Welcome to our review of 2023
Over the past few weeks, we have been compiling the 2023 statistics to being you some interesting facts in relation to the railway workings throughout the previous year.
Our particular thanks go to Adam Hiscock who has worked hard behind the scenes to produce an excellent set of information based on last year’s operations.
In total there has been a very slight increase in locomotive visits passing through Taunton, the 2023 season saw 203 locomotive visits an increase of 8 locomotives, there was also an increase of locomotive classes by one additional class (Class 69) making 13 locomotives classes for the 2023 season. It is also worth noting that Class 56, 60, 68 and DRS Class 66 locomotives were all absent from Taunton in 2023.
We had 16 Class 37 locomotives which was the highest number since 2018. No. 37510 'Orion' and No.37703 also made their first appearances for many years.
Class 47 locomotives have declined by 5 locos appearances in 2023 to just ten of the class.
The GWR Night Riviera service was affected by the ongoing strike situation during 2023, so locomotive appearances on the service have also been affected. No. 57602 'Restormel Castle' was the top performer with 129 recorded turns on the overnight sleeper service, followed by No. 57605 'Totnes Castle' with 105 appearances, No. 57603 'Tintagel Castle' with 100, No. 57604 'Pendennis Castle' with 75, No.57312 with just six appearances and No.57305 with five.
On the preserved mainline diesel front No. 55009 'Alycidon' provided the first Deltic to visit Taunton since 2018.
Nine of the Class 59 fleet passed through Taunton during 2023, which was the highest number of the class since 2019, this reflects more Freightliner drivers having been trained to operate the Class.
DB Cargo Class 66s were unchanged at 38 locomotive visits, which matched 2022. 24 difference members of the class worked the down China Clay empties (6V71, 6V73 or 6V99), also matching the same number as 2022. 21 different Class 66 locomotives operated the Up China Clay (6M53 or 6M60) which was two less than 2022.
The most appearances were made by No.66165 which totalled 12 up clay trains and 12 down clay trains.
Freightliner Class 66 locomotives were at their highest for over four years with 73 members of the Class visiting Taunton in 2023. We had 22 Freightliner 66 locomotives ‘outbased’ in Fairwater Yd this year – the exact same number as 2022. Top 5 attendees (in days):- No.66510 – 83 days, No.66568 – 75 days, No.66556 – 59 days, No.66548 and No.66549 – 43 days. There were 94 Freightliner operated aggregate stone trains this year in connection with refilling the Exeter Riverside ‘virtual quarry’ with Mendip stone. This as required flow used 26 different locos – 8 x Class 59 and 18 x Class 66 (7 x 66/5 and 11 x 66/6).
GBRF 66 locomotives were also up with 23 different members from the company passing Taunton, which is an increase on 2022 of six, but still a lot less than 2021 when we had 38 locomotives visit.
All Colas 66 locomotives appeared again, as they have done for the last 5 years.
Colas Class 70 locomotives were way down in 2023. Only six locos appeared at Taunton, which is down by 10 locos from 2022. It’s the first time since they were introduced in 2014 that we’ve not had double figures of the class in a year.
GBRF Class 74 No. 73963 'Janice' made only its second ever appearance in Taunton but for No.73965, it was its first ever visit.
In 2023 there were 33 charters which featured diesel traction (HST or loco), This was 5 less than 2022 when we had 38 charters.
