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TauntonTrains.co.uk

News Archive for September 2019

A weekend of colourful Engineers Trains


Published on 30th September 2019

The privatized railway can often be a very colourful place.

While many look back on the corporate colours of British Rail as a golden era for photography, the modern railway scene is certainly more vibrant with Train Operating Companies using their locomotive liveries as mobile advertising for their image and brand.

We have featured several images from Sunday 29th September with various engineers trains returning to Westbury from various work sites in the South West.

(Photo: Ben Beaver)

(Photo: Ben Beaver)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)



November Engineering Preparations Underway

GBRf Class 66/7s No. 66711 'Sence' and No. 66729 'Derby County' pass Cogload Junction on Saturday 28th September 2019 working the 6G70 10:24 Westbury -Uphill Junction via Taunton engineers.

(Photo: Adam Snow)

Published on 29th September 2019

Preparations are underway at Cogload Junction in readiness for an eight-day line closure to upgrade the track and equipment at Cogload Junction between Saturday 9th November and Thursday 14th November 2019.

Combined with this, the line between Taunton and Tiverton will also be closed to allow contractors to finish the shotcrete trunnel lining inside Whiteball Tunnel. (Phase three of the works in February 2019 overran and the work was not completed in time). It's thought to be the first time in history that Taunton Station will be totally cut off from the UK passenger network with every passenger service operated by alternative road transport during this period.

Preparation work at Cogload Junction has already seen a safety fence erected next to the down main line to provide a safe route to Cogload Junction. Oddly part of the steel compound has also been removed, presumably, this is to allow the heavy plant to access the railway without hindrance. Heavy equipment is starting to be delivered in readiness for the works.

Although passenger trains will not operate during the track renewals at Cogload Junction, engineering trains will still be able to use the tracks and have access to Taunton Station/ Fairwater Yard.


DEPG Members Special

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 28th September 2019

Saturday 28th September 2019 saw the Diesel Electric Preservation Group (DEPG) based at Williton operated their annual DEPG Members Special on the West Somerset Railway.

In a classic pairing sister locomotives No.D7018 and No.D7017 approach Crowcombe Heathfield with the 13:29 Minehead - Norton Fitzwarren service.

This was the last chance to get a classic pairing of two former British Rail 'Hymeks' on the West Somerset Railway. The pair have enjoyed a season operating together, however, after 23 years of separation, it will soon be the turn of D7017 to enter the workshops for a major overhaul. It's expected the loco will enter the Williton workshops over the Autumn/ Winter period to begin work the locomotive.

To view the gallery, please click here.


Weekend Engineers for Flax Bourton


Published on 28th September 2019

Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September provided more GBRf action at Taunton, this time in daylight hours.

With the line closed at Flax Bourton for track renewals, the mainline between Taunton and Bristol was closed to passenger traffic with Cross Country services diverted via Westbury to Bristol.

Many of the engineering trains operated overnight between Friday 27th and Saturday 28th so thus escaped the camera lens, however, GBRf hauled trains were scheduled for daylight hours.

The company delivered two trains of infrastructure renewals to the Flax Bourton blockade. The first pair of top and tail locomotives No. 66711 'Sence' and No. 66729 'Derby County' are pictured passing West Lyng on the edge of the Somerset Levels, hauling the 6G70 10:24 Westbury to Uphill Junction via Taunton loaded with new concrete sleepers and fresh ballast and again departing Taunton Station before later passing Banklands between Cogload Junction and Bridgwater.

A second train operated later in the day, the 6G71 15:47 Westbury - Uphill Junction via Taunton was hauled by No. 66760 'David Gordon Harris' and No. 66705 'Golden Jubilee' in top and tail formation.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Phil Izzard)


(Photo: Adam Snow)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)



 The Autumn Highlander

Published on 27th September 2019

Those readers of Taunton Trains who were able to get out of bed early on Friday 27th September 2019 (that looks like just one of us then!) would have been able to capture Pathfinder Railtours 'The Autumn Highlander' charter passing Taunton.

The twice-yearly jaunt to Scotland from the South West was hauled by DRS Class 68 No. 68017 'Hornet' as far as Carlisle. The 1Z46 04:23 Paignton - Carlisle charter is pictured in Platform 4 at Taunton waiting departure at 05:30 in the morning. Once the tour reached Carlilse the loco was replaced with two heritage Class 37/4 locomotives (37409, 37419) for the jaunt to the Highlands.

(Photo: Ian Draper)


RHTT Season Begins

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Published on 27th September 2019

It's always easy to tell when Autumn arrives on the railway network, as Network Rail deploy their annual Rail Heat Treatment Trains across the UK network in the annual battle with leaf mulch.

Friday 27th September 2019 saw DB Cargo (EWS liveried) Class 66s No.66160 and No.66168 deployed on the South West RHTT set. The pair pass Taunton spraying the railheads while working the 3J13 08:50 Westbury - St Blazey via Salisbury diagram.

