Published on 28th August 2018
The images below show comparison images of the same location taken years apart from one another.
Clearly showing the extent of the undergrowth from 40 Steps
News Archive for August 2018
Europhoenix heads West
(Photo: Ashley Harris)
Published on 30th August 2018
Europhoenix Class 37/6 No. 37611 'Denise' (formerly operated by Direct Rail Services) passed Taunton on the 30th August 2018.
The Locomotive was conveying two barrier vehicles west. The locomotives is pictured passing Silk Mills operating 5V84 05:59 Castle Donnington - Laira.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Network Rail to Clear Undergrowth this weekend!
Published on 29th August 2018
A Network Rail Spokesman has said that today that the Taunton Station area will be cleared of undergrowth this weekend with teams booked to start clearance on Friday evening working right through until to Sunday.
Our report as also been featured in the local Somerset County Gazette this week. We very much hope that by Monday morning passengers using the county town station (and Station Road) will no longer have to view the overgrown vegetation, and the image of the town can be returned to a respectable level. We will, of course, bring you more news and images of the progress.
This is a great start to what has become an eye-saw in the town, but does does not change the overall picture beyond Taunton Station boundaries and the rest of the network. However we are sure that future work in other areas will hopefully follow to improve train clearances, rail adhesion general maintenance of the line-side.
This disgusting scene in Station road shows Network Rail undergrowth now growing over the walls of the former Taunton 83B Roundhouse and down into the street below. This is the scene that greets GWR passengers as they exit the station and walk into town. With weeds, brambles and buddleia growing out of every crevice! While it may be debatable who is responsible for maintaining the wall face it's clearly Network Rail who own the land above.
(Photo: Taunton Trains)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Jamie Waters)
Published on 28th August 2018
The images below show comparison images of the same location taken years apart from one another.
Clearly showing the extent of the undergrowth in the Creech St Michael and Cogload area
(Photo: Alan Randle)
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
(Photo: Alan Randle)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 28th August 2018
The images below show comparison images of the same location taken years apart from one another.
Clearly showing the extent of the undergrowth in the Taunton Station area.
(Photo: Malcom S Trigg)
(Photo: Taunton Trains)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Taunton Trains)
Taunton Weed Infestation
Published on 28th August 2018
After our image featuring LNER A4 Pacific No.60009 surrounded by train shaped trees and bushes earlier in the week, we have received several emails with images illustrating the plight of rampant un-kept undergrowth that has been allowed to grow unchecked in the South West.
Taunton, like many other locations, is in a terrible condition, and perhaps the worse scenes are visible every day by the traveling public as they pass through the County town station. While undergrowth has always been an issue, generally it was kept at acceptable levels by small contractor teams with strimmers and cutting equipment, but 2018 has resulted in the vegetation reaching new heights. We would not normally feature this type of photography or story on Taunton Trains, as we prefer to feature the excellent well-composed weed free photographs or highlight the good work which the railways exceed at. However, we can no longer sit back and leave this total lack of maintenance and care in our local railway scene go unseen as it reflects badly on station, operators and the town as a whole.
In May this year, the Government called a halt to tree felling and ordered a review over concerns that Network Rail’s actions were harming wildlife, however, the bigger picture is that the trees, bushes, plants, foliage, weeds, and buddleia that have been allowed to grow for so many years, should not have been there in the first place, had proper maintenance have been put in place. The line side should be a tidy, well kept, environment with targeted invasive species removal, allowing natural grasses, and plants to re-grow. Network Rail are faced with the ridiculous situation that a tree cannot be felled because it harms wildlife on an embankment, but it appears to be perfectly acceptable to allow that same tree fall onto a train, potentially causing a derailment or injury.
Taunton Trains contains a huge photographic library that dates back to steam days where groups of track workers once took care in the lineside, and we have many images showing pristine embankments, well-kept hedgerows, and a more natural environment. Decades of underinvestment increased strict health and safety rules, as well as cost management, has lead to little maintaining of the lineside on a regular basis, resulting in the scenes which we see today. The photographic library at several locations charts the growth of now mature trees that first started to grow in 2004 and are now big enough to be a hindrance to passing trains. In one location there is even a Buddleia bush which seeded itself and has been allowed to grow from the ballast level to the top of a railway bridge parapet, a height of over 15-20 feet!
