News Archive for October 2021

Published on 31st October 2021

Intercity Excursions operated The Devonian Double on Saturday 30th October 2021.

The visit of two Class 40 locomotives to the south west was a big event with 37 years since the last pair of locomotives visited the area and 12 years since No.40145 had last operated a solo charter through Somerset.

200 Class 40 locomotives were built by English Electric between 1958 and 1962 at the Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows. Locomotives in the range D210–D235 were to be named after ships operated by the companies Cunard Line, Elder Dempster Lines, and Canadian Pacific Steamships, as they hauled express trains to Liverpool, the home port of these companies.

Eight members of the class made it into preservation and two have now been returned to mainline operation with Locomotive Service Ltd where they are used on special charter trains such as 'The Devonian Double'.

We hope you enjoy the selection of images from the charter passing through the autumn scenes in the Taunton area.

Published on 30th October 2021

A colourful array of engineers trains headed south to Exmouth on the weekend of the 30th / 31st October 2021.

Colas Rail Freight, DB Cargo, Freightliner and GBRf were all involved in moving infrastructure equipment and materials to the work site located on the Exmouth branch. While some services ran overnight, a handful operated in daylight hours, one service in particular passed Taunton in rather 'inclement' conditions. We have put together a small gallery of the various services which passed through Taunton heading for Exeter and Exmouth.

Published on 30th October 2021

Two GWR Class 158s deputised for a shortage of GWR crew on Saturday 30th October 2021.

No.158765 operated 1A77 08:55 Paignton - London Paddington which was cancelled at Taunton. Passengers transferred onto the next London Paddington bound service. Having arrived at Taunton the unit then performed a second Class 1 diagram by standing in for another cancelled IET service by operating 1C73 10:37 Taunton - Exeter (for the cancelled 1C73 08:35 London Paddington - Exeter St Davids service).

Later in the day No.158750 operated 1A89 14:56 Paignton - London Paddington as far as Taunton where the service was cancelled, and returned with 1C85 16:35 Taunton - Plymouth (for the cancelled 1C85 14:36 London Paddington - Plymouth service).

Published on 30th October 2021

The first pair of double-headed Class 40s in 37 years to pass Taunton operated on Saturday 30th October 2021.

LSL Intercity Excursions 'The Devonian Double' charter used Class 40 locomotives No. 40013 'Andania' (D213) and No.40145 (D345) to haul 1Z40 06:25 Preston - Plymouth. The pair of Class 40s were built in 1959 at the Vulcan Foundry works, and were not regular visitors to the south west during their operational life, although some did appear on Ellesmere Port to Exeter oil trains. Some of the class members did also venture west hauling enthusiast railtours in the 1980s.

The last double headed pairing to pass Taunton was the 28th May 1984. L.L.S./ T & N Railtours operated 'The Devonian'. The tour used BR Blue Class 40s No.40057 and No.40135 to haul the 1Z28 06:30 Preston - Exeter St Davids. At Exeter the train was split, The Class 40s took 4 coaches on to Paignton. The remainder of the train then took in the delights of Meldon Quarry and the Heathfield Branch before ending up back in Paignton. Class 31s No.31259 & No.31180 were used for this leg. Once back in Paignton the train was reformed and the two Class 40s worked the train back to Bristol Temple Meads. At Bristol the Class 40s were removed (as 057 had failed) and No.47199 was utilized for the trip to Crewe, before No.40177 was added for the remaining distance back to Preston. The 1984 charter (Left) is pictured passing Taunton Cider at Norton Fitzwarren on the southbound run to Exeter.

We recreated the same shot on Saturday 30th October 2021 (Right). After heavy over night rain, the charter reaching its destination was in doubt for a period after it was halted at Bristol Temple Meads. The mainline south having been closed due to flooding at Flax Bourton. After a line inspection was carried out the tour was allowed to continue. The veteran Type 4 locomotives are pictured at passing Norton Fitzwarren with their immaculate rake of Mk3 Intercity stock making history running 67 minutes behind schedule.

No.40145 last made a solo visit to the area in 2009 working The Cornish Explorer charter for Pathfinder Railtours.

