News Archive for May 2024

Published on 30th May 2024

The 'As Required' flow of Mendip aggregate from Merehead Quarry to the virtual quarry at Exeter Riverside Yard has started to operate again, with Freightliner employing their re-geared Class 66/6 locomotives on the current diagrams.

During week commending 27th May two locomotives were captured operating the 'empties' back to Westbury having been unloaded in Exeter.

Freightliner Class 66/6 No.66606 passes Norton Fitzwarren on the 30th May 2024 in the Spring sunshine. No.66606 was returning east with 6C68 12:48 Exeter Riverside - Westbury aggregate empties having been unloaded at Exeter Virtual Quarry.

Freightliner Class 66/6 No. 66618 'Railways Illustrated Annual Photographic Awards' climbs to Whiteball Tunnel on the 31st May 2024 hauling aggregate empties returning from unloading at the Exeter Virtual Quarry. No. 66618 'Railways Illustrated Annual Photographic Awards' was operating 6C28 12:48 Exeter Riverside - Westbury which runs on an as required basis.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 23rd May 2024

With the recent visit of 'Clun Castle' back to the Taunton area we were able to compare images spanning 85 years when Castle Class locomotives were once common place operating on services in the Western region.

An image taken at Marlands (at the Taunton portal of Whiteball Tunnel) on the 11th May 2024 with Clun Castle operating the commemorative 1Z48 charter, contrasted nicely with a recent image entering the Taunton Trains Collection, featuring a pre war image of the Castle Class locomotive exiting from the same portal hauling a Liverpool bound express service. The two images span 85 years and show how much the railway scene (particularly with regards to vegetation) has changed over that time.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 17th May 2024

GB Railfreight (GBRf), one of the largest rail freight operators in the UK, is visited Taunton on the 17th May 2024 operating the Bayer Environmental Science 'Smart Weed System' train.

These trains traverse the network throughout this time of year to keep weed growth down, the summer season for weeds is nearly as busy as the Autumn season for leaves. While many of these weed trains operate overnight (mainly due to them needing access to branch lines which are busy during the day with passenger services), one such service did visit Taunton in daylight.

GBRf Class 66/7 locomotives No.66719 and No.66757 operated in top and tail formation between Exeter Riverside and Margam Yard, pausing for a pathing stop at Taunton Station. No.66757 was named 'West Somerset Railway' at Bishops Lydeard on in September 2015 and has made the odd visit to the Taunton area since.

Published on 11th May 2024

In a tenuous link to the Shirley Bassey 1997 hit with the Propellerheads ‘History Repeating’ it was in 1964 when the release of Ian Flemings – James Bond ‘Goldfinger’ theme song peaked in the US chart.

It was the same year that No. 7029 'Clun Castle' set the 96mph speed record down Whiteball Bank during the Ian Allen 1Z48 charter to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the unofficial speed record of City of Truro hitting 100mph at the same location.

Tyseley based Vintage Trains planned a charter for 2024 using the No. 7029 'Clun Castle' to commemorate its own speed record 60 years later in May 2024. Being the only mainline registered steam locomotive able to acknowledge its own record made the 2024 charter even more poignant and unique, even though that speed record could never be challenged with modern regulations preventing the locomotive from reaching that speed again. Friday 10th May No. 7029 'Clun Castle' would operate the first leg of a Birmingham Snow Hill to Plymouth charter (with a layover at Bristol for servicing), providing the unique opportunity to capture a Great Western steam locomotive passing Taunton in the late afternoon heading south. It was also the first time since 1985 that the steam locomotive had visited Devon / Plymouth following its involvement with the GWR150 special charter trains marking another major historic milestone. The next day Saturday 11th May No. 7029 'Clun Castle' would then operate a non-stop run from Plymouth to Bristol, with layover at Bristol for servicing), before proceeding to London Paddington to mark the first time the locomotive had visited the station since departing on the farewell to steam charter on the 27th November 1965.

Sadly, the Saturday 1Z48 charter did run into problems on Hemerdon Bank when Clun Castle came to a stand (assumed to be poor coal issues). However, the delay was quickly resolved by the support loco (No.47773) being brought up to the rear of the train for the final push over the top with a delay of just 26 minutes. The Class 47 then remained on the rear of the train, but Clun Castle then put in a stunning performance to make up 20 minutes between Hemerdon and Taunton with the additional 112 tonnes of Class 47 on the rear of the train.

Published on 9th May 2024

The 9th May 2024 marks the 60th Anniversary of GWR Castle No. 7029 'Clun Castle' reaching 96mph while descending Wellington Bank while itself hauling a charter commemorating the 60th anniversary of the, unofficial, 100mph run by GWR 3700 class 4-4-0 No. 3440 'City of Truro'.

