Paignton and Dartmouth Railway

5239 out today (Fri 8th).
Load 11 on the 1415 from Paignton.

Steve

 

I believe a loco roster page was talked about before and he said it was being looked into?

An idea from me what abou a discount fo rpeople who visit lots of times a year say people who have travelled on the train ten times in the last year get discount the next, as this could be provedby previous tickets

 

Members of the SDR receive a useful discount on production of their card-with restrictions.I use mine!!

 

I was refferring more to regular customers who when they go to see the King on the platform at Paignton (or anywhere else along the line) actually pay for a ride on the PDSR, as I'm pretty sure very few do.

 

Loco roster--yes please!!! Tuffer??!!!!!

Discount/Supporter promotion? I feel that many of us would welcome this.Partly it says"I like this railway,wish you well,visit frequently,etc" I confess to enjoying my BA club card even tho' benefits are few(for me!) as some staff smile,use my name,computer gives me a good seat/veggie food. On the PDSR it might indicate a friend who could help at a special event,or at least make more journeys......!!

An ongoing discussion + one the new GM is following with a lot of interest.He has a lot of new ideas!!!

 

Probably needs a bit of tweaking after looking how it performs in traffic initially, nothing unusual there.

 

Just got back from 3 weeks in Devon. 29th was a washout so it was a good day to visit the PDR. 4277 on the train from Kingswear had no problem and took its 7 coaches up at a very steady 25 mph. A fairly long wait at Churston for 7827 to arrive, slipping as it did so. After arriving at Paignton I decided to hang around for 7827 for the return journey. It eventually arrived and was even losing its feet dragging its train over the level crossing. The start from Paignton was also very slippy and this continued in more dramatic fashoin once we left Goodrington. Every time the loco hit a curve it started to slip and the driver was quite masterly in controlling them and keeping the 7 coach train on the move. Speed rarely got up to 10mph, though. It was obvious that he wasn't using the sands and it was a long time before we finally slithered into Churston. I had a quick chat about this with the fireman on arrival at Kingswear. Apparently, this particular driver does not like to use the sands, preferring to do the battle for adhesion with the regulator and reverser. Skilful, yes, but as the fireman said, it would have been far better if he had dropped some sand at the appropriate places.

A very wet but, nontheless, good day though, and the Railway's overall professionalism continues to impress me.

 

I suppose if precise timing is not so important (i.e, you are on holiday, or on the train for the fun of it, not in order to get to work on time) then I am all for the driver entertainment, and you get longer on the train into the bargain! Yes, use the sand if there is no hope in re-starting, and you are getting into the 10's of minutes late, or if the timetable simply doesn't allow ANY delays, but otherwise - keep up the entertainment! I remember a red-arrows special some years ago. 7827 had goodness knows how many bogies 13? maybe. The train was absolutely packed, and it was drizzling (the arrows did a token fly-past, but no real show) Anyway, the journey from Kingswear up to Churston was like an edge of the seat action movie. Slipping in spectacular style - even rolling backwards at one point. When we eventually reached Churston (only 15 mins late in reality) everyone cheered and clapped (this is joe public remember) and comments were made by dads to children like "wasn't that fun!!"
The purist railway operations types would have me shot, but as I have always said - heritage steam got to be a bit of fun, within the bounds of common sense, naturally.

 

Hmm, having seen a clip of 4277 on YouTube climbing Goodrington Bank about a week ago, the exhaust beats seem to be uneven: bark-chuff-bark-chuff. Maybe valve settings are being looked at...

I'm no expert, just an observer of many years standing! Any experts care to comment?



John.

 

Going back a few weeks to the conversaation regarding the Exhibition Coach for Brunel, as whilst I was searching for pictures for another topic (posted elsewhere in the forum I found) I found this picture of an Exhibition Coach. I was wondering if anybody knew anything about it and what the exhibits it contained??

 

Well just spent Saturday to Wednesday down in Paignton. Could not find 6435 anywhere so must have gone to it's new home ?
Looked through the windows at the Churston shed & all I could see in there was 4588 plus there 4MT less boiler, at Paignton 4555 is at the far end of the shed.
4277 was running around the yard at Paignton yesterday, but then went back into the shed. On having a chat the one of the chaps there he told me it had an injector problem & the ones fitted are polish !
Which are bigger than the normal GWR type.
Let's hope they can fix it as I'm back down there in 2 weeks time & would like to see how 4277 performs.
But you can't get a better sound from there loco's down there, than 7827 I have to agree with Stu in Torbay about that.
I was good to hear Tangmere go up the bank on Sunday with no help I missed it, I was walking across Young's Park just after 12 noon thinking I'd be able to video it but it beat me. Think it was there the time it was supposed to be at Torquay.

 

Yes, 6435 is now at Bodmin - I saw her in the shed there. Lovely engine, but best bet for seeing her is probably the Bodmin and Wenford Gala on 5-7 September. A great event in its own right anyway.

I've yet to visit Paignton ansd Dartmouth line for a ride this season, although last Sunday I saw 5239 'Goliath' in action. I think a preserved line always gains something in 'authenticity' when it has more than one loco of the same class. Don't know why, perhaps it's just me!

 

Hmm shame about 6435 but was a good choice as she was underused, just a pity the SDR didnt beat them to it!!

Anyway 4555 has been at the front of Paignton shed almost ever since sher was withdrawn from service.

As a coincidence I have been to the PDSR 5 times this year would have been 7 by Sunday but was to see Nunney, I do plan a few more when the King comes back though.

I did notice that 4277 sounded different but not being an expert didn't really give it much attention, I too hope her a speedy and easy recovery.

 

Talking of engines from the post BR era of the line here's an old frield I spotted 10 days ago right at the back of the shed at Sheffield Park on the Bluebell line.

Regards
Steve

 

Thatd be good to have back on the sdr!

 

She was also on the PDSR for a time wasn't she. I also have some archive pics of her if you'd like to see them. Also wasnt her sister 80078 back recently for remedial work to be done. Should have kept her for a few trips down the line.

 

There was a debate sometime back about the use of the name 'Dart Rail' being used a the official company name.

I now understand the company are considering changing the name to in compass all their activities into one title. ie: steam trains, ferries and buses (Riverlink) along with a location of some sort .

At the moment 'Dart Rail' does not mean a lot to Joe Public as to what it is and where it is.

What would you change the name to??

 

Probably not very original but Dart Transport would involve all of them and include the location.

on a personal note I have always known what Dart Rail is as it's a bit difficult to miss it as its plastered all over various items along the line. Although may be more fdifficult whith the boats etc

 

What about "Dart Line" refers to the railway [line] and shipping companies use this term [i.e Cunard Line] so that covers the river operations. Ok, doesn't relate to the bus I know.....