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TauntonTrains.co.uk

News Archive for August 2023

Failed Freightliner Freight

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 29th August 2023

In a very rare occurrence on the 29th August 2023 Freightliner Class 66/6 No. 66619 'Derek W. Johnson MBE' failed at Whiteball while operating 6C27 05:11 Westbury – Exeter Riverside loaded aggregate.

The locomotive blocked the down mainline for two and half hours causing lengthy delays to early morning services. The nearest locomotive and driver was at Fairwater Yard. Once a driver booked on at 07:30 No.66568 was dispatched light engine to clear the line. No. 66619 'Derek W. Johnson MBE' makes a somewhat undignified return on the rear of 6C28 pictured on the rear of the returning service with the partly unloaded train at Longlands Farm, Wellington. No.66568 towed the stricken set back as 6C28 15:57 Exeter Riverside – Whatley Quarry.


 HST Fatality

Published on 29th August 2023

Sadly fatalities are a fact of life on the railways these days, the figure continues to rise.

Published figures from 2019/2020 reported 280 fatalities on the UK rail network. A fatality can be recorded as accidental or as suicide. Sadly over 90% of those recorded are the latter. The effect on drivers and staff who attend these scenes can be incredibly challenging for those involved, some drivers have never been able to set foot back into the cab of a train again. Less than 30 minutes after this image was taken GWR 'Castle' HST set was involved in one such fatal collision with a member of the public at Powderham, the train eventually being terminated on arrival at Plymouth. GWR ‘Castle’ set GW12 with No. 43189 'Launceston Castle' and No. 43016 'Powderham Castle' pass Beam Bridge working 2C77 13:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance in somewhat murky conditions on Tuesday 29th August 2023.

(Photo: S A Ginn)


Intercity Swallow Returns


Published on 25th August 2023

The third tribute repainted HST powercar for Cross Country re-entered service on the 25th August 2023.

Painted in the iconic 'Intercity Swallow' livery it is probably the best known livery the HST ever carried prior to privatization. No.43008 (formerly No.43208) teamed up with Intercity-125 blue/ yellow partner No.43007 (formerly No.43207) to operate 1E63 15:27 Plymouth - Leeds. After a set of rail strikes on the 26th the set then returned to the southwest on the 27th and again on the 28th. We have included several images from these visits in recent days.

(Photo: Jeff Treece)

(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)



Local Trip

(Photo: Jason Prole)

Published on 22nd August 2023

Taken on Tuesday 22nd August 2023.

Freightliner Class 66 No.66511 is pictured after arriving with 6C76 12:49 Bishops Lydeard - Fairwater Yard. On this occasion, 6C73 had arrived back early so 6C76 had to run past Fairwater Yard on the relief line, then set back onto the Goods Reception before entering the yard via the East end head shunt. Taken by trained and qualified personnel.


More Weed Killing


Published on 22nd August 2023

GBRf paid another visit to Taunton with a 'Smart Weed System' set on Tuesday 23th August 2023.

No.66701 and No.66304 top and tailed 3Q98 11:15 St Blazey - Margam pausing at Taunton to wait for a path to continue in-between passenger services. The train targets weeds over other more natural species however its unclear how effective these trains have been as they don't target the invasive species such as buddleia which is left unchecked and rampant throughout the UK railway network.

(Photo: SA Ginn)

(Photo: Jeff Treece)

(Photo: Jeff Treece)



The Royal Duchy


Published on 20th August 2023

1927 Built LMS 'Royal Scot' visited Taunton on the 20th August 2023.

No. 46115 'Scots Guardsman' is pictured paused during its booked station stop. The locomotive was operating 'The Royal Duchy' charter 1Z33 08:51 Bristol Temple Meads - Par.

The locomotive dates from 1927 built by the North British Locomotive Company at Springburn Works in Glasgow and continues to operate on mainline charter for passengers to enjoy the sights and sounds of yester year.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Andrew Griffiths)

(Photo: S A Ginn)



English Riviera Express

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 19th August 2023

Running in a slightly earlier time slot that normal, Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express' charter operated on Saturday 19th August 2023.

LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' pulls away from Taunton with No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' at the rear of the train while operating the 1Z27 05:20 High Whycombe - Kingswear charter. The train was hauled to Taunton by large-logo liveried No. 47593 'Galloway Princess' which stabled at Taunton for the day before re-joining the train at Taunton on the return.


34 Years Apart - 43007


Published on 18th August 2023

To illustrate the length of time the humble HST has been plying its trad up and down the length of the UK we were able to provide another 'Now and Then' image set 34 years apart on Friday 18th August 2023.

Had it not been for photographers back in the day recording such images (which were considered common place at the time) the Now and Then shots would not have been possible.

Intercity liveried HST with powercar No.43007 rounds the curve at Cogload Junction heading north on the 2nd September 1989.

Repeating the same image 34 years later Cross Country celebrity re-liveried powercar No.43007 passes Cogload Junction on Friday 18th August 2023 working with partner No. 43184 'Laira Diesel Depot'. The pair were operating 1E63 15:27 Plymouth - Leeds. The angle is now as wide as can be achieved and also highlights the tree and lineside growth since the original image was captured.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: John Vaughan)

(Photo: Brian Garrett)



Travel with Pride

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 16th August 2023

The GWR Hitachi fleet only currently has two colourful units in the entire fleet, the rest being in the corporate all over green.