The Western Region management went to great length to ensure the Ian Allen charter was a success. The 1Z48 09:30 London Paddington - Plymouth North Road ran into problems at Westbury with the failure of No. 4079 'Pendennis Castle'. It's thought that the head of the fire and rare of firing contributed to the firebars failing. No. 6999 'Capel Dewi Hall' replaced the failed locomotive at Westbury and hauled the charter to Taunton where No.7025 took over for the run to Plymouth. At Plymouth a fresh 'Castle' was added to the tour the loco having been specially prepared. No. 7029 'Clun Castle' made a spirited run through Devon and after climbing to Whiteball Tunnel reached a speed of 96mph on the descent to Wellington where the brakes were applied. This was achieved in the same location that No. 3440 'City of Truro' had hit 100mph 60 years previous to the tour date. This would be the top speed of the tour only later managing 91mph near Yatton.

Published on 7th May 2024

The West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Spectacular started in fine style on the 3rd May 2024 with a wide selection of steam locomotives in traffic and an intensive operational timetable over the three day bank holiday weekend.

Many visitors to the railway took opportunity to enjoy the five visiting steam locomotives and three from the WSR home fleet. For the first time Washford provided an additional location for shunting demonstrations with arriving and departing goods trains, which proved very popular.

Visiting locomotives to the line were LNER B1 4-6-0 No. 61306 'Mayflower', LNWR 0-6-2 'Coal Tank' 1054, GWR 66XX 0-6-2 tank No.6695, and BR(W) 4-6-0 Hall No. 6990 'Witherslack Hall' and Hunslet 0-6-0 No.1873 'Jessie'. WSR home fleet locomotives were: BR(W) Manor Class 4-6-0 No. 7828 'Odney Manor', WSR Mogul 2-6-0 No.9351, and BR(W) 94XX Pannier Tank No.9466.

The steam locomotives operated a selection of passenger, local trains and goods trains throughout the weekend. We have featured a selection of images taken over the three days to illustrate the event. Please feel free to visit the gallery below for more images of the event.

For those who enjoyed the Spring Steam event the WSR has also announced that recent new build steam locomotive 6880 'Bretton Grange' (built by members of the 5199 Project) will be visiting the West Somerset Railway in July. Further details to be announced.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 4th May 2024

In what can only be described as one of the wackiest charter workings ever to pass through Taunton Station, the Branchline Society 'May the Fourth be With You' aptly named charter operated on the 4th May 2024 (known as Star Wars Day).

The charity tour in conjunction with Martin House Hospice provided the sight of four leading locomotives a London Transport 4TC set and a GBRf Class 73 on the rear. The charter started at Eastleigh with Class 33 No.33012 from the 71A Locomotive Group, and Class 73 No. 73136 'Mhairi' from GBRf in top and tail formation, operating via Portsmouth Harbour, Southampton, Salisbury, to Westbury. At Westbury Freightliner provided three Class 59 locomotives (No. 59202 'Alan Meadows Taylor - MD Mendip Rail Limited', No. 59101 'Village of Whatley', No. 59104 'Village of Great Elm') for the trip through to Exeter Central via Bristol. The charter met with some delay on route, passing Taunton around 30 minutes late. Upon arrival at Exeter Central the Class 59 locomotives were removed and returned to Westbury light engine via Taunton, allowing the Class 33 to lead the charter back to London Waterloo via Honiton and the Southern route.

Published on 4th May 2024

Pathfinder Railtours provided the second pair of Class 37s to pass Taunton on Saturday 4th May 2024.

Pathfinder used two Class 37 locomotives (No.37668 and No.37518) from West Coast Railways to haul their Spring Cornish Explorer charter from Dorridge to Penzance. The charter met with some delay on the southbound run passing Taunton around 15 minutes late. As a result signallers allowed Saphos Charters - English Riviera Express charter to leave early so as not to have a clash of timings a Taunton. The return charter from Penzance operated without incident and returned north through Taunton on time.

Published on 4th May 2024

The English Riviera Express operated on Saturday 4th May 2024.

Operated by Saphos Trains the charter was diesel hauled from Nantwich to Taunton where steam locomotive No. 34046 'Braunton' took over for the remaining trip through to Kingswear. The diesel hauled leg of the trip is normally hauled by 'top and tailed' Class 47 locomotives, the lead locomotive then being removed at Taunton on the southbound run. On this occasion a pair of Class 37 locomotives were provided (No.37521 and No. 37667 'Flopsie') both in British Railways Green livery. On the rear of the train Intercity Class 47 No.47828 remained on the rear of the charter for trains supply and shunt release duties at Kingswear. Once at Taunton SR Pacific No. 34046 'Braunton' was added before departing 17 minutes ahead of schedule. The loco made a fine sight departing Taunton as it headed into Devon.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 1st May 2024

The unique two-car DMU Network Rail test unit numbered No.950001 passed through Taunton on the 1st May 2024.

The unit was operating 2Q08 04:13 Bristol Kingsland Road - Plymouth. Having operated via Bath, Westbury, Whatley Quarry, Westbury, Bath Goods Loop, Bristol, and Yatton Loop the test unit is pictured passing the blossoming crab apple tree at Norton Fitzwarren heading south to Plymouth.

Colas Rail Tamper No.DR73924 passes Norton Fitzwarren on the 1st May 2024, The Tamper was operating 6J39 09:00 Par - Bristol Kingsland Road after completing tamping work in Cornwall.