in the spring 2014 in conjunction with the new Northern Inner Distributor Road.

The TRT Returns

Published on 19th October 2013

The Network Rail TRS (Track Renewal System), known generally as the TRT (Track Renewal Train) by enthusiasts is slowly making a return to Taunton from it's previous base at Toton Yard.

Several items have already been delivered to Fairwater Yard over the past week. The set is being re-deployed in the South West in connection with upcoming track renewal work in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for increased activity in Fairwater Yard once this set returns.

The Network Rail Track Renewal Train is pictured passing Cogload Junction on the 20th November 2006.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Freightliner and Colas Combo

Published on 19th October 2013

The newly constructed stabling sidings behind Platform 1 and 2 at Taunton have seen some use of late.

On the 19th October 2013 this colourful combination was captured. Colas Rail Freight hired in a Freightliner Heavy Haul Class 66 to assist with engineering work near Crediton. The pair are seen stabled at Taunton having returned to Taunton light engine as 0Y47 Exeter Riverside - Taunton. Freightliner Class 66/6 No.66603 is seen closest to the camera with Colas No.66846 behind. Ironically 66846 was once owned and operated by Freightliner Intermodal as 66573.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Darren Jones)

End of The Fawley Tanks

Published on 15th October 2013

After 25 years of operation the popular 'Fawley Tanks' which passes Taunton, each Tuesday will cease to run from the 29th October 2013 when the final train will operate.

The flow (which once used to operate 5 days week) has slowly declined in recent years to just one block train each week. The flow of fuel from the Fawley Refinery to Great Western depots at St Phillips Marsh, Laira and Long Rock has delivered fuel by rail for several decades. A recent contract renewal was not signed with DB Schenker, but instead went to a road haulier to provide the service. The move will require upwards of 30 additional lorry movements each week to cover the single trip carried by a Class 66 locomotive. The Falwey Tanks has been a popular train to capture over the years, all manner of locomotives have operated popular service, and Taunton Trains has followed the Fawley Tanks throughout its operational life. The flow has its own photographic website dedicated to the service, along with an extensive log of workings.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Jeff Treece)

(Photo: Bob Tucker)

Friday 4th & Saturday 5th October 2013

Published on 4th October 2013

Colas Rail Freight Class 66 No. 66849 'Wylam Dilly' passes Norton Fitzwarren on the 4th October 2013.

The loco was hauling 6Z29 12:06 Hackney Yard-Westbury with an empty rail slinger set in tow, returning for loading after a rail drop in Devon.

Saturday 5th October 2013 provided a daylight appearance of a China Clay service in the Taunton area. Having set off from Exeter Riverside in the early hours of Saturday morning, EWS liveried Class 66 No.66041 made it as far at Highbridge Loop before the train was halted. A problem with the TTA fuel wagons within the consist forced the service to return to Exeter. Having detached the affected wagons, No.66041 is seen passing Norton Fitzwarren at 12:20 with 18 JIA China Clay wagons in tow. The service was also re-routed to become the 6Z39 11:10 Exeter Riverside - Avonmouth.

(Photo: Quentin Hawkes)

WSR - Autumn Steam Gala 2013

Published on 3rd October 2013

Why not enjoy some of the sights and sounds on the West Somerset Autumn Steam Gala filmed during the 2013. The 'Cambrian' themed event featured four visiting 'Manor' locomotives, operating alongside the WSR home steam fleet.

WSR - Autumn Steam Gala 2013

Published on 3rd October 2013

October 3rd - 6th 2013 provided four days of the West Somerset Railway's Autumn 'Cambrian Themed' Steam Gala.

The event featured three visiting Manor locomotives, a class which were synonymous with the route. West Somerset Railway stations were also re-named to those befitting of the Cambrian route. The event culminated with two-night shoots, one on Friday night at Williton organised by David Williams and Neil Cave, and one on Saturday night at Minehead organised by Don Bishop. After a warm and sunny day during Saturday 5th, all four Manors ended their diagrams at Minehead. The Saturday evening photo shoot saw all four Manors posed for photographers on Minehead shed. No. 7812 'Erlestoke Manor', No. 7822 'Foxcote Manor', No. 7827 'Lydham Manor', and No. 7828 'Odney Manor' looked suburb in the posed scenes. The event also featured BR Prairie Tank No.4160, Hall No. 6960 'Raveningham Hall', Castle No. 5029 'Nunney Castle' and the WSR's own misfit steam locomotive No.9351. We have provided a selection of images and gallery featuring images taken at the unique event.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

60049 - 3rd October 2013

Published on 3rd October 2013

EWS liveried Class 60 No.60049 was back in the Taunton are on the 3rd October 2013 hauling the same service it operated on the 2nd.

EWS Class 60 No.60049 passes 40 Steps returning east hauling 6C28 12:03 Exeter Riverside - Westbury engineers.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Jeff Treece)

Three Freights at Nynehead

Published on 2nd October 2013

The 2nd October 2013 continued to provide rail freight interest in the Taunton area with three freights passing through the area within twenty minutes of one another.

EWS Class 60 No.60049 passes Nynehead on the 2nd October 2013 operating 6C27 09:34 Westbury - Exeter Riverside. The train was filled with Mendip building aggregate for delivery to the virtual quarry at Exeter Riverside Yard.

Colas Rail Freight Class 56 No.56094 passes Nynehead on the 2nd October 2013. the loco was operating 6Z52 06:01 Chirk Kronospan - Teigngrace empties for loading with logs.

Operating on the 2nd October 2013 Freightliner Bardon Aggregates-livered Class 66/6 No.66623 is pictured at Nynehead. The grubby locomotive was operating 6M40 10:31 Exeter Riverside - Stud Farm aggregate empties.

(Photo: Mike Rowland)

DRS at Taunton

Published on 1st October 2013

DRS Class 37 No. 37402 'Stephen Middlemore 23.12.1954-8.6.2013' departs from Platform 2 at Taunton Station to change direction at 40 Steps, and return north with No.37682 leading to Didcot on the 1st October 2013. (Video: Nathan Williamson)

DRS Kick Off Ocotber

Published on 1st October 2013

The 1st October 2013 started in a colourful way, with the visit of a Network Rail test train to Taunton, two Direct Rail Services Class 37 locomotives were hired in to operate a Network Rail Test Train.

Class 37/4 No.37402 is seen passing Taunton with the 1Q28 07:31 Kingsland Road - Didcot via Taunton. Class 37/6 No.37682 was coupled to the rear of the formation, and later lead the train north from Taunton to Didcot after a reversal at 40 Steps.

Within the formation of the 1Q28 test train was the purpose built Mk2 track recording coach No.999550. Since it's displacement from the Network Rail New Measurement Train HST set, No. 999550 has spent most of its working life testing tracks on the Southern region, so its visit to Taunton was considered quite rare and worthy of a mention. Other coaches in the formation of the 1Q28 were: No.72616 No.9516 & No.6261 1Q28 07:31 Kingsland Road to Didcot Yard

(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

To view news stories from September 2013 click here, or for news from November 2013, click here.