News Archive for March 2014

Creech Cutting Back - 2014

Published on 30th March 2014

The village of Creech St Michael has recently seen some attention from Network Rail in regards to cutting back.

Some of the undergrowth was getting to the point of almost touching trains as they passed. Although only 'limited' clearance has taken place, two previously difficult shots have been opened up to allow better views. The northbound shot from the occupation bridge in Creech St Michael has now been opened out, with a large section of the previous tree now removed. Some troublesome branches have been left in place, so in time the tree will continue to grow to cause the same problem in a short period of time.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

(Photo: Cameron Walker)

(Photo: Alan Randle)

(Photo: Cameron Walker)

WSR - 2014 Spring Steam Gala

Published on 29th March 2014

The West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala was held between the 27th to the 30th March 2014.

Visiting locomotives from the Didcot Railway Centre, Mid Hants Railway and Swanage taking part in the Southern Themed 'Withered Arm' Gala. Sadly No.34070 from the Swanage Railway failed on Friday 28th and had to be retired from the gala. Visiting BR Mogul No.5322 from Didcot was a surprise workhorse of the event, sounding superb as it worked hard to haul trains between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard helping to cover for the absence of Manston.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Taunton Station Roof

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 22nd March 2014

Taunton Station is currently undergoing a makeover to the roof and canopy sections of the station.

The canopy steelwork is currently being stripped back to bare metal during night shifts. Areas which are beyond repair are being replaced using non traditional nut and bolt methods (which look a little out of place next to the traditional Great Western rivets). Hopefully as the weeks progress the station will be transformed allowing more natural light to flood through the canopy, and new paint applied to the canopy roof trusses. This image was taken on the 22nd March 2014 showing the stripping and repair in progress.

Sea Wall Engineers

Published on 22nd March 2014

Having delivered around 500 tonnes of ballast to Dawlish, Colas Rail Freight Class 70 locomotives No.70803 and No.70802 returned through Taunton operating 6Z70 09:55 Exeter St Thomas - Westbury on Saturday 22nd March 2014.

It's expected that over the next week several more deliveries of supplies and ballast will make their way to Dawlish from Westbury as the track repair reaches it's conclusion.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Bob Lathem)

Train Trucking

Published on 22nd March 2014

With Devon and Cornwall still cut off from the rest of the First Great Western network because of the recent damage to the Dawlish Sea Wall.

Road haulage is the only option to transfer powercars between depots from essential maintenance. On the 22nd March 2014, Alleleys Heavy Haulage transferred FGW Class 43 No.43010 to Laria depot at Plymouth, and is pictured here taking a break in Taunton Deane's southbound services.

(Photo: Mike Rowland)

New and Old and Norton

(Photo: Tony Hayman)

Published on 15th March 2014

Saturday 15th March 2014 provided a rare glimpse of old and new rolling stock at Norton Fitzwarren.

Class 33 No.D6575 and Class 47 No.D1661 top and tail a Mk1 coach around the Norton Fitzwarren Triangle on the West Somerset Railway, as a Cross Country HST service passes by on the mainline. The 47 and 33 on the WSR were involved in a joint Training Exercise with FGW and Network Rail, so they could experience laying Detonator Protection for Possessions and failed trains, and the process of clipping points.

Colourful Powercars

Published on 14th March 2014

The 14th March 2014 saw colourful scenes at Taunton with a visit from the brightly coloured Network Rail NMT (New Measurement Train) and an advertising livery from First Great Western advertising livery Rail-Fly livery.

The unique powercar livery advertises train and plane tickets to Singapore in partnership with Heathrow Express and Singapore Airlines.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Tony Christie)

First Colas Class 70 to visit Taunton

Published on 14th March 2014

Colas Rail Freight keep providing Taunton with interesting workings during March.

On the 14th March 2014 one of their brand new Class 70 locomotives visited Taunton becoming the first member of the type to do so. Class 70 No.70805 hauled the 6Z47 09:29 Cardiff Canton Sidings - Fairwater Yard conveying Network Rail HOBC wagons from overhaul.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Quentin Hawkes)

(Photo: Tony Christie)

Colas - Logs

Published on 5th March 2014

Colas Rail Freight brightened the March scene on the 5th March 2014 by passing through Creech St Michael with another of the popular Colas 'Log Trains'.

Class 56 No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' operated the 6V54 05:40 Chirk - Exeter Riverside empties for loading with logs in Devon. The service operated via the Castle Cary and the Somerset Levels, with logs currently being delivered to Exeter Riverside while engineers repair the Dawlish Seawall. In sunny conditions the Class 56 passes Creech St Michael.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Ron Westwater)

To view news stories from February 2014 click here, or for news from April 2014, click here.