Paignton and Dartmouth Railway

I didn't see the 66 or pullmans today when I went down to Kingswear from Churston. They must have gone later last evening. Maybe that is why some passenger stock was on the road normally occupied by ballast wagons and the bay platform empty.

The latest info I have had is that 4277 will arrive around the end of this month (April). But we all know how things can alter due to unexpected issues.

Oh! Thanks for the welcome Stu.

 

Lets make next weekend a success by as many of us as possible attending the Heritage open days.

Who knows what will happen if successful, it would be nice to see a freight on the line ! we can only dream. [-o<

 

I intend to be first if not second in the queue to get the train on Sunday (well Ican dream can't I). Seriously thoguh i think it does need to be a success to prove what has been said on this forum if not it's all just hot air and I myself have always believe in the proof of figures and numbers.

On the freight subject maybe they could just advertise when they do works trains??? so you don't have to guess when they are

 

The Manor on today with 7 up, was unable to climb Goodrington bank. The class 08 was called in to help banking from the rear. The Manor arrived 45 mins: late at Churston.

 

Unusual, in my experience. Any idea what the problem was?

 

Not usual for 7827. Shes also been up and back on her own today (unless the 08 is banking so far and then dropping off before the train passes my house at Broadsands)
Must be wet rail and very strong east wind. 7827 never normally struggles.

Update: 16:30, 7827 + 7 up past Broadsands, no 08, going well - must have been wet rail earlier (was raining, dry now)
What a racket, super bark on that Manor!!

 

Been along to Churston to the Heritage event. I thought it was good. They made good use of the limited space there. Loco shed open, traction engines (one of Ian's chaps was running one of them?), stationary engines, old tractors, bus and fairground ride - and models and photographic displays in the carriage shed. What the wife (and I too) thought was really good was that they had gone to the trouble of labelling lots of things in the loco shed - from spanners, verniers, mig welders, fishplates, taps, dies etc. to locomotive controls on 4588. 75014 + 4588 both had their history written out on a sign, and what was happening with the overhaul of the std 4. Great for those who don't know much about railway engineering. I liked the sign on 4588 " For sale, two careful owners"!

Brake van rides along the former coaching stock siding from the bay platform using the 03 (slightly dissapointed it wasnt the pannier, but hey!, it was the first time joe public have traversed that bit of track!) Also, maybe they could have brought up 5239 and had her on display?

Weather was diabolical. Very cold and wet & windy, but despite this there was quite a steady stream of visitors, both rail enthusiasts and general public.

So all in all, well done P&DSR - for the first such event in many years. All the staff were, as usual, very friendly - and good entertainment was provided by 7827 slipping her way up to Churston in the wet!! Here's to the next event.

Thanks to all who made it happen.

 

Re: Paignton and Dartmouth Railway--HERITAGE DAYS 19/20 April

Just back--Totally agree with Stu Torbay. EXCELLENT EVENT.
Churston had lots on incl a good model exhib in the paint shop/2 traction engines/Open top bus link to Paignton

£12 for a day rover--all in--v good value

FRIENDLY. Actually,very friendly + informative

Paignton shed OPEN!!!! 6435 5239 4555 Cab access to 6435
Churston 75014 4588
4277 "expected soon"

7827 slipping on the bank-- We slipped briefly 3 times to- day in "difficult" conditions.

Mr Cogar said they hoped to do an even better event next year!!

BTW--FIRST passenger train out of the Brixham Bay since 1963 (Shark bv+D2192 !!)

GO SUNDAY IF YOU CAN

 

Ah, didn't know Paignton shed was open aswell, thought it was just happening at Churston. Might pop in there tomorrow then. Better weather supposedly too.
Vid of 'first passenger train from former Brixham branch bay' \/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeXdj9pvNN4

And a pic inside Churston shed




And here is a clip of 7827 (Decibes) storming the bank on a dry rail today.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZPExhFykPU
Shot on a digi camera, so footage poor - but the sound is the best bit!!

 

After this weekends Heritage Open Days, are there any suggestions on any changes you would like see make if held again?

How was the price structure, was it value for money, what about car parking, what other attractions would you have. The paint shop was ideal for displays I would like to see two or even three in steam, I know the class 25 is vintage but it not the same.

 

I've just arrived back from Paignton (well a few hours ago)

I have never known the manor to slip before even in the rain so either the coaches were unusally full or it was just a dodgy bit of wet track. Out of curiosity was it in the same place as Tangmere and Union of South Africa slipped.

I thought it was an excellent first attempt with the Weekend, although I felt it did show signs of them being careful. (Only running one steam engine on the service trains for instance) Even so well done to everybody involved.

I loved being able to see inside the sheds, and at floor level too, although Bravheart did look a little sorry for herself expecially with her nameplate on the floor.

The little tags and labels were all very helpful my brother who is 14 especially liked them, and the history sheets etc on the engines were good too.

I thought the price was very good, although saying that I did have to buy an upgrade as I wasn't aware of the Rover tickets availability, so maybe needs better advertising next time oreven just a check from the staff at the ticket office to see if you may require one??

On the upside the event seemed extremely busy which is just what we all wanted so well done to all those who turned up to make it a success. As it goes I asked two of the train staff what they thought of the event and they said they though it had gone well and hopefully it can be done again so we'll just have to wait for next years timetable with eager anticipation.

