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30th January 2014 |
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Having completed track and point renewals between Taunton Station and Staplegrove Road, Network Rail have moved onto another location at Norton Fitzwarren. On the 30th January the 'Up Mainline' was being removed between the former Norton Fitzwarren Station and Victory Crossing. In this scene a Colas Rail Freight Class 66/8 No.66848 is seen being loaded with pre cut track panels. This coming weekend will see the line replaced. Norton Fitzwarren footbridge will provide a good vantage point for those wishing to view the works taking place! (Photo: Mike Rowland) |
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Also visible in this image is Freightliner Heavy Haul's Class 66/6 No.66605 stabled on the West Somerset Triangle at Norton Fitzwarren. In the background engineers can be seen preparing equipment for the forthcoming track renewal project. (Photo: Mike Rowland) |
21st January 2014 |
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Taken on the 21st January 2014, Freightliner Class 66/6 No.66603 is pictured on the Down Main between Silk Mills bridge and Norton Fitzwarren Junction. During the process of shunting from one line to another one of the wheel sets beneath a JNA 'Falcon' wagon became derailed. An Engineering team had to attend to the train took part of the rake out of service. This has now been stabled on the south head shunt of Fairwater Yard . (Photo: Jack Sully) |
19th January 2014 |
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End of the line for First Great Western is Taunton. Having arrived from London Paddington, HST powercar No.43037 'Penydarren' is pictured in Platform 2 at Taunton unable to progress any further. Freightliner's Class 66/6 No.66623 is seen in the background. 43037 & 43040 formed the 1A94 19:12 return to London Paddington after waiting for the northbound coach connection at Taunton. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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A month ago you'd of been forgiven for thinking this was the scene of the Taunton Christmas nativity. With flood lights at full power Network Rail progress their engineering works 24 hours day 7 days a week. Freightliner Heavy Haul Class 66/6 No.66623 is pictured at the centre of the action being loaded with spent ballast on the down mainline. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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After some 'post processing' taken with a 200mm Zoom lens, F32 for 30 Seconds using a timer for stability, and then cropping and re zooming the shot in an imaging package we've managed to enhance this view to show Freightliners Class 66/6 No.66623 in the thick of the action. Note the severed section of track to the left of the locomotive. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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During later afternoon Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66524 is pictured at the south end of Taunton Station being loaded with spent ballast from the Taunton work site. The 6A05 13:00 Fairwater Yard - Norton Fitzwarren later reversed back to Norton Fitzwarren in order to gain access to Fairwater Yard once fully loaded. (Photo: Phil Izzard) |
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A colas rail crane was used extensively during the engineering blockade to remove and relay track, however without an elevated position, the crane was positioned out of view for the majority of the time it was in use. This image shows the crane with the jib extended. (Photo: Thomas Courtney) |
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A closer view of 66518 was possible later in the morning once the loco had moved up into the station area. This image shows the MRA 'side tippers' delivering ballast to the track engineers. (Photo: Thomas Courtney) |
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This is the scene at Taunton which greeted passengers on Sunday 19th January at the start of the two week long engineering blockade at multiple sites between Taunton and Exeter. The engineering works have been nearly 2-3 years in the planning to provide a large upgrade plan at multiple locations. On Sunday 19th January Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66518 is pictured at Taunton on the 6A02 12:55 Taunton - Westbury engineers. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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A view of Fairwater Yard on Sunday 19th January shows 4 Class 66's stabled on various engineering trains in connection with the Taunton track replacement. From left to right, No.66601 'The Hope Valley' is stabled on empty rake of JNA 'Falcons'. No.66596 is stabled on a rake of loaded (spent ballast) loaded during Saturday night). No.66623 is also seen on a part loaded train of spent ballast. The loco directly under the photographers feet at Staplegrove Road was No.66524. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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While the line to the South of Taunton is closed, passengers will be shuttled between Taunton, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter by busses and coaches hired in or provided by Firstgroup. A fleet of town busses & road coaches will operate from Taunton over the coming weeks. Transport from First Somerset & Avon, First Kernow, Carmel Coaches, Berrys Coaches (Taunton), First Truronian, GPD Travel (Heywood), Redwood Coaches (Tiverton) & Mostonian of Manchester have all been hired to provide a frequent passenger service while Netowork Rail carry out their essential work. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
