News Archive for November 2023

Light Engine for Yard Shunting

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Published on 28th November 2023

With both the Network Rail HOBC and TRT sets non operational from Fairwater Yard the frequency of Freightliner Class 66 visits to Taunton has dropped considerably.

On Tuesday 28th November 2023, Freightliner Class 66/5 No. 66597 'Viridor' arrives into Platform 2 at Taunton running light engine. No. 66597 'Viridor' was operating 0V66 09:30 Westbury - Fairwater Yard to carry out shunting duties as required within the yard complex.

A New Display For Taunton

Published on 26th November 2023

At Taunton Trains we are pleased to announce the placement of a Taunton Station pictorial display board at Platform 2 at Taunton Station.

We would like to thank Service Delivery Assistant, James Smyth and the team at GWR for approaching us to produce this unique display charting the course of change in the railway scenes at Taunton Station. Images include those from the Taunton Trains own collection and local photographers who we would like to thank for their assistance. If you are passing through the station please do take some time to stop off and look at the new display located next to the old weighing machine towards the south end of Platform 2.

Working in partnership with GWR the display has taken many hours of work to put together and have produced, we would like to pay special thanks to PJ Signs of Taunton, who very kindly produced the high quality printing we were looking for.

We were also able to surprise Taunton railway photographer Peter Triggs with one of his own images taken as a young lad at the station. Without his forethought of capturing so many Great Western locomotives in action at Taunton during his younger years (and continuing to capture images for a further seven decades thereafter), it would not be possible to bring back these scenes from the past for everyone to enjoy. More of Peters images will be appearing on Taunton Trains on the run up to Christmas.

We hope everyone enjoys viewing the photographic timeline of images when passing through the station.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

First Winter Frost

(Photo: Russell Ayre)

Published on 25th November 2023

As the first frosts of the season arrive more opportunities to capture the verterun HST sets departs.

On Saturday 25th November 2023 GWR HST No. 43153 'Chun Castle' and No. 43097 'Castle Drogo' head south at Whiteball while operating 2C67 08:00 Cardiff Central - Penzance stopping service. From December 10th HST sets will only operate as far north as Exeter St Davids so scenes like this between Taunton and Exeter will be confined to the history books.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Platform 1 Visitor

Published on 19th November 2023

Colas Rail Ballast Regulator No.DR77910 paid a visit to Platform 1 at Taunton on the 19th November 2023.

Having carried out overnight works between Cogload Junction and Yatton the machine is pictured stabled back at Taunton. The Ballast Regulator was delivered new to the UK in December 2022 via Immingham Docks and onward road movement to Rugby for commissioning.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Taunton Railway History Dispears

Published on 10th November 2023

The former Taunton up side water tower / GWRSA Social Club and Railway Working Mans Club began demolition during November 2023.

The building has stood empty after premature closure after developers purchased the land around 2017. The railway mans club was once a bustling local pub/ club typical of its time, where working men would gather for a pint after (and sometimes during) work after a hard days driving and firing of steam locomotives. In later years the Taunton Railway Sports and Social club also provided huge community benefits hosting nightly Skittles league matches, Darts and Pool matches. It was well used and well liked by locals and railway staff. Many would gather at the back door entrance to witness passing steam charter services which would pause in Platform 5, and the social club contained many railway artefacts and railway pictures on the walls. Evening slide and video evenings were also held in the private social rooms by the WSR Association. Current works are focusing on the later building removing the roof and any contaminates, before work begins on the former GWR water tower building.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

ONE in One!

Published on 6th November 2023

Freightliner Class 66/5 No. 66587 'AS ONE, WE CAN' is pictured in Platform 1 at Taunton on the 6th November.

The loco arrived light engine as 0Y25 20:10 Westbury Yard - Taunton on the 5th November 2023 where it spent the night in Platform 1 before proceeding to Fairwater Yard to be used as yard shunt loco.

The Class 66 carries the striking pink Ocean Network Express livery. ONE was launched July 2017 and is a Japanese container transportation and shipping company jointly owned by the Japanese shipping Lines Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and K Line. The brightly coloured containers and ships operated by the company can be seen all over the globe. With Freightliner being a key UK rail transport partner the loco also carries the company livery (although in a lighter shade of pink).

(Photo: Jason Prole)

To view news stories from October 2023 click here, or for news from December 2023, click here.