(Photo: Russell Ayre)
Published on 27th October 2020
With leaves being blown from the lineside at the Network Rail RHH set blasts its way up to Whiteball Tunnel, this image shows perfectly how the train helps clear leaves and mulch from the railheads during Autumn.
On the 26th October 2020 DB Cargo Class 66 No.66151 leads No.66155 south through Marlands operating 3J13 08:53 Westbury - St Blazey.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Published on 24th October 2020
Freightliner conveyed a rake of Network Rail point carriers from Westbury to Bristol West Junction on Saturday 24th October 2020.
Class 66/6 No.66621 operated 6X04 09:34 Westbury - Bristol West Junction operating via Taunton to change direction. The train was captured in the Taunton area arriving into and departing from the area.
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
Published on 23rd October 2020
As of Friday 23rd, October 2020 Cross Country Trains and Northern Trains are the latest two train operating companies to work with Real Time Trains 'Know your train' feature to provide extra information for passengers, to better aid their travel on the UK Rail Network.
Cross Country has now become the fifth UK TOC to join forces with Real-Time Trains. The Real-Time Trains website provides rolling stock operating on any CrossCountry service with easy to view graphics of the Cross Country fleet along with allocations for each train operating the service. The system is able to show where each coach is in the train’s formation and what the facilities are in each coach. It can also display luggage storage facilities and the location of the large storage area on Voyager trains. The nature of CrossCountry’s network means that their services frequently reverse and they attach and detach multiple trains together. RTT has worked closely with CrossCountry over the last few months and has been making significant improvements to fully support the breadth and complexities of the cross country network and fleet. We hope in the future GWR will also join the growing list of train operating companies which are provided additional information for the travelling public.
(Photo: Real Time Trains)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 17th October 2020
With Autumn now in full swing the annual battle with leaves on the line continues to help prevent delays to scheduled train services.
The daily operation in the southwest has been in full flow for several weeks. DB Cargo Class 66 Locomotives No.66151 and No.66155 rounds the curve at Cogload Junction on Saturday 17th October 2020 operating 3J13 09:52 Westbury - St Blazey via Warminster, topping and tailing the Network Rail RHTT set.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Published on 15th October 2020
Colas Rail Freight Class 67 locomotives No. 67027 'Charlotte' and No. 67023 'Stella' visited Taunton on the 15th October 2020 with a Network Rail test train.
In stunning autumn light the pair pass Broomhay Crossing while operating 1Q13 10:18 Bristol High-Level Sidings - Hanwell Bridge Loop (Southall), the train operated via Taunton.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Adam Snow)
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
Published on 12th October 2020
Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66508 takes the relief line from Platform 2 at Taunton having passed through heavy rainfall as the train heads west in the sun.
The locomotive approaches 40 Steps through the unkept undergrowth on Saturday 10th October 2020 operating 6Y97 16:32 Westbury - Comborne via Ponsandane with a rail delivery set in tow.
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Published on 10th October 2020
The annual battle with falling leaves and inclement weather is always marked in the railway scene with the appearance of the army of Network Rail RHTT sets which traverse the UK rail network blasting leaf mulch from the railheads.
The 2020 season has kicked off with DB Cargo (EWS liveried) Class 66 pairing of No.66155 and No.66151 operating in top and tail formation. The daily diagram is the same as previous years, passing Taunton northbound at around 07:30 and returning southbound around 12:20 Monday to Saturday. While 66155 spent the majority of May in the southwest on Weedkilling Duties it will spend most of October and November on the RHTT circuit. No.66151 is the same locomotive that operated the train in 2019 and hasn't been seen at Taunton since last year's RHTT trains operated.
To view the gallery, please click here.
The Network Rail Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) heads westbound through Oath on Saturday 10th October 2020. DB Cargo Class 666 locomotives No.66151 and No.66155 operating 3J13 09:50 Westbury - St Blazey via Warminster. Normally the train visits Salisbury on its normal route, however, the line between Warminster and Salisbury was closed for engineering work on this day.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 10th October 2020
DRS owned Class 37/4 No. 37425 'Sir Robert McAlpine/ Concrete Bob' returned north through Taunton on Friday 9th October 2020 light engine operating 0Z25 08:16 Plymouth - Norwich.
The loco had an extended visit in the southwest after needing a visit to Laira GWR Depot, the loco needed work on the Laira wheel lathe to correct a severe wheel flat which the loco had picked up during its trip south on the 22nd. Having completed the repairs the locomotives then carried out driver route learning trips to Penzance and Paignton. The retro liveried Class 37 headed for East Anglia and is seen here passing Broomhay Crossing near Bathpool on Friday 9th October 2020.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Thomas Courtney)
(Photo: Shaun Mockridge)
Published on 10th October 2020
Autumn clearance of vegetation which has grown for over twenty years has begun to be cleared by Network Rail Contractors.
Over the past week, overhanging trees, and encroaching vegetation have been cleared on the western side of Whiteball Tunnel. This clearance has opened up a previous photographic angle which hasn't been possible since the early 2000s. We have featured both the north and southbound images taken on 8th October 2020 of the clearance work well underway. In the coming weeks, we hope the northbound view will be further improved as contractors work through the undergrowth.
(Photo: Simon Harling)
(Photo: Simon Harling)
To view news stories from September 2020 click here, or for news from November 2020, click here.