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The last day of August saw Pathfinder Railtours operate their 'Dartmouth Flyer' charter from Tame Bridge Parkway to Kingswear, the charter was operated to coincide with the annual Dartmouth Regatta & Air Show. Passengers were treated to various fly pasts before enjoying their English Electric traction home to Birmingham. DRS Class 37's No.37612 & 259 are seen passing 40 Steps, Taunton with the southbound 1Z37 from Tame Bridge Parkway (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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DRS Class 37612 lead the duo into Devon, and showed signs of a bird strike on route with a blood explosion on the front nose of the locomotive. The pair are seen passing through Wellington making the climb up to Whiteball Tunnel. (Photo: John White) |
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Work has begun in the Taunton Station area to dismantle part of the former Taunton Goods Shed which has been a long term former railway landmark in the Taunton area since the days of steam. Contractors are currently in the process of removing panels before stripping the shell and removing the various materials from site. The former brick build coaling stage (situation just behind the goods shed) is also in the process of being demolished. The works coincide with the eventual building of the Taunton NIDR road between Station Road and Staplegrove Road. The scene on the 29th August is pictured (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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The Fawley to Tavistock Junction fuel rarely features on Taunton Trains but continues to run once a week on a Tuesday from Fawley to Bristol St Phillips Marsh (6V62) before changing headcodes to 6C62 and continuing south to Tavistock Junction. Ont he 28th August DB Schenker Class 66 No.66103 passes Banklands near Cogload Junction. (Photo: Bob Tucker) |
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The 6B59 Exeter Alphington Road - Cardiff Tidal scrap train runs intermittently as and when bulk loads can be operated by rail. On the 27th August DB Schenker Class 66 No.66070 powers through Norton Fitzwarren running nearly four hours early with the loaded 6B59 to Cardiff Tidal. This is thought to be the first time since 31st May this flow has operated in the South West, becuase of insufficiant loadings and the temporary closure of Cardiff Celsea, which was the destination of this train (Photo: Quentin Hawkes) |
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British American Railways delivering another converted Mk3 coach No.45213 to Laira Depot from Kilmanock late on the 22nd August. The Southbound train was hauled by HNRC Class 20's as far as Washwood Heath before being switched for a pair of Class 31s, passing Taunton at 22:45 heading south. On the 23rd August, veteren Class 31's No.31601 and No.31602 make a rare numerical and colourful combination at Banklands (near Cogload Junction) returning north with the 5Z56 12:09 Laira - Washwood Heath with FGW barrier vehicles in tow. (Photo: Bob Tucker) |
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One of only two 'celebrity' Class 66's operated by Freightliner Heavy Haul is currently back operating from Fairwater Yard. 66623 'Bill Bolsover' is painted in Aggregate Industries Blue. The loco is seen at 40 Steps on the 22nd August ready to depart with the daily 6C72 empty HOBC trip working to Westbury for loading. (Photo: Wayne Potter) |
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LNER A4 Pacific No.4464 'Bittern' was provided as novel traction for the Torbay Express on Sunday 19th August. The popular steam locomotive did however run into problems on the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway when it slipped near Churston. The PDSR's Class 25 No.D7535 was sent to assist the final distance and remained attached to the train for the rest of the day. 4464 is seen passing Linden Bridge in Wellington on route South (Photo: John White) |
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Nenta Tours operated their 'Western Adventurer' charter from Norwich to Plymouth calling at Taunton, Exeter, Totnes and Plymouth for various 'organised activities'. West Coast Railways provided 47854 'Diamond Jubilee' in both directions with 57601 providing ETS. The return tour from Plymouth is seen passing 66610 at Taunton where the charter stopped for it's final pickup. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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Heritage traction was provided on the WSR Summer Diesel Diagram by D6566 (33048) on the 17th and 18th August, the original crompton still soliders on year after year as it has done since it arrived on the line. The 11:40 from Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 18th also saw a rare double headed combination of Class 35 Hymek D7017 (out on test after turbo repairs) and D6566. D7017 hauled load 8 and an idle Class 33 from Bishops Lydeard to Williton before working on to the depot. 33048 continued the rest of the trips. 33048 is seen at Bishops Lydeard preparing to couple to stock for the 15:10 depature back to Minehead on the 18th August. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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For some time now Taunton Trains has been collecting images from various sources which will provide a historical archive of images for the future. Ebay and several other outlets have provided a good library of images taken in the Taunton area, and as many have been purchased 'with copyright' we are able to provide a good selection of images along with additional images credited to the originator. We would also like to thank Strathwood Publishing and Colour Rail for providing their assistance with some of their images. We have set up a 'Taunton Trains Collection' page in our 'Pictorial' section which will provide a permanent home to such images. |