It's worth noting that No.66160 hasn't been seen in Taunton since the 2016 RHTT season an absence of three years, while No.66168 hasn't visited since 2017.

To view the gallery, please click here.


The Autumn Highlander (Positioning Charter)

(Photo: Simon Harling)

Published on 26th September 2019

Direct Rail Services Class 68 No. 68017 'Hornet' became the first Class 68 to operate a passenger service on the Paignton branch on the 26th of September 2019.

The locomotive was used to haul Pathfinder Tours 'The Autumn Highlander' positioning charter. The 1Z56 10:21 Eastleigh - Paignton is pictured passing Whiteball. with Mk1 coaches (4998 1813 3110 1651 3098 3141 3149 3121 1671 3120 3119 35469) in tow.

To view the gallery, please click here.


Weekend Engineers: An evening at Taunton Station



Published on 23rd September 2019

With the dark nights now upon us, evening photography is no longer possible. So on Saturday 21st September we switched to video footage and spent the evening at Taunton station to record the second weekend of GBRf hauled freight trains for Network Rail on South West infrastructure renewals trains, and to also capture other booked engineering trains hauled by Colas Rail Freight, Freightliner and DB Cargo. (Video: Brian Garrett)


Weekend Engineers from the Big Four


Published on 23rd September 2019

The onset of Autumn has very much arrived in the UK, so has the annual Autumn/ Winter track renewals program from Network Rail.

Weekend line closures in the South West for track renewals will now increase as Network Rail aim to repair and renew track in the South West. Saturday 21st September saw engineers trains passing Taunton hauled by DB Cargo, Freightliner, Colas Rail Freight and recent rare train operator GB Railfreight (GBRf). We have featured some of the Network Rail hauled infrastructure traffic from the 21st and 22nd of September 2019.

Saturday 28th and Sunday 28th September will see the line closed between Weston-super-Mare and Bristol Temple Meads for track replacement at Flax Bourton. Cross Country services will be diverted via Westbury. This planned engineering work will no doubt bring additional engineering trains to the Taunton area.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)


(Photo: Simon Harling)

(Photo: Simon Harling)



Last Duchy of the Duchess


Published on 15th September 2019

LMS Coronation Class No. 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' passed Taunton on Sunday 15th September 2019 hauling the last 'The Royal Duchy' charter of the season.

The 1Z82 08:47 Bristol Temple Meads - Par is pictured passing Silk Mills having just departed Taunton after its booked servicing stop, and then at Taunton on the return trip from Par to Bristol Temple Meads.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

(Photo: Ben Beaver)



Weekend Colas Rail Drop


Published on 15th September 2019

Colas Rail Freight continues to haul new rails into Cornwall for overnight drops in preparation for forthcoming Winter track renewals which are to be carried out by Network Rail.

Saturday 14th September saw No.70808 and No.70812 head south through Taunton with the loaded rail delivery train as the 6C97 17:30 Westbury - Probus. The pair then returned on Sunday 15th September with a grubby No.70812 leading the empty train back north as the 6C97 08:50 Burngullow Junction - Westbury.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Ian Draper)

(Photo: Phil izzard)



 Rail Delivery Drops

(Photo: Russell Ayre)


Published on 13th September 2019

Colas Class 66/8 No. 66849 'Wylam Dilly' and No. 66850 'David Maidment OBE www.railwaychildren.org.uk' approach Norton Fitzwarren at a crawl on Friday 13th September 2019 slowing down to enter the up and down relief lines adjacent to Fairwater Yard.

The 6C98 09:00 St Blazery Signal Box - Westbury started out leaving 5 minutes early from Cornwall, and by the time it reached Whiteball it was already running 203 minutes early (this also included a short stop in Exeter Riverside Yard).

The train was recessed at Taunton where the train eventually departed Taunton at its booked time at 15:30.

To view the gallery, please click here.


Cement Runs Late

(Photo: Simon Harling)

Published on 12th September 2019

In a rare situation on 11th September 2019, the loaded Aberthaw - Moorswater Cement had a locomotive swap mid-trip.

The train passed Taunton on time at 05:52 in the morning, however upon reaching Exeter the train was routed into Exeter Riverside Yard and No.70807 was removed from the train and sent light engine back to Cardiff Canton. In the meantime, No.70808 was dispatched light engine from Cardiff Canton to Exeter. The pair passed one another at Bristol Temple Meads.

The resulting delay with the train reaching Moorwater on the 11th resulted in the return train on the 12th departing late back to Aberthaw.

Colas Class 70 No.70808 exits from Whiteball Tunnel at Marlands on the 12th September 2019 running 205 minutes late with the 6C36 07:55 Moorswater - Earles Sidings cement empties.


Light Engine Colas Class 37

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 10th September 2019

Colas operated a light engine movement between Derby RTC and Taunton on Tuesday 10th September 2019.