18th January 2014 |
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Having operated to Norton Fitzwarren during the early hours of the 18th January (via Wellington Cross Overs), Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66518 is seen stabled at Norton Fitzwarren at the end of a long line of engineers trains stretching all the way to Taunton Station. The 6A02 is pictured with an impressive rake of 25 'side tipping' MRA ballast wagons. (Photo: Mike Rowland) |
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This rather chaotic scene shows the mass engineering work currently taking place in Taunton, while Network Rail replace track between Taunton Station and Staplegrove Road, other contractors continue their ongoing work to connect the new NIDR road (via a new roundabout) and also link in new water mains to the area. As a result the entire stretch between Taunton Station and Staplegrove is currently a building site! (Photo: Mike Rowland) |
17th January 2014 |
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In connection with the Tiverton Loop engineering blockade, DB Schenker moved 5 of their ubiquitous Class 66's from Westbury to Exeter Riverside on the 18th January all at the same time! Forming a rare South West 'shed convoy' Class 66 No.66098 leads classmates (not in order) No's. 66184, 66137, 66034 and 66078 through Nynehead working the 0Z67 09:16 Westbury - Exeter Riverside on the 17th January. (Photo: Mike Rowland) |
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Colas Rail Freight delivered a further rake of engineering wagons to Exeter Riverside on the 17th January in connection with the forthcoming Tiverton Loop blockade. After the recent Class 56 visits one of the companies Class 66/8's made an appearance on this service. No.66848 is pictured passing Nynehead with the 6Z28 10:20 Westbury - Exeter Riverside. (Photo: Mike Rowland) |
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This image was captured at Whiteball at on the 13th January when Colas Rail Freight Class 56 No.56078 failed near Wellington while working the heavily loaded 6Z28 ballast to Exeter Riverside Yard. Freightliner Heavy Haul were asked to provide a rescue locomotive in the shape of 66/6 No.66617, which was due to have worked the 6M40 Exeter Riverside-Stud Farm ballast working. The failure caused severe disruption to the passenger services. Eventually running 162 minutes late, it cleared the line. 56113 later took the stricken 56078 back to Washwood Heath for repairs. 6M40 ended up departing Exeter over 3 hours late and was terminated at Westbury as a result of the situation. The white barriers in the picture are to protect a rare species of newt, as part of the blockade at Whiteball Tunnel which starts from this coming weekend. (Photo: Adam Snow) |
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A shortage of servicable First Great Western Class 57/6's on the night of the 9th January lead to FGW hiring former Arriva Trains liveried Class 57/3 from West Coast Railways. The locomotive worked the 1C99 Paddington - Penzance 'Night Riviera' service. Having spent the day in Penzance with the set the locomotive was then used on the 10th/11th to operate the return 1A40 from Penzance to London Paddington. No.57313 is seen paused at Taunton at 02:30 in the morning waiting to depart to for London. (Photo: Wayne Potter) |
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The first steam working 2014 went to GWR 4-6-0 No.5029 'Nunney Castle' the locomotive has spent most of October, November and December on the West Somerset Railway. On the 9th January the locomotive departed the line with its support coach and operated to Southall where it will soon take up further mainline duties. No.5029 is pictured passing Bathpool having departed Taunton a few minutes previously (Photo: Adam Snow) |
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Freightliner Heavy Haul Class 66/6 No.66607 passes Bathpool hauling a rake of Network Rail Autoballausters. The 6C84 had departed from Fairwater Yard at 09:19 heading to Westbury to replenish the ballast load. The lengthy train matching rake is seen passing Bathpool on route to Westbury (Photo: Adam Snow) |
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Many of the Network Rail HOBC wagons are currently undergoing overhaul at Cardiff Canton. A mixed rake of HOBC wagons is pictured at Bathpool with Freightliner's Class 66/5 No.66550 at the helm with the daily 6C72 08:20 Fairwater Yard - Westbury on the 9th January. (Photo: Adam Snow) |
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Colas Rail Freight continue their domination of the Class 56 renaissance in the South West. Having delivered another lengthy rake of loaded ballast wagons to Exeter Riverside Yard, Class 56 No.56113 returns with ease to Westbury light engine pictured passing through Bathpool on the 9th January. (Photo: Adam Snow) |
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Colas Rail Freight continue their early domination of the Taunton Trains news on the 7th January when the company used Class 56 No.56113 to move a rake of loaded JNA 'Falcon' ballast wagons from Westbury Yard to Hackney Yard (Newton Abbot). The loco is seen approaching Bathpool on the 7th January hauling the 6Z28 southwards. (Photo: Shaun Mockridge) |
