News Archive for February 2019

Published on 25th February 2019

With the line closed between Taunton and Exeter for Network Rail contractors to carry out work on the lining of Whiteball Tunnel, through trains and freight traffic has been diverted via Yeovil with only limited services arriving into Taunton for onward road transport connections.

Colas Rail Freight did, however, provide one notable set of operations for Network Rail on track testing duties to and from Taunton.

We have included two images of the locomotive stabled in the sidings adjacent to Platform 1 during the week commencing 18th February 2019.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 16th February 2019

Whilst rail travel is very safe, sadly stations and railway lines are locations where some people suffer injury and death due to accidents and illness.

We at Taunton Trains often report on incidents where trains and humans come into conflict with one another. To help assist the British Transport Police, local Christians have responded positively to a request for help by patrolling in and near Taunton Railway Station. ‘Rail Responders’ are the latest expression of chaplaincy in Taunton.

The British Transport Police are responsible for public safety on and near the railways. They work in partnership with communities and approached Taunton Team Chaplaincy. They asked if volunteers from local churches would be willing to offer a welcome and caring presence at Taunton station, recognising that some people experiencing mental health problems might be drawn to the railway. Drawing on many years of experience offering a listening ear, and compassion in workplaces and various community locations, Taunton Team Chaplaincy has recruited a team of 12 volunteers. Wearing a distinctive blue uniform Rail Responders seek to respond to human need for those who suffer and struggle with many aspects of life.

Training has been provided by the Samaritans to help them engage appropriately with anyone showing signs of distress or anxiety. By means of regular visits at the station and the Obridge viaduct nearby, a simple, friendly approach and a listening ear, is available. Passengers have welcomed the initiative with many appreciating the offer of prayer or a chance to share about personal concerns. Anyone indicating ongoing needs is signposted to the Samaritans’ 24/7 phone line (116 123), other charities or NHS services.

Experience from similar schemes piloted elsewhere in the UK has shown that a timely intervention can prevent someone from making a decision which has irrevocable consequences. If it is followed up with appropriate referral to professional support, most will not repeat their action.

Like the now familiar Street Pastors, Rail Responders do not preach but they provide a caring, listening and reassuring presence in an informal manner. Working in teams of three or four, each volunteer patrols at least once a month, at different times of the day. They also help rail operators spread basic safety messages among young people who sometimes play dangerously near fast trains.
Similar schemes elsewhere in the UK have brought the added bonus of a reduction in crime and anti-social behavior on and near the stations they visit.
For further details or to find out how to join the Rail Responders team visit www.tauntonteamchaplaincy.org or call 07581 424 420

Published on 3rd February 2019

The Branchline Society operated a rare Sunday charter into Devon and Cornwall on Sunday 3rd February using a pair of West Coast Railways Class 47s in Top and Tail formation.

No.47772 and No.47826 headed 'The Looe Brush' charter which departed Bristol Temple Meads at 08:10 and visited various secluded pieces of track and branch lines on the route including Highbridge Loop, Fairwater Yard, Moorswater Cement Terminal, Looe and the South Devon Railway to Buckfastleigh and back.

With temperatures in Taunton are around minus 6 degrees celsius No.47772 exits from Fairwater Yard at the lead end of the 1Z47 08:10 Bristol Temple Meads - Moorswater leg of the Branchline Society trip.

Published on 2nd February 2019

A series of engineers trains operated on Saturday, 2nd February 2019 heading to Devon for a track relay on the Barnstaple Branch.

Two trains operated during daylight hours, with sunny conditions and some snow left on the ground conditions were ideal to capture the engineering trains as they headed south. First to appear was Colas Class 66/8 No.66846 hauling a rake of MRA side tipping ballast wagons, the train was fully loaded with fresh ballast operating as 6C22 06:40 Hinksey Yard - Cowley Bridge Junction (via Exeter St Davids), this train is pictured passing Norton Fitzwarren.

Second to operate was top and tailed by Colas Class 70s No.70811 and No.70806. The 6C23 11:23 Hinksey Yard - Cowley Bridge Junction (via Exeter St Davids) conveyed new concrete sleepers for laying at the track renewal site, pictured here passing Fairwater Yard.

Also of note was GBRf who had its two locomotives No. 66717 'Good Old Boy ' and No.66719 stabled in Fairwater Yard with the Schweerbau HSM Milling Machine (DR79601). This train was booked to depart Fairwater Yard at 23:50 to head to Whiteball for some overnight milling activity before returning to Taunton early on the 3rd February.

Published on 1st February 2019

For the second time in two years, Taunton (and the South West) received a large covering of snow from a slow-moving weather front.

The first day of February provided between two and twelve centimeters of snow. The heaviest snow falling on the higher ground. Travel disruption began late Thursday afternoon as the weather front progressed from Cornwall up through Devon and into Somerset overnight. Some late evening services (especially those originating from Penzance) did experience late running, but most services did get to their destinations.

Commuters and Rail Workers awoke on Friday, February 1st, 2019 with a blanket of white stretching some 250-300 miles over the GWR route network. Morning services did well with timekeeping with only 10 - 15-minute delays on most services. One GWR service (1A71) ran into trouble after leaving Taunton and failed just short of Westbury where it was subsequently pushed by the following HST (1A72) into the station. As a result, a few services were then altered to compensate for out of position trains. The wonderful Winter scenes will be added to our 2019 snow gallery as they arrive so please take a look through our gallery below.

To view the gallery, please click here.