Published on 27th September 2020
In connection with planned engineering works in Bristol and west of Exeter, several engineers trains visited the Taunton area heading to and from their worksites.
Both Freightliner and GBRf were involved in the movement of engineers trains for Network Rail.
(Photo: Thomas Courtney)
(Photo: Thoams Courtney)
Published on 26th September 2020
Locomotive Services Ltd Class 47s were back in the Southwest on Friday 25th September 2020 at the lead end of 'The Cornish Riviera Statesman' luxury dining charter.
LSL provided large logo liveried Class 47 No. 47593 'Galloway Princess' and two-tone green No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' for the weekend trip to Devon and Cornwall. The charter headed south operating as 1Z70 06:08 York - Penzance and would return through Taunton on Sunday afternoon heading back to York.
(Photo: S A Ginn)
(Photo: Shaun Mockridge)
Published on 25th September 2020
Freightliner Class 66/4 No. 66415 'You Are Never Alone' passes Cogload Junction on Friday 25th September 2020 operating 6C73 12:17 Westbury - Fairwater Yard with a freshly loaded HOBC portion in tow.
Listed as a Colas Rail operation, hired-in Freightliner Class 66 No.66556 approaches Taunton at Catshill Farm crossing engaged on a route learning exercise, operating 0Z80 10:50 Westbury - Castle Cary via Exeter, Honiton, and Yeovil Pen Mill on Thursday 24th September 2020.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Ian Draper)
(Photo: S A Ginn)
Published on 23rd September 2020
Track renewal work in the Tiverton Parkway area will affect train services between Taunton and Exeter St Davids between Monday 28 September and Friday 2 October 2020.
Network Rail is carrying out essential upgrades to the track south of Tiverton Parkway station affecting trains services between London Paddington and the south-west as well as other services to/from Taunton, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter St Davids.
A reduced number of direct trains between Plymouth, Exeter St Davids and London Paddington will continue to run using a diverted route, not calling at Tiverton Parkway or Taunton. Journey times on trains using this route will be around 60 minutes longer than normal. Customers travelling to or from Torquay, Paignton or stations in Cornwall will need to change trains on most journeys. Customers travelling from Taunton towards London will be served by a two-hourly train service.
Replacement buses will operate regularly between Taunton, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter St Davids although journey times will be significantly longer than normal. Replacement buses will be timed to connect at Taunton and Exeter St Davids for onward rail travel. Customers travelling in the Exeter and Taunton areas are advised to plan ahead and check their journey before setting off.
With more people starting to use trains again operators are reminding passengers to Plan ahead?– travel at quieter times where they can, buy a ticket online and in advance, and book ahead if you need travel assistance Consider others?– wear a face-covering unless you’re exempt, don’t travel if you have COVID symptoms and respect each other, not all disabilities can be seen Stay safe?– maintaining your distance wherever possible; wash your hands and carry hand sanitiser, paying contactless where you can.
For more information please visit the GWR Website
(Photo: Taunton Trains)
Published on 22nd September 2020
Freightliner paid a late afternoon visit to the Norton Triangle complex on Tuesday 22nd September 2020.
No. 66415 'You Are Never Alone' 'You Are Never Alone' and No.66953 are pictured reversing direction at Orchard Junction while working 6C75 15:00 Fairwater Yard - Fairwater Yard (via the Norton Fitzwarren Triangle). The pair were used to turn a single Network Rail MFS-A 'Adaptor Wagon'. The image was taken by trained and qualified personnel.
(Photo: Jason Prole)
Published on 22nd September 2020
Could it really be 26 years since we last saw a Class 37 wearing 'Regional Railways' livery at Taunton? DRS owned Class 37/4 No. 37425 'Sir Robert McAlpine/ Concrete Bob' headed to Devon on Tuesday 22nd September 2020 operating light engine as 0Z60 09:07 Crewe Gresty Bridge - Plymouth, as part of a series of driving training/route learning runs for Direct Rail Services.
The locomotive is now painted in the stunning former 'Regional Railways' livery which some of the class carried in the mid-nineties when they were used on regional passenger services.
By comparison and by a remarkable coincidence, we are also able to provide an image from 1994 featuring Regional Railways liveried Class 37/4 No.37422 passing the same spot at Taunton on the 21st June 1994 hauling 6V62 13:34 Fawley - Tavistock Junction fuel tanks through the centre road at Taunton.
26 years separate these two images, and provides an interesting look back to an equally rare event of passenger liveried locomotive operating a freight train.
(Photo: Shaun Mockridge)
(Photo: David Jones)
Published on 15th September 2020
It's amazing how quickly vinyl's fade when trains are not washed and stabled outside at the mercy of the elements.
Rail Operations Group moved a set of First Great Western liveried stock from Laira on Tuesday 15th September 2020. Looking somewhat weather-beaten ex-FGW First Great Western HST Power Cars No.43029, No.43027 and No.43022, lead Mk3 coaches 42087, 42580, ROG Mk 1 Barrier vehicle 6340 with Class No. 47815 'Great Western' bringing up the rear of the convoy on Tuesday 15th September 2020. The unusual consist running the 5E36 10:47 Laira to Doncaster Works where the stock will be refurbished to become part of three more 'Castle' sets.
No.43029 last operated a passenger train on the 8th October 2019 working a stopping service to Penzance with partner No. 43186 'Taunton Castle'.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Russell Ayre)
(Photo: S A Ginn)
Published on 14th September 2020
Rail Operations Group headed west on Monday 14th September 2020 with HST barrier coach 6340 in tow.
