News Archive for September 2018

Published on 28th September 2018

World Famous Steam Locomotive No. 60103 'Flying Scotsman' (4472) will visit Taunton next week on Thursday 4th October 2018.

The locomotive will be double heading with an LMS Black 5 No.44871. Timings have now been released onto online railway timing sites such as Real Time Trains

The first Cathedrals Express charter operates between Theale and Taunton arriving at 10:21. The steam locomotives then work forward onto the West Somerset Railway for servicing. While that happens a West Coast Railways locomotive will take passengers back to Theale, departing Taunton at 10:38. That same locomotive will then return to Taunton with empty stock. The two steam locomotives will then reattach to the stock and transport a new batch of passengers from Taunton to Plymouth. This special double headed steam service departs Taunton at 16:55 to Plymouth. The West Coast Railways diesel locomotive later returns passengers from the second charter back from Plymouth to Taunton arriving at 21:03. The steam locomotives will remain in Devon at Laira Depot.

Having made its last stop at Taunton No. 60103 'Flying Scotsman' 'Flying Scotsman' comes to a short pause before proceeding back onto the West Somerset Railway on the 26th May 2017, while working the 1Z42 10:00 Bishops Lydeard to Bishops Lydeard via Bristol. The wreath carried on the front of the locomotive during its trips was planed there as a mark of respect for the victims of the Manchester tragedy which had occurred earlier in the week.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 26th September 2018

Another GWR HST departed the South West for pastures new on the 26th September 2018.

No.43182 and No.43138 operated the 5Z83 08:37 Laira - St Philips Marsh formed of coaching stock 42096, 44007, 42555, 42006 and 41016. The set is pictured passing the former Creech St Michael halt.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 26th September 2018

Just three days into the latest operation of the Exeter stone supply from the Mendip Hills, DB Cargo provided a Class 60 to haul the train.

No.60062 makes a rare appearance on the 6C28 13:44 Exeter Riverside - Whatley Quarry on Wednesday 26th September 2018. The locomotive is pictured hauling the empty wagons near the small village of Wick on the Somerset Levels.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 18th September 2018

West Coast Railways Class 37 No.37668 passes through Taunton with BR Standard Class 5 No. 73082 'Camelot' in tow on Tuesday, September 18th, 2018.

The locomotive hauled the 5Z82 08:47 from East Grinstead to Bishops Lydeard the purpose of the move was to position No. 73082 'Camelot' from the Bluebell Railway to the West Somerset Railway in readiness to take part in the forthcoming Autumn Steam Gala being held between the 27th and 30th September.

Published on 13th September 2018

The Colas Cement flow gained a rare Class 66 locomotive for haulage on the 13th September 2018 when the locomotive provided cover for the normal Class 70 on this turn.

The locomotive No.66847 is pictured passing through Platform 4 at Taunton hauling the 6C36 08:00 Moorswater - Aberthaw empties having unloaded at the Cornish Cement Terminal the previous day.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Published on 13th September 2018

Further vegetation clearance at Taunton Station has further enhanced the drivers view on the approaches to Taunton Station.

On the 13th September 2018 No.43091 and No.43025 operate the 1C76 10:03 London Paddington - Penzance approaches at high speed with a non-stop service through Taunton. The overall scene at the eastern end of Taunton Station is now beginning to look far more presentable.

Published on 9th September 2018

After a false start over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of September 2018 when a Network Rail spokesperson commented that work would be carried out of a three day period to clear the station area of overgrown vegetation.

Network Rail have at least made a start on vegetation removal at Taunton during the week commencing 3rd September. Clearly is a much larger job than originally anticipated as in just one week only just one area to the east side of the station in front of the New Firepool Apartments has been cleared. This image shows the marked improvement on the 8th September. There's still much more work to be done to return the station to a presentable state but at least this shows some progress has been made.

(Photo: Paul Clarke)

Published on 6th September 2018

Having just exited Whiteball Tunnel Colas Rail Freight Class 70 No.70810 sweeps down grade through the reverse curves at Marlands with empty cement tanks running as 6C36 08:00 Moorswater to Aberthaw on Thursday 6th September 2018.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Adam Snow)

Published on 2nd September 2018

Passengers were on the Royal Duchy charter were treated to rare Class 37 haulage on the 2nd September 2018, The veteran West Coast Railways Class 37 operated the diesel leg of the 1C50 08:50 Bristol Temple Meads - Par charter as far as Taunton.

At Taunton, the Class 37 was removed and replaced with Southern West Country class No. 34046 'Braunton' (which is still in the guise of long-lost classmate No.34052). Later in the day the Class 37 was called upon to rescue the charter after coal wasn't delivered for the Steam Locomotive at Plymouth, as a result, the Class 37 ran light engine from Taunton to Plymouth station where it returned the charter to Bristol. The Steam Locomotives followed with its support coach the following day. No.37668 is pictured passing Hyde Lane crossing with the morning run to Taunton.

To view the gallery, please click here.