News Archive for May 2016

Colas and Railvac

Published on 29th May 2016

Owing to a mix up with crewing arrangements Colas Rail Freight's return 'Railvac' move from Aish to Westbury on the 29th May 2016.

The 6X54 movement was originally booked to depart Aish at 08:40 but ended up departing at 10:29. This delay blocked the mainline causing the late departure of the 1A78 Plymouth - Paddington which was full of passengers wishing to travel to Radio 1's 'Big Weekend' being staged at Powderham Castle. The late-running 6X54 08:35 Aish - Westbury is finally seen on the move at Bradford On Tone with Class 70 No.70809 at the helm.

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(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

Hornet Route Learning

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

Published on 28th May 2016

Coming only weeks after the first Class 68 visited Bridgwater, Direct Rail Services provided Class 67 No.67017 or a visit to Exeter and Plymouth.

The loco was used as part of route learning for the forthcoming visit of the Belmond Northern Belle, which is due to visit Par on the 4th June from Swindon. Class 68 No.67017 is pictured passing Norton Fizwarren operating the 0Z68 10:00 Exeter St Davids - Crewe Gresty Bridge on the 28th May 2016.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Taunton 'Avoider' Bridge Removed

Published on 25th May 2016

The long-awaited removal of the former Taunton 'avoider' bridge occurred on the 25th May 2016.

After lengthy delays to the Taunton NIDR project, Station Road has been closed during this week to facilitate the eviction of the local pigeon population and removal of the bridge itself. On the 25th May 2016, the final side section of the bridge was removed to be taken away for refurbishment, while the deck will be completely replaced. The road will need to be closed again in the future to allow the refurbished sides to be replaced. Having last carried heavy freight trains in the 1980's the bridge has remained a local landmark in Taunton for many years!

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

Colourful Colas Operations

Published on 19th May 2016

Colas Rail Freight operated a Network Rail test train through Taunton on the 19th May 2016.

Former preserved Class 37 (which was returned to the mainline by Colas) No.37219 is seen passing Cogload Junction with the 3Z10 10:08 Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Temple Meads via Plymouth recording run heading north towards Bristol through Cogload Junction.

Colas Rail Freight Class 66/8's top and tailed a rake of Network Rail Autoballasters from an overnight engineering blockade on the 19th May 2016. No.66847 & No.66848 are seen passing 40 Steps, Taunton with the 6C38 05:45 Penwithers Junction - Westbury hauling a rake of empty autoballasters after an overnight ballast drop on the Falmouth branch.

A Colas Rail Freight Class 47 made a rare foray into the South West on the 21st and 22nd May 2016, No.47739 is seen returning a RailVac from Aish Emergency Cross Over to Westbury as the 6X54 08:35 Aish - Westbury movement with KFA 7095150048 at 40 Steps.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Chay Farzaneh)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

DRS Stand in for ROG

Published on 15th May 2016

Rail Operations Group transferred another rake of First Great Western stock from Kilmarnock to Laira on the 15th May 2016.

Problems with the original locomotive (No.47830) resulted in a Direct Rail Services Class 66/4 appearing on the stock move through Taunton. No.66425 passes Huntworth between Bridgwater and Taunton with the 5V47 09:55 Derby - Laira stock move.

(Photo: Wayne Potter)

(Photo: Adam Snow)

Published on 13th May 2016

DB Schenker Class 59/2 No.59201 departs from Crowcombe Heathfield with the 1Z59 London Victoria to Minehead 'The Quantock Pullman' on the 14th May 2016. (Video: Brian Garrett)

The Belmond Pullman visits WSR

Published on 13th May 2016

A normally freight only locomotive more akin to working on quarry branch lines with heavily laden aggregate wagons was given a top link duty by DB Schenker on the 14th May 2016.

Freshly spruced up for the occasion the high-class appearance was made on a UK Railtours charter. The charter company hired the Belmond British Pullman for a luxury excursion from London Victoria to Minehead. 'The Quantock Pullman' cost passengers £395 each for the experience. DB Schenker Class 59/2 No.59201 hauled the 1Z59 08:15 London Victoria - Minehead into Taunton and onto the West Somerset Railway. Passengers enjoyed a visit to Minehead before returning to London the same evening.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

GWR Heritage liveried HST

Published on 13th May 2016

GWR recently outshopped their first production HST powercar in original British Rail 'Intercity 125' livery, the stunning transformation was carried out as part of the 40th year of HST operation as a tribute to the success of the class which have travelled millions of miles across the length and breadth of the country.

The powercar now also carries the name of its famous designer 'Sir Kenneth Grange'. We have provided a selection of images from its first couple of days in traffic looking sparkling clean in its new guise.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Chay Farzaneh)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Thomas Courtney)

Colas and Railvac

(Photo: Chay Farzenah)

Published on 13th May 2016

Colas Rail Freight collected a Railvac from Exmouth Junction on the 3rd May 2016.

Class 70 No.70804 is seen passing Taunton with the 6X54 Exmouth Junction - Westbury, passing 40 Steps, Taunton.

To view the gallery, please click here.

DB Schenker Class 60

Published on 9th May 2016

DB Schenker Red provided a colourful Class 60 on the 9th May 2016 with the appearance of Class 60 No. 60007 'The Spirit of Tom Kendell' in the South West.

The locomotive operated the 6W32 14:03 Blatchbridge Junction - Westbury via Taunton Fairwater Yard conveying spent spoil from the engineering blockade. The loco is pictured passing Creech St Michael on route to Fairwater Yard where it ran around its train and returned to Westbury.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

The Western Challenger

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 7th May 2016

BR Western No. D1015 'Western Champion' returned to the South West on the 7th May 2016, hauling Pathfinder Railtours 'The Western Challenger'.

The charter was a nonstop run recreating the Ian Allen sponsored charter from 1966, by operating nonstop from Paddington - Plymouth. After a break in Plymouth D1015 'Western Champion' then operated to Okehampton before picking up the route of the 1966 tour returning to London via the Southern route from Exeter. Having been heard for several minutes beforehand D1015 'Western Champion' (operating today as D1010 storms through Creech St Michael on route south with the 1Z52 07:30 London Paddington - Plymouth.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Refurbished Class 150 for Network Rail

Published on 3rd May 2016

Recently refurbished Network Rail Class 150 No.950001 passes through Taunton on the 3rd May 2016 whilst working the 2Q08 05:07 Bristol Temple Meads - Laira, while carrying out track testing.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

To view news stories from April 2016 click here, or for news from June 2016, click here.