(Photo: Paul Wilkins)
Published on 29th September 2016
Pathfinder Railtours started their bi-annual foray to the Scottish Highlands in style on Thursday 29th September 2016.
Traditional traction for this tour is Class 37s. To get the stock in place for the Friday morning departure from Paignton the company ran a mini charter from Eastleigh to Paignton. DRS liveried Class 37's No.37601 and No.37612 pass Banklands with the 1Z49 10:21 Eastleigh to Paignton charter. On Saturday morning at 04:30 the pair then set off for a four-day jaunt to Fort William, Oban, and back.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Published on 27th September 2016
The DB Cargo management train made the second appearance of the month in the South West on the 27th September and broke new ground by visiting Williton on the West Somerset Railway.
The rare train had already passed through Taunton earlier in the month, this selection of images records the visit of the train through Taunton and on the West Somerset Railway.
(Photo: Paul Clarke)
(Photo: Paul Clarke)
(Photo: Thomas Courtney)
(Photo: Paul Wilkins)
Published on 25th September 2016
Colas Rail Freight provided a Class 56 No.56078 for the Bodmin and Wenford Diesel event on the 24th of September.
As part of the move, the locomotive was also used to transport a Network Rail 'Rail Vac' from work sites in the South West. Having spent Saturday 24th on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway, the locomotive returned to Westbury on Sunday 25th September 2016. The 6X54 09:03 Plymouth - Westbury move is pictured passing 40 Steps, Taunton
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
(Photo: Thomas Courtney)
Published on 20th September 2016
This week our attention was diverted back to the former Taunton 'avoider' bridge located on Station Road.
After removal earlier in 2016 for the refurbishment of the original bridge sides, the new concrete support beams were fitted during a one-week road closure of Station Road.
The week-long road closure allowed the new concrete bridge deck beams into position and fit the refurbished side panels refitted onto the bridge sides.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)
(Photo: Paul Clarke)
(Photo: Paul Clarke)
(Photo: Paul Clarke)
(Photo: Phil Izzard)
(Photo: Chay Farzenah)
Published on 17th September 2016
Saturday the 17th September 2016 former Western Region traction was back on the tracks of the South West.
Passing through the Taunton area was DTG Western No. D1015 'Western Champion' operating Pathfinder Railtours 'The Cornishman'. The popular diesel hydraulic carried the number D1071 on one side for the trip. The 1Z59 05:07 Tame Bridge Parkway to Penzance. The locomotive is seen passing 40 Steps on route south.
Published on 17th September 2016
The four-day Cathedrals Express charter to the west country took place over the weekend of 17th to 20th September 2016.
The first leg of the tour was the 1Z82 08:43 London Victoria to Exeter St Davids, The tour later continued on to the final destination of Penzance after a couple of hours break at Exeter.
The final leg of the trip returned through Taunton on the 20th September 2016 returning passengers to London Victoria.
Taunton was blessed with some nice sunlight on for the southbound run however the return on the 20th was not so pleasant.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Thomas Courtney)
(Photo: S A Ginn)
(Photo: Lee Robbins)
(Photo: S A Ginn)
(Photo: Chay Farzenah)
Published on 11th September 2016
The final 'Torbay Express' of the season departed Taunton on time at 10:40 on Sunday 11th September 2016.
With LNER A1 Pacific No. 60163 'Tornado' at the helm, the popular summer charter train has continued to draw in the crowds both to view the steam locomotive and ride behind it. The A1 departs from Taunton with the 1Z27 08:00 Bristol Temple Meads - Kingswear (which operated via Bath and Westbury).
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Chay Farzenah)
Published on 11th September 2016
The Network Rail HOBC set has returned to Taunton for a short period of time.
On Sunday 11th September 2016 the train was prevented from arriving into Taunton as the station platform was occupied by The Torbay Express. Having waited for the service to clear the platform. Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66551 arrives with the 6Y19 08:30 Cardiff Central to Fairwater Yard. Classmate No.66564 was riding on the rear of the set, seen here at 40 Steps.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: S A Ginn)
Published on 9th September 2016
With DB Cargo still unable to provide a loco or crew for the Exeter Riverside stone contract (perhaps a tad ironic considering they managed to find crew for their own management train on the same day).
Colas Rail Freight continues to front the 7C27 and 7C28 diagrams. Having unloaded aggregate at Exeter Riverside the 7C28 13:45 Exeter Riverside - Westbury empties are pictured at Marlands on the 9th September 2016 with No.70802 leading a newly imported set of wagons from Romania.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Published on 9th September 2016
DB Cargos Management Train visited the west country on Friday 9th September 2016 making a rare crossing of the Somerset Levels.
Class 67 No.67029 paired with Mk3 (DVT) No.82146 is seen passing Oath with the 1Z05 08:43 Newport to Newport via Newton Abbot. The return run took the more direct route to Bristol via Bridgwater.
(Photo: S A Ginn)
Published on 4th September 2016
Sunday 4th September 2016 provided a second chance of seeing a steam train passing through the Taunton area.
'The Torbay Express' used LNER A1 Pacific No. 60163 'Tornado' to haul the 1Z27 09:15 Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear. After making its booked servicing stop at Taunton the popular steam locomotive is pictured storming past the former Taunton Cider works through Norton Fitzwarren heading for Kingswear.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Jamie Waters)
Published on 4th September 2016
GWR liveried Class 57/6 No. 57605 'Totnes Castle' made an unusual daytime crossing of the Somerset levels on Sunday 4th September 2016 whilst working the 5Z70 11:20 Penzance to Royal Oak Sidings, empty coaching stock from the Night Riveria.
Following the failure of the train at Penzance on the evening of Friday 3rd, both sleeper sets spent the weekend at the western end of the operation hence the required ECS move to the Capital in readiness to form the late Sunday evening opposite direction 1C99 to Penzance.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: S A Ginn)
Saturday 3rd September 2016 brought bad weather for the passing of Ex-LMSR Coronation Class 4-6-2 No. 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland'. The 1Z43 10:22 London Paddington - Kingswear departs Taunton for Newton Abbot with Class 47 No.47580 attached at the rear. The Class 47 had worked the initial leg of the tour as far as Bristol Temple Meads where the 'Duchess' took over control of the train but due to gauging issues would be detached on arrival at Newton Abbot. The train continued to Kingswear, once again behind 47580 whilst 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' ran light-engine with support coach to Laira to be turned in readiness for the return evening run back to Bristol.
(Photo: S A Ginn)
Saturday 3rd September 2018 brought bad weather for the passing of Ex-LMSR Coronation Class 4-6-2 No. 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland', Having passes through Taunton the 1Z43 10:22 London Paddington - Kingswear charter rounds the curve from Fairwater Yard/ Silk Mills and enters the Norton Fitzwarren straight. The Cathedrals Express has certainly provided some interesting steam locomotives this year in the South West
(Photo: Lisa Waters)
Published on 3rd September 2016
Saturday 3rd September 2016 brought bad weather for the passing of Ex-LMSR Coronation Class 4-6-2 No. 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' 'Duchess of Sutherland'.
The impressive locomotive is pictured departing Taunton for Newton Abbot with Class 47 No.47580 'County of Essex' attached at the rear. The Class 47 had worked the initial leg of the tour as far as Bristol Temple Meads where the 'Duchess' took over control of the train. However, due to gauging issues it would be detached on arrival at Newton Abbot. The train continued to Kingswear, once again behind 47580 whilst 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' ran light-engine with support coach to Laira to be turned in readiness for the return evening run back to Bristol.
To view the gallery, please click here.
To view news stories from August 2016 click here, or for news from October 2016, click here.