News Archive for October 2014

Published on 29th October 2014

With Platform 1 having been out of use for some time, it was fantastic to see the Platform back in use on the 29th October 2014 when the second Network Rail test train of the week having arrived in Taunton.

Class 37/4 No.37405 arrived on the 29th of October from Didcot at 07:30 having operated 3Q63 03:P46 Didcot Yard - Taunton via Newbury before stabling in Platform 1 for the day. The train later departed during the evening of the same day operating 3Q63 21:35 Taunton - Didcot Yard via Bristol, Bath, and Newbury. While we wouldn't normally include an image such as this, it does illustrate the further reduction of safe photographic locations in the Taunton area. Anit suicide barriers now block access to the final section of the station as health and safety deem it too unsafe for people to venture any further. These white fences have now been erected at several platform ends at Taunton, and no doubt will spread to other stations in due course.

Published on 27th October 2014

As the Halloween Season draws closer they often say that the Goyles come out to play, well on the 27th October 2014, Network Rail provided one of their very own Gargoyles on the Structure Gauging Train.

Veteran Class 31 No.31285 operated the 3Q23 13:43 Derby RTC - Bristol Temple Meads via Taunton. Despite departing from Derby over three hours late, the train still arrived into Taunton early and was held for a right time departure. The Class 31 is pictured in Platform 4 waiting for the road north back to Bristol Temple Meads. We have also been able to provide some of the history and purpose of the Network Rail SGT2 (Structure Gauging Train 2). The train is always in constant development both in terms of the technology onboard but also with regard to its external appearance.

The first coach in the train formation behind the locomotive is 977986 this was originally built as Mk2d FO 3189 then converted into exhibition coach 99664 before coming part of the Network Rail structure gauging train (SGT2) and renumbered 977986. The coach sports a modified coupling system at one end to create space for the Structure Gauging Equipment which is housed between the coaches.

The second coach in the train formation is 977985 this was built as Mk2f TSO 6019 then converted into Gatwick Express Coach 72715 before coming part of the Network Rail structure gauging train (SGT2) and renumbered 977985. This coach is fitted with laser equipment on one of the corridor ends. The third coach in the train formation is 62384 "Network Rail Ultrasonic Test Unit 1 (UTU1)", this was originally a 4CIG Motor Brake Second (Set 1393) and was preserved on the GCR and painted in Southern Green for a time. It was sold to Network Rail in September 2011 and entered traffic in May 2012.

The fourth coach is in fact a Driving Brake Standard Open (DBSO) and operates as a driving trailer meaning the train can operate in either direction without the need for a locomotive run-round (or provide two locomotives in top and tail formation). These coaches originally started their lives in Scotland operating between Glasgow and Edinburgh, before moving to the Eastern region operating push-pull services between Norwich and London Liverpool Street. 9708 is permanently formed with SGT2 because of the specialist equipment fitted to the body side.

Published on 26th October 2014

It's not often you get to photograph a Class 09 doing something other than shunting on West Somerset Railway, but on the 26th October 2014 Class 09 No.09019 was used by the Branchline Society to traverse the entire Norton Triangle complex.

The rare combination of a Mainline Blue liveried Class 09 and 3 brake vans are pictured on the Norton Triangle traversing the myriad of lines with its interesting load.

Published on 16th October 2014

The 16th October 2014, saw two veteran Class 31s venture into Devon on a rescue/ extraction mission.

The two DCR locomotives operated a light engine from Eastleigh to Meldon Quarry where the pair extracted long-term stored Class 47/7 No.47701. The locomotive had previously been preserved on the Dartmoor Railway but hadn't operated on the line in many years. Class 31 locomotives No.31452 and No.31601 are pictured passing Taunton on route to Meldon operating 0Z31 12:03 Eastleigh - Meldon passing 40 Steps. The pair later returned to Taunton with Class 47/7 No.47701 to stable overnight before continuing to Burton on Trent the next day.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 5th October 2014

The 2nd - 5th October 2014 saw the West Somerset Railway hold their annual Autumn Steam Gala, the theme of the 2014 event was the 50th Anniversary of the closure of Taunton Shed (83B).

During Friday afternoon a special train operated to Minehead conveying former members of Taunton Shed to the Beach Hotel in Minehead. The train also carried a wreath to mark the occasion of the closure of the shed, which happened at 14:45 on the 3rd of October, 50 Years previously. Many of the visiting steam locomotives were also renumbered to become former locomotives which were previously based at Taunton.

There were plenty of visiting Steam Locomotives for the event. The Autotank No.1450 represented the Taunton 14xx used on Tiverton - Tiverton Jn shuttles while other guests included 2-6-2 45xx No.4566, BR Manor No. 7820 'Dinmore Manor' (standing in for a 38xx that was based at Taunton), 0-6-0 Pannier No.4612 (renumbered as No.9670 on the cabs only), 4-6-0 BR Hall No. 4936 'Kinlet Hall' (running as No. 4932 'Hatherton Hall'), 2-6-2 55xx No.5542, 2-6-2 No.4160 (renumbered as No.4131), 4-8-0 No.3850 became No.3863, while BR Hall No. 6960 'Raveningham Hall' became No. 7909 'Heveningham Hall', and finally BR Manor No. 7828 'Odney Manor' stayed as it was.

Particular note should be made to the regular shuttle services (7 round trips) performed by the 14XX and Autocoach in-between the normal service trains on Thursday and Friday. The popular train operated shuttles between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe Heathfield. This provided much more interest for passengers and customers rather than the lengthy hourly periods between train departures.

Below are a selection of images taken during the event by Cameron Walker and Phil Izzard.

To view the gallery, please click here.