No. 800008 'Alan Turing OBE' is named after WWII codebreaker Alan Turning. In 1942 he and his team cracked the vitally important German Naval Enigma code. He is also an admired role model within the LGBTQ+ community and his legacy has helped change social attitudes in Britain. The five-car Hitachi bi-mode unit carries the official 'Trainbow/ Pride' livery. GWR 'Pride' Hitachi IET set No. 800008 'Alan Turing OBE' is pictured heading westbound over Whiteball assigned to what used to be an HST working, the 2C73 11:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance service on 16th August 2023.


 RHTT Season 2023 Approaches

Published on 16th August 2023

As the annual Rail Head Treatment Train season approaches, DB Cargo Class 66 No.66012 moved RHTT vehicles FEA 642031 & 642035 south on the 16th August 2023.

The locomotive is pictured passing over Whiteball operating as the 3Z90 12:43 Westbury to Exeter Riverside Yard. The loco later returned light engine to Westbury while the RHTT wagons were conveyed further west to St Blazey by classmate No.66190 later in the day.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: S A Ginn)


A Cornish Lunch

(Photo: S A Ginn)

Published on 16th August 2023

Heading for Cornwall, West Coast Railways Class 57/6 No. 57601 'Windsor Castle' and 57/3 No. 57313 'Scarborough Castle' pass over Whiteball on Wednesday 16th August 2023 in top and tail formation with the 1Z57 10:45 Cardiff Central to Par.

The pair were operating The Northern Belle ‘Cornish Lunch’ dining charter into Cornwall with sunny weather greeting passengers as they passed through Somerset and Devon on route south.


Cross Country Farewell Liveries

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

Published on 16th August 2023

A part of a special celebration to mark the contribution of the HST to the CrossCountry network, three powercars have now received 'retro/ celebrity' liveries which will be seen throughout the Cross Country network over the coming weeks.

On the 16th August 2023 No.43007 (formerly No.43207) appeared in original Intercity 125 livery operating its first diagram in the original Intercity livery. The powercar teamed up with provincial liveried partner No. 43184 'Laira Diesel Depot' to operate 1E63 15:27 Plymouth - Leeds. The train is pictured passing North Fitzwarren on the approach to its next station stop at Taunton.

To view the gallery, please click here.


 Daylight Sleeper

Published on 14th August 2023

Owing to the failure of the previous nights 'Night Riviera Sleeper' service.

GWR Class 57 No. 57603 'Tintagel Castle' operated a daylight empty coaching stock move on the 14th August 2023 in order to reposition stock for the next nights service. No. 57603 'Tintagel Castle' is pictured passing Norton Fitzwarren operating 5Z77 15:20 Reading Traincare Depot - Penzance. The previous nights service train (1C50) train was operated throughout by a Hitachi IET No.800319.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)


Two Steam Charters In One Day


Published on 12th August 2023

Taunton was graced with two steam locomotive charters on Saturday 12th August 2023.

LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' is pictured pulling away from Taunton on the 12th August 2023 operating Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express' charter. The 1Z27 06:35 Poole - Kingswear arrived into Taunton with No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' (Front) and No. 47593 'Galloway Princess' (Rear) before detaching the front locomotive for Sir Nigel Gresley. No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' stabled at Taunton for the day.

The second steam locomotive of the day to visit Taunton on Saturday 12th August 2023 was LMS Jubilee No. 45596 'Bahamas'. The locomotive operated The Railway Touring Company charter 'The West Somerset Express'. The 1A29 07:00 London Paddington - Minehead is pictured accessing the West Somerset Railway at Norton Fitzwarren. The loco hauled the train through to Bishops Lydeard where two WSR Manor locomotives took over for the run to Minehead and back while the LMS Jubiliee was turned and serviced.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

(Photo: Phil Izzard)



Cornish Riviera Statesman


Published on 5th August 2023

Statesman Rail operated the 'Cornish Riviera Statesman' charter on Saturday 5th August 2023.

Two LSL Class 47 locomotives No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' and No. 47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' operated 1Z25 05:25 Derby - Penzance. The charter passed Taunton on time at 09:24 with the southbound leg of the popular dining charter.

To view the gallery, please click here.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)

(Photo: Russell Ayre)



'English Riviera Express' - Andania Visits


Published on 5th August 2023

Passengers on board Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express' charter on Saturday 5th August 2023 were treated to the rare use of a LSL Class 40 No. 40013 'Andania' (D213).

With several LSL charters out using Class 47 locomotives the Class 40 stood in to make up the numbers. No. 40013 'Andania' was used on the diesel leg of 1Z27 05:16 Northampton - Kingswear. Upon arrival at Taunton the Class 40 was removed for the booked steam locomotive LNER A4 No. 60007 'The Spirit of Tom Kendell' to take over. Andania then stabled in the sidings behind Taunton Station for the day. In the evening the locomotive re-joined the tour at Taunton to return passengers to Northampton.

The name Andania came from the tradition of naming Class 40 locomotives after cruise lines of the same era. RMS Andania dated back to 1921 and was operated by Cunard sailing between Hamburg and New York and later Liverpool to Montreal.

(Photo: Brian Garrett)

(Photo: Paul Finnimore)

(Photo: Paul Finnimore)


(Photo: S A Ginn)

(Photo: Shaun Mockridge)



 HOBC Trip

Published on 4th August 2023

Having been loaded with fresh ballast from the Westbury virtual quarry, Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66568 passes Creech St Michael on Friday 5th August.

The loco was returning to Taunton operating as 6C73 12:18 Westbury - Fairwater Yard on Friday 4th August 2023. Upon arrival the HOBC portion would be formed back into the full HOBC set.

(Photo: Phil Izzard)


To view news stories from July 2023 click here, or for news from September 2023, click here.