News Archive for July 2020

Network Rail NMT visits

The Network Rail NMT HST arrives into Taunton on Friday 31st July 2020. The train had met with delay earlier in the day with its testing diagram, arriving at Newton Abbot 116 minutes behind schedule, the decision was taken to omit a visit to Paignton to make up time. The retimed 1Z18 15:58 Newton Abbot - Taunton via Bristol East is pictured arriving back into Taunton at Taunton East Junction, taken from Obridge with No. 43013 'Mark Carne CBE' leading No. 43014 'The Railway Observer' into taunton

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

Under dark brewing skies, the Network Rail NMT passes Cogload Junction on Friday 31st July 2020. The train had met with a delay during its testing diagrams for the day and had earlier cut out a visit to Paignton running 116 minutes late. However, by the time of this photo being taken No. 43014 'The Railway Observer' and No. 43013 'Mark Carne CBE' were running 9 minutes ahead of schedule operating 1Q19 18:57 Taunton - London Paddington.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 31st July 2020

Friday 31st July 2020 was the booked visit of the scheduled test train diagram for the Network Rail NMT, having completed its summer maintenance the HST is now back carrying out high-speed track testing across the UK rail network.

The northbound testing ran into problems near Menheniot losing 55 minutes and finally arrived at Newton Abbot 116 minutes later. The decision was taken to omit the testing run to Paignton, which made the train only 30 minutes late upon leaving Newton Abbot. The service was retimed to operate as 1Z18 15:58 Newton Abbot - Taunton via Bristol East. As a result of an excellent run between Bristol and Taunton, the train shaved another 12 minutes off the schedule to arrive just 8 minutes behind time. After a very quick turn around in Platform 3 at Taunton No. 43014 'The Railway Observer' and No. 43013 'Mark Carne CBE' departed with the final test diagram of the day 1Q19 18:57 Taunton - London Paddington running 9 minutes early.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Colourful Colas

Published on 30th July 2020

Colas Rail Freight has had a busy week in the southwest with two cement diagrams and a collection of stored log wagons from Hackney Yard at Newton Abbot.

At the beginning of lockdown several companies placed wagons into storage around the UK. As the UK comes out of lockdown and the traffic flows increase back to normal levels, railway companies are slowly collecting their wagons to feedback into their current freight flows.

Colas are also continuing their weekly flow of powdered cement to the Tarmac facility based at Moorswater in Cornwall as construction continues to increase to near-normal levels.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

The Pembroke Coast Express

Published on 29th July 2020

Saphos Trains operated their first new departure point of Exeter for a summer outing to Camarthen.

'The Pembroke Coast Express' featured a mid-week early morning departure from Exeter to Camarthen. The first leg of the trip was hauled by heritage diesel locomotives from Locomotive Services Limited Class 47s D1944 (No. 47501 'Craftsman') and D1935 (No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ') were formed up top and tail until Bristol. Once at Bristol the booked steam locomotive No. 70000 'Britannia' took over for the return west into Wales. The diesel leg of the tour was captured in the early morning light passing through the Taunton area on Wednesday 29th July 2020 working the 1Z52 06:37 Exeter St Davids to Bristol Temple Meads.

(Photo: Ian Draper)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Freightliner Double

Published on 28th July 2020

The double-heading of Class 66 locomotives is an incredibly rare sight on the UK rail network as most single 3300hp locomotives can handle most trains.

However, the loaded Exeter Riverside aggregate flow required either the superior Class 59 for haulage or a regeared Class 66/6. On the 27th of July 2020 presumably, neither of these were available so two standard Class 66 locomotives were provided. No.66420 (Powerhaul livery) and No.66505 are pictured passing Victory Crossing with 7C28 15:42 Exeter Riverside - Westbury with a motley selection of aggregate empties in tow.

(Photo: Quentin Hawkes)

Pathfinder to restart Charters - Then Cancels them all!

Class 50 Fund 50s No. 50049 'Defiance' and No. 50007 'Hercules' round the curve at Cogload Junction from the Berks and Hants route on the 23rd March 2019 hauling the 1Z50 07:08 London Paddington - Penzance leg of the charter. The pair had been outshopped from Arlington Fleet Services spray shops at Eastliegh in GBRf livery to mark their recent operations contract between The Fifty Fund and GBRf. The charter 'The Class 50 Terminator - Phoenixed' retraced ther steps of The Class 50 Terminator charter from 26th March 1994.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 26th July 2020

(Update) - Just seven days after announcing the below 'Non Mazey Day Cornishman' charter which was due to operated on the 5th September 2020, the company promptly pulled all advertised tours for the rest of 2020.

