The Mike Pollard Collection Gallery

Images from the Mike Pollard Collection. Taunton railway photographer Mike Pollard has been taking photos of trains at Taunton since mid 1950s. Mike was born in Taunton and his interest in the local railway scene started at a very early age. That interest continued throughout his school days with frequent visits to the station. During those years he joined various ‘spotting’ groups and most notably the Taunton Loco Spotters Club. The Club arranged trips to various loco sheds and other locations across the country. He had vivid memories of spending many happy hours on Taunton Station and at 40 Steps observing and then in later years photographing train movements. In particular, Mike always looked forward to the Summer Service timetable in the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s. This brought many extra holiday services operating to and from Devon and Cornwall. In his teens he also visited many railway locations in the UK as the demise of steam in the 1960s gathered pace. In later years Mike travelled extensively on Family holidays in this country and abroad. Destinations included the USA and many countries in Western Europe with Switzerland and Austria being favourites especially in winter. These trips provided many opportunities for him to see and photograph their railways. He also joined organised tours to Cuba and China specifically to see their freight operations and steam locomotives which were being phased out. Mike was a great story teller and anyone who enjoyed his illustrated talks to the local Great Western Society meetings will agree. He had a dry sense of humour and could usually find something amusing out of the most mundane situation. He was also always looking for the opportunity to take an out of the ordinary or even quirky photo. We will greatly miss the friendship of ‘Tall Mike’ and his extensive local and wider railway knowledge.

10th May 2014 Former GWR 4-6-0 'Castle' No. 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' passes the site of the former Taunton West Signal Box on the 10thj May 2014. The Vintage Trains 'One Zulu 48' Charter operated as 1Z48 15:10 Plymouth - Solihill. This was the second railtour to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Great Western High Speed Railtour. (Photo: Mike Pollard)

9th May 2014 Former GWR 4-6-0 'Castle' No. 5029 'Nunney Castle' passes Taunton on the 9th May 2014 operating Pathfinder Tours' The Anniversary Limited' charter. The charter originated at Stafford and was hauled by No.47813 and No.4828 to Westbury where No. 5029 'Nunney Castle' took over to form 1A45 10:31 Westbury - Plymouth. (Photo: Mike Pollard)

6th October 2012 David Shepherd is pictured enjoyed a ride in Ivo Peters old Bentley NHY581 at Bishops Lydeard Station during the 2012 West Somerset Railway Autumn Steam Gala Weekend. (Photo: Mike Pollard)

9th May 1964 GWR 4-6-0 No. 7029 'Clun Castle' speeds through Taunton on the 9th May 1964 operating Ian Allen charter the 'Great Western High Speed Railtour'. No. 7029 'Clun Castle' hauled 1Z48 16:20 Plymouth North Road - London Paddington through to Bristol Temple Meads where No. 5054 'Lamphey Castle' took over for the remaining leg of the tour. (Photo: Mike Pollard)

9th May 1964 GWR 4-6-0 'Castle' No.7025 prepares to depart Taunton on the 9th May 1964 hauling Ian Allan charter 'Great Western High Speed Railtour'. No.7025 was added at Taunton replacing No. 6999 'Capel Dewi Hall' which hauled the train from Westbury. The Castle is pictured at Taunton ready to depart with the 11:38 Taunton - Plymouth North Road leg of the charter. (Photo: Mike Pollard)

12th March 1963 British Railways 2-6-2 Large Prairie Tank No.4110 and a Standard Tank (Possibly No.82008) are pictured stabled in the clinker/ ash pit sidings between duties on the 12th March 1963. (Photo: Mike Pollard, Mike Pollard, 4110, 2-6-2, Taunton Shed)

British Railways 0-4-2 Autotank No.1419 is picutred stabled on Taunton Depot in 1963. The Auotanks were used on local passenger services using an Autocoach and sometimes milk or local freight vans included. They were built betwen 1932 and 1936. No.1419 was sheded at St Blazey for the last 10 years of its life and would normally work the Fowey Branch. It was withdrawn in 1961 and was reported as being on the dump at Swindon in 1961 for cutting up. (Photo: Mike Pollard)

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