www.tauntontrains.co.uk

The Railtour Gallery

Images taken of Railtours and special Charters in the Taunton Area

5th September 2026
Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express' charter returned to steam operation on Saturday 5th September 2026 after a lengthy steam ban due to the recent lack of rain and hot weather. LNER A1 Pacific No. 60007 'The Spirit of Tom Kendell' powers through Bradford on Tone hauling 1Z07 06:35 Pooles - Kingswear, having taken over from No. 50050 'Fearless' at Taunton. No.57302 remained on the rear of the train throughout.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)

5th September 2026
Passing through the dappled shade at Whiteball, LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' leads 1Z07 06:35 Poole to Kingswear charter ‘The English Riviera Express’ on Saturday 5th September 2026. The initial leg of the tour was worked in 'top & tail' configuration by LSL locomotives No.57302 and No. 50050 'Fearless' from Poole. The train reversed direction at Westbury, putting the Class 50 in charge across the Somerset Levels as far as Taunton, where Sir Nigel Gresley replaced Fearless for the final run down into South Devon.
(Photo: S A Ginn)

5th September 2026
BR Blue Class 50 No. 50050 'Fearless' (D400) shatters the peace as it powers through Creech St Michael on Saturday 5th September 2026. The LSL locomotive made its debut on Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express ', returning the loco to its former stomping ground when formerly in British Rail service. No. 50050 'Fearless' and No.57302 operated in top and tail formation hauling 1Z07 06:35 Poole - Kingswear. The Class 57 led the train from Poole, but with a reversal at Westbury, the Class 50 led the train to Taunton. Upon arrival at Taunton, the Class 50 was removed and replaced with LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' for the steam leg through to Kingswear.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

5th September 2026
BR Blue Class 50 No. 50050 'Fearless' (D400) is pictured in Platform 2 at Taunton on Saturday 6th September 2026. Fearless had rejoined The English Riviera Express at Fairwater Yard, taking over from LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley'. No. 50050 'Fearless' and No.57302 then operated 1Z08 16:35 Kingswear - Poole in top and tail formation from Taunton.
(Photo: Richard Hiscox)

5th September 2026
Locomotive Services Ltd Class 50 No. 50050 'Fearless' (D400) storms north through Cogload Junction on Saturday 5th September 2026. The loco was returning north on 1Z08 16:35 Kingswear - Poole charter, having taken over from LNER A1 Pacific No. 60007 'The Spirit of Tom Kendell' at Taunton.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

22nd August 2026
Operating the late-running Britannic Explorer luxury charter No. 66748 'St Michaels Mount' and No. 66740 'Sarah' pass Allerford with the 1C02 09:00 Bishops Lydeard to Penzance Belmond luxury rail cruise. The train was so late exiting from the West Somerset Railway that there was no time for the usual locomotive run-round manoeuvre on arrival at Taunton. Dedicated GBRf Class 66/7 No. 66748 'St Michaels Mount' leads the tour into Devon and Cornwall for the second consecutive time, with GBRf No. 66740 'Sarah' remaining attached to the rear of the train.
(Photo: S A Ginn)

22nd August 2026
The Britannic Explorer departed from the West Somerset Railway late on Saturday 22nd August 2026. No. 66740 'Sarah' and No. 66748 'St Michaels Mount' operated in top and tail formation as 1C02 09:00 Bishops Lydeard - Penzance. The luxury train departed at 10:44 (104 minutes late), assumed to be down to required rest conditions for crew and the late arrival from London the night before. To save time in Taunton, the locos remained in top and tail formation for the run to Penzance rather than performing a run-round to double-head west.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)

22nd August 2026
Locomotives Services Ltd Class 57/3 No.57302 leads Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express' charter back through Norton Fitzwarren in the warmth of the evening sunlight on Saturday 22nd August 2026. No.57302 was operating in a top-and-tail formation with No. 47593 'Galloway Princess' as 1Z08 16:35 Kingswear - Bedford.
(Photo: Kian Westlake)

22nd August 2026
Despite the recent small amount of rain which has fallen in the last week, the linside vegitation continues to grow unanbated, and a steam ban remains in place. Saphos Trains continued to operate their 'English Riviera Express' charters with Heritage Diesel traction throughout. Intercity-liveried Class 47 No. 47593 'Galloway Princess' makes a fine sight while operating in top-and-tail formation with No. 57302 at Creech St Michael on Saturday 22nd August 2026. The pair were operating the 1Z07 05:30 Bedford - Kingswear charter with Mk1 crimson and cream stock in tow. Image taken on a camera pole.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

22nd August 2026
Locomotive Services Ltd, InterCity-liveried Class 47 No. 47593 'Galloway Princess' configured in top-and-tail formation with No.57302, gets underway from Taunton with the non-steam ‘English Riviera Express’ on Saturday 22nd August 2026. The colourful locomotives and stock is captured passing Allerford, running as the 1Z07 05:30 Bedford to Kingswear.
(Photo: S A Ginn)