The Network Rail website promotes how the company tackles larger more established vegetation, however, those trees sprout from grassroots. Preventative weed control, weed killing, and regular maintenance would save millions of pounds in the future. The website also states that vegetation should be cut back to within seven meters of the running rails, and it is very clear from the images taken below that this is not the case in the Taunton area.
The terrible state of the vegetation both on the station platforms, where barriers now prevent footfall, and the surrounding lineside is a disgrace. The arrival into Taunton resembles a jungle and fails to project a positive image of the town to visitors. The 'Taunton jungle' stands out even more at the eastern end of the station because of the newly built Firepool Development, where apartment buildings have been constructed, with the result that these nice modern buildings with expensive apartments, now overlook this scene. Passengers walking into town from the station are also greeted with vegetation spilling over the side wall from the former Taunton roundhouse yard which is now growing down into Station Road below. This paints a very poor image of the town and we would hope that our local town councilors and Taunton Deane Borough Council will be lobbying Network Rail for a sustained and long-term plan to return the station area at the very least, to a presentable state.
(Photo: Jamie Waters)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Taunton Trains)
(Photo: Taunton Trains)
(Photo: Taunton Trains)
(Photo: Taunton Trains)
(Photo: Eddy)
(Photo: Taunton Trains)
(Photo: Taunton Trains)
Late Summer Weekend - West Somerset Railway
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 27th August 2018
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd September 2018 will feature a feast of classic former British Rail Diesel Types operating on the West Somerset Railway.
Under the care of the Diesel Electric Preservation Group based at Williton the group will provide four of their working Heritage locomotives for passengers to enjoy operating in conjunction with steam services. 'The Late Summer Weekend' is an ideal opportunity to get out for a ride through the Quantocks and along the North Somerset coastline with an enhanced timetable in operation. Normal fares will apply including those for holders of Local Residents Travel Cards and the newly introduced for 2018 Annual Pass.
Saturday 1st September:
10:00 Minehead to Norton Fitzwarren Platform- D9526
11:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard - D7017
12:00 Norton Fitzwarren Platform to Minehead - D9526
13:00 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead - D7017
14:55 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard - D9526
15:50 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard - D7017
16:50 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead - D9526
Sunday 2nd September:
10:00 Minehead to Norton Fitzwarren Platform- D6566 plus 53808
11:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard - D6575
12:00 Norton Fitzwarren Platform to Minehead - D6566
13:00 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead - D6575
14:55 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard - D6566
15:50 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard - D6575
16:50 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead - D6566
For more details please visit The West Somerset Railway Website
To view the gallery, please click here.
One of those weeks!
Having been diverted because of a fatality in the Weston-super-Mare area, Cross Country Voyager No.220030 makes a rare passage through Oath on the Somerset Levels working 1E64 15:25 Plymouth - Newcastle on the 21st August 2018. The service was diverted via Westbury and Bath which allows it still to call at Bristol Temple Meads before continuing its booked route to Newcastle.
(Photo: Eddy)
Published on 23rd August 2018
Services in the Taunton area have seen several disruptive incidents over the past week in an unlucky chain of events which were totally unconnected.
Dubbed as 'one of those weeks' incidents on the railways have a habit of arriving in threes and proves how adaptive the railway system must be to cope with the unknown.
Tuesday 21st, 2018 started with a major derailment at Penzance Long Rock depot which effectively took two HST sets out of use, the derailed set then blocking the second set in the sidings unable to move. The initial incident might make normal passengers think this wouldn't affect their travel, but two northbound services unable to leave Penzance early morning then knocks on to two services canceled from Taunton later in the morning. On the same day, a fatality in the Weston-super-Mare area then closed the railway between Taunton and Bristol around 15:00. Longer distance services were diverted via the Berks and Hants route, while alternative road transport was then arranged for passengers needing intermediate stations between Taunton and Bristol. GWR did, however, run a relief service later that evening using Class 800 No.800309 which formed the 1Z22 19:55 service train to Bristol rather than returning to Stoke Gifford empty stock.
