Namings at Taunton

Images taken of locomotives and units being named in the Taunton area.

17th February 2022 Having just been named at Taunton on the 17th February 2022 No. 800029 'Christopher Dando/ Evette Wakely' and partner No. 800028 'Oliver Lovell / Sir Peter Parker' prepare to depart Taunton with the 1A12 07:23 Taunton - London Paddington service. (Photo: Ian Draper)

17th February 2022 A double naming took place at Taunton Station on the 17th February 2022. GWR Hitachi IET No.800028 was named 'Evette Wakely' and No.800029 was named 'Christopher Dando' as park of the BBC Radio Somerset 'make a difference' campaign to celebrate those who made a difference during the recent Covid lockdowns. Chris and Evette are pictured at Taunton Station shortly after naming their respective trains. (Photo: Ian Draper)

26th September 2015 The locomotive was named the celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the West Somerset Railway and the working relationship between GBRf and the WSR. The company has supplied a handful of locomotives for previous diesel gala weekends. After the naming, the locomotive operated the 11:05 Diesel service from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and 15:25 return for passengers to enjoy. As GBRf currently has no booked freight operations in the Taunton area enthusiasts may have to travel far and wide to find this locomotive on its daily duties! (Photo: Phil Izzard)

26th September 2015 GBRf Class 66/7 No.66757 was named 'West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard station on the 26th September 2015 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the WSR. After the naming ceremony, the loco-hauled the 11:05 Diesel service from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and 15:25 Minehead back to Bishops Lydeard. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

15th October 2005 Chris Irwin (South West Travelwatch) and Andrew Griffiths (Wessex Trains General Manager Devon and Cornwall) pose with the name for No. 158861 'Magna Carda 800 Lincoln 2015' at Taunton 'Spirit of the South West' in Platform 6 at Taunton. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th October 2005 Wessex Trains 4th Birthday Cake produced for the naming of No. 158861 'Magna Carda 800 Lincoln 2015' at Taunton on the 15th October 2005. The cake depicted Wessex Trains Class 158 No.158855 'Exmoor Explorer' at Doniford on the West Somerset Railway. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th October 2005 Class 158 No. 158861 'Magna Carda 800 Lincoln 2015' is pictured in Platform 6 a Taunton where Class 47 No.47603 was named 'County of Somerset' twenty years previous. Newly named Class 158 No. 158861 'Magna Carda 800 Lincoln 2015' 'Sprit of the South West' waits to depart with the 16:08 Taunton to Cardiff Central stopping service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

10th August 1985 BR Blue Class 47 No.47603 stands at Taunton on the 10th August 1985 prior to being named 'County of Somerset'. 47603 was delivered to Cardiff Canton as D1967 in October 1965. It's carried several numbers throughout it's life on the rails. In March 1974 it became 47297 and was re-allocated to Cardiff Canton, then later Bristol Bath Road. In December 1983 she became 47603 and became a dedicated parcels locomotive. The loco was also fitted with twin fuel tanks, to help increase her mileage between refuels which made her ideal for long range parcels traffic. In 1991 47603 was allocated to Crewe Diesel Depot. In June 1994 the locomotive then became 47745 and was subsequently re liveried into the ubiquitous 'Rail Express Systems' (RES) livery. This new livery and refurbishment saw the locomotive locked into Express Parcels traffic working all over the UK. On 24th September 1994 the locomotive was again named. This time her new name was 'Royal London Society for the Blind'. The naming took place at London Victoria Station and the ceremony was carried out by actor Brian Blessed. The locomotive continued to work mail traffic until 2000 when the locomotive put into storage after a fire. It spent 4 years in open store, then in April 2004 the locomotive was finally assigned for disposal. By August 2004 the locomotive had been fully cut up and no longer exists! (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

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