21st August 2026
The GBRf-operated Belmond Britannic Explorer luxury train operated on Friday 21st August 2026. No. 66748 'St Michaels Mount' and No. 66740 'Sarah' top and tailed 1V01 15:48 London Victoria - Bishops Lydeard. The train was exceptionally late, departing London 110 minutes late at 17:38 and arriving into Taunton 114 minutes late at 21:19. No. 66740 'Sarah' is pictured at the rear of the train before continuing onto the West Somerset Railway and onwards to Minehead.
(Photo: Chris Shewry)

17th August 2026
British Railways two-tone green Class 47 No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' passes Cogload Junction on the 15th August 2026, operating in a top-and-tail formation with No. 57003 'Inter City Railway Society 50th Anniversary 1973 - 2023'. The pair were returning 'The English Riviera' express from Devon as 1Z08 16:35 Kingswear - Three Bridges, running with heritage diesel traction due to the ban on mainline steam locomotives because of the inherent fire risk.
(Photo: Kian Westlake)

15th August 2026
Still diesel traction throughout for the ‘English Riviera Express’ on Saturday 15th August 2026. Railfreight Distribution-liveried Class 57 No. 57003 'Inter City Railway Society 50th Anniversary 1973 - 2023' heads west with the 1Z07 05:45 Three Bridges to Kingswear via Taunton, captured descending the grade from Whiteball Summit. The initial leg of the charter was led by No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' (D1924) as far as Westbury, where, upon arrival, the driver changed ends, the subsequent change of direction putting 57003 'Inter City Railway Society 50th Anniversary 1973 - 2023' in charge of the tour for the remainder of the run down to the English Riviera.
(Photo: S A Ginn)

13th August 2026
West Coast Railways Class 57/3 No. 57314 'Conwy Castle' working in top and tail configuration with 57/6 No. 57601 'Windsor Castle' while hauling 'The Northern Belle' stock is captured westbound at Fordgate on a very hot Thursday, 13th August 2026. The "Historic Torquay at Leisure or Dartmouth Steam Railway" charter ran as 1Z68, departing Birmingham International at 08:19 for Paignton.
(Photo: S A Ginn)

12th August 2026
The Midland Pullman HST set formed of No. 43050 'Loch Morar' and No.43055 passes Norton Fitzwarren at 06:56 on 12th August 20026 while operating 1Z32 06:16 Paignton to Scarborough "Yorkshire Coast Pullman". The Pullman charter HST was formed with coaches: 44078 41187 40804 41166 41176 41149 40802 41108 and 41162.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)

8th August 2026
Locomotive Services Group No. 57003 'Inter City Railway Society 50th Anniversary 1973 - 2023' and No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' (D1924) pass through Creech St Michael with the returning 'English Riviera Express' on Saturday 8th August 2026. Following problems with No.47805 earlier in the day at Westbury, No. 57003 'Inter City Railway Society 50th Anniversary 1973 - 2023' was dispatched from Southall to assist the 1Z08 16:35 Kingswear back to Ely from Taunton.
(Photo: S A Ginn)

8th August 2026
The Belmond Britannia Explorer luxury charter departed from Taunton on Saturday 8th August 2026 with No. 66748 'St Michaels Mount' leading No. 66744 'Heart of Wales' for the first time since the operation started. No. 66748 'St Michaels Mount' and No. 66744 'Heart of Wales' departed Silk Mills as 1C02 09:00 Bishops Lydeard - Penzance.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)

8th August 2026
Having been severely delayed during its journey west by both sheep on the line and the rear locomotive reported with smoke coming from the locomotive, No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' is pictured at Cogload Junction on Saturday 8th August 2026. No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' was hauling Saphos Trains 'The English Riviera Express' charter as 1Z07 05:40 Ely - Kingswear. No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' had been detached and stabled at Westbury after an incident with suspected dragging brakes. The charter still managed to get to Kingswear 32 minutes late despite running 113 minutes late at Cogload Junction owing to not needing to stop for water.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

8th August 2026
Former East Midlands Trains HST power car No.43089 leads the 125Group northbound "Summer Riviera" charter on Saturday 8th August 2026. Working the rear of the train was Inter-City 43025 [NN] 'Exeter', captured approaching Cogload Junction, running as the 1Z54 16:45 Paignton to Manchester Victoria.
(Photo: S A Ginn)

8th August 2026
The 125 Group 'The Summer Riviera' charter returns from Devon at Norton Fitzwarren on Saturday 8th August 2026. VP185 powercar painted in former East Midlands Trains livery. No.43089 and No.43025 are pictured operating 1Z54 16:45 Paington - Manchester Piccadilly.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)

Next Page
You are currently on Page 1 of 61 pages.

Back to Gallery Home

A PHP Error was encountered

A PHP Error was encountered

A PHP Error was encountered

A PHP Error was encountered