News Archive for May 2014

Published on 31st May 2014

Taunton's replacement for the former 40 Steps footbridge finally took a step closer to reality on Saturday 31st May 2014.

The first sections of the main bridge span arrived on site at Chip Lane during Saturday afternoon along with a multitude of lifting equipment from Ainscough Lifting. The bridge was transported to Taunton on three separate oversized loads, which were then held at Taunton Deane Services before picking up their allotted escort vehicles into Taunton via the A38. Nusteel (who have manufactured the bridge) have two overnight work windows in order to join the bridge sections together (this weekend) and then lift into position (next weekend). During each weekend Ainscough will be providing the lifting power via their 200 Tonne and 500 Tonne cranes, these will travel to Taunton each weekend for the required lifts.

Unfortunately we are able to confirm that the main span of the bridge is completely enclosed and meshed in, with no opportunity for a photographic viewpoint. This also raises questions about personal safety of persons using the bridge, as their is also no obvious way persons can be seen while walking through the bridge from the outside. The side panels also provide a perfect blank canvas for graffiti to be applied. We can only hope that some form of photographic vantage point will be possible from the ramped walkways of the bridge which will open at a later date.

Published on 14th May 2014

Colas Rail Freight provided two more 'firsts' on the 15th May 2014, the first visit to Taunton of newly delivered Class 70 No.70807 and the first ever pair of Class 70s to visit Cornwall.

During the evening of Thursday 15th May No.70807 & No.70804 rolled their way south hauling the 6C65 17:34 Westbury - St Erth engineers, the pair of locos were coupled either end of five Network Rail Autoballasters. The colourful service is pictured passing Creech St Michael in the evening sunlight.

Colas Rail Freight Class 70 locomotives are slowly spreading their wings venturing to pastures new. Just days after the first visit of two Class 70s to Cornwall, Colas sent No.70805 to Par with the long welded rail train for an overnight rail drop. On the 21st May No.70805 is pictured at Cogload Junction powering away from a standing start having been held for two passenger services to pass by from the Bristol line while operating 6C98 19:15 Westbury - Par.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 10th May 2014

The 9th and 10th May 2014 saw both Vintage Trains and Pathfinder Railtours mark the 50th Anniversary of GWR Castle No. 7029 'Clun Castle' reaching 96mph while descending Wellington Bank while itself hauling a charter commemorating the 60th anniversary of the, unofficial, 100mph run by GWR 3700 class 4-4-0 No. 3440 'City of Truro'.

By the wonders of modern technology we have been able to provide a 50 year comparison photograph taken at Taunton by the same photographer. The left hand images show No. 5029 'Nunney Castle' passing Taunton on the 9th May 2014 and No. 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' passing Taunton on the 10th May 1964. The right hand images show 7025 at Taunton the Ian Allan tour on 9th May 1964 - No.7025 had taken over the down leg at Taunton from Hall No. 6999 'Capel Dewi Hall' which had itself replaced the failed No. 4079 'Pendennis Castle' at Westbury, while the lower image features 1Z48 passing Taunton at speed in the same year of 1964.

Published on 10th May 2014

Vintage Trains operated their charter on the 10th May 2014 using a double tour to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Whiteball speed record.

Western No. D1015 'Western Champion' operated a morning charter from Solihull to Plymouth with a full rake of of 10 coaches. At Plymouth the train was split into two separate returning tours. D1015 'Western Champion' departed first with the 1Z53 14:30 Plymouth - Tyseley formed of just 4 coaches, making a very novel sight as it headed north. The loco is pictured passing Banklands near Cogload Junction.

During Saturday 9th May 2014 No. 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' had already operated to Plymouth with its water tender and support coach. Castle No. 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' then formed the 1Z48 15:10 Plymouth - Solihull hauling the remaining coaches from Plymouth. The 1Z48 charter is seen passing Banklands on route back to the midlands.

Published on 10th May 2014

Saturday 10th May 2014 saw DC Rail Class 56 No. 56312 'Jeremiah Dixon' stabled in Tauntons new sidings behind Platform 1 for the weekend before proceeding to Lydney on Monday.

The locomotive is pictured stabled while passing below is a 1960s Bristol FLF/ECW Bus. The Western National Bus is a type Widley used in Taunton during the 1960s and 1970s, which was taking part in only the second 'Taunton Vintage Bus Running Day'. This particular example worked out of Cambourne, Plymouth and Totnes depots before withdrawal in 1981.

DC Rail Class 56 No. 56312 'Jeremiah Dixon' is also pictured stabled in the new sidings behind Taunton Station on the side of the former Taunton Depot. The locomotive arrived into Taunton during the 10th May 2014 having operated the 0Z56 1158 Willesden Euroterminal-Taunton. After staying for the weekend it then departed on Monday 12th May 2014 heading for Lydney Junction on the Dean Forest Railway.

Published on 7th May 2014

The 7th May 2014 provided a very rare sight at Taunton.

Part of the 23 strong vehicle Windhoff/Network Rail 'High Output Panel System' electrification MPV train visited Taunton. The train was formed of five vehicles (Nos. 99 70 9131 001 to 005), and worked a driver training run to Taunton as the 6Y61 09:57 Swindon to Swindon via Westbury and Taunton. The Network Rail Electrification Train was pictured at Taunton before returning to Swindon. These purpose built vehicles will be used as part of the Great Western Mainline electrification program recently announced by the Government. Sadly the 'wires' won't reach Taunton so train services into the South West will remain diesel fuelled for many years to come.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 2nd May 2014

May 2014 started with Network Rail providing colourful heritage traction in the South West.

The 2nd May 2014 featured Class 31 No.31285 operating the 3Z07 10:00 Derby - Exeter Riverside structure gauging test trains. The veteran Class 31 is pictured passing Taunton heading south towards Exeter where the train stabled for the night.

Network Rail Class 31 No.31285 pushes 3Z01 10:00 Riverside to Derby RTC through Silk Mills on the 3rd May 2014. The locomotive was returning to Derby RTC after carrying out track testing in the southwest. DBSO driving trailer No.9708 was leading the train with coaching stock 62384 977985 977986.

To view the gallery, please click here.