News Archive for May 2015

UK Railtours - 'Eden Charter'


Published on 30th May 2015

UK Railtours operated the first charter to the Eden Project in a very long time on the 30th May 2015.

the charter used two DB Schenker Class 66 Locomotives No.66014 and No.66156 'top and tailed' the 1C51 07:09 London Paddington - Par charter. The tour was originally booked for a pair of Class 67s but was substituted by the Class 66s. The 'Edenex' is seen passing 40 Steps, Taunton alongside the Taunton NIDR project which has now had some small sections of tarmac laid.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)



'Caroline' Inspects

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 27th May 2015

Direct Rail Services provided a Class 37/4 for a brief foray into Devon on the 27th of May 2015.

Class 37 No. 37402 'Stephen Middlemore 23.12.1954-8.6.2013' was coupled with Inspection Saloon 'Caroline' operating 2Z02 08:52 Reading - Paignton inspection train on a return trip to Devon. The former 'Bont y Bermo' is pictured exiting from Whiteball Tunnel on the route into Devon.


 New livery for 31601 - DCR

Published on 24th May 2015

DCR's Class 31 No.31601 has recently been repainted by the Devon Diesel Society at Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway.

The locomotive previously carried DCR Green with DCR branding, but following a deal with the DDS the locomotive visited Buckfastleigh where it was transformed to be painted into DR Rails new grey scheme, the loco was also named 'Devon Diesel Society' and took part in their Bank Holiday Gala. With a fresh coat of paint, only days old Class 31 No.31601 climbs to Whiteball Tunnel on Sunday 24th May 2015 operating 0Z31 13:40 Totnes - Tyseley Depot.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)


 GWR - Station Painting Begins

Published on 21st May 2015

The first GWR Green column has been painted at Taunton Station, taking over from the former First Great Western Blue.

The changing scene at Taunton Station was captured on the 21st May 2015. Over he coming weeks more of the cooperate colours for GWR will be applied throughout the station area.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)


Colas Class 60 returns


Published on 21st May 2015

Colas Rail Freight Class 60 No.60076 returned to the south west on the 20th and 21st May 2015 to haul another loaded train of logs out Exeter Riverside yard to the timber processing plant at Chirk Kronospan.

Kronospan is an international company that manufactures and distributes wood-based panels that are used in applications including flooring, furniture, and timber-framed houses. We feature both the empty and loaded trains passing through the Taunton area.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Jeff Treece)



Visit South Devon

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Published on 19th May 2015

As previously reported on Taunton Trains in April, former London Midland Class 153 No.153333 now sports a colourful vinyl wrap advertising South Devon as a place to visit.

The colourful unit is seen attached to Class 150 No.150108 ready to depart with the 2U14 11:04 Taunton to Cardiff Central stropping service on the 19th of May 2015.


 Network Rail - Electrification MPV

Published on 19th May 2015

One of the Network Rail Windhoff MPVs operated a driver training run to Taunton on the 19th of May 2015.

The Multi-Purpose Vehicle is normally based at Swindon for use on the Great Western Mainline Electrification Project. DR98001 is seen approaching Fairwater Yard at 40 Steps before returning to Swindon.

(Photo: Jeff Treece)


First Freightliner Class 70 to Fairwater Yard


Published on 18th May 2015

Monday 18th May 2015 kicked off with some rare Class 70 action at Taunton.

Freightliner Heavy Haul provided the first-ever Freightliner Class 70 to visit Fairwater Yard and only the second visit of a Freightliner Class 70 to Taunton. No.70002 is pictured arriving into Taunton hauling the 6C73 12:12 Westbury - Fairwater Yard loaded ballast. Having arrived in the yard the Class 70 deposited its wagons in the reception roads before then returning to Stoke Gifford light engine. It's seen here arriving at Taunton from Westbury with the loaded train.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

(Photo: Jason Prole)

(Photo: Paul Clarke)



 Colas at Cogload

(Photo: Brian Garrett)


Published on 16th May 2015

Cogload Junction is looking stunning for its recent vegetation clearance by Network Rail.

The 16th May 2020 provided the chance to capture two of Colas Rail Freights Class 70s passing the much improved photographic location. No.70803 is pictured rounding the curve at Cogload in 'top and tail' formation with No.70809. The pair operated the 6C21 17:47 Westbury to Truro. The consist also included a Kirow crane DRK 81624 and support vehicle KFA FS97413 which are operated by SB Rail.

To view the gallery, please click here.


 Colas Rail Freight Engineers

Published on 16th May 2015

Colas Rail Freight operated the first of two trains into Cornwall on Saturday 16th May 2015 starting with Class 66/8 No. 66850 'David Maidment OBE www.railwaychildren.org.uk'.

The locomotive is pictured passing Silk Mills with the 7C20 15:56 Westbury - Truro. The train formed of DB Schenker Swordfish wagons owing to a national shortage of Network Rail 'Falcons'.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)


DB - FGW Stock Move

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Published on 16th May 2015

DB Schenker provided a rare Saturday morning stock move on the 16th of May 2015.

No.66204 operated the 5Z44 09:00 Laira to Kilmarnock Barcley Sidings for First Great Western. It's thought movement of a full HST rake could be to rebrand a full set into the new 'Great Western Railway' branding in preparation for the launch of the new colour scheme. Class 66 No.66204 is pictured at Taunton having been held for several services to pass.