The Non Mazey Day Cornishman has now been set to run on the 21st April 2021.

Pathfinder have relased the following statement: Pathfinder regret that with the current COVID19 restrictions in place we believe we would not be able to provide our usual high level of service and ambiance aboard our trains that our passengers have come to expect from us. As we wish everyone to have a positive experience, enjoying a relaxing day out with us we do not want to disappoint and therefore, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone all the excursions in our programme until next year (2021). We understand that this will be disappointing for people booked on our trains and apologise for any inconvenience this causes. Next year the excursions will run with exactly the same format, subject, of course, to restrictions relating to Coronavirus having been lifted. Please click on ‘All Excursions’ above for details.

The English Riviera Express

Published on 26th July 2020

Sunday 26th July 2020 saw bridges in the Taunton area full of photographers and general public keen to witness the first steam charter of 2020 pass through the area.

The English Riviera Express' charter was operated by Saphos Trains. LMS 7P No. 46100 'Royal Scot' fronted the tour with veteran Class 47 No. 47501 'Craftsman' on the rear of the charter train. Saphos Trains have put special measures in place for the current Covid19 situation, including reducing capacity, onboard one way systems, and additional cleaning.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Ian Draper)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Direct Rail Services operate for Network Rail

Published on 23rd July 2020

As if the use of two Direct Rail Services Locomotives on the annual snow plough test was not rare enough, DRS was then requested by Network Rail to turn a portion of the Network Rail HOBC set before taking it to West Ealing the next day.

This allowed Freightliner to deploy drivers onto the Mendip Aggregate traffic.

On the 23rd August 2020, the rare sight of Direct Rail Services locos operating Network Rail infrastructure traffic in the southwest was captured at Cogload Junction. No.66305 and No.66304 top and tail 6Z78 13:59 Fairwater Yard - Fairwater Yard via Bristol and Westbury through Cogload Junction on the outbound leg of the turning movement.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Simon Harling)

Taunton Trains Database hits 100,000 entries!

Published on 23rd July 2020

The Taunton Trains Database project hit a major milestone on Wednesday 22nd July 2020 by reaching 100,000 entries of workings which have passed through Taunton (or having departed from Fairwater Yard).

This is a fantastic milestone and we would like to thank all those who continue to supply information towards building the database of workings even larger. We would also like to thank all those who supplied information and offered to help continue to write up additional information during the lockdown period, at one point we had over 10 people all contributing information which vastly increased the amount of data we could add during each upload. The first database entries were added on the 5th of January 2018, and it has taken two years seven months to reach the 100,000 milestones. Between 1st January 2020 and 23rd March 2020 (Lockdown), a total of 11436 entries had been uploaded into the database in a three month period. From the 23rd March to the 22nd July (a period of 4 months) a total of 13385 workings. Considering the mainline network had a 75% reduction in normal service trains during this period this constitutes a huge amount of archive data having been added keeping pace with the daily updates from before lockdown.

Our huge thanks to all those who have helped achieve this goal as we continue to add and tweak existing data on the Database.

Let it Snow!

Published on 23rd July 2020

Network Rail Taunton-based snow ploughs ZZA ADB965235 & ADB965223 were booked out on their annual test on Thursday 23rd July 2020 with DRS (Direct Rail Services) providing the motive power.

The snowploughs spend their time stabled at either end of Fairwater Yard and are part of a fleet based in strategic locations around the UK.

Direct Rail Services Class 66s No.66305 and No.66304 are pictured passing Charlton in both directions with the outbound run 7Z76 09:42 Fairwater Yard to Fairwater Yard via Weston-Super-Mare.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Jason Prole)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Taunton Station Car Park

Published on 19th July 2020

The new Taunton Station Car Park has now begun to show real progress after months of delays to the project.

The steelwork has now been erected on the south corner and now shows the full height of the car park which will tower above the station and may also provide additional photographic interest. It's not known when the new car park is due to open, our estimate would be Summer 2021 with the project running around 18 months late This image taken on Sunday 19th July 2020 shows the stair and lift tower alongside the corner steelwork/ frame. Work on the new station entrance to the 'downside' is also ongoing with progress being made on converting the existing building to open up the usable floor space inside for new ticket offices and station entrance facilities. Images shown were captured and show progress on the 19th of July 2020.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Pathfinder to restart Charters

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 18th July 2020

Pathfinder Railtours are planning to restart their passenger charters in the southwest with former British Railways Class 50 haulage fronting their first charter in the southwest since the Covid19 lockdown.

The 5th September 2020 is now being advertised by Pathfinder for 'The Non-Mazey Day Cornishman' charter.

