South Devon Mixed Traction weekend 20 & 21 June

Just saw this on Facebook

Steam locos
TKh 5374 “Lord Oliver Brown” from Plym Valley Railway
GWR 1369

Diesel loco
25262

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Isn't 5526 available?

 

Love this. I'd been wondering if the TKh might have any trips away. I still haven't actually seen it in action at the PVR but am keen to this year and like the idea of it having a longer run and I'd imagine a bigger load at the SDR too. That plus the 25 makes this very appealing to me.

 

I went yesterday. I think the TKh is best suited to shunting a steel works! To be honest, the Buckfastleigh site is looking in a run down condition. I understand that a major spruce up is planned. A pity nobody can be found to slap some grease on the stored , rusting, locos.

 

I was there on Sunday and my experience was rather different. The TKh proved very popular with visitors and it was great to see so many people scanning the QR code on the cab side to make donations to Children’s Hospice South West. It was heartwarming to see families asking questions about the locomotive and taking an interest in its history and purpose.

Every heritage railway in the country is facing significant challenges at present. Rising costs, increasing regulatory requirements, and a decline in disposable income amongst both enthusiasts and the wider public are affecting the entire sector. At the same time, changes to retirement ages and pensions mean many people are volunteering later in life and often have less time available than previous generations.

No volunteer or employee is spending their day firing staples into a bin to pass the time. Across the heritage railway movement, people are working extremely hard to keep railways running, maintain infrastructure, restore vehicles and improve the visitor experience with limited resources. There is always more work to do than there are people, time and money available to do it.

I’ve been involved with the South Devon Railway for 26 years and, when I look back at photographs from the early years after the Dart Valley Railway era, the site is considerably more presentable today than it was then. Progress has been made, even if it isn’t always immediately obvious.

There is also more improvement planned. Planning permission has now been approved to divert the road away from the station forecourt, improving the visitor experience, and a new shed is planned which will provide covered accommodation for a significant amount of currently exposed rolling stock.

Constructive criticism is always welcome, but it is worth recognising the wider challenges facing heritage railways and the efforts being made by volunteers and employees to improve things.

If people would like to see heritage railways continue, the most effective ways to help are to volunteer, donate, buy shares where available, or simply visit and support them. Heritage railways depend on the support of volunteers, shareholders, donors and visitors, and on people encouraging others to do the same.

Positive support, practical help and constructive suggestions achieve far more than simply pointing out what is wrong.

 

Had I not been present when the first train ran on the fledgling Dart Valley Railway I may be inclined to support your viewpoint. The fact is, that whatever the individual efforts and examples of best practice the overall scene at Buckfastleigh gives an aura of dilapidation. I also take issue with your comment that "constructive criticism is always welcome" when you know very well it is not. I am well aware of the wider challenges facing heritage railways, all the more reason for them to avoid looking like a failed business.

 

To be fair the original post was about the fledgling South Devon Railway in the early 90s not the fledgling DVR in the late 60s, although my visit last month the site was very much more untidy than in my previous visits. I hope the new direction takes shape quickly.