Also it occured to me that the two autocoaches have dissapeared or did I miss them. I'm referring to 232 Claire the Directors Inspection Saloon & 238 Charlotte.
Has Claire gone as there is a new Claire now as 4916 on the Manors train was called Claire

 

I think they did what was within their capabilities, and played safe, whch is the right approach for the first event. Car parking - not much scope to improve - use the grammar school field? In future, it would be good to see more in steam (as you say) with some double heading even, and demo freight shunting of some of the various bits of unusual machinery they have perhaps. Also, steam operating the brakevan ride, and have this at Kingswear or Paignton to make it a longer ride (station to Higher ferry and back? - does it create problems having this working running on the 'main line'?) of course, having all the locos in steam puts the cost right up, but there is a lot of variety to be had with the resident locos before having to think about guest engines.

Other ideas.... Turntable demonstration (maybe even let joe public turn a loco with supervision ?- assuming insurance isnt a barrier)
A 'clue hunt' for the kids (or everyone for that matter) given a sheet of paper and you have to spot things in the shed/around the station?

It is very tempting to think of lots of good things, and get carried away - If next year was the same with just a few new things, then it would be great. One step at a time.

One thing that might be good would be to co-incide the event with a visiting mainline steam railtour, this would bring in extra visitors, and provide extra goings-on in itself (loco turning, running around light & being serviced etc.)
So, some me food for thought.
It would be good to know how the management/staff thought it went - I guess it will only happen again if they thought it was a success this time...

 

they did have a small find it thing on the ballast plough as on the note it said see if you can find the mermaid which of course was in the sidings at kingwear, I presume that wouldn't take too much to set up for next time just the effort needed to make it interesting, also you could have two difficulty levels children and adults, with prizes even??

I think Stu in Torbay is right though it needed to start small so they could test the waters so to speak, although it now needs to grow grdually each year and hopefully in a few years be one of the best. After all it took the South Devon Railway years to perfect theirs, I feel the idea is to improve and evolve it slightly every year till you have something thats good and mainly profitable.

Also as I said earlier I did ask two of the staff what they thought and they seemed very positive and thought for a first attempt it went well and want another one again.

What I especially liked was being able to walk along the sheds at ground level it was good also the people and staff were all very helpful and friendly

I hope views are of use

Scorpian04111986

 

who says paignton cant do special events?, excellent Value for Money with added value attractions such as the brakevan rides in the brixham bay and vintage bus rides included, the event put other railways who have run these weekends for decades to shame! also the lack of "theme" was good as there was no pretending to be what it isn't (i.e. GWR branchline theme with BR MK1 coaches) the weekend showed the potential of what the railway can do and has layed the foundations for an event that can grow for years to come!

the planned redevelopment for paignton also looks good

Other than moving the weekend to later in the year, when its a bit warmer!!
the only thing that i could see that could be improved upon would be another engine in steam, giving two steam and a diesel on passenger workings allowing for the engines to be swapped around, double heading (the 1st train from paignton and last from kingswear), the spare steam engine could then give a turntable demo during the lunchbreak?
or once the loop at goodrington is complete have a shuttle service to churston from paignton??

and the torbay express headboard & reporting numbers were a nice touch...

 

Even if I didnt happen to go on the trains, I was impressed with the effort the PDSR put into it. Perhaps you could have advertised it via your website as to be perfectly honest, I hadn't got a clue what was going on!

Perhaps also you could be more themed to a certain era. As nice as it was to see 25185 out and about, having a manor and 25 running around with GWR coaches and an 03 doing the brakevan rides, was all a bit 'random'.

Could have based it more on a branch line theme, like the SDR does as you have a large collection of such locomotives!

 

I'm glad you guys enjoyed it. Given the lousy weather on Saturday, better on Sunday though, I was surprised how many people came and the distances that many had traveled.

It was generally felt to have been a good day and as someone mentioned it was a new venture and as such untried on a busy line which, in the main is manned by permanent paid staff. Churston volunteers were involved as well however.

I thought the kiddies ride a little short but with the intensive summer timetable in operation I don't believe it would have been wise to block the main line and cause a disruption to the advertised timetable. As boats* and buses were also in use the timetable had to be closely followed. The short ride was, therefore, self contained and was able to operate independently.

Pity I missed you Stu, but maybe another time. HI.

* There were visitors and others who wanted the usual P&DSR Railway services.

 

I should be right in saying (correct me if I'm wrong) both autos have now been sold with Claire going to the Bodmin and Wenford Railway, and Charlotte going to Mike Little/Dean Forest Railway.

 

Hi Alan. I went in the paint shop a couple of times and saw your US railroad exhibit, but you were not there at the time, I catch you next time no doubt. I take your point regarding the brake van rides and the normal service being in operation. I guess any train en-route to Churston from Paignton or Kingswear has 'possession' of that section right up to and including the relevant platform at churston - thus preventing any shunting?

 

Goodrington - Churston is likely to be the block section, Perhaps more could go on at Goodrington next time?

Get torbay council to open up the massive Car park which could be used for something and perhaps run a shuttle from Paignton - Goodrington.

Herald Express suggests that the next gala will be in May 09 when the line should be busier.

 

Anyone know why the class 25 is working top-n-tail with the manor today?

EDIT - wife just said the 25 went up to Churston on its own, and did this morning too....whats going on there then!!