News Archive for October 2016

Colourful Autumn Intercity

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 31st October 2016

Surrounded by beautiful autumn colour on the Somerset Levels, INTERCITY 'Swallow' liveried HST powercar No. 43185 'Great Western' leads GWRs 1C83 13:05 London Paddington to Plymouth service through Oath on Monday 31st October 2016.

Rear power car was First Great Western branded No.43181.

To view the gallery, please click here.

2016 - RAILEX - Taunton School

Published on 22nd October 2016

The Taunton Model Railway Show (RAILEX) was held at Taunton School on the 22nd and 23rd October 2016. With a large selection of model railway exhibits capturing scenes from the past, present and worldwide in various gauges. The above video captures some of the layouts and exhibits on display. (Video Keith Ewins)

A Busy Autumn Saturday

Published on 22nd October 2016

Saturday 22nd October 2016 provided three interesting workings through the Taunton area, all in a blanket of cold Autumnal gloom which covered the Taunton area.

First to pass through was UK Railtours who hired the Northern Belle coaching stock set to operate 'The Armada' charter. The tour operated between Stevenage and Plymouth and was hauled by 'top and tail' DRS Class 68s. No. 68003 'Astute' departs from Taunton having just changed crews hauling the 1Z70 06:47 from Stevenage, seen passing 40 Steps with No. 68019 'Brutus' trailing on the rear of the train, which will lead on the return trip.

With Autumn in full swing and the trees now beginning to drop their leaves for the 2016 season, Network Rail continue their annual water jet train in the South West (Sandite is no longer applied), DB Cargo Class 66 No.66160 & No.66138 work the 3J13 08:45 Westbury - St Blazey through Creech St Michael passing farmers hurriedly getting their winter crops seeded.

The third working of interest on Saturday 22nd October was LMS Pacific No. 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' 'Princess Elizabeth' which operated 'The West Somerset Steam Express' from London Paddington through to the West Somerset Railway. Here GWR Hall No. 6960 'Raveningham Hall' 'Raveningham Hall' took over for the run to Minehead while No. 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' was serviced. The 1Z46 07:14 London Paddington to Minehead is seen at speed passing Cogload Junction heading for Taunton

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

D7018 Test Run

Published on 21st October 2016

Another piece of history was made this week when on the 21st October 2016 when the Diesel Electric Preservation Group, Hymek No.D7018 left Williton Depot under its own power for the first time in 21 years.

The locomotive had previously been run up and moved a short distance within the confines of the depot for testing but the 21st October proved the first real test of the locomotive with a run to Bishops Lydeard and back. Class 33 No.D6575 went along for the rise in case any issues should arise. Minus its radiator grill (which was being expertly painted at the time of the test run) D7018 departs Williton bringing the UK's operational fleet of preserved Hymek's to three. A welcome return to operational condition well done to all involved in bringing this unique piece of history back to life.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Thomas Courtney)

A Piece of History uncovered

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Published on 20th October 2016

This week we were sent this image taken at Taunton Station, which turned out to be a real 'gem' and an incredibly rare historical find.

Some work has been carried out in the old porters' room on Platform 5, which was once used by Great Western Railway porters and station staff in the 1950's and 60's. For many years this room has contained a large notice board which has recently been removed from the wall, only to uncover the original black wall where staff notices were once placed. Amazingly the board has been in place for so long it preserved a hand written note from W Lee (who was the Station Master at Taunton Station at the time). The notice is even dated the 17th April 1958. W Lee is also the Uncle of Paul Clarke who still lives in Taunton and is a regular contributor to Taunton Trains. The preservation of the paper and handwriting is thanks to the paper having been hidden darkness for some 50 years and provides a small insight into the daily duties at the station in 1958.

The note reads: Attending Porters Returning 17/04/58, Both Sawdust boxes to be filled each Friday certain as sawdust will be used for loading of Calves Saturdays.
Please see that this is done each week by early turn staff. W Lee.

GWR Heritage Powercars

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 15th October 2016

Since their change into heritage liveries, HST powercars No. 43185 'Great Western' and No. 43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' have been the centre of attention at GWR.