Thursday 24th August saw more disruption when it was reported that masonry had fallen from Whiteball Tunnel. At 11:00 the line the line between Taunton and Exeter was closed until critical safety checks could take place. GWR diverted two of their services (1A81 07:41 Penzance - London Paddington and 1C76 10:03 Paddington - Penzance) via Honiton to at least keep some passengers on the move to and from London. Cross Country decided they would terminate their trains short at Bristol. Delays of up to 40 minutes were experienced with continued delays for many hours while the backlog of trains began to filter through the affected area.
The Cathedrals Express
Published on 22nd August 2018
With passengers having enjoyed a day out to visiting Minehead on the 21st August 2018 the Cathedrals Express departs from Taunton. The train was hauled from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back by WSR Locomotive 7F No.53808 while the LNER A4 Pacific No.60009 was serviced at Norton Fitzwarren and Bishops Lydeard. The special charter train is seen here departing from Taunton hauling passengers back to London Victoria. (Video Nathan Williamson)
Union of South Africa battles the Vegetation
(Photo: Jamie Waters)
Published on 21st August 2018
This powerful image shows Ex-LNER A4 Class 4-6-2 No.60009 passing between two former bridge supports on the approach to Cogload Junction on Tuesday 21st August 2018.
The image serves as another image to illustrate the rampart lineside vegetation growth in the Taunton area. At Cogload Farm this image shows just how un-kept the lineside currently is with trees and bushes shaping themselves tight to the passing trains. It's no wonder Network Rail have such issues with Steam Charter services with their lineside is left in this condition. In a few weeks time Network Rail will be telling the public there are far to many leaves on the line. We will let the readers of Taunton Trains judge why. The LNER locomotive was hauling 'The Cathedrals Express' charter, the 1Z82 08:45 London Victoria - Minehead. On arrival at Bishops Lydeard the A4 was removed for turning and servicing whilst the train continued onto Minehead behind resident WSR loco BR 7F No.53808.
To view the gallery, please click here.
GWR IET Introduction
Published on 20th August 2018
The sight of the future at Taunton Station became a little more real on the 20th August 2018.
The HST has ferried passengers from the South West to London for 40 years but its stronghold in the South West is now beginning to erode as the new Hitachi Class 800 and 802 bi-mode units are introduced onto the GWR network. The phased introduction of the new units has taken some time, but Monday 20th August took the introduction into a new phase. A photographic record of some of the first passenger services using GWR Class 802s is displayed below.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Paul Clarke)
(Photo: Paul Clarke)
Intercity Express Trains commence Devon and Cornwall services
Published on 20th August 2018
Monday 20th August 2018 marked another milestone in the transition from the GWR HST fleet to the new Intercity Express Trains (IET) built by Hitachi. After months of driver training and test runs the new Class 802 West of England Fleet started operating from Penzance and Plymouth to London Paddington. Until now Taunton was the most westerley point passengers were able to travel on Class 800 and 802 IETs.
The first service to pass Taunton was 1A72 05:53 Plymouth - London Paddington at 07:16 formed of No.802003 and No.802005. Two hours thirty minutes later No.802006 and No.802007 headed south with the 1C04 07:30 London Paddington - Penzance service.
The new trains longer, quieter and faster than the current HST fleet, and the Class 802 has been designed specifically with the South West in mind, Incorporating additional luggage space and more seats with tables. As the new sleek trains settle into regular service over the coming months the next phase of introduction will be timetable change in December which will then allow for faster journey times on the Penzance - London Paddington route to start operating.
Clan Line Returns
Published on 19th August 2018
With the steam ban restrictions now lifted after plenty of rainfall in the past week ex-'SR' Merchant Navy Class 4-6-0 No. 35028 'Clan Line' departs Taunton with the Torbay Express operating as 1Z27 08:00 Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear via Bath and Westbury on Sunday 19th August 2018.
Of note in this image is the incredible height of weeds and undergrowth now growing on the end of the centre platforms at Taunton. This undergrowth has been allowed to grow virtually unchecked since barriers were installed short of the platform ends. Weeds and buddleia now block all views of trains from the centre platforms at Taunton.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: S A Ginn)
(Photo: Phil Izzard)
(Photo: S A Ginn)
Albert Richard Sanders
Published on 19th August 2018
We always like to hear from readers of Taunton Trains about stories from the past and former staff members who once worked at (or were based from) Taunton Station.