The tour features a Class 66 between Birmingham and Bristol before switching motive power for a pair of Class 50s from The Fifty Fund (most likely No. 50007 'Hercules' and No. 50049 'Defiance'). Several off train options have also been offered for those wishing to take in some of the Cornish sights before returning home to the midlands. Pathfinder is the latest tour company to announce their intention to operate charter and leisure tours, bringing much needed tourism into the southwest.

The English Riviera Statesman - First Charter Since Lockdown

Published on 18th July 2020

Saturday 18th July 2020 marked the first railway charter to operate since the Covid19 lockdown some three months ago.

Statesman Rail operated 'The English Riviera Statesman' from Peterborough to Paignton with Pullman style service. The charter was hauled by Locomotive Services Limited Class 47 No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ', which is painted in the original 1960s two-tone green.

Carriages were reconfigured to enable social distancing by a reduction in seating numbers of 40% with a maximum of four passengers across each bay of six seats. There were also hand sanitizers available in every carriage, and increased level of staffing, additional housekeeping in the toilets throughout the journey, regular cleaning of handles and doors, and a minimum of two toilets in each carriage.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

Class 20s Halted on return North

Published on 17th July 2020

Lorum Rail Operations Class 20s No.20205 and No.20007 returned north on Thursday 16th July 2020.

However, their progress was halted at Taunton due to a fatality in the village of Creech St Michael head. All trains in the area were held at red signals and Taunton Station became a storage location for trains waiting to head north. The 1950s built locomotives were held at Taunton for 70 minutes while emergency services dealt with the problem ahead. Three trains were held in the station area. 43301 and 43378 1S51 12:27 Plymouth - Edinburgh were held in Platform 3, 20205 and 20007 were held in Platform 4, and 802012 & 802015 1A84 12:16 Plymouth - Reading were held in Platform 5 awaiting developments.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Thomas Courtnery)

(Photo: Thomas Courtney)

(Photo: Shaun Mockrdige)

Late Running Cement

(Photo: Simon Harling)

Published on 15th July 2020

In a scene which can only be described as 'How many Network Rail vans does it take to socially distance staff' captured on the 15th July 2020.

Colas Class 70 No.70810 passes a gaggle of Network Rail vans at Cogload Junction with the late running 6C35 05:46 Aberthaw - Moorswater loaded PCA cement tanks.

Lorum Rail Operations

Published on 15th July 2020

Wednesday 15th July 2020 provided a very rare sight in the form of two veteran Class 20 locomotives which were hired by Lorum Rail Operations as a showcase to the rail industry of their intention to enter the locomotive hauled market.

The company hired to Class 20s No.20007 and No.20205 to operate a series of trips around the UK, one of those trips being to Plymouth. No.20007 and No.20205 passed Taunton operating 0V16 11:18 Derby RTC - Plymouth, the pair were booked to return north the next day

It's thought this was also the first time 20007 has ever visited Taunton since it was built in 1957.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Paul Wilkins)

Daylight Night Riviera Stock

Published on 12th July 2020

A regular turn that has begun to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic is empty stock movements of GWR Night Riviera coaches for deep cleaning at Penzance, Long Rock depot.

Rather than returning to Reading Depot after arrival at London Paddington on a Saturday morning, GWR is currently sending the stock 304 miles back to Cornwall for cleaning.

On Saturday 11th July 2020 GWR Class 57s No. 57603 'Tintagel Castle' and No. 57604 'Pendennis Castle' moved the current stock that is being deployed on over-night sleeper service to Penzance for deep-cleaning. The top and tail formation operated as the 5Z50 07:35 London Paddington to Penzance.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Thursday China Clay

Published on 12th July 2020

The weekly revised China Clay flow from Cornwall to the Midlands continued to operate on Thursday 9th July 2020 albeit with a further revision to its schedule.

During the lockdown period the service has been operating directly from Parkandillack, however, Thursday 9th July saw the flow retimed to depart from St Blazey at 15:17. This also resulted in the service passing Taunton around 70 minutes early after an excellent run from Cornwall with few passenger services to negotiate.

The train was captured passing Wellington and Norton Fitzwarren when passing the Taunton area with DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66175 'Rail Riders Express' operating the train for the second time in two weeks.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

The Lockdown Stalwart

(Photo: Somerset Trucking & Transport)

Published on 12th July 2020

One service which has been operating throughout the lockdown period has been the daily Class 143 diagram from Exeter.

