Paignton & Dartmouth rly

A process of elimination concludes this must be the Manor you want to see (or hear!) as there is only one, there being 2 of the 2-8-0T's!!

 

Erm it has been mentioned before but nothing came off it. Some off us are usually on here, so best just to ask and we'll let you know.

A certain "loud" engine will be out for the start off the season on april 1st though......

 

Uh-oh! need to put up the masking tape crosses on my windows and place the sand bags again then.....

 

Maybe...

I'm thinking of doing a weekend as I also want to do one of the Bristol/Weymouth specials over the summer, so combine the 2 if I can. Hence I was wondering if thee a roster so I could book the weekend that a loud engine is out.

 

well the website is going through some changes at the moment. We'll see what happens. If not, just pm me and i'll let you know.

 

Okies cheers, I'll get in touch nearer the time. How far in advance is the roster decided. I realise you can't give definite dates, until pretty much the day before but a rough estimate would be appreciated.

 

No worries. Normally once the engines are swapped over, they run for the full 21 days (bar break-downs), so we will have pretty much decided within a week off the change over what will be out next in 2 weeks.

 

I assume the Mannor has started off the season as planned?

 

Yes the Manor started last Friday as planned.

 

We went to Goodrington on Saturday afternoon, my first visit to the line since July 1977 - It was 7827 running on both visits !

Bob.

 

Wow. I was the tender age of 4 then!

 

Loud engines on the Paignton? How can they not be?! However, I guess the big 2-8-0Ts, particular Goliath, are much quieter due to their brute strength. 7827 is indeed a loud machine. Mind you, I remember a few years back we used to get either 4555 "Warrior" or 6435 "Ajax". The 45 was very loud but that Pannier used to roar when it hit Goodrington Bank. What a little beast she was. Mind you, these days I would have thought that the 2-8-0s are much more befitting the heavy operations required to run PDSR.

 

How come you don't offer Rover tickets on normal operating days?

 

6435 was always my favourite on the Kingswear line; a feisty little performer and to be near the front, hanging out the window as we went up Goodrington going down and up to Churston coming back was a real treat! I was sorry to see her go, but she looks at home at Bodmin and just as much of a gradient there, but the trains are a little shorter.

 

In some ways, its good they are gradually growing a fleet of more powerful locos. (the 2-8-0T's being ideal brutes!) In my opinion the 64, and the 45's were worked too hard on the longer trains. Maybe the chaps from the line can comment, but it would be interesting to know what the wear and tear was like. Did things need replacing quicker than 'normal' (whatever 'normal' is!)?

Stu

 

Had a pix sent to me on my phone by my cousin of Paignton Station last week.
The text said what is missing !
Look like the platform canopy has been remove, if not all of it may be some of it !
Anybody else noticed it i wonder ?

 

The canopy has indeed gone. Most of it! It is part of a greater plan, we have done the work for this year to make next years redevelopment easier, simpler and safer.

The 45's worked pretty well with the loads we need. The 64 was always at full power really, shame as she was a cracking engine on this line.

 

Great start to the season so far!

Several times over the Easter weekend we had to strangthen the train set from 7 coaches to 11 coaches!

Thanks to all who have travelled so far!

This weekend, 30 April - 2 May, we have our Devon Residents Half Price Weekend. If you're a Devon resident then just bring proof of address and you can do any of our excursions with 50% off!

Don't forget 28 - 30 May, Heritage Festival, Lydham Manor, appearing in BR lined black as 7800 Torquay Manor, also a troop train, goods train, a replica full size Spitfire aircraft and an original WW2 US Army Sherman Tank, plus lots more!!

 

Was on the 10:30 off Paignton this morning behind 4277. Nicely full. Tuffer, were you on the 42, or Goliath - or neither?!....

 

Noted that D7535 was out this afternoon, problems with 4277?

http://southwestrailways.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=126329024