Taunton Station first opened in July 1842, as the terminus of the Bristol & Exeter Railway from Bridgwater, a further extension of the line took place in 1844. This linked Taunton to Exeter. Subsequent extension work over the next 30 years saw Taunton linked up with, Bristol, Yeovil, Minehead, Chard and Barnstaple. By 1895 Taunton Station had bay platforms to help the station cope with the smaller branch line trains which would call at the station more often during the day, and to prevent them from blocking the main line. Taunton's first loco shed was a small two road temporary building which was built at the Bridgwater end of the station. In 1842 it was taken down and moved to the Exeter end of the station. This lasted until 1896 when it was taken down and replaced with a huge brick building with a total of 28 tracks radiating from it, which were filled with steam loco's waiting for their duties, and making use of the avoiding line crossing Station Road away from the main line around the rear of the station.
Taunton around this time gained it's own allocation of loco's and was given it's own shed number of 83B. By 1930 Taunton was still growing, and it was then the quadrupling of tracks were required and installed between Cogload Jn through the station and out to Norton Fitzwarren. Platform lengths were now in excess of 1200ft on the through platforms. |
The Island platforms were mostly used for the long distance (Cross Country) services with the outer platforms used for stopping trains to and from the South West. The outer platforms also housing refreshment rooms, toilets and book stalls for the passengers to enjoy while stopping at the station, or changing trains. Steam Locomotives were the normal form of traction at the time, and the station was never quiet. Passing Express services, pick up freights, and local passenger trains would keep young boys in knee high socks and school shorts happy for hours!
|
However it wasn't all doom an gloom, passenger trains were still very much in abundance with a wide range of loco's which would be seen during the freight decline. A typical summer Saturday in 1975 can bee seen below (With thanks to Chris Perkins):
Taunton had a mixed fortune over the years, it became a leading railway 'hub' with it's own allocation of steam (and later diesel) locomotives. From an abundance of freight came closure and removal of once vital arteries which delivered and distributed goods to and from Taunton. During the 1970's/80's little money was invested in the station upkeep, and under British Railway the station fell into a poorly maintained run down building, a complete contrast to it's former status on the railway map. Although many don't agree with Railway Privatisation implemented by the Conservatives, it has been very good news for investment in rolling stock and stations all over the country! Taunton under privatisaiton and investment is looking fantastic again, clean, tidy, painted, plenty of facilities, new waiting shelters (Although nothing like the ones which used to span the center platforms!), and new information screens. Although Taunton isn't the bustling railway centre it was all those years ago, it has just about enough traffic to maintain a small community of Rail Enthusiasts which can often be seen on and around the station premesis The late 1990's into 2000 have bought all manner of trains, operators and workings through Taunton's platforms. The railways never cease to amaze with the amount of diverse workings it can produce. No matter how bad the economic climate the railways have an uncanny ability to make the most from every situation. The recent change in Government thinking regarding Carbon Footprints is already having an affect on the amount of rail freight and passenger workings occur through Taunton. The recent investment in Fairwater Yard has made Taunton a very busy freight centre, it even has an allocation of Taunton based drivers again! What does the future hold? Who knows.....we are always amazed at the variety of workings which pass Taunton each year, so why not have a look around the website and see for yourself just how interesting Taunton's Railway system has been over the years!! |