The early morning 5Z04 04:50 Exeter TMD - Taunton arrives shortly before 05:30 each day and then stables in Platform 6 all day before returning to Exeter at 22:25 the same evening. The service has been used to transport GWR staff to Taunton in time to join their respective early morning services from Taunton to London and Bristol during the lockdown period. This has avoided the use of staff needing to take additional risks by using taxis and provided plenty of room to socially distance onboard the train. The service also provided regular work for a Class 143 which otherwise would have been stabled out of use on Exeter Depot. This has helped to keep the Class in good working order. No.143618 is pictured at Taunton on the 10th of July 2020 having arrived at 05:30 that morning. As this is not a public service, staff have been cycling through the wealth of Class 143s destinations on the roller blind. On the 10th of July, the destination of choice was Abergavenny!!

A complete list of the units which have operated this unique service for GWR staff during the lockdown period can be found in our database

'The Mask' visits Taunton twice in two days.

Published on 11th July 2020

The unique GWR Hitachi Class 800/3 No.800321 which now wears a face mask to remind customers to wear their face masks while on public transport has been a rare visitor to Taunton.

The reduced operating timetable means Taunton only has two booked diagrams each day for a 800/3 to visit. One at 07:12 in the morning and one at 20:15 in the evening. Friday 10th July saw the unit allocated to work 1C25 17:30 London Paddington - Taunton (via Bristol Temple Meads), while on Saturday 11th July 2020 saw the unit operate west of Taunton for the first time since gaining its 'celebrity' livery. The unit operated the 1C74 09:02 London Paddington - Penzance diagram, passing Taunton around 09:55 heading for the Cornish terminus.

The unique train was captured passing Taunton on both occasions.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Powercars return from Doncaster Wabtec

Published on 10th July 2020

Two more GWR HST powercars returned from sliding door conversion/ and repaints at Doncaster Wabtec on the 10th July 2020.

The pair of powercars were returning to Laira where they will shortly enter service on the GWR castle sets. Both powercars are yet to be named.

No.43160 and No. 43088 'Dartmouth Castle' pass Banklands while operating 0V84 10:17 Doncaster - Laira both in ex-works condition.

(Photo: Paul Wilkins)

Around the Triangle

Published on 8th July 2020

Perhaps one fo the shortest trip workings in the UK operates from Fairwater Yard to Norton Fitzwarren (a distance of less than a mile) on an as-required basis.

The train conveys spent ballast from the High Output Ballast Cleaner (HOBC) to the Norton Fitzwarren ballast processing site within the West Somerset Railway boundary. The trip workings operate as 6C75 10:25 Fairwater Yard - Bishops Lydeard (loaded) and 6C76 12:20 Bishops Lydeard - Fairwater Yard (empty). The train never actually reaches Bishops Lydeard, this is purely used as a reporting point for the service. Photography within the Norton Triangle complex is not permitted, however, several vantage points around the edge of the site do offer good views of the train as it traverses the triangle.

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

Taunton Station Car Park

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Published on 7th July 2020

Progression on the Taunton Station Multi-Story car park took another step closer with the arrival of a road crane and steelwork on the 1st of July 2020.

The car park (which was originally advertised as opening in Spring 2020) was already nearly 18 months late before the Covin19 Pandemic struck the UK. It's amazing to think that the new car park will probably somewhere around the same height as the crane jib when complete, and will tower over the GWR built station.

Weedkilling Social Distancing

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 6th July 2020

With the need to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic the Network Rail MPV weedkiller needs to have a pair of locomotives working in 'top and tail' configuration to make this possible.

DB Cargo Class 66 No.66107 and EWS liveried No.66015 work either end of MPV DR98906 & DR98956 into the southwest on Monday 6th July 2020, the colourful combination is pictured passing through Wellington running as the 3Z15 09:12 Didcot to Exeter Riverside Yard in preparation for another week-long spell of overnight weed killing duties.

The nation says 'THANK YOU'

Published on 5th July 2020

As a huge thank you to the NHS to celebrate the 72nd birthday since the National Health Service was first established, and as a thank you to all the keyworkers who have worked tirelessly throughout the Coivid19 Pandemic, GWR has applied a special livery to one of their Hitachi Class 802 Bimode units No.802020.

The livery was part of a ‘design a special train livery’ competition and was judged by Railway Historian and broadcaster Tim Dunn, who admitted it was a tough task settling on the final design. The winning design was combined from ideas by three teenagers. The livery features 116 different languages from the 166 different countries represented across the GWR railway network.