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Colas twins Class 56 No.56094 & No.56302 were back in Fairwater Yard on the 6th January to remove a small rake of HOBC wagons to Cardiff Canton for maintenance. The pair are seen in Fairwater Yard adjacent to Freightliner Heavy Haul Class 66/5 No.66560 prior to departing to Cardiff Canton. (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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Colas Rail freight continued their supply of quality British traction to the Taunton area on the 5th January. Class 56 No.56113 operated the welded rail train from Hackney Yard to Newbury Racecourse on the night of the 4th January. Having spent the night in the blockade the locomotive returned to Hackney Yard on the morning of the 5th. 56113 is seen passing Creech St Michael running 40 minutes earlier with the 6C50 empty rail train. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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Colas Rail Freight wasted no time in grabbing the headlines for the start of January 2014, when the company provided a pair of their refurbished Class 56's to haul a a single YJA DR78831 from Burton on Trent to Fairwater Yard. The YJA is part of the Network Rail Track Replacment Train. The TRT has been arriving in sections to be based back at Taunton for local track renewal work. With 6500HP on tap Class 56 No.56302 (fromerly 56124) & 56094 are pictured arriving into Taunton (where 40 Steps Bridge once stood!). (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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After delivering their single wagon to Fairwater Yard, Class 56 No.56094 leads No.56302 away from Fairwater Yard to stable in the new sidngs behind Taunton Station. Later the pair returned to Cardiff Canton light engine. (Photo: Jeff Treece) |
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Are you planning to use the train to travel from Taunton between the 18th January and the 8th While some passengers many not understand the need to close the railway for such a long period we hope via Taunton Trains we will be able to at least provide some images of the scale of works taking place at Whiteball Tunnel nearer the time. |
2014 marks 10 years since the original six mega pixel digital SLR's were launched into the market place. It's amazing to think that in 10 years that technology shows no sign of stopping with cameras now able to reach up to forty megapixels. At the time of introduction arguments were presented both for and against the switch from film to digital mediums, however as time and technology has progressed even the most staunch film users (well most of them!) have made the leap to the digital revolution. We thought January 2014 may be a good time to turn back the clock ten years to highlight some of the services which were operating in the Taunton area during 2004. 2014 brings another year of change in the Taunton area. With 40 Steps bridge now removed, we await the new NIDR link road, and new footbridge to be installed. The new bridge is expected to be full caged, but until its installed the true extent of views from this former 'safe' location will not be known. The new sidings behind Taunton Station and the new Fairwater Yard headshunt are now complete, however the backdrop behind the station at Firepool continues to change as more buildings are erected. This is perhaps one of the biggest changes the Taunton Station area has seen since the 1986 track rationalisation by British Rail. During three weeks of January we will also have a full line blockade at Whiteball Tunnel this is to allow Network Rail Engineers to replace/ repair/ install a new tunnel lining and make it safe for daily use. While this may seem an inconvenience to the traveling public, these works are essential to the safe operation of the railway, some may have noticed the works sites/ compounds which are visible from either side of the tunnel from passing trains. Many people may not realise that these works have been in the planning for over three years. Full use of the blockade is also being made with multiple upgrades (signaling, equipment, track) being completed at multiple locations between Taunton and Exeter during this period. As with any engineering activity it's expected that both Fairwater Yard and Exeter Riverside Yard will be used for various engineering trains during this period. |
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2nd April 2004 EWS liveried Class 60 No.60039 (former ‘Glastonbury Tor') passes Cogload Junction on the 6V70 09:57 Cliffe Vale – St Blazey china clay empties returning for loading in Cornwall. In 2004 the Class 60 fleet was at a healthy number but the fleet declined over the next ten years to dangerously low levels. Thankfully DB Schenker was the value in a large scale overhaul and upgrade program for the locomotives, which has now seen many return to service. Although all 100 are unlikely to ever operate again, a large proportion are earmarked to return to service in the UK. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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8th April 2004 Virgin Trains liveried, (but Freightliner Heavy Haul operated) Class 47 No. 47812 passes Creech St Michael with the 4Z21 Eastleigh - Laira. The loco and stock passed through Creech St Michael at 18:50 meaning this image was taken at ISO1600. At the time this was one of the highest ISO's available on modern digital cameras, allowing for low light photography. By 2014 noise reduction for 'high ISO' shots has improved to allow even hand held night photography with very little grain/ noise apparent on the image. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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15th October 2004, Freightliner Heavy Haul were employed by First Great Western to move a series of purchased former Virgin Trains & Midland Mainline powercars for storage on the West Somerset Railway. One such move is seen at Bishops Lydeard. Class 47 No.47150 (which was scrapped in 2010 after a long period in store). 47150 with former Virgin powercar No.43093 is seen waiting for the road to Minehead complete with the 'Bristol Herons on Tour' headboard in place.. