News Archive for September 2014

Colas acquire a Class 60

(Photo: Bob Tucker)

Published on 29th September 2014

After a successful diesel operating day at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway, Colas Rail Freight Class 56 No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' (56124) returned Class 60 No.60096 to Toton.

The Class 60 was formerly operated by EWS/ DB Schenker, but has now been purchased by Colas Rail Freight and will enter into the current Colas Rail Refurbishment program, which is being carried out at Toton by DB Schenker on behalf of Colas. No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' is pictured passing Cogload Junction heading for Toton depot on the 29th September 2014 operating 0Z53 10:15 Brodmin Siding - Toton.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Firstgroup Powercar Move

(Photo: Chay Farzenah)

Published on 29th September 2014

First Great Western often needs to move their HST powercars around the network as part of maintenance, stock shortages, and operational requirements.

The sight of a full HST rake is an everyday occurrence in Taunton, but pairs of powercars (without their passenger-carrying vehicles) are not so common. One such working occurred on the 29th of September 2014 when No.43091 and No.43141 operated between Laira Depot (Plymouth) and Old Oak Common (London) in 'back to back' formation. The pair are pictured passing Cogload Junction.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Night Riviera Failure

Published on 27th September 2014

First Great Western suffered yet more problems with their 'Night Riviera' service on the 26th/27th September 2014 when Class 57/6 No. 57604 'Pendennis Castle' refused to start at Long Rock depot.

The overnight sleeper service was subsequently operated by a spare HST set. On Saturday 27th, 2014 the locomotive and stock were collected by Direct Rail Services Class 57/3 No. 57310 'UK Railtours'. The 'thunderbird' locomotive itself also suffered problems in the Totnes and Exeter area. No. 57310 'UK Railtours' and No. 57604 'Pendennis Castle' are pictured passing Norton Fitzwarren with the 5Z70 11:30 Penzance (Long Rock) to Oak Oak Common stock move.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

The Cathedrals Express

(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

Published on 16th September 2014

Great Western Steam returned to Taunton on the 16th of September 2014 in the shape of GWR 4-6-0 Castle No. 5029 'Nunney Castle'.

The Locomotive worked 'The Cathedrals Express' from Clapham Junction to Kingswear. The locomotive is pictured at Taunton taking water before departing back towards London while hauling 1Z94 16:30 Kingswear - Clapham Junction.

September Evening Freight

Published on 10th September 2014

Tuesday 10th September 2014 provided a procession of early evening freight in the Taunton area, with trains heading to their respective overnight engineering spots in Cornwall and Hampshire.

Colas Rail Freight Class 70s No.70807 and No.70808 round the curve at Cogload Junction from the Berks and Hants route on the 10th September 2014.

The pair were operating 6C00 15:30 Eastleigh - St Erth long welded rail train to deliver new rails to the St Ives line overnight.

EWS Class 66 No.66019 rounds the curve at Cogload Junction on the 10th September 2014 in the evening sunlight hauling a rake of loaded Network Rail Autoballasters operating as 6W60 17:23 Westbury - Penwithers Junction.

Still wearing its former operators livery, Freightliner branded/ DRS liveried Class 66 No.66413 and No.66603 (out of sight) top and tail the Network Rail HOBC north at Cogload Junction on the 10th September 2014 operating 6Y07 18:29 Fairwater Yard - Overton for overnight ballast cleaning duties in Hampshire.

(Photo: Adam Snow)

GBRf Family Day Out

Published on 6th September 2014

The popular Class 52 Western class locomotive No. D1015 'Western Champion' returned to Somerset on the 6th of September 2014 hauling a GBRf Staff Charter from Chester to Bishops Lydeard.

However, because of an operational problem, the tour had to be started late from Crewe with passengers being transferred by coaches from Chester to join the train. Despite the late departure No. D1015 'Western Champion' arrived in Taunton just three minutes behind schedule having made up 59 minutes during its journey south from Crewe. The GBRf special then ventured onto the West Somerset Railway where passengers either had the choice to remain on the train and ride through to Minehead or change at Bishops Lydeard to pick up a WSR steam-hauled service to arrive in time for the charter departure back to Chester. For added enjoyment, DEPG owned Hymek D7017 was also operating a diesel diagram on the line giving Hydraulic fans plenty of enjoyment.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Wayne Potter)

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

To view news stories from August 2014 click here, or for news from October 2014, click here.