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First Great Western HST's are now operating with additional Mk3 coaches in some formations following conversions at Kilmarnock works from former buffet vehciles. The conversion is perhaps one of the most major ever carried out on the Mk3 fleet. The coaching stock converted will provide 16 additional coaches for use on the FGW network. They are all numbered in the 425xx range with the excpetion of one former first class coach, they are also easy to spot, being clean and having bright blue roofs. Currently there are 5 out in service, but eventually others will appear. We would like to thank Nathan Williamson for providing a breakdown of the current changes and this image taken at Taunton of 42501. (Photo: Nathan Williamson) |
OLD NUMBER |
NEW NUMBER |
CURRENT SET |
41153 |
42385 |
OC57 |
40744 |
42501 |
OC56 |
40731 |
42502 |
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40712 |
42503 |
OC45 |
40228 |
42504 |
OC44 |
40714 |
42505 |
OC43 |
40724 |
42506 |
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40209 |
42507 |
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40725 |
42508 |
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40717 |
42510 |
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40709 |
42511 |
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40208 |
42512 |
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40738 |
42513 |
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40726 |
42514 |
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40747 |
42515 |
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The overnight First Great Western sleeper ran into trouble on the 6th/7th August when the 1A40 Penzance - Paddington sleeper failed near St Erth. The train was assisted back to Penzance and replaced with a HST to Paddington. 57605 (from the down 1C99 Paddington - Penzance sleeper) was used on the 7th August to return 57603 to London for attention, and to position the sleeper stock for the next nights service. The rare Class 57/7 daylight pairing are seen passing Wellington with the 5C99 from Long Rock to Old Oak Common (Photo: John White) |
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With the annual WSR Steam Fayre in full swing at Norton Fitzwarren, it was left to D1661 (47840) 'North Star' to provide diesel haulage on the main WSR route, while the WSR's own DMU provided shuttle services from Bishops Lydeard to Norton Fitzwarren. 47840 operated the booked 11:40 and 15:10 return diagrams from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. D7017 also worked light engine from Williton Depot to Norton Triangle to star in the opening of the triangle at the event. 47840 is seen coupling to the stock of the 15:10 from Bishops Lydeard. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
| A note from the WSR DEPG: Due to a turbocharger failure Hymek D7017has now been taken out of traffic (with the exception of a light engine move to Norton and Fitzwarren and back on the 4th August). It is suspected a bearing has seized and the loco will need to be withdrawn for a few weeks to swap turbochargers with a spare one we have. Current loco allocations are shown on the 2012 WSR Diesel Haulage list below. |
2012 WSR Diesel Haulage: The DEPG have revised their 2012 Diesel Haulage allocations, shown in red are the revised alloactions, correct as of the 4th August 2012.
The 2012 season will again see the DEPG Diesel Fleet working Friday and Saturday passenger services during the peak holiday season in July and August. The Diesel Diagram will depart Bishops Lydeard at 11:40& 15:10 on each operational day, and Minehead at 13:20& 17:35. This year has provided the best selection of diesels for enthusiasts to sample, with most of the DEPG fleet available for traffic 2012 has provided a great line up. A one Day Rover ticket on the WSR costs £17.00 (which has risen by £1.40 from 2011!) but if you book in advance you can get this ticket for £15.60 and provides 79 miles of haulage from two return trips between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. Those with WSRA membership or local residents cards can also use their membership for half price travel.
In addition to the booked 'Diesel Diagram' a new venture this year will be the use of newly restored Class 33 (D6575) on a rare weekday 'Quantock Belle' service. The Class 33 will operate the following trains, it is possible to book on the Quantock Belle dining service by calling the following number: 01823 433856
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| 2012 NEWS | |||||
Want to look at what happened in NEWS from 2009, 2010, or 2011 ? Have a look in our Archive Page |