Published on 29th October 2021

On Saturday 4th December 2021, the Railway Studies Collection, located within Newton Abbot library, will be holding a Railway Studies and Modellers Show.

The aim of the show is to increase awareness of this fascinating collection, the second largest in the UK. Doors open at 10am and whilst there is no entry fee, all donations will be gratefully received on the door and will go towards the upkeep and continued development of the Railway Studies Collection. Michelle Pearson, Customer Service Assistant at Newton Abbot Library said: “We have invited a selection of well-known traders including model railway suppliers, railwayana, DVD publishers, railway societies and preserved railways to attend. We will also have a ‘white glove experience’ exploring some of our oldest and rarest titles in the Collection, and some special themed children’s activities for any young enthusiasts.”

She added, “We are keen to promote local businesses, and all trade stands will be free to attend, though donations to the collection would be appreciated. In addition, we will have a number of N, OO, HO and garden rail exhibitors in attendance.”

The library are still welcoming traders and exhibitors; for all enquiries, please contact Newton Abbot Library on 01626 886223, or email at railwaystudies.library@librariesunlimited.org.uk

The show will be open from 10am to 4pm. There is an excellent café within the library and easy access to the show on the first floor via a lift or stairs. The library is a 15 minute walk from Newton Abbot Railway Station, a 5 minute walk from the bus station, and there is ample paid parking nearby.

Published on 16th October 2021

Enthusiasts and day trippers gathered at the West Somerset Railway to travel on the final DEPG Diesel Hauled service on Saturday 16th October 2021.

The rare chance to enjoy diesel haulage in the Autumn provided some colourful views of the Quantocks from the carriage windows. The popular 'Hymek' Class locomotive No.D7018 was allocated for the final diesel diagram of 2021. The Hymek operated the 11:35 Bishops Lydeard - Dunster, 13:25 Dunster - Norton Fitzwarren and 15:25 Norton Fitzwarren - Bishops Lydeard bringing a close to the scheduled heritage diesel passenger diagrams.

Published on 4th October 2021

A large amount of engineering services passed through Taunton on the 2nd and 3rd October 2021 in connection with mainline track renewals at Somerton.

Engineering trains of various types were diagrammed throughout the weekend to exit the blockade at Athelney proceeding to Taunton to change direction before returning north to travel to Westbury via Bristol. Replacement bus services operated between Taunton and Castle Cary for the duration of the weekend, with some other passenger services diverted via Bristol to London Paddington.

Published on 3rd October 2021

The West Somerset Railway held an Autumn Steam Gala event between the 1st October and 3rd October 2021.

The event mainly featured steam locomotives but DEPG diesel traction also featured in the shape of Hymek No.D7018. Steam locomotives former GWR 'Manor' locomotives No. 7822 'Foxcote Manor', No. 7828 'Odney Manor', Large Prairie
No.5199, and WSR 2-6-0 No.9351 all hauled services over the course of the three days. As with previous gala events the road crossing at Minehead remained out of action, so passenger services operated in a mixture of 'top and tail' formation to Dunster, and single locomotives to Blue Anchor where services would terminate.

Weather over the weekend was a mixed bag of heavy downpours, cloud with brief spells of sunshine.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 1st October 2021

Charter operator Steam Dreams ran a three day steam and diesel hauled charter to Cornwall between the 28th September and 1st October 2021.

The southbound tour operated in horrendous weather conditions with pouring rain for most of the day. The three day tour originated from London Victoria and used the rare combination of LMS and LNER steam locomotives together. Ex-LMS 'Jubilee' Class 4-6-0 No. 45596 'Bahamas' was the lead locomotive for the trip with with ex-LNER B1 Class 4-6-0 No. 61306 'Mayflower' tucked inside. Support locomotives for the tour were provided by West Coast Railways, these locos operated the shunt movements and diesel hauled legs of the trip in Cornwall. The diesel locos also provided the a rare pairing of Class 37 No.37706 and Class 33 No. 33207 'Jim Martin', both locomotives making their first appearance in Taunton in 2021.

We have featured images from the return charter from Plymouth to London Victoria on the 1st October 2021 which offered much improved local weather.