News Archive for August 2024

C6 Overhaul

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 31st August 2024

Great Western Railway (GWR) Class 150 No.150261 heads north through the former site of Creech St Michael Halt station running empty as the 5H70 10:40 Exeter TMD to Wolverton on Saturday 31st August 2024.

Running 52 minutes ahead of schedule at this point the DMU is recorded on route to Wolverton Works where a full C6 overhaul will be carried out.

To view the gallery, please click here.

The Bath Spa Pullman

Published on 31st August 2024

The Midland Pullman HST made a make an unusual daytime eastbound appearance through Taunton on Saturday 31st August 2024.

The immaculate HST set operating a dining charter to Bath Spa from Cornwall, allowing passengers to enjoy an afternoon exploring the city. The set later returned south to Penzance while passengers enjoyed the on board catering and evening dinner. The set was captured in both directions passing the Taunton area.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

The Night Riviera

Published on 30th August 2024

The GWR 'Night Riviera' sleeper service is the only loco hauled service left in the southwest and is rarely captured dur to the unsociable hours the service keeps.

On the 30th August 2024 No. 57602 'Restormel Castle' is pictured paused at Taunton at 02:41 in the morning. The Sleeper service 1C50 23:45 London Paddington - Penzance paused at Taunton for just over an hour between 02:23 and 03:34 before continuing to Cornwall.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Gavin Clark)

The Grampian Highlander

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

Published on 27th August 2024

The Grampian Highlander was Pathfinder Railtours long distance Bank Holiday charter starting at Taunton and visiting Aberdeen and Inverness over three days.

The charter departed at 06:30 on Friday 23rd August with No. 66306 'SCS Logistics' hauling the charter to Gloucester where recently re-painted Class 50 locomotives were added for the trip to Scotland. GBRf Class 66/3 No. 66306 'SCS Logistics' also returned the tour to Taunton from Gloucester on the Monday arriving on the strike of midnight delivering passengers into Tuesday 27th August. No. 66306 'SCS Logistics' is pictured at Taunton on the 27th August 2024 preparing to depart as 5Z53 00:20 Taunton - Burton Wetmore Sidings empty stock.

Torbay Riviera Pullman

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 21st August 2024

Midland Pullman HST power cars No. 43046 'Geoff Drury 1930-1999' and No. 43049 'Neville Hill' are captured at Whiteball Summit on Wednesday 21st August 2024.

The colouful charter set was running southbound with the 1Z43 06:16 Norwich to Paignton ‘Torbay Riviera Pullman’.

Open Nose

Published on 20th August 2024

Looking more like a monster from the deep than a High Speed Train, GWR Class 802 Hitachi Bi-mode sets No.802001 and No.802021 pass Allerford when assigned to the 1C74 09:04 London Paddington to Newquay service on Tuesday 20th August 2024.

The current trend of these units running with their nose doors in the open position seems to be on the increase.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Northern Belle

Published on 20th August 2024

With a friendly wave from the driver of the West Coast Class 57 No.57315 working in ‘top and tail’ configuration with No. 57313 'Scarborough Castle' passing Allerford on Tuesday 20th August 2024.

Northern Belle were operating the ‘Dartmouth Steam Railway, Torquay and Paignton’ dining charter, running as 1Z30 07:46 Birmingham International to Paignton dining charter.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Blowing Stones

Published on 14th August 2024

Network Rail stoneblower No.D80210 passes through Creech St Michael on the 14th August 2024.

The track machine was operating 6U30 09:51 Tavistock Junction - Nuneaton in preparation for further overnight engineering works.

(Photo: Ian Draper)

Colas Powercars

Published on 14th August 2024

Colas Rail No.43251 collected Network Rail vehicle 96608 (which had sustained wheel damage a few weeks ago), plus repainted power car No. 43257 'Bounds Green' (in Colas Rail orange/yellow) livery.

The pair operated as 5Z43 10:30 St Blazey to Derby RTC pictured on the 14th August 2024. No. 43257 'Bounds Green' was repainted at Laira Depot by GWR and has been waiting several weeks for a movement back to Derby RTC to enter traffic.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

(Photo: Ian Draper)

The Northern Belle

Published on 14th August 2024

West Coast Railways operated The Northern Belle on Wednesday 14th August 2024.

The dining charter was top and tailed with No.57315 and No. 57313 'Scarborough Castle' providing a matching liveried set operating 1Z80 10:45 Cardiff Central - Par and later returned as the 1Z81 15:08 Par - Cardiff Central after visiting Cornwall.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Ian Draper)

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

Torbay Riviera Pullman

Published on 14th August 2024

The Midland Pullman was back in Taunton again on one of its many summer visits to the south west on Wednesday 14th August.

The colourful HST set operated the 'Torbay Riviera Pullman' starting at Chesterfield to visit Paignton for the day. The set was captured in both directions passing Taunton.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

English Riviera Express

Published on 11th August 2024

Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express' charter originated from High Wycombe on the 10th August 2024.

Locomotive Services Ltd Class 47 No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' and No. 57311 'The Institution of Mechanical Engineers' operated in 'top and tail' formation as far as Taunton. Upon arrival at Taunton the Class 47 was removed from the front of the train, and replaced with LNER B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' for the steam leg through to Kingswear. The steam locomotive put in a fine display on both steam legs of the trip to the Devon Riviera. A selection of images of the charter passing through the Taunton area are included below.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

(Photo: Russell Ayre)

West Somerset Steam Express

Published on 10th August 2024

LMS Black Five No.44871 canters through Creech St Michael on the approach to Taunton on Saturday 10th August 2024.

The loco was operating the Railway Touring Company charter 'West Somerset Steam Express' as 1Z25 07:13 London Paddington - Minehead. West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47812 remained on the rear of the train for the duration of the journey.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

English Riviera Express - Back with Mayflower

Published on 3rd August 2024

The Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express' charter was back operating with LNER B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' on Saturday 3rd August 2024.

Also making a welcome return to the LSL operational heritage fleet was No.47805 which has been absent for some time. Running as the 1Z60 06:00 Wolverhampton to Kingswear the initial leg of the tour was diesel-hauled by LSL BR Green Class 47 locomotives No.47810 and No.47805. On arrival at Taunton No.47810 was removed and replaced by the waiting B1 for the run down to Kingswear, No.47805 remaining with the tour attached to the rear of the train.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

To view news stories from July 2024 click here, or for news from September 2024, click here.