News Archive for May 2019

Published on 29th May 2019

Rail Operations Group (ROG) suffered a rare in-service failure in the South West on Saturday 27th May 2019.

Former Western Region Class 47/8 No.47813 was hauling a recently repaired Cross Country powercar from Neville Hill Depot (Leeds) to Laira Depot (Plymouth), the stock move passed Taunton at 14:24 heading South, however just outside Totnes the Class 47 failed blocking the mainline. As the train was unable to move forward the powercar on the rear of the stock move was used to slowly take the train back to Newton Abbot where it conveniently fitted into the Heathfield Branch/siding. GWR were then called upon to assist and promptly sent No. 43154 'Compton Castle' and No.43160 powercars back to back from Laira Depot in order to collect the stricken service from Newton Abbot and tow it back to Laira. This resulted in the incredible sight of two HST powercars back to back towing a Class 47, Two Barrier vehicles and a Cross Country HST powercar between Newton Abbot and Plymouth.

The next day the Class 47 was deemed a total failure so ROG then summoned a Class 57/3 No.57303 (On Hire to ROG), this worked light engine (0V84) from Leicester to Laira on the 28th May. On the 29th No.57303 returned north hauling six more off-lease GWR HST Mk3 coaches (41138 42556 42505 42284 42213 40707) to Ely Papworth Sidings for storage. The Class 47 oddly remained at Laira suggesting its repair might take place at GWRs depot or that its failure might be a little more serious than first thought.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 26th May 2019

Mendip Rail and DB Cargo Class 59s have been operating loaded aggregate traffic to replenish the virtual quarry at Exeter Riverside Yard.

The southbound services often operate too early in the day to be captured on camera however, the return empty wagons operate during more sociable hours. We have included two such examples of Class 59s operating more recent trains in the Taunton area.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 25th May 2019

Retro Railtours operated their 'Retro Devon Seasider' charter on Saturday 25th May 2019 using a pair of Direct Rail Services Class 37s to visit the Devon Riviera.

DRS supplied two veteran Class 37s No. 37407 'Blackpool Tower' and No.37059. The pair passed Taunton at just after 12pm passing non-stop through Taunton. The 1Z44 05:50 Huddersfield - Paignton was formed of mixed Britsh Rail Mk2 coaching stock, with some coaches still sporting Anglia Railways livery. The English Electric Type 3 locomotives roared through Taunton on route to their destination at Paignton.

Published on 24th May 2019

Friday 24th May 2019 was most definitely a day for goodbyes and hellos.

Goodbye to the UK Prime Minister who on this day announced her resignation from the job, while GWR consigned another of their HST fleet to cease operational service after 40 years of working for the general public. HST powercar No.43018 and celebrity Intercity powercar No. 43185 'Great Western' departed the South West for the last time. The HST set having been debranded and nameplates/ embellishments removed. However, we did also say hello to an old friend, as less than a week after forming the final GWR long distance HST service from Taunton Station, the first and last production HST powercars No. 43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' and No. 43198 'Driver Brian Cooper 15 June 1947 - 5 October 1999 / Driver Stan Martin 5 June 1960 - 6 November 2004' were back in action with GWR. The pair of powercars were formed on shorter four-car sets, which now operate the stopping diagrams between Taunton and Cardiff Central, formerly operated by single two-car units. A selection of images from the 24th May has been included in the gallery below.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 23rd May 2019

After a large feature on Taunton Trains last year highlighting the state of the undergrowth in the Taunton Station Area, Network Rail did react and cleared large swaths of undergrowth from the Station Area, however, one location was left for some time.

This week Network Rail have finally completed the west end of Taunton Station this week by removing trees and invasive weeds which had taken hold. However it won't be long before the vegetation will be allowed to grow back as it already has on other parts of the station

This is not the end of the story, however, and we will continue to publish photos of the out of control undergrowth as Network Rail struggle to tame mother nature and provide an effective solution to the continued problem.

The Network Rail NMT is one of the most technically advanced test trains in the world, and regularly passes Taunton on its busy schedule of track testing. In this image the Network Rail HST No. 43013 'Mark Carne CBE' and No. 43062 'John Armitt' are seen almost touching the tree-lined cutting at Durston (near Cogload Junction) on 10th May 2019 while operating the 1Z18 15:46 Paignton - Taunton via Bristol Temple Meads track testing diagram gathering data for Network track defects.

Our second image features Station Road, Taunton. Out of control undergrowth growing from Network Rail land, continues to grow over the top of the retaining wall and down into Station Road below. We featured a similar photo in 2018 and although not directly linked to training safety or operation, it reflects badly on the town. Brambles have now reached the pavement in two locations and is currently growing around the bus stop roof. This unkept and untidy scene greets passengers as they exit from Taunton Station to having arrived from their trains. We are very surprised that GWR and Taunton Deane Council allow this sort of scene to greet passengers and visitors to the town.

Published on 22nd May 2019

Network Rail have finally cleared another part of undergrowth from the West end of Platform 3 and 4 at Taunton.

Having cleared other areas during last year the overgrown west end of Platform 3/4 was not cut back. The clearance which was carried out on Tuesday 21st May 2019 still looks an eye saw but is a far cry from the trees which had been allowed to grow taller than the trains which were passing. The clearance undertaken has removed the tallest trees and shrubs but has been left in a state where the undergrowth will soon grow back, with some weeds having just been hacked down rather than removed or treated.

