News Archive for November 2013

Published on 22nd November 2013

Taunton's new stabling sidings resembled a heritage centre on the 22nd November 2013.

Probably no one would of ever predicted that in 2013 Taunton would see a Class 56, 47, and 31 stabled 'on depot' at the same time. DCR provided the spectacle with No.56311 towing No.47769 from Washwood Heath Taunton as 0Z47 08:13 Crewe CS - Taunton. After a short shunt the 56 was removed and the Class 31 continued to Okehampton with the Class 47. The 47 was being moved to the Dartmoor Railway to provide batteries for No.47375 which had failed. The Class 31 then returned to Taunton light engine and stabled with No.56311 for the night, operating back to Taunton as 0Z32 16:50 Okehampton - Taunton.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 14th November 2013

With the 40 Steps Footbridge now removed from it's position the skyline in the Taunton area looks very different.

EWS Class 66 No.66141 and No.66193 pass the location of the former 40 Steps footbridge on the 14th November 2013. The pair were operating 3S13 08:45 Westbury - St Blazey (via Salisbury) returning south.

Freightliner Class 66 No.66956 returns to Taunton on the 14th November 2013 passing the location of the former 40 Steps Footbridge. No.66956 was operating 6C78 13:27 Westbury - Fairwater Yard with a rake of loaded Network Rail Autoballaster wagons.

Published on 10th November 2013

The night of the 9th/10th November 2013, saw the 40 Steps Bridge located to the south of Taunton Station finally removed, the span across the railway was taken out to allow work to continue of the Taunton NIDR Road, and Network Rail to complete their new head shunt works for Fairwater Yard.

Just a small section of steelwork remained in place adjacent to the Taunton Sorting Office, and the stantion on the Cyril Street side of the crossing. These will be dismantled in due course as they don't need so much interaction with Network Rail in order to do so.

The replacement structure will not be ready until Spring 2014, and unfortunately we can confirm the span from the Sorting Office over the NIDR and Railway will be fully caged in 25mm square mesh! The only opportunity for railway photos may be from the Cyril Street side of the bridge from the disabled ramps.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 5th November 2013

Colas Rail Fright Class 56 No.56113 returned through Taunton on the 5th November 2013.

The locomotive operated 6Z29 12:06 Hackney Yard - Westbury empty rail slinger. The loco had previously worked light engine south to Newton Abbot from Westbury during the morning.

To view the gallery, please click here.