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TauntonTrains.co.uk

News Archive for August 2020

Beautiful Bank Holiday & New Locations


Published on 31st August 2020

Monday 31st August 2020 was the last Bank Holiday weekend of the year allowing everyone the last chance for a long weekend.

The weather over these long weekends traditionally means rain and cloud, but Monday 31st, 2020 was a day of good light and ideal conditions to get some fresh air, explore, and take a few railway images.

Recently the adjacent town Wellington recently come into focus with railway images, with new housing developments and large amounts of cutting back of lineside vegetation carried out by Network Rail. Another new location that has come to light is within one of the housing developments using a new footpath which also features two ponds. These locations are only going to be available for s short period, as it will only be a matter of time before the undergrowth and vegetation grows to a point that will eliminate the use of this location. We have been able to feature a selection of workings from the Taunton and Wellington area, with thanks to Adam Hiscock for his images and record of the day.

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)


(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)



 The Royal Duchy

(Photo: S A Ginn)


Published on 30th August 2020

In ideal weather conditions, ex-LMS 'Black 5' 5MT Class 4-6-0 No.44871 visited Taunton on Sunday 30th August taking charter passengers into Cornwall.

The impressive locomotive passes over Whiteball Summit at the head of the Railway Touring Company charter 'The Royal Duchy'. West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47804 was attached and trailing at the rear of the 1Z82 08:47 Bristol Temple Meads to Par.

To view the gallery, please click here.


 36 Years of technology

Published on 30th August 2020

Thirty-six years separate the build dates of the locomotives pictured in this image taken at Taunton on Friday 30th August 2020.

Locomotive Services Ltd Class 47s No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' and No. 47501 'Craftsman' wait at Taunton while operating the 1Z11 17:15 Kingswear - Rugby dining charter. In the Adjacent platform Colas Rail Class 67s No. 67027 'Charlotte' and No. 67023 'Stella' wait to depart with Network Rail test train 1Q19 18:57 Taunton - London Paddington. In the background, the full height of the new station car park can now be seen above the station room level.

(Photo: Shaun Mockridge)


Daily Freightliner Operations


Published on 29th August 2020

Two daytime Freightliner operations which run on an 'as required' basis when the HOBC has returned from overnight ballast cleaning duties are 6C72 / 6C73 Fairwater Yard- Westbury - Fairwater Yard to replenish fresh ballast for the next night's ballast drop, and 6C75 / 6C76 which operates out to Norton Fitzwarren to unload spent ballast from the previous nights ballast cleaning.

The first portion of the HBOC set generally leaves for Westbury at 08:30 and the second portion leaves for Norton Fitzwarren around 10:25. Both trains are featured below.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: S A Ginn)



The Dartmouth Regatta Statesman


Published on 28th August 2020

LSL (Locomotive Services Limited) operated Statesman Rail charter the 'The Dartmouth Regatta Statesman', Friday 28th August 2020.

Having lost time in the Bristol area Class 47 locomotives No. 47501 'Craftsman' (D1944) & No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' (D1935) are pictured at speed at Norton Fitzwarren with the 1Z10 06:33 Rugby to Kingswear charter.

In direct contrast to this image, the very same locomotive is also featured pictured (without its name) at Taunton Station on the 16th September 1987 operating a Plymouth - Aberdeen 'Intercity' service.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: John Chalcraft)



 Freightliner Orange heads South

Published on 26th August 2020

On Tuesday 26th August 2020 in the midst of Storm Francis, Freightliner provided some extra colour as recently arrived No. 66415 'You Are Never Alone' lead 6V15 18:59 Fairwater Yard - Dainton Tunnel operating in top and tail formation with No.66953.

The two locomotives can just be seen in the same shot passing through Wellington on route south wit the Network Rail HOBC for a night of ballast cleaning in Devon.