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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2004 saw a large amount of charters visiting Cornwall and South West attractions. On the 17th April Mainline Blue liveried Class 37 No.37047 leads split headcode Class 37 No.37057 ‘Viking' out of Crowcombe Station hauling the 1Z37 07:38 Milton Keynes to Minehead ‘Atlantic Coast Express' Steamy Affairs charter. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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In a time before the word 'recession' had even been mentioned Taunton would often see one tour each weekend passing through on route to the Eden Project in Cornwall (sometimes two or three!) On the 14th August 2004 Cotswold Rail Class 47's No.47316 ‘Cam Peak' & No.47200 ‘The Fosse Way' haul Pathfinder Tours ‘The Eden Belle' through Victory Crossing/ Allerford. The pair worked the Chester – Penzance charter throughout. Sadly the demise of Cotswold Rail and Advenza Freight in 2009 would later see both of these locomotives cut up by 2008! (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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In 2004, First Great Western were operating a transitional livery from the FGW 'Fag Packet' seen in this image, and their 'purple' branding. On the 9th April 2004, powercar No.43171 rounds the bend at Whiteball as it heads into Devon. HST sets were still two years away from the first 'MTU' engine conversion. Ten years of uncontrolled vegetation growth at this location means this photographic viewpoint is no longer possible. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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On the 10th May 2004 4-4-0 GWR City No.3440 ‘City of Truro' hauls the ‘Ocean Mail 100' charter from Kingswear – Bristol Temple Meads through Cogload Junction. On this rare occasion the Pathfinder Railtour charter was allowed to leave Taunton 30 minutes ahead of schedule, which meant many enthusiasts to the north east of Taunton missed their opportunity to view the passing of the historic locomotive. A further 10 years of uncontrolled vegetation and tree growth at this locations means this photographic viewpoint is no longer possible. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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In 2004 First Great Western were still operating a fleet of Class 47's. On the 15th August, No.47811 leads two tone green No.47815 through Cogload Junction with a stock transfer move between Laira and St Philips Marsh. (Photo: Brian Garrett) |
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Our weekly logs of train movements through the Taunton area have continue to grow. Each week is recorded in the Archive section and updated with as much information as possible to create an ongoing record of railway operations in the Taunton area. We would like to thank Mike Rowland and Nathan Williamson for their continued help in compiling the information for this section of the website. |
Loco Statistics for 2013 :It's back by popular demand it's that time of year when we look back and ask ourselves, how did we do? We as of course referring to the highly anticipated, piece of trivia that is the annual statistics of locos visiting Taunton... however we are sorry to report that Taunton has hit a new all time 'Low' for the number of locos visiting in 2013. However this is not to say that it's an altogether gloomy picture. The decline in locomotive visits could be down to many factors, loss of traffic flows (such as the Fawley Tanks), industry efficiencies (such as Freightliner and Network rail making use of the Norton Fitzwarren Triangle in order to turn trains, rather than running a 100 mile round trip via Westbury), and economics (a downturn in rail tours visiting the regions tourist hotspots, with ticket prices now at an average of £80 per person, many families don't have the money to spend on such luxuries). The 2013 Loco Statistics have been compiled by Mike Rowland from independent sightings and internet postings relating to workings in the Taunton area. There were of course many traction highlights in 2013, some of which are detailed below: First Time visitors to Taunton in 2013: 37405,
56105, 56113, 56303, 66421, 66533, 66570, 66587, 66848, 66849, 66956, Class 60's are slowly returning to the mainline, although generally used on bulk haul trains they do occasionally visit the South West. During 2013 we saw 4 of these locos, but only 2 were 'alive'. All fourteen UK-based Class 59s were cleared for the Taunton year.
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6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn:We start our review of 2013 with a detailed look at one particular working. The 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Jn fuel tanks has its own dedicated LOG which is constantly being worked upon. At the end of 2013 it now records a staggering 2384 separate workings of this train, all recorded since 1988. The log has been complied by Brian Garrett over the past 17 years with a large input from enthusiasts all over the South West and remote parts of the UK! Although the flow stopped in November 2013 (reverting to road transport), we continue to research the older workings and more recently we've had a large influx of information from 1997 1998 1999 and 2000 which has further enhanced our log. Our 6V62 Photograpic site also remains active in order to add any further images of the service. We would like to thank all those who have contributed to the 6V62 Log over the years!
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Want to look at what happened in NEWS from 2009 - 2013 ? Have a look in our Archive Page |