Colas 'Top and Tail'

Colas Rail Freight Class 70/8 locomotives No.70807 and No.70808 pass Taunton in 'top and tail' formation on the 15th May 2015. The pair were delivering new concrete sleepers to an engineering blockade in Cornwall and are pictured operating 6C22 10:45 Westbury - Truro.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Published on 15th May 2015

Colas Rail Freight Class 70/8 locomotives No.70807 and No.70808 pass Taunton in 'top and tail' formation on the 15th May 2015.

The pair were delivering new concrete sleepers to an engineering blockade in Cornwall and are pictured operating 6C22 10:45 Westbury - Truro.

To view the gallery, please click here.


 Double 'Flat Fronts'

Published on 15th May 2015

A pair of First Great Western Class 150 units are pictured at Taunton on the 15th May 2015.

No.150120 is pictured in Platform 2 waiting to depart on the 2U14 11:04 Taunton to Cardiff Central, and No.150101 working the 2C89 09:00 Cardiff Central to Plymouth service.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)


Britannia -The Darmouth Express


Published on 15th May 2015

Steam returned to Taunton on the 15th May 2015 with No. 70000 'Britannia' taking pride of place on the front of 'The Dartmouth Express', which ran to the Devon Riviera.

No. 70000 'Britannia' operated the train from Westbury through Kingswear and back. The locomotive was captured in several locations as it passed through the Taunton area.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Dave Elliott)



 DB Cargo on Aggregates

Published on 15th May 2015

The continued flow of Mendip aggregate to replenish the virtual quarry at Exeter Riverside Yard continued throughout the week at Taunton with one train a day from the Mendip Quarries.

On the 15th May 2015 Class 59/2 No.59205 passes Taunton with the return empty MBA wagons operating 6C28 13:44 Exeter Riverside - Whatley Quarry passing through Platform 4 at Taunton.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)


 Newly reformed Class 158/9

(Photo: Paul Clarke)


Published on 13th May 2015

First Great Western has recently been reforming its Class 158 3 car hybrid fleet after 158959 was involved in a fatality near Keynsham a couple of weeks ago.

Newly formed No.158962 is made up from 158766 and one half of 158746. The unit is pictured at Taunton ready to depart with the 13:07 Taunton to Cardiff stopping diagram on the 13th May 2015.


Class 59/2 on Aggregates

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Published on 13th May 2015

DB Schenker provided a Class 59/2 for the Exeter Stone replenishment flow on the 13th May 2015.

No.59204 is seen passing through Platform 5 at Taunton with the returning 6C28 13:44 Exeter Riverside - Whatley Quarry empties having been unloaded at Exeter.


 Aggregate Industries

Published on 12th May 2015

More commonly referred to as 'Ice Cream Vans' by enthusiasts because of their garish colours.

Aggregate Industries Class 59/0 No. 59002 'Alan J Day' passes through Taunton on the 12th May 2015 hauling the 7C28 13:44 Exeter Riverside - Whatley Quarry empty aggregate MBAs. The train was routed through Platform 5.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)


GWR - Springboard Class 158

(Photo: Adam Snow)

Published on 11th May 2015

First Great Western only genuine three-car Class 158 No.158798 has received its second livery in two months.

Having previously advertised Portsmouth's Gunwharf Quay shopping centre, the unit has now received new vinyls for The Springboard Charity "Supporting Children from North Somerset with additional needs". The colourful unit is pictured passing over Cogload Junction on the 2C83 16:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton stopping service on the 11th May 2015.

To view the gallery, please click here.


 The Future is Green

Published on 7th May 2015

The future is green, could this be the future for First Great Western in the South West? Having already seen a small amount of publicity from First Great Western about the new GWR branding, we are yet to see how the new livery 'brand' will look on the HST sets.

We would like to thank John White for taking the time to produce this excellent rendered image showing how the GWR branding could look on the HST sets operated by FirstGroup.

(Photo: John White)


 Freightliner HOBC Portion

Published on 6th May 2015

Freightliner Class 66/5 No. 66526 'Driver Steve Dunn (George)' arrives into Taunton Station on the 6th May 2015.

The loco was returning to Taunton hauling 6C73 12:12 Westbury - Fairwater Yard loaded HOBC portion.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)


Colas 'Tug' on the Logs


Published on 6th May 2015

The first Colas Rail Freight Class 60 appeared on the Chirk Log train on Wednesday 6th May 2015.

Class 60 No.60076 was captured several times as it passed through the Taunton area hauling 6V54 05:35 Chirk Kronospan - Exeter Riverside log wagon empties. The empty wagons are loaded with timber at Exeter Riverside Yard. It's been known for some time that Colas were keen to use Class 60s on more traffic in the South West to allow them better operability between classes of locomotives in the region. We hope more of their class members will venture south in the coming weeks and months.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

(Photo: Peter Slater)

(Photo: S A Ginn)



 GWR Green livery change begins

Published on 2nd May 2015

The change from Purple and Pink to Green and Silver at First Great Western is slowly taking place.

Under the cover of darkness, this Mk3 coach No.10594 provided a glimpse into the future of 'GWR' branding which should be commonplace by September this year. The coach is pictured on the rear of 1C99 23:45 London Paddington - Penzance 'Night Riviera' service on the 2nd May 2015.

(Photo: 50006 Neptune)


To view news stories from April 2015 click here, or for news from June 2015, click here.