Paignton & Dartmouth rly

Thankyou, that's useful to know

 

Just seen 7827 around 6:00pm today light engine going to Churston
from Paignton near Goodrington.

 

Going light to Churston to cool down and be turned prior to road movement to the South Devon Railway next week ready for the gala on 14th/15th - we have some great trains lined up for the loco to work whilst it is with us, including appearances on BR mixed goods, parcels and Milk trains, and of course passenger workings with both carmine and cream and chocolate and cream sets, and on Saturday evening a couple of trips paired up with 3205.

 

Which is where I did listen to it from last week, thoroughly enjoyed the ride on both 4277 and the Manor. i have not been down the south west for a long time and the staff at the railway were all very welcoming and it was an excellent day out.

 

A poster on the Bluebell thread posed a question. I have re-posted an answer here.

The Dartmouth Steam Railway (formerly P&DSR) is no stranger to people using their trains other than as tourists or steam railway experience passengers.
There are types of tickets solely for local travellers. Anyone knowing the area will be aware that both ends of the railway are in nice towns and the principal intermediate station also has a good catchment area.

This November and December, for the first time, the railway is running trains twice a week solely to cater for shoppers and those "pretty lights" occasions. There will also be an extra carriage, solely for shoppers, added to the Santa Specials. Parking, in most towns during the run up to Christmas, can be very difficult, so the railway sees a great opportunity to offer a valuable service to the local population. Many visitors come to the area around Christmastime so they will also benefit from this venture.

 

Great news - it is always good to see a preserved railway performing a local transport function. I recall this line running some dmu (Pacer, then called Skipper, trains) services to Exeter back in the mid 1980s.

 

I used to use the railway to get to work quite often when I worked in Dartmouth but lived in Paignton (alas, there was rarely a shift that allowed me to use a return ticket - shame they don't run later...). It's a lot more comfortable than the Stagecoach bus and takes about the same time; if it was cheaper I'd have used it every day. I still often use the company's passenger ferry, which is quite definitely 'public transport', not to mention the No 100 bus between Paignton and Totnes. Even the boat services are quite useful if you're not in a hurry, especially on early/late season Sundays when Dartmouth has no bus links with the outside world.

 

Down nxt week what's running 5239 or 4277

 

Which loco is in use on winter trains and santas?

 

7827 is minus her wheel-sets at the mo, so it will be one of the 2-8-0Ts

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...291366.-2207520000.1384465215.&type=3&theater

 

5239 yesterday. Extremely beautiful day. The light was very good and a load of 7 made for a fine climb!
The winter trains have been well supported so far I was told. My season was used(v good value )

Ray Mason

 

Really enjoying the winter services, a definite treat to have a steam option nearby on a November Thursday. Have had half-days at work on both the last two Thursdays so managed to get over to travel last week and for some pictures of the first trip this morning. Was impressed with how busy even the final train of the day (and the station buffet) was last week but from what I could see today the loadings looked a fair bit lighter. Hope it turns out to be a success overall, will get another trip or two in before the year ends.

 

This looks really good - well worth supporting this venture. I must say that a lot of good new ideas are being tried on this railway; let's hope they are successful.

 

Winter service yesterday

 

4277 on sat! Another fine trip with,I heard,250-300 passengers travelling during the day! Sunny!
I failed to request Greenway Halt so my planned walk was replaced with an estuary stroll.

 

Lady Chatterley on the line today....

 

7827 having physiotherapy sessions today following bottom-end surgery