Published on 28th November 2021
The second week of WSR 'Winterlight' specials took place on Friday 26th November and Saturday 27th November 2021.
Despite Storm Arwen sweeping through the southwest the WSR continued with its planned illuminated services. Trains were fully booked for the event with up to three planned services each night operating between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe Heathfield.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Paul Finninmore)
Published on 24th November 2021
Colas Rail Freight Class 70/8 No.70816 is pictured stabled in the sidings at Taunton Station on the 24th November 2021.
The loco had been carrying Furgo RILA track geometry equipment
which can be mounted a locomotive or passenger unit to record infrastructure data on the move. The Colas Class 70 No.70816 arrived into Taunton as the 0C08 13:16 Truro - Taunton. Data from the trip will be downloaded and reviewed to highlight any infrastructure issues along the route.
Image taken with permission.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Tim Badger Photos)
Published on 21st November 2021
The first weekend and first year of the West Somerset Railway 'Winterlights' train services started on Friday 26th November 2021.
The winterlight services see illuminated locomotives and stock travelling between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe during selected winter evenings. Former GWR 'Manor' No. 7828 'Odney Manor' is pictured at Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 20th November 2021 ready to depart to Crowcombe Heathfield. We would like to thank Tim Badger Photos for submitting this image.
For those wishing to book on these colourful evening services tickets are still available from the West Somerset Railway website
Published on 19th November 2021
The regular visit of the Network Rail New Measurement Train (NMT) has been providing some interesting and colourful powercar combinations of late.
With the Network Rail powercars out of traffic, former LNER East Coast and Colas Rail powercars have been drafted in to provide traction.
On Friday 19th November 2021, having already completed infrastructure testing between London Paddington, Penzance, Newton Abbot, Paignton, Bristol East Yard the final two diagrams were captured at Taunton Station. No.43274 (Ex EMR Purple livery) lead No.43290 while operating 1Z18 15:39 Paignton - Taunton via Bristol East Yard, and No.43290 then lead 1Q19 18:57 Taunton - London Paddington departing Taunton at 18:59.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 18th November 2021
With the stable weather patterns during November, the full autumn colours can be enjoyed as trees are still retaining the majority of their leaves.
The tarnished colours of autumn in 2021 are providing some colourful backdrops to current railway images. We have provided a selection of images illustrating the colours of Autumn.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
Published on 18th November 2021
DB Cargo have recently switched No.66098 for DB Cargo red-liveried No.66009 on south west based rail head treatment train.
No.66009 is now located on the north end of the set with No.66116 remaining on the south end.
Passing through the autumn scene at Whiteball with many of the leaves still on the trees the RHTT could see an extended 2021 operating season if leaf fall isn't complete by early December. After a change of traction on the north end of the set No.66116 leads DB Cargo red No.66009 south at Whiteball on Thursday 18th November 2021. The pair were operating 3J13 08:50 Westbury - St Blazey via Salisbury RHTT.
To view the gallery, please click here.
Published on 14th November 2021
With various autumn and winter track and infrastructure renewal projects planned each weekend in the south west, engineering trains conveying materials to and from work sites bring an interesting array of locomotives, consists and colours to the railway network.
Saturday 13th November and Sunday 14th November provided an selection of workings returning from Cornwall.
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
(Photo: Quentin Hawkes)
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)
(Photo: S A Ginn)
Published on 12th November 2021
Network Rail have continued their work to remove years of tree and vegetation growth between Cogload Junction and Taunton.
Creech St Michael has seen further work carried out which has seen several more trees and bushes removed from encroaching onto the track. As a result a wider view now possible at Creech St Michael. DB Cargo Class 66 No.66116 and No.66098 operate the RHTT 3J13 08:50 Westbury to St.Blazey via Salisbury on Thursday 11th November 2021.
It's also worth noting that Cat Hill Farm crossing between Creech St Michael and Cogload Junction has been closed to the public while Network Rail review safety concerns over driver sighting on approach to the crossing. Further cutting back of vegetation may be required to improve the visibility for both train drivers and the general public who use the crossing.
To view the gallery, please click here.
(Photo: RTT)
Published on 12th November 2021
GWR train services and information is now live on Real Time Trains, in recent years many train operating companies have provided access to data feeds to provide additional passenger and train service information via the Real Time Trains website.
Cross Country services have been available on the system for over a year. GWR is the eleventh train operating company to provide their operating information with RTT. Real Time Trains is independent provider of real-time information about train services across the Great British rail network, Know Your Train is a way of providing more information about the actual train operating the service and provides a graphic to show what the train will look like, the facilities you can expect to find onboard and where your coach will be located.
Published on 7th November 2021
The Sunday morning 2U12 09:38 Exeter St Davids - Cardiff Central stopping service is often used as a method of transporting multiple units to Bristol, either for other passenger services or for attention at St Philips Marsh depot.
The service is booked to call into Taunton at 10:07 each Sunday. On Sunday 7th October 2021 a trio of former 'Thames Turbo' units provided an interesting combination. Two-car Class 165 units No.165129 and No.165135 coupled with three-car No.166213. The Class 166 was removed at Bristol to form another passenger service. The GWR Turbos are pictured passing Cogload Junction in the morning sunlight. Keep your eyes peeled for this interesting service in the coming weeks.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)
To view news stories from October 2021 click here, or for news from December 2021, click here.