South Devon Railway 50th anniversary from 6th to 14th April 2019

Carrying around a piece of A4 paper is something I got around by printing the digi-ticket at 70% an A5 piece of paper is easier to open up when asked for it and the print is still legible.
I think there is a risk of fraud with digi-tickets that heritage railways that use them are leaving themselves open to. When I first got a digi-ticket for a gala I expected to have to present it for verification and receive a 'proper' ticket in exchange. What is there to stop an unscrupulous person buying one digi-ticket and then printing off several copies for their mates, yes the tickets all carry a barcode but the TTI's don't carry barcode readers so they'd never spot that they'd been shown the same ticket by multiple passengers if the fraudsters are travelling separately.

 

Either way in 23hrs 50 mins at time of posting 1450 is meant to leave Buckfastleigh for totnes and No rejig has been posted yet. Need to redo moves etc,
Getting a bit late in the day now.

No idea why they booked a loco they knew would be struggling to make the event.

 

Looking at the working timetables page on the website suggests the diagrams have been re-jigged: https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/2019/03/19/golden-anniversary-gala-working-time-tables/

 

Be careful you don't give people ideas!! The frailty of human nature never ceases to disappoint.

 

They have done a great job. Very few combinations have been changed. Obviously, I'd love to see 1450, but few galas take place without a single hitch!

 

We've had a good day at the SDR today, having originally only planned to spend an hour or so taking some photos before returning later in the week. Unfortunately running was a bit late from early doors (6412 appeared in place of 6430 on its first trip - not sure if an issue), and the Inaugural Train recreation was 45 minutes late leaving. At most this lateness was up to an hour, meaning Milk and Freight trains in the early afternoon were cancelled. Unfortunately the cafe at Buckfastleigh was also very low on food which was a shame as were hoping to part with some money there. Trains seemed a bit of a mix loading wise - some of the 4 coach autos looked very well loaded - while some of the Mk. 1 trips looked a bit sparse.

However!! The sun came out, which was excellent, and we had a most enjoyable round trip this evening with 1501 - can't beat a ride in the dark. Am booked on the breakfast train in the morning, which we're looking forward to; hoping for a successful rest of the week for the line - the SDR have clearly put a lot of work in.

 

Well in the end I boarded the train and the TTI said I needed to exchange it for a ticket, which I did so upon arrival at Totnes, but this was not made clear on the website or email - unlike the K&ESR for example.

It does say on the website you need to exchange it on normal running days and only mentions about 5 day rovers on the website on a box you have to enlarge.

Almost makes it pointless if you have to go to the ticket office anyway.

 

Had a good day at the SDR, first visit since February 2015 for me so some changes have been made since then.

Breakfast was nice aboard the 0930 off Buckfastleigh.

Have to say 6412 looks very good for an engine 4 years into it's ticket.

I thought the autocoaches running in different formations was a good idea, different to say the 40th gala. Anybody know what the plan is for 232? Back to Bodmin, a repaint?

Does anybody know the full list of loco names that 1420, 1638 etc carried?

 

1638 was called Dartington. I remember as a child being pulled to Totnes Mainline by her

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1420 Bulliver
1450 Ashburton

 

This was a lovely event, with great weather on the Saturday. I had my young family with me so only did one round trip (on the 4-coach autotrain), but there was much to entertain the kiddies as well as the adults: miniature railway, magic show (with real ale bar for Dad alongside), Routemaster bus trips. We all came away very happy; well done SDR. The train was reasonably busy but not uncomfortably so, and we were able to find a bay of 4 seats in both directions.

 

Just a few questions about the line from it's DVR days.

Was it just 1420, 1450 & 1638 that were named?
Also, as I understand it, Bishops Bridge box/loop allowed two train running from 2000? However, this video from 1976 shows signals and a loop at Bishops Bridge, with a diesel shunter pulling the train forward into Staverton, any explanation to the track layout/this movement?

 

Here's my video and a few photos from the gala this weekend. While it was marred a bit by the late running, it was still an enjoyable weekend overall. Hopefully the rest of the event goes well!

 

On a slightly related note, interesting photo on SDR Facebook page of 3205's move to and from the Long Rock depot open day. Loco and tender on a single trailer, which had come all the way down from Biggleswade, Bedfordshire!

 

Oh that's interesting, not sure I like the jaunty angle between engine and tender...

 

Looking at another photo, they don't appear to be coupled, just very close. Or the coupling is very flexible!