News Archive for February 2016

Freightliner HOBC

Published on 21st February 2016

Freightliner Heavy Haul continue their Network Rail contract at Fairwater Yard transporting the Network Rail MOBC set to various locations.

On Sunday 21st February 2016 Class 66/5 No.66507 leads the 6Y19 07:45 Basingstoke - Fairwater Yard through Creech St Michael, having spent the night ballast cleaning in the Basingstoke area.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Thomas Courtney)

Goodybye 'Onslaught'

Published on 20th February 2016

All good things have to come to an end, and for the DEPG the end has come for firm favorite Class 42 Warship No.D832.

News has been confirmed that D832 is to return to the Bury Diesel Group based at the East Lancashire Railway later in 2016 after the Mixed Traffic Event. The locomotive has been under the care of the DEPG (based at Williton) since it arrived in 2007. After an eight-year residency on the line and much love care and attention to the locomotive it's time on WSR metals will soon be over. Onslaught is one of only two surviving Class 42 'Warships' both with strong ties to the South West. As part of the farewell to the popular locomotive, it has been announced that D832 will operate the diesel service on the 30th of April 2016. Departing Bishops Lydeard at 11:45 arriving at Minehead for 13:00 before departing back to Williton at 13:20 arriving back into Minehead at 14:56, before then operating the final leg the 17:15 from Minehead arriving into Bishops Lydeard at 18:27.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Network Rail Test Train

(Photo: Chay Farzaneh)

Published on 16th February 2016

More English Electric power was sent to the South West on the 16th of February 2016 when Network Rail and Direct Rail Services provided a splash of colour at Taunton.

With DBSO 9703 leading Network Rail test coaches 999605 and 6261, Class 37/6 No.37604 pushes its way West through Taunton operating the 3Z05 08:53 Derby RTC to Exeter Riverside test train.

To view the gallery, please click here.

DRS Class 37s return from Devonport

Published on 12th February 2016

DRS Class 37s No.37667 and No.37607 returned from Devonport on the 12th February hauling a Nuclear Flask wagon from the Naval facility.

The pair are pictured below passing Whiteball and passing through Taunton on the 12th February 2016 hauling the 6Z63 09:44 Devonport - Crewe Coal Sidings with the impressive wagon in tow.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Mendip Stone

Published on 11th February 2016

Aggregate Industries Class 59/0 No. 59005 'Kenneth J Painter' is seen passing Taunton on the 11th February 2016.

The colourful locomotive operating the 7C28 13:45 Exeter Riverside - Westbury stone empties returning east through the centre road after unloading in Exeter Riverside Yard.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

DRS Class 37s head to Devon

Published on 11th February 2016

Thursday 11th February 2016 saw a pair of DRS Class 37s head south through Taunton, No.37607 leads classmate No.37667 south through Taunton operating as the 0Z41 09:22 Crewe Gresty Bridge to Devonport.

The pair were on route to Devonport to collect the flask wagon which was left at the naval base in January.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Chay Farzaneh)

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Colas & Network Rail Test Train

Published on 9th February 2016

Tuesday 9th February 2016 saw two fifty-year-old veteran English Electric locomotives passing through Taunton.

Colas Rail Freight Class 37/4 No.37421 'top and tailed' with Class 97/3 No.97301 working the Network Rail 1Q04 06:49 Derby RTC - Exeter Riverside test train. The pair are seen on the approach to Taunton passing the new Firepool development.

(Photo: Jeff Treece)

(Photo: Chay Farzaneh)

Short 6C73

(Photo: Jeff Treece)

Published on 9th February 2016

After the recent passing of Storm Imogen, the sun finally broke through the clouds in Taunton on the 9th of February 2016 to greet Freightliner Class 66/5 No. 66585 'The Drax Flyer' arriving into Fairwater Yard.

The locomotive was returning as the 6C73 12:12 Westbury - Fairwater Yard formed of one JNA 'Falcon' and one MLA wagon instead of the normal HOBC portion.

To view the gallery, please click here.

HST Stock Move

(Photo: Chay Farzenah)

Published on 3rd February 2016

HST stock moves between First Great Western depots are always sure to provide some interest.

The 3rd February 2016 was no exception when No.43128 and No.43191 were formed up with just two Mk3 trailers to operate the 5Z70 from Laira to Old Oak Common, seen passing 40 Steps.

To view the gallery, please click here.

To view news stories from January 2016 click here, or for news from March 2016, click here.