The Taunton Trains Collection Gallery

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 has 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. In all cases we have tried our best to find the original photographer, where this has not been possible images have been entered into the Taunton Trains collection until such time as a photographer name can be identified.

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)

14th July 1985 With countless people lining the hedgelines and track throughout the route wanting a view of Great Wester steam locomotives, this image would send the health and safety fraternity into a cold sweat in the modern era. GWR 4-6-0 locomotives No. 5051 'Drysllwyn Castle' and No. 4930 'Hagley Hall' power up Whiteball Bank on the 14th July 2022 operating 'The Great Wester Limited' 1Z47 Plymouth - London Paddington charter. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

7th July 1985 BR Large Logo Class 50 No. 50009 'Conqueror' departs from Taunton with an impressive 13 Mk1 Coaches and a BG in tow on the 7th July 1985 while operating 1C37 11:45 London Paddington - Paignton. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

1st June 1985 Ex Works BR Blue Class 31 No.31117 exits from Whiteball Tunnel into Devon on the 1st June 1985 hauling the 05:50 London Paddington - Plymouth mail / parcels service. Shortly after this image was taken the loco slowed to a stop in order to delivery water tankards to the signalman, as was standard practice at the time. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

6th April 1985 Birtish Rail Intercity 125 No.43183 and No.43167 pass through Taunton East Junction on the 6th April 1985 with a cross country service. Note the additional TGS trailer in the consist at the rear of the set. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

19th January 1985 After heavy snow in the south west BR Blue Class 47 No.47623 arrives into Taunton on the 19th January 1985 operating the 09:25 Plymouth - London Paddington service. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

21st August 1984 BR Blue Class 33 No.33062 passes Taunton West Station Signal Box on the 21st August 1984 running light engine into Taunton Station. The loco had most likely arrived on a stopping service from Bristol and was running around its train before returning north. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

27th July 1984 On the 27th July 1984 HST powercar No.43027 departs from Taunton under the famous semaphore signals at Taunton East Junction with a Paddington bound Intercity 125 service from Plymouth. Some 14 years later No.43027 still travels the same route into and out of London each day operated by First Great Western. This view shows the second version of the Intercity livery which was eventually dropped in favour of the 'Intercity Swallow' version. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

7th July 1984 In pristine British Railways colours, BR Class 47 No.47192 departs from Taunton on the 7th July 1984 operating the nine coach 10:00 Paignton - Liverpool Lime Street service, seen head approaching Taunton East Junction/ Obridge. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

22nd June 1981 Ruston PWM No.97652 is seen in Fairwater Yard (and was often based here) stabled inbetween shunting duties in the yard. This image was taken on the 22nd June 1981. The popular yellow shunter was a often seen shunting in various Taunton Yards. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

24th April 1981 This image shows Intercity an unidentified HST set arriving into Taunton on the 24th April 1981 working the 10:00 Plymouth - London Paddington service. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

24th April 1980 On the 24th April 1980 BR Blue Class 47 No. 47280 tows BR Blue Class 50 No. 50038 'Formidable' through Taunton. The Class 47 was proving a tow for the Class 50 between Laira Depot (Plymouth) and Doncaster Depot for further work to be carried out on the locomotive. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

15th July 1978 BR Blue Class 46 No.46004 passes Creech St Michael on the 15th July 1978 hauling a rake of empty china clay hoods for loading in Cornwall. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

18th February 1978 This image was produced as a postcard and featured a Class 120 DMU on the 18th February 1978 in a blizzard at Taunton. It was produced by Beric Tempest & Co in Cornwall for the Dawlish Warren Railway Museum. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

3rd August 1977 Two young railway enthusiasts note down the locomotive number of British Rail Class 47 No.47539 passes Taunton Station on the 3rd August 1977. The locomotive is pictured arriving into the centre platforms at Taunton. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

20th July 1976 British Rail Class 46 No.46044 waits to depart Taunton on the 20th of July 1976 as a down express approaches from London lead by a British Rail Class 50. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

9th May 1976 British Rail Class 50 No.50016 passes 40 Steps, Taunton having just taken its booked stop at Taunton on the 9th May 1976. The loco at this time still had its headcode box and blinds in place (although set to 0000) and was yet to gain its name (applied after overhaul) of 'Barham'. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

13th March 1976 Silk Mills Signal Box - 13th March 1976 (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

25th May 1974 BR Blue 'Western' No. D1013 'Western Ranger' is pictured arriving into the centre platforms at Taunton on the 25th May 1974 operating 1V34 08:10 Kensington - St Austell motorail service. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

31st December 1973 British Rail 'Western' No. D1036 'Western Emperor' accelerates away from a stop at Taunton on the 21st December 1973 while operating 1B55 12:30 London Paddington - Paignton service, formed of 6 Mk2 coaches. (Photo: Taunton Trains Collection)

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