News Archive for November 2024

Taunton Station Usage

Taunton Station - Entries and Exits

(Photo: PC-Owner)

Published on 29th November 2024

The Office Of Rail and Road (ORR) has released its yearly estimates on station usage across all stations in the UK, along with much anticipated statistics such as the top ten busiest stations and the least used stations in the UK.

Overall numbers are close to recovering to pre-covid levels with 2.85bn entries and exits across the UK station network last year.

Taunton for the year 2023/24 produced 1,464,918 entries and exits, only 120,000 short of the 2019/20 figures before Covid and lockdowns were introduced, figures since 2021 have continued to climb giving encouraging signs that five years later railway usage continues to grow. At Taunton Trains we have extracted all the known Taunton Station entries and exit data since 2015 to produce our own graph showing the interesting timeline and recovery period.

ROG Deliver Class 175 'Coradia' Units

Published on 27th November 2024

Rail Operations Group delivered the first Class 175 'Coradia' Unit to Laira Depot on the 27th November 2024.

Former Transport for Wales 'Coradia' units will be based at Laira Depot as part of a multi-million investment package at the depot to house and maintain the fleet for operations in the south-west. No.175002 became the first unit to be delivered for staff training, depot familiarisation ahead of driver training and entering service in Devon and Cornwall with GWR during 2025.

Rail Operations group Class 37 locomotives No. 37407 'Blackpool Tower' and No. 37510 'Orion' moved No.175002 south through Taunton under the cover of darkness at 04:38 in the morning, as 7Q84 11:03 Ely Papworth Sidings - Laira sandwiched between two barrier vehicles.

Later in the morning the ROG Class 37s returned north as 5M57 09:47 Laira - Derby either end of the barrier vehicles.

The Class 175 units were built by Alstom in 1999/2000. The first operator of the Class 175, North Western Trains (later known as First North Western), did not operate the fleet for long before Wales & Borders was created and inherited it. During December 2003, the new franchisee Arriva Trains Wales took over the Class 175s, by which point early reliability problems had been mostly resolved. First Transpennine Express also briefly operated several. In February 2018, the entire Class 175 fleet was temporarily withdrawn from service for safety checks. During October 2018, the fleet was transferred to the Transport for Wales Rail Services (KeolisAmey Wales) and then to the government-owned Transport for Wales Rail during 2021.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Russell Ayre)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Paul Wilkins)

Freightliner Take Refuge in Fairwater Yard

Published on 25th November 2024

On Monday 25th November 2024, Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66596 (with No.66562 on the rear) worked 6Y44 14:47 Fairwater Yard - Westbury Yard (via Bristol Temple Meads).

The train had originated from Newquay the previous day but only managed to get as far as Nailsea and Backwell where it had to change direction due to flooding at Flax Bourton. It then spent the night on the Goods Reception at Fairwater Yard and continued its journey once Flax Bourton reopened.

(Photo: Jason Prole)

Storm Burt Engineers

Published on 24th November 2024

Despite the onsite of Storm Burt arriving in the southwest bringing high winds and large amounts of rainfall causing localised flooding, engineers trains were still operating in connection with the Newquay Branch upgrade work.

Both Freightliner and GBRf were involved in delivering materials to the worksite from Westbury.

Heading for Engineering work on the Newquay line during the early onset of Strom Burt. Freightliner Class 66 locomotives No.66562 and No.66596 head south at Creech St Michael in the autumnal conditions. The pair operated 6Y44 10:19 Westbury - Goonbarrow Junction with a mixed engineers consist.

GBRf Maritime liveried Class 66 No. 66727 'Maritime One' was back in Taunton on Sunday 24th November 2024 returning to Cornwall operating during Storm Bert. No. 66727 'Maritime One' and No. 66787 'Three Bridges ASC' are pictured passing thee flooded fields at Norton Fitzwarren while operating 6G74 10:07 Westbury - Goodbarrow Junction with another train of loaded ballast for the Newquay Line upgrades. This train was later held at Exeter St Davids because of flooding finally departing 210 minutes late.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Rail Head Treatment Train - Loco Swap

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 23rd November 2024

The Southwest RHTT west end locomotive has recently been changed from No.66179 Class 66 to No. 66152 'Derek Holmes Railway Operator'.

