Blue Plaque Stories No.4 – Great Western Railway, Taunton
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This plaque appears at Taunton station, on the down platform towards the South West.
The Great Western Railway Company was incorporated by the Great Western Railway Act 1835 and it was felt by various enthusiasts that the 150th anniversary should be celebrated, and this plaque formed part of these celebrations.
An ad-hoc committee was formed in 1980 to arrange appropriate events – British Rail's Western Region management, realising that it would be a good public relations exercise, took over and made the celebration official.
Many different events were arranged, the foremost of which was to have been an exhibition at Swindon Works. In early 1985, however, the British Railways Board announced the closure of the Swindon Works (part of which is now the 'Steam' Museum), and the exhibition was necessarily cancelled. However – a touring exhibition train, lecture tour and various local exhibitions and events took place instead.
Locomotives included in the celebrations were the Severn Valley Railway Manor Class and Hall Class, plus the specially turned out 3700 'City' class 'City of Truro'. The Severn Valley railway also turned out a goods train, complete with 2-8-0 No. 2857 which ran down to Newport for a special event. There were even medals produced by the Royal Mint to commemorate the event!
The Great Western Railway Company was incorporated by the Great Western Railway Act 1835 and it was felt by various enthusiasts that the 150th anniversary should be celebrated, and this plaque formed part of these celebrations.
An ad-hoc committee was formed in 1980 to arrange appropriate events – British Rail's Western Region management, realising that it would be a good public relations exercise, took over and made the celebration official.
Many different events were arranged, the foremost of which was to have been an exhibition at Swindon Works. In early 1985, however, the British Railways Board announced the closure of the Swindon Works (part of which is now the 'Steam' Museum), and the exhibition was necessarily cancelled. However – a touring exhibition train, lecture tour and various local exhibitions and events took place instead.
Locomotives included in the celebrations were the Severn Valley Railway Manor Class and Hall Class, plus the specially turned out 3700 'City' class 'City of Truro'. The Severn Valley railway also turned out a goods train, complete with 2-8-0 No. 2857 which ran down to Newport for a special event. There were even medals produced by the Royal Mint to commemorate the event!