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)


66415 Gets to Work


Published on 25th August 2020

In glorious afternoon light ahead of the Storm Francis arriving into the South West, Freightliner 'Genesee and Wyoming' liveried Class 66/4 No. 66415 'You Are Never Alone' passes Cogload Junction on the 25th August 2020 operating 6C73 12:17 Westbury - Fairwater Yard trip working.

Fighting its way through the Buddleia infested cutting at Creech St Michael, on the 25th August 2020, Freightliner Class 66/4 No. 66415 'You Are Never Alone' passes hauling 6C73 12:17 Westbury - Fairwater Yard trip working with loaded ballast.

(Photo: Adam Snow)

(Photo: Simon Harling)



 You Are Not Alone

(Photo: Jason Prole)


Published on 24th August 2020

Freightliner 'Genesee and Wyoming' liveried Class 66/4 No. 66415 'You Are Never Alone' 'You Are Never Alone' within Fairwater Yard during a brief dry spell on the afternoon of Monday 24th August 2020.

The colorful locomotive arrived light engine as 0C69 11:30 Stoke Gifford - Fairwater Yard. No.66588 then departed as 0C70 13:30 Fairwater Yard - Stoke Gifford light engine. - The image was taken by trained and qualified personnel

The loco was named on Thursday 21st November 2019 and saw Freightliner join forces with Samaritans and Greater Anglia to name its locomotive 'You Are Never Alone'. The naming ceremony was held at Ipswich Station and was attended by over 50 guests and colleagues, including the Deputy Mayor of Ipswich, Sandy Martin, who was elected MP for Ipswich in 2017.


 Colas on the Levels

Published on 23rd August 2020

Colas Rail Freight top and tailed Class 70s No.70816 and No.70816 cross over the Somerset Levels at Oath on Sunday 23rd August 2020 operating 6C97 08:55 St Budeaux Ferry Road - Westbury after an overnight rail drop in Devon.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Ian Draper)


A Pictorial History of Taunton

(Photo: CIC)



Published on 22nd August 2020

A truly innovative digital gallery is currently open to the public at the CIC Centrelocated at Paul Street, Taunton (TA1 3PF) for people to enjoy a 'Pictorial History of Taunton (and the surrounding area)'.

The exhibition features over 200 images covering the history of Taunton Deane and the local villages, displayed on 17 digital screens which cycle through around 15 images each. The images have been carefully categorised for display, and also feature a few railway based images, as well as many images of the former Taunton Tramway. The Creative Innovation Centre is open from Thursday to Sunday 10:00 - 16:00 and the exhibition is open from the 1st August to 10th October. Entry is £2 per person or £5 per family, with entry fees raising find for the no profit-making community organisation.

There is also a Cafe / Bar for those wishing to take refreshments. The open-plan and airy space means there is plenty of room to socially distance within the exhibition. We highly recommend a visit to this event if you would like to view more images from the past.


Maritime 'ONE'

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

Published on 20th August 2020

DB Cargo/ Maritime blue liveried Class 66/0 No. 66005 'Maritime Intermodal One' hauled the loaded 6Z60 11:51 Parkandillack - Bescot china clay flow on Thursday 20th August 2020.

The Maritime customer livery is more at home hauling intermodal traffic but paid a visit to the southwest hauling China Clay traffic at this time.


 Choppers return to Derby

Published on 20th August 2020

Following an overnight stop in Plymouth, the Loram Demonstration Train returned north on Thursday 20th August 2020.

BR Blue Class 20 locomotives No.20205 and No.20189 pass the former site of Creech St Michael Halt top & tailing a set of three recently Loram liveried Mk2 coaches (5919, 6046 & 9525) running as the 5M16 11:40 Plymouth to Derby RTC.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)


Lorum Rail Operations


Published on 19th August 2020

Lorum Rail Operations were back in the Southwest again on the 19th of August 2020.

