Latest News

End Of An Era

Published on 3rd October 2026

Railway colleagues, friends, and family gathered to surprise Paul Finnimore on his last day working for GWR on Saturday, 3rd October 2026.

The gathering came as a complete surprise to Paul. He had no idea about the large crowd that had gathered outside the former Downside station entrance to wish him well on his last day at work. Paul started work in 1989 for British Rail at Exeter St Davids and moved to Taunton in 1992. After 37 years' service at Taunton Station, he will be missed by all who work with him each day. He plans to enjoy his retirement and already has ideas for how to spend his time, with trips planned and giving more service back to railway preservation groups. After a small speech from friend and colleague Luke Napper, he was presented with an O Gauge model of his favourite Class 50 No. 50032 'Courageous', and a smaller N Gauge model for his home railway layout. A further gift was also provided from the Fifty Fund. Everyone took time to provide best wishes, stories of old times, and friendship for the future. At Taunton Trains, we would also like to extend our thanks to Paul for his steadfast service to the railway industry over the last 37 years as he waves his last dispatch baton today.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Last Rays For China Clay

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 2nd October 2026

As the nights rapidly draw in, the last rays of light limit the lineside images that can be obtained.

With very little light left at 19:00 on the outskirts of Wellington, rapid growth of lineside vegetation at Longforth Farm bridge has almost obliterated the recently constructed housing complex, as seen here on Friday 2nd October 2026. At dusk, GBRf Class 66/7 No.66766 hurries through Longforth Farm, hauling 6V72 13:17 Cliffe Vale Terminal to Goonbarrow empty china clay JIA wagons for loading in Cornwall.

GBRf - Rail Head Treatment Train

Published on 2nd October 2026

The second night of the GB Railfreight Class 57 operated Rail Head Treatment Train coincided with another good evening of sunlight, allowing just enough time to capture the pair departing the Taunton area before the sun dipped below the horizon.

Catching the last rays of sunlight at Norton Fitzwarren and Allerford on the 2nd October 2026. No. 57306 'Branchline Society' and No. 57310 'UK Railtours' exited Fairwater Yard with the Rail Heat Treatment Train operating as 3S11 18:21 Fairwater Yard - Penzance. The train runs overnight, visiting Penzance and Paignton before returning through Taunton to Salisbury via Westbury and finally arriving back in Taunton the next day around 12:30.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Fully Branded GWR Class 175 Unit

Published on 1st October 2026

After 23 months of Class 175 deliveries to GWR, the full GWR livery has now been applied to the next pair of Class 175 units being delivered to Laira.

The newly liveried pair were captured passing Taunton on Thursday 1st October 2026. No.175110 and No.175103 are pictured passing through the centre road at Taunton, operating as 5V84 10:42 Wolverton - Laira.

The Class 175 units have not had a successful introduction back into service; after years in store, their return to regular traffic has seen a reduction of five core services in Devon and Cornwall between September and December to give engineers time to provide 1000 fault-free miles of running before returning each unit to revenue-earning service. The latest pair of Class 175 units to be delivered will further bolster the fleet availability.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Rail-Ex Taunton 2026

(Photo: Rail-Ex)

Published on 30th September 2026

The annual Railex Exhibition will take place at Taunton School on the 24th (10:00 to 17:00) and 25th October 2026 (10:00 to 16:00), featuring 30 high-quality model railway layouts and trade stands.

The venue at Taunton School (TA2 6AD) offers free parking and serves its legendary school dinners and refreshments. On-the-day admission is £15 for Adults, and £13 for children. For more details of the event organized by the Somerset Railway Modellers Club, see the Railex Website.

Taunton Leafbusters Are Go!

Published on 28th September 2026

The Rail Head Treatment Train arrived into Fairwater Yard on 25th September from Eastleigh.

GB Railfreight operated a shakedown run on Monday 28th September 2026. Class 57/3 locomotives No. 57306 'Branchline Society' and No.57305 departed from Fairwater Yard with the first RHTT of the 2026 leaf fall season. The pair operated as 3S11 18:21 Fairwater Yard to Truro, returning via Paignton to Westbury overnight. Then continued with a morning run to Salisbury and back, before returning west to Taunton. The Rail Head Treatment Train will begin running on Thursday 1st October.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

(Photo: Taunton Trains)

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

Locos Return From Bodmin

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

Published on 28th September 2026

Having spent the weekend at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway Diesel Gala weekend Class 33 No.33012 and Class 31 No.31210 returned north on Monday 28th September 2026.

The pair returned as 0M33 08:42 Bodmin Siding to Burton Wetmore Sidings. The British Railways pairing is pictured passing Cogload Junction.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Network Rail VIU6

Published on 28th September 2026

Network Rail VIU6 No.153384 passes Cogload Junction on Monday 28th September 2026.

No.153384 was operating 2Q26 10:20 Bristol Kingsland Road to Taunton Loco Sidings via Reading on a track assessment run.

The Network Rail Video Inspection Unit VIU6 (carried by the converted Class 153 No.153384) is a specialized, autonomous infrastructure-monitoring train used to inspect switches, crossings, and plain line tracks. It features under-train and forward-facing high-definition and thermal imaging cameras capturing detailed track geometry, fixings, and structures.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

West Somserset Railway - Autumn Steam Gala

Published on 27th September 2026

The West Somerset Railway held its Autumn Steam Gala between the 25th and 27th September 2026.

The event saw seven main steam locomotives in operation and two further smaller tank locomotives. LMS Ivatt 2MT No.41313 made a date visit from the Isle of White Steam Railway, and LNWR Coal Tank No. 1054 'Western Governor' also visited from the Bahamas Locomotive Society. The much-anticipated return of 2-6-2 Large Prairie Tank No.4110 from the Dartmouth Steam Railway was another highlight. No.4110 once operated services over the Minehead branch line in steam days and was allocated to Taunton Shed (83B). The loco had been purchased by the West Somerset Railway as a local asset to restore but was later sold to the Dartmouth Steam Railway for restoration; its return home was very much a sight many had been waiting to witness.

From the home fleet 4-6-0 ‘Manor’ locomotives No. 7802 'Bradley Manor' and No. 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' were operating with No. 7828 'Odney Manor', along with the regular inclusion of WSR Mogul 2-6-0 No.9351. The three-day event saw double-heading on some services and banking. Brake Van rides were also available on the Heritage Goods Train and steam shunting demonstrations at Minehead.

We would like to thank Timbadgertrains for taking the time to record events from Day 1 of the Autumn Steam Gala event.

To view the gallery, please click here.

The Royal Duchy - Eddystone

Published on 27th September 2026

Built in 1948 at Brighton Works, Southern Railway West Country Class 4-6-2 Pacific No. 34028 'Eddystone' made an appearance at Taunton on Sunday 29th September 2026.

The loco operated 'The Royal Duchy' charter as 1Z33 08:47 Bristol Temple Meads - Par. The impressive locomotive is pictured paused in Platform 3 at Taunton before continuing its journey west through Devon and into Cornwall.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Richard Hiscox)

(Photo: Kian Westlake)

To view news stories from August 2026 click here, or for news from October 2026, click here.