The coach had recently undergone work at Eastleigh Works and now carries 'Rail Operations Group' branding after GWR no longer requires the use of these barrier vehicles. No. 47815 'Great Western' is seen passing through the unkept station area while operating 5V84 10:141 Derby - Laira diagram to collect more HST stock for refurbishment and conversion.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Shaun Mockridge)
Published on 13th September 2020
GBRf was back in the southwest on the 13th of September 2020 in glorious weather.
No. 66752 'The Hoosier State' and No. 66761 'Wensleydale Railway Association 25 Years 1990-2015' top and tailed a rake of ten loaded Network Rail Autoballasters west operating as 6G73 12:08 Westbury - Lostwithiel for an overnight ballast drop.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
(Photo: Russell Ayre)
Published on 13th September 2020
DB Cargo operated loaded ballast/ engineers train to Cornwall during the evening on Saturday 12th September 2020.
Class 66 No. 66175 'Rail Riders Express' and No.66112 top and tail 6W02 17:24 Westbury - Lostweithiel hauling a rake of 10 Network Rail Autoballasters west for overnight engineering work in Cornwall on Saturday 12th September 2020.
(Photo: Ian Draper)
(Photo: Phil Izzard)
(Photo: S A Ginn)
Published on 13th September 2020
West Coast Railways returned to Devon on Saturday 12th September 2020 operating The Northern Belle 'Torquay at Leisure' dining charter.
West Coast Class 57 No. 57601 'Windsor Castle' 'Windsor Castle' and No.57316 'top and tailed the train through the Taunton area and is pictured here passing the former site of Silk Mills Level Crossing with the 1Z75 07:56 Birmingham International to Paignton.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Published on 10th September 2020
GBRf (GB Railfreight) made a rare foray westwards on Thursday 10th September 2020 hauling a rake of five Network Rail Autoballasters for an overnight ballast drop in Cornwall.
No. 66761 'Wensleydale Railway Association 25 Years 1990-2015' operated 6G70 17:29 Westbury - Truro passing Taunton in the evening sunlight leading the small set of wagons west.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
Published on 8th September 2020
After a test/ route learning run to Devonport during the week on the 1st September using two light engine Class 66 locomotives, Direct Rail Services headed heading back to Devonport Royal Dockyard on Tuesday 8th September 2020 with two nuclear flask wagons.
The pair are pictured here passing Wellington and Whiteball operating 6Z68 05:39 Crewe Coal Sidings to Devonport Royal Dockyard.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: S A Ginn)
(Photo: Simon Harling)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 7th September 2020
After a busy weekend of laying new ballast on the Great Western Mainline, the Network Rail HOBC requires replenishing with new ballast.
Running 12 minutes ahead of schedule Fregithliner (Genesee and Wyoming liveried) Class 66/4 No. 66415 'You Are Never Alone' passes Cogload Junction on Monday 7th September 2020 operating 6C73 12:17 Westbury - Fairwater Yard HOBC portion. The train having been loaded with fresh ballast from the virtual quarry at Westbury, and the ballast originating from Stud Farm Quarry.
To view the gallery, please click here.
The return of LNER B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' was slightly delayed in the evening due to some unscheduled welding which was required at Paignton after the ash pan rocker became stuck in the open position. The charter arrived at Taunton running around 15 minutes behind schedule. Large crowds turned out to see this unique and rare locomotive during its first-ever visit to the South West. No. 61306 'Mayflower' is pictured at Taunton on the 1st April 2015 operating 1Z31 17:30 Kingswear - Oxford.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 6th September 2020
It is with a heavy heart that Steam Dreams have decided to postpone all of our Summer and Autumn 2020 trips.
We reviewed all the options available within the current guidelines and we all felt that any solutions would not meet our passengers' expectations. We have written to all passengers booked on these tours. Our Christmas 2020 trips are available to book now, and we will be adding more day trips and holidays to our 2021 programme over the next few weeks. Keep an eye on the website for further updates. Please note that our opening hours are different to normal, but we are still contactable by email on info@steamdreams.co.uk.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 5th September 2020
Saturday 5th September 2020 saw the Northern Belle high-class dining train pass through the platforms at Taunton.
With the new station car park now dwarfing the station in the background. West Coast Railways lead The Northern Belle dining train south through Taunton at 40 Steps. On Saturday 5th September 2020 with No.57316 and No. 57601 'Windsor Castle' top and tail 1Z27 07:15 Swansea - Paignton south heading for Devon.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Published on 4th September 2020
Lorum Rail Operations returned to Devon on a thrid demonstration run on Thursday 3rd September 2020 and after recessing at Plymouth overnight returned north to Derby on Friday 4th September.
A pair of veteran Class 20s were provided for the light engine movement with green liveried No.20007 making another appearance, but this time partnered with London Transport liveried No.20142. The unique pairing headed south on the 3rd September operating 0Z16 09:45 Derby RTC - Plymouth passing Taunton around an hour earlier than scheduled at 14:00. Friday saw the pair operate 0Z17 09:35 Plymouth - Derby RTC returning back to Lorum headquarters.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Paul Wilkins)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 1st September 2020
Tuesday 1st September 2020 saw Direct Rail Services head to Devon on a route learning run from Crewe to the Navy base at Devonport.
The light engine run was formed of two Class 66 locomotives No.66122 (which is on long term hire from DB Cargo to DRS and still painted in its original EWS livery) and No.66425 (Direct Rail Services blue). The pair operated 0Z69 05:39 Crewe Coal Sidings - Devonport with No.66122 leading No.66425. Despite early running the pair were held on the Fairwater Yard relief line for a right time departure to follow Cross Country HST service 1V44.
Having visited the Devonport Royal Dockyard branch in Devon the pair later returned to Bridgwater Yard where the locomotives would recess, and the crew was lodged overnight, before continuing their trip back to Crewe on the 2nd September.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Ian Draper)
To view news stories from August 2020 click here, or for news from October 2020, click here.