Paignton & Dartmouth rly

1 x Devon Belle car
8 x Mk 1 TSO's
2 x Mk 1 BFK's
1 x Mk 1 BSO
8 x Mk 1 TLO's (I think, DMU trailers)

Various coachs have been adapted for their current use. Due to the short journey, high passenger numbers and wanting to keep the track and crews (!) clean a lot of the toilets were removed, giving extra seats or a "push chair" space. Quite a few coachs still have the toilets which have now all been reinstated.

1 of the DMU trailers had been used as the Santas grotto coach but had not been used for a few years, therefore converted into a visitor centre, based at Kingswear.

The current fleet allows us to have 1 coach in the workshop being overhauled, 1 coach in the paint shop, and the rest available for service.

The normal set/s vary according to weather (Mk 1's are steam heated, DMU's have no heating) and operational requirements.
The Devon Belle racks up the most milage as we try to have her on as many trains as possible.

2 of our Mk 1's have had (part time) tables refitted for afternoon cream teas and dining services.

Any more questions?

Hope this helps.

 

Although not the originator of the initial enquiry, thanks for this information. On my summer visits, it seems that the usual formation is two x 7 coach trains. With a total stock of 20 coaches and one as an exhibition coach, that doesn't leave too many as spare. I am always amazed at how the Railway manages to operate successfully with both its fleet of locos and passenger coaches, which, compared with the NYMR, are minimal in numbers and thus stand by stock.
I'm also full of praise for the general cleanliness of your coaching stock and, having stood and watched how you clean them, I consider it to be very impressive and efficient. I've suggested that the NYMR (and others) can learn very much from your operation.

 

Thank you tuffer for a very informative answer. If the Belle runs every day as it appears to, it most cover some 800 return journeys per year and that is a lot of mileage for an old lady

 

Yes the belle is a well travelled old lady. Certainly gives a completely different experience, as biased as I am she is a wonderful coach.

A few years ago we had to do a lot of work to the window frames, but touch wood (no pun intended) she's going great.

We try to manage the coachs carefully, rotating them where possible to equalise miles covered, not always possible but we get close. Luckily the time taken to overhaul a coach (bodywork and internals plus any alterations) and the time taken to repaint a coach is about the same, so it is one in, one out! Alongside all these jobs we have our other little jobs to do, so coach painters also have other painting jobs to do etc, and the main coach fitter keeps on top of the maintence and long term overhaul work.

The carriage washing is done usually twice a week. With cream coachs, steam engines, brakes and sea air it wouldn't take long to get really dirty. Ceraintly one of the many things we are all proud of.

 

Any idea what loco(s) are likely to be in traffic on the line next week please?

 

It is 5239 at the moment and we should be changing to 7827 sometime this week before Thomas!

 

Thanks for the info tuffer5552 - I will try and get down for 5239 in the next day or two.

 

Which engines will be running during Thomas as I will be there for most of the Friday

 

Thomas, from Mid Hants, Ex Austerity 0-6-0, Lydham Manor and the 25.

 

.... and "Mavis" put in an appearance too. She was being a 'really useful engine' on Saturday releasing Thomas from platform 2 so he could rescue the Paignton Train which had 'broken down' at Hoodown!!!
Had a great day. Some comments: Wife thought the gaps between 'goings on' at Kingswear were a bit too long, and Thomas needs to go to the Sodor Works for a nice new coat of shiny blue paint - H.I.T. take note.
Wondered if you could make more of the 're-enactment' side of things - maybe some troublesome truck activity in the siding next to the run-around loop in Kingswear station? (but not as troublesome as the incident with the trucks at the gala in 1993 - remember that? - oops!)
We also thought the guy playing the Fat Controller was a really friendly chap, so please pass on thanks to him!
Had a cracking ride on the 14:45 back to Paignton. 1st coach end window behind 7827. about 5 ft from her chimney - lovely sound. Will post video soon, but I think the sound was distorted too much by the noise!

Part 1 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJri498ClDQ on a pocket camera so no too good quality

 

Thanks for your comments about the "Days Out With Thomas" event.

They have been passed onto the brains and they will take them in.

Thanks again.

 

Is that a different 'Thomas' this year Tuffer?
I always thought you used 'Lady Armaghdale' from the Severn Valley.

Regards
Steve

 

I'm sure 'Lady Armaghdale' has gone out of traffic and will be shortly entering the SVR's Engine House, and that will be why!

Lewis

 

That's why!
We couldn't get the SVR engine and so we came to hire the Mid Hants Austerity.

 

Thanks for the info.
Personally I'd like to see the Jinty do a turn.

Regards
Steve

 

Oops. Tuffer - anything to do with you guys? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/10472248.stm

 

No comment.

"Steam railway spokesman Andrew Pooley said he could not rule out the suspicion the train may have sparked the blaze. Mr Pooley, group general manager for the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company, said: "We do everything we can to prevent such incidents. Our crews are very aware of what is happening around them in an effort to minimise any fires — and the trains are fitted with spark arrestors."

He added that efforts were also made to clear the trackside of material which could catch alight. "

 

Oh well. it's happened before a few times, but the railway has co-existed for 168 or so years with that woodland, and both are in fine shape. Just part of life I guess.

 

Does anyone have any information as to which loco is rostered for July 9th. to July 14th. Hope to get a couple of trips during those dates.