30th Nov 1985

Looking at this photo today I am reminded just how much the mainline in Somerset and into Devon has changed since the mid-'80s. What you see here is no longer possible thanks to the rationalisation of track, and the resignalling that took place in Taunton, out as far as Cogload Junction. Back then four tracks were in situ on the mainline, and as a result the train on the right, an InterCity 125 (as HSTs were more commonly referred to then!) is departing on a Paddington train, at the same time as 31461 is able to leave the up bay with the 14.25 Taunton to Weston Super Mare local. And just look at those semaphores! Lovely!