On Saturday 23rd November 2023 during the early onset of Storm Burt DB Cargo liveried Class 66/0 No. 66152 'Derek Holmes Railway Operator' leads No.66154 south at Creech St Michael. The pair were operating 3S13 09:08 Westbury - St Blazey via Salisbury returning south.

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Autumn Sunshine Freight

Published on 20th November 2024

GBRf Class 66/7 No. 66787 'Three Bridges ASC' passes Norton Fitzwarren in the low Autumn sunlight on Wednesday 20th November 2024.

The locomotive was returning east having exited an engineering blockade at Pinhoe, and was operated as 6G14 09:55 Pinhoe - Westbury with a rake of empty JNA ballast wagons.

The DB Cargo/ Network Rail RHTT set is pictured paused in a rare stop at Taunton on the 20th November 2024. It's thought the trains suffered a TPWS activation which brought the train to a stand on the down mainline just past 40 Steps. No.66179 (leading) and No.66154 are pictured prior to setting off again while operating 3S13 08:46 Westbury - St Blazey (vis Salisbury) Rail Head Treatment Train.

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(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

Paddington Diverted

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 17th November 2024

Unusually not heading for London Paddington, GWR Hitachi IET Class 802 No.802106 "PADDINGTON IN PERU" is captured crossing the Somerset Levels at Oath on the 17th November 2023.

The celebrity bi-mode Intercity Express was operating 1Z72 09:15 Plymouth to London Euston, the train diverted owing to London Paddington being closed for HS2 engineering work to take place.

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Rail Regulator Approves Go-Op

A projected route map for proposed service routes which could be operating by the end of 2025.

(Photo: Go-Op)

Published on 17th November 2024

The UK Rail Regulator has given approval for the co-operatively owned start-up 'Go-Op' to launch open access passenger trains between Taunton, Swindon and Weston-super-Mare.

This will bring new train services to Taunton serving local communities along the route and improving connections between existing services, (particularly in relation to the poor connections between Yeovil, Castle Cary and Taunton) and will compete with Great Western Railway. Go-Op originally stated they planned to operate services using single car Class 153 Diesel Multiple Units however other options could also now be available as UK rail fleets continue to cascade. The access rights running from December 2025 to December 2030 cover return weekday and weekend services between Taunton and Weston-super-Mare, Taunton and Westbury, Taunton and Swindon, and Frome and Westbury. Go-op is required to provide evidence ‘without delay, and no later than November 2025’ that it has the necessary finance to start operations and fund £1·5m of enhancements to eight level crossings, and that the rolling stock has been secured to operate the service.

Best UK Domestic Train Service

Two Hitachi Class 802 varients at captured at Taunton in the rain on Friday 17th January 2020. Standing in Platform 4 is nine-car set No.802106 which was operating Empty Coaching Stock 5F74 16:49 Laira - Stoke Gifford, In Platform 2 a pair of five-car Class 802s No.802006 and No.802020 pauses while operating 1C90 17:04 London Paddington - Penzance.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 15th November 2024

Great Western Railway has been awarded the best UK Domestic Train Service during the 2024 Business Traveller Awards.

GWR finished ahead of LNER, Avanti West Coast and the Elizabeth line at the awards, which are widely regarded as the business travel market’s benchmark for excellence.

The awards are voted for by readers of the Business Traveller magazine – with the results authenticated by an independent market research company – and have been a fixture of the business travel and hospitality calendar for almost 40 years.

More than 200 industry leaders attended a prestigious ceremony at The Steel Yard, London, as the winners were announced by the publishers of Business Traveller magazine, Ink, and presented by BBC Breakfast star Ben Thompson.

GWR Managing Director, Mark Hopwood, said: “It’s fantastic to be named the UK’s Best Domestic Train Service and particularly humbling that these awards are voted for by readers of the magazine, who are regular travellers on the UK rail network. This award is recognition of the hard work and commitment shown by colleagues to deliver the best service possible for customers, and also the world-class destinations we are proud to serve on the GWR network.”

