News Archive for November 2016

(Photo: Wayne Potter)

Published on 30th November 2016

As Autumn draws to a close and the final leaves are blown from the trees the Network Rail RHTT sets will return to their base at York shortly for their annual wash, and maintenance before being stored ready for the 2017 leaf fall season.

On the 30th November 2016, DB Cargo Class 66s No.66238 top and tailed with No.66160 with FEA's No.642020 and No.642035 head south from Cogload Junction towards Taunton working 3J13 08:45 Westbury - St Blazey via Salisbury.

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(Photo: Wayne Potter)

Published on 30th November 2016

Colas Rail Freight Class 70/8s are very much at home in the South West and are now used on the majority of Colas hauled trains.

On the 30th November 2016. The Class No.70807 climbs to Whiteball Tunnel hauling the 7C28 13:45 Exeter Riverside - Westbury stone empties back to Wiltshire.

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Published on 25th November 2016

Christmas came early on 25th November 2016 when Colas sent its 'Turkey' Class 70 No.70801 to Exeter on the Riverside stone.

The return empties were captured returning to Westbury with No.70801 at the helm while working 6C28 12:53 Exeter Riverside to Whatley Quarry. No.70801 was the only Colas Class 70 to be built in Turkey arriving in the UK at Newport Docks wearing a base green livery and Turkish Flags on the cab side, whilst the rest of the fleet was built in Erie in North America., Meanwhile DB Cargo will be hoping Father Christmas brings them some new drivers for Christmas so they might be able to operate their own stone contract in the South West.

(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

Published on 25th November 2016

Having delivered the former Virgin West Coast Mk3 'Pretendalino' coaching stock to Laira Depot in Devon on the 24th November 2016, Direct Rail Services Class 68 No. 68024 'Centaur' returned light engine from Laira Depot to Crewe Gresty Bridge on the 25th November 2016.

No. 68024 'Centaur' is pictured passing 40 Steps, Taunton working 0Z69 10:50 Laira - Gresty Bridge.

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(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 25th November 2016

Running six days a week, the St Blazey based Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) can be seen passing Taunton at 12:20 most weekdays in the Autumn.

On the return working DB Cargo Class 66s No.66238 top & tailed with No.66160 with FEAs No.642020 & No.642035 head west through Taunton Platform 3 working the 3J13 08:45 Westbury to St Blazey on the 25th November 2016.

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Published on 24th November 2016

Direct Rail Services moved the former Virgin West Coast 'Pretendolino' Mk3 coaching stock from Norwich Crown Point to Laira on the 24th November. The set was originally refurbished by Virgin Trains too provide a loco hauled set which looked similar to their Pendolino sets. More recently the set has been used by Abeillo Greater Anglia for their loco hauled services between Norwich and London. DRS Class 68 No. 68024 'Centaur' is captured on this video first at Camden Road (North London Line) and then later at Taunton as it heads west with the 5Z59 10:03 Norwich Crown Point to Laira. The stock will be split into smaller sets at Laira for use with another operator. Stock Numbers: 10229 12078 12133 12011 12122 12138 10212 11018 11048 11007 (Video: Nathan Williamson)

Published on 18th November 2016

Class 31 No.31452 hauls a Class 45 'Peak' No.46060 and Class 33 No.33035 from Barrow Hill to Okehampton. (Video Nathan Williamson)

(Photo: Nathan Williamson)

Published on 18th November 2016

Heritage Diesels also passed through Taunton on the 18th November 2016, with DCR providing Class 31 No.31452 to haul a Class 45 'Peak' No.46060 and Class 33 No.33035 from Barrow Hill to Okehampton.

The two BR blue livered locomotives will be used on this year's Polar Express trains on the Dartmoor Railway. While the Class 45 was used last year, this is the first time 33035 will have visited the line. The veteran locomotives are pictured passing Taunton while working the 0Z33 10:40 Barrow Hill - Okehampton

Published on 15th November 2016

With Autumn colours finally arriving into the cutting at Creech St Michael this location has become evermore colourful.

On the 15th November 2016 Colas Class 70 No.70809 powers through the village hauling the 7C28 13:45 Exeter Riverside - Westbury empty stone box wagons. The train had left Exeter at 11:58 107 minutes early but was then held in Tiverton Loop for two hours waiting for a right time departure following the 14:24 GWR service from Taunton.

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(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 12th November 2016

As the Autumn months bring more leaves from the trees onto the track, Network Rail continue their annual battle with leaf mulch accumulating on the railheads.

On Saturday 12th November 2016 DB Cargo Class 66 No.66238 leads the grubby rail head treatment train through Creech St Michael while working the 3J13 08:45 Westbury to St Blazey via Salisbury, No.66160 was operating on the rear of the RHTT set.

Published on 3rd November 2016

Colas Rail Freight continue to operate the DB Cargo contact for moving stone to Exeter Riverside Yard from the Mendip Quarries.

On November 3rd, 2016 Colas Rail Freight Class 70 No. 70806 passes West Lyng just east of Cogload Junction en-route to Westbury with the returning 6C28 13:46 Exeter Riverside - Westbury aggregate box wagons.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)