Saturday 15th October 2016 saw No. 43185 'Great Western' lead the 1C79 11:02 London Paddington - Plymouth service into the South West, with No. 43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' on the rear of the set. The 'retro' powercar is seen passing Norton Fitzwarren having just departed Taunton.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Rail Head Treatment Season

Published on 15th October 2016

The 2016 RHTT (Rail Head Treatment Train) started its annual operation in the South West on the 15th October 2016.

The two DB Cargo Class 66's for the 2016 season are No.66160 & No.66238. The pair is seen here passing Norton Fitzwarren working the 3J13 08:45 Westbury - St Blazey (via Salisbury) water jets. With No.66160 leading sandwiching wagons 642020 and 642035 as they return to Devon and Cornwall.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

GWR Powercar move

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 13th October 2016

First Great Western liveried HST power cars No.43024 and No. 43198 'Driver Brian Cooper 15 June 1947 - 5 October 1999 / Driver Stan Martin 5 June 1960 - 6 November 2004' work back to back through Taunton whilst en route to Laira with the 0Z77 11:03 from Bristol St.Phillips Marsh depot on the 13th October 2016.

GWR Class 150 'Shuttle' for WSR Gala

Published on 8th October 2016

GWR provided a Class 150 'shuttle' service to the West Somerset Railway in conjunction with the Autumn Steam Gala Weekend.

GWR green liveried Class 150/2 No.150247 was provided and is seen here passing Norton Fitzwarren heading for Bishops Lydeard on the 8th October 2016 working the 2Z41 14:59 from Taunton to Bishops Lydeard.

(Photo: Chay Farzenah)

West Somerset Railway - Autumn Steam Gala 2016

Published on 8th October 2016

The West Somerset Railway held their Autumn Steam Gala on the weekend of the 7th/8th October 2016.

Several visiting steam locomotives visited the line, including former Taunton (83B) Locomotive No.5542, which has a long history with both Taunton and the West Somerset Railway.

Also working some of its final diagrams before being withdrawn for overhaul was 'Kinlett Hall'. These images show the locomotives in traffic over the Autumn Steam Gala event.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

Virgin Hitachi Azuma on Test

Published on 3rd October 2016

Testing of the Bimodal Hitachi Azuma's began in the South West on the 3rd October 2016 when a nine-car set Virgin Trains branded Azuma set No.800101 worked the 5X30 21:10 Stoke Gifford to Plymouth test run. This was the first ever visit of the new generation of trains to the South West which are set to begin replacing the much-loved HST sets in the South West. The Azuma will operate on the East Coast Mainline so will not visit Taunton in the future after testing. (Video: Brian Garrett)

GWR Launches Heritage Liveried Powercars

Published on 2nd October 2016

October kicked off with a bang, with the second of GWR's new powercar repaints to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the HST.

Powercar No. 43185 'Great Western' was launched wearing Intercity Swallow livery in the National Railway Museum at York on Sunday 2nd October.

The 4th October 2016 saw both No. 43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' and No. 43185 'Great Western' posed up on separate trains at London Paddington before departing to their destinations. No. 43185 'Great Western' was attached to the rear of the 1C79 11:06 London Paddington - Plymouth service. The stunning liveried powercar is seen passing 40 Steps, Taunton on the rear of its set heading south with No.43148 leading away from the camera.

Captured on the 8th October 2016, Intercity liveried powercar No. 43185 'Great Western' passes Norton Fitzwarren on the lead end working the 1A88 13:57 Plymouth - London Paddington service.

GWR presented their most mixed up HST formation yet, with liveries spanning nearly 20 years on the 11th October 2016. Original British Rail liveried powercar No. 43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' was formed up with Intercity classmate No. 43185 'Great Western' at either end of GWR's green liveried Mk3 coaching stock set LA16. The colourful combination passes Bathpool while working the 1A83 10:00 Penzance - London Paddington service.

Recently out-shopped in INTERCITY 'Swallow' livery, the appropriately named No. 43185 'Great Western' and Inter-City 125 liveried No. 43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' are seen paired up with GWRs green LA16 coaching set. Pictured at Whiteball Summit on October 13th 2016, this most colourful set works west with the 1C76 09:06 London Paddington to Plymouth.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Chay Farzenah)

(Photo: Lee Robbins)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

To view news stories from September 2016 click here, or for news from November 2016, click here.