News Archive for April 2023

Published on 30th April 2023

The world famous LNER A3 Pacific Locomotive No. 60103 'Flying Scotsman' passed through Taunton on the 30th April 2023.

As expected huge crowds lined the route between Bristol and Par to get a glimpse of the famous 'peoples locomotive' as she passed through the area. The Flying Scotsman has an effect unrivalled by another other steam locomotive in history out of all the steam locomotives which pass through Taunton each year which have equally impressive historical significance, the Flying Scotsman certainly pulls in the crowds. It had been an absence of seven years since the locomotive had last visited the Taunton area. Sadly weather conditions for the Railway Touring Company charter 'The Royal Duchy' were poor for the southbound leg of the charter, but this did not deter thousands of people lining the route (particularly on the Dawlish - Teignmouth sea wall section, which was packed). The staff at Taunton Station did a fantastic job in managing those who turned up wishing to see the locomotive, the station could have easily been closed but GWR made the decision to allow passengers to stand and view the locomotive from the various platforms. The LNER A3 was unfazed by the light nine coach load, and provided a swift pace throughout its journey. In an unusual step we felt the best video footage to apricate the locomotive at work comes from a away location from Taunton with Dawlish Beach Cams, which although not applicable to the Taunton area, provided the best high quality footage of the tour on both the southbound and northbound legs of the charter.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 15th April 2023

A 1945 built LMS 'Black 5' kicked off the 2023 'Great Britain XV' charter on Saturday 15th April 2023.

No.44932 hauled the 1Z10 07:11 London Paddington - Plymouth throughout with Class 47 No.47802 attached to the rear of the train for train supply. The locomotive made a fine sight passing through the Taunton area at speed. The tour was originally advertised to be hauled by Southern Pacific No. 35018 'British India Line'. The charter ran without incident and manged to avoid signalling failures which had occurred between Newton Abbot and Plymouth earlier in the morning. The charter arrived 7 minutes early into Plymouth at 14:21.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 11th April 2023

The Locomotive Services Ltd (LSL) 'Managers Train' visited the south west over the Easter period.

What better way to escape the traffic on the M5 than to take your own train for an Easter Break to Devon and Cornwall. The special charter passed Taunton early on Saturday 8th April 2023 with BR Green LSL Class 37 locomotives No. 37667 'Flopsie' and No.37521 leading the train south. After spending the weekend in Cornwall and Devon visiting various locations the train returned north on Tuesday 11th April with No. 37667 'Flopsie' leading No.37521 north from Kingswear to London Euston.

Published on 8th April 2023

Intercity Executive HST powercar No.43184 (Now named 'Laira Diesel Depot') and Cross Country partner No. 43366 'HST 40' headed north on Saturday 8th April 2023.

The pair of back to back powercars were operated as 0Z43 15:30 Laira - Neville Hill. Upon arrival it as planned to use the pair on route learning trips to carry out route learning between Rotherham, Beighton and Toton in preparation for forthcoming engineering diverts.

Published on 5th April 2023

It's always nice to compare images for railway scenes from various years.

Recent winter hedge trimming at Charlton/ Cogload Junction by the land owner has see hedges trimmed down by up to four feet in places. It has been many years since the hedgerows at the Charlton farm have been trimmed to such an extent. We are pleased to be able to bring you two comparative images taken 40 years apart from the same location.

Be sure to check out other examples Then and Now images.

Published on 4th April 2023

HST operations in the Taunton area can still be captured on a daily basis.

Providing Cross Country are operating two HST diagrams a weekday lunchtime can provide both sets appearing in quick succession, one from the north, one from the south. Smaller GWR 'Castle' HST sets continue to operate regional services between Cardiff, Taunton and Penzance. Occasional visits of the LSL Midland Pullman HST set will also be possible to witness throughout the Spring and Summer of 2023.

We have provided a selection of images taken on the beautiful spring day of Tuesday 4th April 2023 showing some of the HST operations in captured in the Taunton area.

Published on 2nd April 2023

We are pleased to bring you a third selection of images from 25 years ago, featuring more previously unseen images from the David Jones collection taken in April 1998 in the Taunton area.

We have provided a selection of images giving a flavour of the operations in the Taunton area at the time.

Please also take a look at the dedicated website which has been built to host David's superb images, this is regularly being updated so be sure to add this to your bookmarks.David Jones Photos

To view the gallery, please click here.