The special blue and white livery is seen on its second day in service passing over the Somerset Levels at Oath. No.802020 and No. 802022 'Cyril Bleasdale OBE' are pictured together while operating 1A86 13:15 Plymouth - London Paddington.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

RILA - Rail Mounted Survey System

Published on 5th July 2020

In recent weeks the RILA Rail Mounted Survey System has been traversing the Berks and Hants route between Reading and Taunton, and during last week the same equipment was deployed between Taunton and Exeter.

The RILA survey system developed by Furgo Rail Data does not need a dedicated test train to operate. The system can be mounted on locomotives and passenger units and can be used while trains are in passenger service saving time and money and reducing man-hours. In the case of the recent survey data being collected in the southwest the survey system was mounted to a Freightliner Class 66 No.66591 which operated light engine with the equipment in place. RILA is a suite of train mounted sensors that collect rapid survey data and removes the need for surveyors to be on or near the track. The data supports topographical surveys, gauging, video, and infrastructure monitoring. The survey equipment is light enough to be lifted and fitted onto the locomotive/ unit by two operatives, and two RLIA technicians travel in the rear train cab. For those who would like to read more about this fascinating railway survey equipment we recommend a visit to Infrarail

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Rail Riders - Revived!

Published on 4th July 2020

The famous 'Rail Riders' club from the 1980/90s has been revived in a new effort to encourage young enthusiasts to learn and enjoy the UK railways, just like the original club did all those years ago.

In 1981 British Rail launched Rail Riders, originally called Great Rail Club. The original club was for young rail enthusiasts. Membership entitled children aged 5-15 to discounted rail travel, receipt of a regular quarterly magazine called Rail Riders Express, and free entry to the Rail Riders World model railway exhibit at York railway station. The new Rail Riders Club is open to all age brackets this time and is similar to the old club by having quarterly Rail Riders Express magazines, discount vouchers, and discounts in model shops, book shops and railway cafes and so on. A passbook where members can get their book stamped by approved outlets to encourage visits to participating preserved railways and other outlets. Membership cards that entitle the owner to discounts on preserved railways. Regular prize draws merchandise, and a dedicated website, Facebook page & group for regular updates on events happening on the various railways that are involved in the club.

Rail Riders have also recently had 'their name' added to DB Cargo Class 66 locomotive No. 66175 'Rail Riders Express' just like the old club did with two former Class 47s. This loco recently visited the Taunton area by hauling the weekly 6Z60 11:17 Parkandillack - Bescot loaded China Clay flow on Thursday 2nd July 2020 and was captured passing through the Taunton area. The famous ATP logo is incorporated within the new locomotive nameplate as was so prevalent with the previous locomotives to carry the name No.47406 and No.47488

(Photo: Jeff Treece)

(Photo: Russell Watkins)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

Colas stand in for NMT

Published on 3rd July 2020

Colas Rail Freight provided their pair of Class 67 locomotives to stand in for the Network Rail New Measurement Train on Friday 3rd July 2020.

No. 67023 'Stella' and No. 67027 'Charlotte' operated the usual three diagrams through Taunton visiting the station four times during the day. 1Q18 06:11 Reading Triangle Sidings - Paignton via Penzance, 1Z18 15:40 Paignton - Taunton via Bristol East Junction and finally 1Q19 18:57 Taunton - London Paddington.

The train was formed with top and tail locomotives and coaching stock Mk2 9806 (Former Caledonian Sleeper day coach), 72631 (Plain Line Pattern Recognition Coach), 977997 (Mk2F Radio Survey Test Train Coach), and 6397 (Barrier Vehicle). The train was captured several times in the Taunton area during it's testing duties.

(Photo: Thomas Courtney)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

A Week with the HOBC

Published on 3rd July 2020

As regular readers of Taunton Trains will know the Network Rail HOBC has recently returned to operations from Fairwater Yard, and over the past two weeks has been operating four nights a week from Fairwater Yard to Totnes. Over the course of the first week, many images of the train were taken between Fairwater Yard and the theoretical Taunton Trains boundary at Whiteball Tunnel. For the second week of nightly operations from the yard, we decided on targeting the sights and sound of the General Motors Class 66. The HOBC is one of the only trains in the Taunton area which really makes the locomotives work hard due to the large tonnages in conveys. The locomotives on the train both provide power via driver radio communication. Shortly after leaving Fairwater Yard the rear loco provides power for most of the journey to Whiteball Summit. We spent the 30th June - 2nd July visiting Norton Fitzwarren, Marlands, Victory Crossing, and Nynehead to record the nightly outings. We hope you enjoy the video and there's a surprise at the end which we very much couldn't have planned! Don't forget to like, subscribe and give us a thumbs up!!

To view news stories from June 2020 click here, or for news from August 2020, click here.