The undergrowth in the Taunton area still remains an issue, with many areas which have been left to grow unchecked, this still includes the former Taunton (83B) depot site where brambles growing from Network Rail land have now reached the pavement level in Station Road, where regular pedestrians walk. We will be featuring more images of the undergrowth situation later this week.

Published on 21st May 2019

The West Somerset Railway has both a steam and diesel locomotives visiting for the summer period.

0-6-0T No.7752 arrived on the line during April from the Tyseley Locomotive Centre in London Transport Red livery but was quickly repainted into sparkling Great Western livery. The little pannier tank is now operating passenger trains along the length of the line helping the WSR with their current traction and weight restrictions.

British Rail Green Class 37 D6948 (No.37248) is also visiting from the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway, the loco is owned by The Growler Group based as Toddington, and will also be hauling passengers on selected dates.

Both locos are booked to be in action at the West Somerset Railway 40th Anniversary Gala on June 8th and 9th.

Published on 18th May 2019

#hstfarewell The 18th May 2019 was a date marked in thousands of peoples diaries as the HST farewell for GWR long distance HSTs and the final HST departures from London Paddington.

After months of planning four HSTs would traverse the GWR network culminating with all four sets making their final departures from London Paddington.

After 43 years of service, the HSTs bowed out in fine style of a carefully choreographed set of diagrams which started with early morning northbound trains heading to London. The final diagram was operated by the last and first production powercars No. 43198 'Driver Brian Cooper 15 June 1947 - 5 October 1999 / Driver Stan Martin 5 June 1960 - 6 November 2004' and No. 43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange' which worked the 1C26 18:30 London Paddington - Taunton service (for special ticket holders only) where it then formed the specially extended 1Z43 21:32 London Paddington - Exeter St Davids service. Enthusiasts and members of the general public turned out at the station to witness the final train depart Taunton.

As a special touch, GWR also renamed No. 43198 'Driver Brian Cooper 15 June 1947 - 5 October 1999 / Driver Stan Martin 5 June 1960 - 6 November 2004' in honour of two fallen drivers, killed in the line of duty in HST accidents. On the left side the plate Driver Stan Martin 25 June 1950 - 6 November 2004 (tragically killed in the Ufton Nervet accident) and on the right side Driver Brian Cooper 15 June 1947 - 5 October 1999 (tragically killed in the Ladbroke Grove accident).

HSTs however will still be a regular sight at Taunton as Cross Country still operate the HST and GWR will continue to use HSTs in reformed shorter 2+4 sets on stopping diagrams between Taunton and Cardiff as well as some medium distance duties to Penzance.

To view the gallery, please click here.

Published on 15th May 2019

While Taunton enjoys perhaps one or two notable workings a week, Wednesday 15th May 2019 turned into a heritage locomotive bonanza with three veteran locomotives passing through Taunton during the day.

The sight of a Princess and a Lord in Taunton on the same day could also be noted as rare.

Having complete its route learning trips in the South West, Locomotive Services Ltd Class 47 No. 47593 'Galloway Princess' returned north operating light engine as the 0Z14 09:25 Goodrington Sidings - Crewe resulting in the loco passing fellow classmate No. 47815 'Great Western' at Taunton Station.

Rail Operations Group also used their Class 47/8 No. 47815 'Great Western' (itself a former Western Region locomotive) to haul the 5L46 09:35 Laira - Ely formed of redundant Mk3 HST stock going for storage.

Later in the day, Direct Rail Services provided another large logo locomotive in the shape of No. 37409 'Lord Hinton'. This operated south during the mid-afternoon with Inspection Saloon 'Caroline' as the 5Z02 11:15 Derby RTC - Exeter Riverside.

Published on 6th May 2019

Mervyn Chandler started working on the railways in August 1950 as a cleaner boy, in June 1951 he got a job as a fireman at Bristol St Philips Marsh.

One Saturday night upon going into work the night clerk asked Mervyn what he was doing on Monday, and said you’re going to be working at Taunton. When he finished work on the Sunday morning at St Philips Marsh he went to his lodgings gathered his belongings together and got the train home. On the Monday morning, Mervyn went into the Taunton Loco Depot (83B). He was put in the turntable link (9 months) then into the Chard and Minehead link. In 1953 Mervyn got called up for national service in October.

In January he sailed from Liverpool to the West Indies he ended up in Belize. He left there in October 1955 and then started back to work about mid-October of 1955. In June 1966 he applied for a drivers job at Bristol St Philips Marsh, when the older guys found out about the job around eight of them applied, so Mervyn went with his second choice, Southall. He thought he would be back at Bristol within two months, but Bristol ended up with 50 refunded firemen, so he was stuck at Southall until 1986. Mervyn feels this was the best move he could have made, Southall was a lovely depot to work at which was sadly it was closed in June 1986 a month after Taunton closed. Mervyn then went to Exeter Depot where he stayed until October 1996 taking early retirement.

Mervyn also holds the accolade of being the fireman on the last passenger service on the Chard Branch which was operated by 0-6-0 Pannier Tank No.4663 on the 10th Septmber 1962.