Recently we made contact with Mark Sanders who located these images of his Grandad, Albert Richard Sanders who was a former steam engine driver for the Great Western Railway. He lived in Penzance with his wife and two sons at the time, driving steam services to Plymouth and Paddington. Later in his career, he transferred to Taunton where he then went on to drive early Diesel Hydraulic trains. He lived with his wife in Greenway Avenue (so not to far to walk to work). These images show Albert at the controls of a Western Class Hydraulic Locomotive and it's thought that he was close to retirement when these images were taken at Taunton Station.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Links Page now LIVE!
Published on 18th August 2018
Another new addition to the new Taunton Trains website is now live.
Our new Links Pagenow displays links to other interesting photographic and information based websites. We will be expanding on this list of links over the coming months to provide an even more comprehensive list of other railway related topics which may be of interest.
(Photo: Taunton Trains)
Union of South Africa Steams into Town
Published on 18th August 2018
Saturday 18th August 2018 provided the sight of LNER traction on Great Western Metals.
No.60009 steamed into town hauling 'The West Somerset Steam Express'. The 1Z09 08:15 London Paddington - Minehead charter used the A4 Pacific as far as Bishops Lydeard. Here the locomotive was removed for servicing and turning during the day, while WSR Locomotive 7F No.53808 took the train forward to Minehead. Union of South Africa is pictured passing Dean Lane near Cotford St Luke with the inbound 1Z09 charter from London.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)
(Photo: Phil Izzard)
Braunton arrives for WSR visit
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
Published on 15th August 2018
SR Bulleid 'West Country' Pacific No. 34046 'Braunton' arrived on the West Somerset Railway on the Wednesday 15th August 2018.
The locomotive was hauled to the line by Class 47 No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' (D1935), both locomotives being owned by Jeremy Hoskin. The 5Z34 10:40 Southall - Bishops Lydeard is pictured passing Norton Fitzwarren in the fading light. Braunton (which currently carries the number 34052 'Lord Dowding' as part of the RAF100 Celebrations) has a good association with the line as its where the locomotive was rebuilt and restored to working order. It will be bolstering the WSR locomotive fleet over the coming months and is also booked to take part in the Autumn Steam Gala weekend.
Scotrail heads West...!?!
(Photo: Thomas Courtney)
Published on 10th August 2018
When GWR HST powercars started to migrate away from their long-term stamping ground in the South West for major refurbishment and eventual transfer to ScotRail, no one thought we would ever see Scotrail HSTs in the South West.
However, the UK railways always manage to provide variety and surprise. On the 10th August 2018, a pair of refurbished HST powercars in full ScotRail livery operated from Brush Loughborough to Laira. The move was so the powercars could be tested with the only working sliding door HST stock in the country. No.43140 leads No.43149 south at Allerford working the 0V84 12:30 Loughborough - Laira light powercar move.
Network Rail HOBC
(Photo: Phil Izzard)
Published on 8th August 2018
Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66544 exits from Fairwater Yard on Thursday 2nd August 2018 operating the 6Y15 20:30 Fairwater Yard - Newton Abbot hauling the Network Rail HOBC set away from Taunton.
Out of slight on the rear of the set was No.66517.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Rare Type 5 Double
(Photo: S A Ginn)
Published on 7th August 2018
A rare Type 5 double header made an unusual appearance on the Exeter stones on Tuesday 7th Super powder was employed on the Exeter Riverside Aggregate turn on the 7th August 2018.
EWS liveried Class 66s No.66059 and No.66014 made an unusual appearance on the Exeter Riverside Aggregate flow, the return empties are pictured crossing the Somerset Levels at Oath working 6C28 13:44 Exeter Riverside to Whatley Quarry.
ROG Class 37/7 heads west.
Published on 2nd August 2018
Rail Operations Group provided an old stalwart to haul two GWR HST powercars back from overhaul at Doncaster Wabtec on the 2nd August 2018.
The 0V84 10:00 Doncaster Works - Laira is pictured passing Banklands with Euphonix Class 37/7 No. 37800 'Cassiopia' leads powercars No. 43170 'Chepstow Castle' and No. 43189 'Launceston Castle'. The Class 37 is another locomotive which has escaped the executioner's torch having spent time in both France and Spain helping built various high-speed TGV routes, its repatriation to the UK has now seen a new lease of life hauling stock movements around the UK with UK Rail Operations (ROG).
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Paul Wilkins)
To view news stories from July 2018 click here, or for news from September 2018, click here.