British Rail Blue Class 20 locomotives No.20189 and No.20205 top and tailed a set of three recently re-livered Mk2 coaches (5919 9525 6046) to operate the Lorum demonstration train 5V16 11:18 Derby - Plymouth, seen here passing Norton Fitzwarren. The pair were booked to return north the next day after recessing at Plymouth overnight.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

(Photo: S A Ginn)



Saphos Double Headed Steam


Published on 12th August 2020

Saphos Trains operated their 'Devonian Express' charter on Wednesday 12th August 2020 taking in a newly formed charter route between Cardiff Central and Plymouth.

The tour was hauled by top and tailed heritage Class 47 locomotives No. 47501 'Craftsman' and No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' between Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads. Upon arrival, the 47501 'Craftsman' was removed and steam locomotives. Ex-LMS Royal Scot Class 4-6-0 No. 46100 'Royal Scot' & BR Britannia Class 4-6-2 No. 70000 'Britannia' added to the train. The pair then operated via Bath Spa and Westbury to Taunton before heading south taking the pair of locomotives over the Devon banks to Plymouth.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: S A Ginn)



 Maritime ONE

(Photo: Ian Draper)


Published on 9th August 2020

For those up early on Sunday 9th August 2020 there was the chance to capture a rare liveried GBRf visitor to the Westcountry.

Maritime liveried Class 66/7 No. 66727 'Maritime One' operated south to Tiverton Loop late on Saturday night with a continuous welded rail delivery set. 66727 'Maritime One' returned north through Taunton at 07:07 Sunday morning operating 6G97 0750 Wellington - Westbury with the empty rail train in tow. The Maritime livery applied to the locomotive is a special GBRf customer livery. Maritime is a UK-based, market-leading intermodal logistics company offering the complete solution for supply chain requirements including container transport and storage, freight management, curtain-sided distribution and intermodal services.

To view the gallery, please click here.


Thank You Key Workers


Published on 7th August 2020

The popular and colouful 'Thank You Key Workers' liveried Class 802 has been working almost daily between London Paddington, Plymouth, and Penzance and has become a common sight in the Taunton area.

On Friday 7th August 2020 the unit No.802020 (working as a pair with No.802014) was captured operating two passenger diagrams in the Taunton area. The new livery features 116 languages from the 166 countries represented across the GWR network all spelling 'Thankyou'.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)



Testing Times

(Photo: S A Ginn)



Published on 6th August 2020

During a brief respite on an otherwise damp and drizzly morning at Nynehead, Class 37s No.37610, and No.37219 top & tail a Network rail test train after a short spell of duty in the Westcountry covering lines which had been omitted on the previous weeks test train.

The set is pictured returning north running as 3Z53 10:30 Exeter Riverside to Derby RTC on Thursday 6th August 2020, with a large logo inspired Class 37/6 No.37610 leading. The train was formed of top and tailed Class 37s either end of test coaches 977997 999602 9806 977985 and 977986.

The previous visit to Penzance had to be canceled as every hotel in Penzance had been booked by holidaymakers meaning train crews from the test train would have had no accommodation between testing diagrams.

To view the gallery, please click here.


Colas head back to Devon

(Photo: Adam Snow)



Published on 3rd August 2020

Colas Rail Freight returned a Network Rail UTU test train back to Devon on Monday 3rd August 2020.

Class 37 No.37219 leads partner No.37610 south towards Devon passing Nynehead between Taunton and Wellington operating 3Z52 07:38 Derby - Exeter Riverside.

To view the gallery, please click here.


The English Riviera Express


Published on 3rd August 2020

Saphos Trains operated their second 'English Riviera Express' charter of the season on Sunday 2nd August 2020.

Former British Railways Class 7 No. 70000 'Britannia' fronted the train (running under the guise of 70022 'Tornado'). The 1Z27 08:50 Bristol Temple Meads - Kingswear arrived at Taunton shortly before 10:15 for its booked servicing stop before continuing south to the Devon Riviera.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Ian Draper)

(Photo: Jamie Waters)



To view news stories from July 2020 click here, or for news from September 2020, click here.