Strange But True

Random Images depicting strange but true railway-related interesting incidents in the Taunton area.

20th April 2024 We have featured many modes of transport on Taunton Trains but a hot air balloon is a first. A Great Western liveried Balloon was spotted over Taunton on Saturday 20th April 2024. Registered as G-GGOW the Balloon livery dates back to 1997 which the Great Western Rail franchise was first formed during privatization, and features the famous Merlin symbol. The Balloon is thought to be part of the Irish Ballooning Association. Keep an eye out in the skies over Taunton during the coming months as it could appear again! (Photo: Brian Birnie)

19th December 2018 Spelling was obviously not someones strong point at school! An unidentified Cross Country Class 221 passes working 1M41 10:07 Paignton to Manchester Piccadilly on Wednesday 19th December 2018 and is pictured passing beneath the farm bridge at Charlton complete with recently adorned incorrectly spelt warning signs. (Photo: S A Ginn)

27th November 2018 At Taunton Trains, we are always looking for unique and interesting images, but this image sent in tonight captured the essence of Health and Safety overload at Taunton Station, causing more of a hazard than a help to customers. For those readers not aware it's been raining (a lot) today in the South West, and Taunton Station leaks like a sieve. Passengers who may not have noticed the rain lashing down on the wet platforms and pavements outside were kindly reminded the floor was wet inside by this flotilla of Yellow Wet Floor Signs. This band of little workers were in place to provide a slalom course while passengers were on route to and from their trains. We estimate that at least two more signs could have been employed at the bottom of the steps to Platform 3 and 4!. (Photo: Nathan Williamson)

5th June 2015 A family of Blue Tits has taken up residence in the most unlikely of settings, proving that nature does not need to be catered for; it will find its own way of adapting to the surroundings. The family of Blue Tits is nesting in the open hole of a rusting crossing signpost at Leigh Woods, captured on 5th June 2015 on the West Somerset Railway. Despite the noise and vibration of passing steam trains and the crossing alarm, the family is nesting quite happily alongside the railway, with the crossing signpost providing the perfect location to raise a small family safe from predators. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

10th June 2012 Platform 2 at Taunton Station has become the unlikely location for a family of sparrows to raise their young. Pictured on 10th June 2012, a mother can be seen feeding her chicks housed neatly between the canopy rafters, safe from predators. The unlikely, noisy location of a station does provide somewhere safe and warm, proving that nature will adapt to suit its own needs. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

From time to time, an image arrives in the Taunton Trains inbox that we simply do not have any words for. We are sure that the Health and Safety managers at Network Rail would never allow this sort of movement on the mainline network today! Taken in the 1980's this image at Taunton shows a gang of 8-track workers pushing a guard's van into Taunton Station!! This amazing sight was probably overcome not having a locomotive available to shunt during an engineering blockade, and the simple use of 'manpower' provided the solution to the problem. Something which today would result in a 4-hour delay while a locomotive was located from the other end of the country to assist! Why not look at some of the other 'Strange but True' events seen in Taunton over the years? (Photo: David Keogh)

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