News Archive for December 2021

Christmas Engineers


Published on 26th December 2021

It's true to say that the railways never stop, and while passenger services cease for two days over the Christmas period, this often presents Network Rail with the ability to carry out much needed infrastructure renewals over the Christmas period.

So while the majority of the UK were able to spend time with their families this year, spare a thought for those dedicated railway workers who gave their time across the UK to carry out track renewals and line upgrades, working through the inclement conditions on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. A total of nine engineers trains were scheduled to operate back from Devon on the 26th December 2021. Operating at roughly 30 minute intervals throughout late morning/ early afternoon we have put together a gallery of the returning trains passing through the Taunton area.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: S A Ginn)


(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: S A Ginn)



DRS Circular


Published on 19th December 2021

During their visit to Taunton, Direct Rail Services were contracted by Network Rail to carry out a turning move for a portion of the Network Rail HOBC set based at Fairwater Yard.

Sunday 19th December 2021, Class 66/4 locomotives No.66421 and No.66426 operated 6Z90 10:50 Fairwater Yard - Fairwater Yard via Bath Spa in an anticlockwise direction. The paid of grubby DRS locomotives head through a foggy Banklands returning to Taunton. Upon arrival into Taunton the pair later stabled in Platform 1 at Taunton.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Paul Finnimore)



Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!


Published on 18th December 2021

Direct Rail Services Class 66/4 locomotives carried out the annual snow plough test with the two Taunton-based drift ploughs (ADB 965223 ZZA & ADB 965235 ZZA) on Saturday 18th December 2021.

No.66421 leads No.66426 through Creech St Michael operating as 7Z98 11:04 Fairwater Yard - Fairwater Yard via Weston-super-Mare. The drift ploughs are now stabled within Fairwater Yard and were placed back in their respective positions before the two DRS locomotives were stabled in the sidings behind Platform 1. Both locomotives were in a filthy condition having spent the autumn on the the East Anglia Rail Head Treatment Train.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)


(Photo: Tony Christie)

(Photo: Paul Finnimore)



More Cutting Back in Creech St Michael


Published on 18th December 2021

Over the past six months we have reported on the extensive vegetation clearance and cutting back which has taken place in the village of Creech St Michael.

With undergrowth and trees having been left to grow out of control many trees were in danger of blocking both running lines if they fell. A large amount of time and man hours has gone into providing a wider boundary to reduce the risk of trees and trains coming into contact with one another. The most recent removal (an Oak) has been touching train roofs as they pass by for the past two years. Work is now taking place to reduce this risk and widen the tree line/ boundary.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)



700 Extra Seats Each Week Day

On a dull winter morning on the 18th December 2021 two GWR services pass at Creech St Michael. No. 43122 'Dunster Castle' and No. 43093 'Berkeley Castle' operate 2C69 09:00 Cardiff Central - Penzance, reflecting on the bodyside of Hitachi IETs No.802017 and No.802001 operating 1A78 09:14 Plymouth - London Paddington in the opposite direction.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 18th December 2021

From Monday 20th December GWR extended services between Cardiff and Taunton to Penzance, providing direct services between the two cities for the first time.

The additional train services will provide almost 700 extra seats every day between Taunton and Plymouth, with trains from Cardiff to Taunton being joined up with existing Cornish mainline services between Plymouth and Penzance. The majority of services will be in the hands of the GWR 'Castle' HST fleet with various unit types covering service alterations. The extra trains form part of wider December timetable change improvements rail operator GWR is making across the south, including the first MetroWest trains for Bristol which will also increase rail services on the Severn Beach line to half-hourly.

To view the gallery, please click here.


HRH Prince of Wales Visits Devon

(Photo: Simon Harling)

Published on 16th December 2021

HRH The Prince of Wales paid a brief visit to Devon on the 16th December 2021.

Leaving London the previous night the train operated to Exeter Riverside Yard where the Royal Train recessed. The Royal Train operated by DB Cargo was formed with No.67006 leading to Devon and No.67005 on the rear of the train. On the morning of the 16th the train proceeded forward to Totnes where The Prince of Wales alighted for onward transport to visit Britannia Royal Navel College in Dartmouth where he had joined 50 years previously as a member of Blake Division. He carried our an inspection of the guard, and also presented graduation prizes during his visit. With the Prince of Wales back on board the Royal Train climbs Whiteball on the 16th December 2021 with No.67005 operating in 'top and tail' formation with partner No.67006. The pair were returning from Totnes to Kemble via Swindon where the prince alighted before the train returned to Wolverton works.

To view the gallery, please click here.


 Colas Moves Stored Wagons

Published on 16th December 2021

Colas Rail Freight collected a rake of stored KSA timber log wagons from store at Hackney Yard on the 16th December 2021.

The wagons needed to be moved to make way for a new aggregate loading site at Hackney Yard which will soon see DR Rail Freight operating from Hackney Yard with loaded aggregate from Hemerdon Quarry to London. No. 66849 'Wylam Dilly' is pictured passing Nynehead while operating 6Z32 11:38 Hackney Yard - Baglan Bay with the rake of empty converted KSA wagons in tow heading for Wales.

(Photo: Simon Harling)


HOBC heads to Devon!

(Photo: Simon Harling)

Published on 12th December 2021

With the final most hardy trees hanging onto their autumn leaves, Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66516 makes a rare sight at Whiteball with the Network Rail HOBC set.

The Taunton based HOBC rarely ventures to the south of Taunton. No.66516 and No.66591 'top and tailed' 6Y15 08:53 Exeter St Thomas - Faiwater Yard having spent the night on ballast cleaning duties in Devon.

To view the gallery, please click here.


Merry Christmas



Published on 12th December 2021

We would like to wish all the Taunton Trains viewers a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year. We have been working hard over the past few weeks to bring you a very special video from the magical West Somerset Railway - 'Winterlight' train services. Special services operated through out December weekends with special services bringing a unique opportunity to experience steam illuminations in the darkness of the Somerset countryside, lighting the scenery and with special displays along the route. Trains were packed with passengers wanting to experience this unique event. Steam locomotives used were No. 7828 'Odney Manor' and 2-6-0 No.9351. We hope you enjoy this selection of clips put to festive music.

To view the gallery, please click here.


Winter Freight


Published on 2nd December 2021

DB Cargo operated RHHT duties pass through Creech St Michael on the 2nd December 2021.

EWS-liveried No.66087 leads DB Cargo-liveried No.66044 while operating 3J12 08:50 Westbury - St Blazey (via Salisbury) with the locos looking remarkably clean for the time they have spent attached to the RHTT set.

Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66591 passes Oath in the winter sunlight on the 2nd December 2021 operating 6C73 12:17 Westbury - Fairwater Yard. The loco was returning the (as required) trip to Westbury to load HOBC wagons with fresh ballast.

(Photo: Quentin Hawkes)

(Photo: Quentin Hawkes)



Network Rail Test Unit

(Photo: Quentin Hawkes)

Published on 2nd December 2021

The two-car Network Rail Class 950 No.950001 paid a daylight visit to the south west on the 2nd December 2021.

The unit was purpose-built (rather than being converted) by British Rail Engineering Ltd in 1987 at their Holgate Road site for the British Rail Research Division for use as a track assessment unit. Over the years the unit has undergone many internal and external modifications to keep the test equipment up to date and current.

Network Rail Test Unit No.950001 passes Cogload Junction on the 2nd December 2021 operating 2Z08 10:02 Derby RTC - Exeter Riverside.

To view the gallery, please click here.


To view news stories from November 2021 click here, or for news from January 2022, click here.