Fairwater Yard Visit

Published on 13th November 2024

Freightliner Class 66/6 No. 66601 'The Hope Valley' arrived at Fairwater Yard on Wednesday 13th November 2024.

The loco operated as 0C17 08:26 Westbury Yard - Fairwater Yard. The next day it carried out brake tests and wheel rotation tests on wagons stored within Fairwater Yard. On a beautiful autumn day the loco is pictured at Fairwater Yard on the 13th. Photo taken by trained and qualified personnel.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Jason Profile)

Mid Week Engineers

Published on 13th November 2024

Engineering work between Axminster and Exeter have provided a selection of mid week engineers trains returning to Westbury.

On the 13th November 2024, GBRf Class 66/7 No. 66711 'Sence' passes through Platform 4 operating 6N02 09:42 Exmouth Junction - Eastleigh Yard with a rake of empty JNA ballast wagons.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

The Britannic Explorer - Belmond

Published on 13th November 2024

A brand new luxury train will be taking to the rails in 2025.

The Britannic Explorer will be operated by Belmond, and offers the ultimate way to experience the beauty and diversity of England and Wales, with curated on and off-board experiences that celebrate the art of slow travel. Perfect for a luxury weekend getaway from London or mid-week celebration, discover some of the UK’s most picturesque places through new eyes and privileged access.

The train will visit Cornwall and Wales on three and six night visits to the area throughout the latter half of 2025, the special train will also visit the East Somerset Railway and West Somerset Railway selected dates.

Stock for the train has been converted from the former Irish Grand Hibernian set at Brodie Engineering, Kilmarnock in Scotland and will feature a new livery with luxury interiors including a wellness suite, and rear facing glazed observation coach.

Further details and booking dates/ prices can be found on the Britannic Explorer website.

The light blue colours of The Britannic Explorer Coaches will soon be a regular sight in the south west passing Taunton.

(Photo: Belmond)

GBRf - Ballast Drop

Published on 12th November 2024

Returning with empty auto-ballasters GBRF No. 66765 'Julie Garn' is captured crossing the Somerset Levels at Oath running as the 6G72 (Mon) 20:58 Westbury to Westbury via Penzance engineers.

Having worked westbound the previous evening for a ballast drop in Cornwall, the return run passed through the Taunton area in the glorious Autumn sunshine on the following morning of 12th November 2024.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Paddington Divertered To Paddington

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 11th November 2024

Following an overnight night stop at GWR Laira Depot special liveried ‘Paddington to Peru’ GWR Intercity Express Train No.802106 operated was captured passing Creech St Michael on 11th November 2024, Armistice Day operating 1H32 09:10 Penzance – London Paddington.

With the mainline closed at Theale for engineering work all GWR services were being diverted via Bristol Temple Meads.

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Freightliner Anticyclonic Gloom

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 8th November 2024

Exiting Whiteball Tunnel into the anticyclonic gloom (as described by weather forecasters) Freightliner Class 66/6 No. 66601 'The Hope Valley' passes Marlands with the 6C28 12:45 Exeter Riverside - Whatley Quarry aggregate empties on 8th November 2024.

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Freightliner Aggregate

Published on 5th November 2024

Freightliner Class 59/2 No.59201 brings a splash of colour to the doom and gloom of Tuesday 5th November 2024.

The colourful locomotive was captured passing Nynehead with the 6C28 12:48 Exeter Riverside Hanson to Whatley Quarry aggregate empties.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Filthy Rail Head Treatment Train

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 5th November 2024

Now looking suitably grubby after a period operating the Network Rail ‘Rail Head Treatment Train’, the Autumn grime has well and truly plastered the locos and water jet wagons.

The train is captured running westbound past the new housing development at Longforth Farm on the outskirts of Wellington. DB Class 66/0 locomotives No.66179 and No.66154 work the 3S13 08:46 Westbury to St Blazey via Salisbury on a dull and dismal 5th November 2024.

To view the gallery, please click here.

To view news stories from October 2024 click here, or for news from December 2024, click here.