The locomotive has been specially adapted to allow it to carry Network Rail RILA equipment to allow the survey of railway infrastructure and geometry. The light engine move was in preparation for the following days working to Penzance and back with said monitoring equipment, which was attached in the stabling sidings behind Taunton Station upon its arrival. The loco is pictured passing Cogload Junction.

To view the gallery, please click here.


LNER on The Torbay Express


Published on 8th September 2019

Sunday 8th September 2019 provided an LNER locomotive back on The Torbay Express on GWR territory.

With a lack of operational mainline GWR locomotives, the 2019 steam season has been dominated by locomotives from the former Southern Region, LMS, and LNER. Union of South Africa is pictured passing Cogload Junction and Norton Fitwarren in the early Autumn lighting.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Jamie Waters)

(Photo: Peter Darke)

(Photo: Jamie Waters)



60044 visits for the first time in six years!


Published on 6th September 2019

DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60044 'Dowlow' made an incredibly rare appearance in the South West on 4th and 5th of September 2019.

It was the first time the locomotive had visited the Taunton since being towed out of Cornwall for storage at Toton Depot in 2013. After a period of time in-store, the loco was one of the lucky few to be chose for a major overhaul and return to service. In all No. 60044 'Dowlow' (originally named Ailsa Craig).

Ailsa Craig is an island of 99 hectares in the outer Firth of Clyde, 16 kilometers west of mainland Scotland, upon which blue hone granite has long been quarried to make curling stones. The now uninhabited island is formed from the volcanic plug of an extinct volcano.

It has been six years since the loco last visited Taunton.

We have featured several images of the loco in action hauling aggregate traffic for Aggregate Industries this week.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

(Photo: Paul Clarke)


(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: S A Ginn)



 West Somerset Railway - Heritage Diesels

Published on 4th September 2019

Remaining dates to capture Heritage Diesel Traction on the West Somerset Railway this year are as follows.


14th & 15th September D7018 (80 Mile Diagram), 14th & 15th September D6566 (40 Mile Diagram)

21st September D9526 (60 Mile Diagram)

28th September D7017 & D7018 (Members Day)

3rds - 6th October D7018 in action.

BR Two Tone Green Hymek No.D7018 stands at Williton Depot on Friday 8th June 2018. The locomotive coming to the end of a 23 year heavy overhaul, and missed out on the 2018 gala weekend. Its hoped to have the locomotive ready to re-enter service later in the year.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)


Glastonbury Tor back in Somerset


Published on 3rd September 2019

British built favourite Class 60 No. 60039 'Dove Holes' (formerly named Glastonbury Tor) was back in Somerset on the 3rd September 2019.

As the day's tick by toward the end of the DB Cargo contract with Aggregate Industries, and the impending change of train operating company to Freightliner.

No. 60039 'Dove Holes' hauled the 7C27 06:10 Westbury - Exeter Riverside loaded aggregate passing Taunton at 08:00, and returned as the 7C28 13:44 Exeter Riverside - Whatley Quarry passing Taunton at 14:22.

(Photo: Simon Harling)

(Photo: S A Ginn)



The Duchess steams West


Published on 2nd September 2019

LMS Princess Coronation Class No. 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' visited Taunton again on the 1st September with the another of The Railway Touring Company 'The Royal Duchy' charters to Par.

The charter departed Bristol at 08:47 and arrived into Taunton for its booked servicing stop on time, before continuing onwards to Devon and Cornwall. West Coast Railways also shadowes the tour with a veteran Class 47 No.47802 which ran light engine ahead of the tour in case of any operational problems. The charter is pictured passing through the Taunton area.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Simon Harling)

(Photo: Jamie Waters)


(Photo: Adam Snow)

(Photo: Ben Beaver)



Rare Freight for GBRf kicks off September!

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

Published on 1st September 2019

GB Railfreight operated a rare freight working for Network Rail into Devon on the night of the 31st August/ 1st September 2019.

The train had delivered a small amount of railway infrastructure materials to a worksite near Topsham. The locomotive also ran around its train before being unloaded by mobile plant/ road railers.

GBRf do not have any booked revenue earning freight flows through Taunton, the last time we saw their locomotives hauling booked freight was the 18th May 2013, although there was one contract for Network Rail in February of this year, which used 66717 and 66719 [NN] at Whiteball Tunnel.

The GBRf Class 66 No. 66711 'Sence' is pictured passing Norton Fitzwarren on Sunday, 1st September with the short 6G01 07:40 Exmouth Junction - Westbury engineers. The Class 66/7 carries a customer livery for Aggregage Industries (similar to the livery carried by the Class 59/0s based at Merehead). It was named 'Sence' at the Aggregate Industries quarry in Bardon Hill. The name Sence refers to the River Sence, which has its source just north of the quarry.

To view the gallery, please click here.


To view news stories from August 2019 click here, or for news from October 2019, click here.