Paignton and Dartmouth Railway

They have hidden (or tried to hide) engines and coaches from the public before quite a few times, I presume there are political reasons, or well planned reasons as to why they hide them.
Just think about it if they say or advertise (or supposedly accidently leak the info) the fact that its at Churston a week or two before the Heritage Open Day then how many more of us are more likely than we already were to go and have a look out of curiosity if nothing else, or just to take a picture.

I feel it may not be there but as I've said previously if it is then we will all find out on the 19th or 20th of April.

 

Im doubting it as a 2-8-0 on the back of a lorry normally gets noticed by someone! Unless their moving it rivey by rivet in the back of vans down to paignton ha ha!

 

Changing the subject, can any one confirm the correct timing of the Princess arriving and departing Paignton this Saturday The Railway Touring Co: web page gives different times to that on UK Steam page. I would think the crossover at Churston will be at 13.15

 

My guess would be they will use the Torbay Express timings - purely because NR have that one sorted, and can effectively pull it out of the file with little extra effort. But it is just my guess.

 

Unless anyone objects, in 5 days time, the P&DSR will own the former NR sidings at Goodrington:
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/l ... 080108.pdf

 

What will they use these sidings for?? Have they run out of siding space as it seems there are quite a few gaps around as you travel.

Which PDSR engine is running on Saturday, as I'm planning to pop over.

Also I thought after Sidmouths comments that this topic was opened by Tuffer 5552 woh I believe works on the line to ask for our ideas and comments. I thought he got some obvious comments that were probably expected (i.e. liveries, names etc) but a lot of the others have been sensible and useful, but obviously you would have to ask him and see what he makes of them.

If 4277 has a private owner does that mean that the PDSR havn't bought it they have just loaned it? I didn't think they would have gone for this option personally but then again there does seem to be a new wave of thinking within.

 

Who knows. A previous comment suggested that they were cautious about private loco owner groups (I guess that was referring to Dumbleton Hall?)
I guess they will want to own any new addition to the fleet.

As for the sidings, it might be a strategic purchase. i.e get them while they can before they are gone forever under some housing development. Perhaps they will loose siding space at Paignton when they re-develop the current station?
They do seem to be short of space for storing hardware like track panels and sleepers (the pile at Churston looks ugly for a start), so maybe it will be part sidings, part 'yard'

By the way, do you think the new headshunt leading from the recently re-laid avoiding loop at Goodrington is for getting locos on and off the line when they come by road? It seems to head off down a slope towards a gate and road beyond.

 

It would be nice to think that Goodrington sidings could become the new works centre in place of Churston. Then Churston could regain its heritage look. Churston has a lovely station building, but it is overwhelmed by modern buildings that are necessary for a working railway, but are almost aggressively harsh in their appearance, and ought to be somewhere else.

Perhaps expand and reopen the Brixham branch from its bay platform there? Only dreaming!

 

i've only been to the P&DSR once and that was when i was 12!

im intregued by this line as i dont know much about it and its history but the purchase of the sidings could form a new engine shed and carriage stores too? or do they already have these elsewhere on the line?

 

There are two engine heds on the line the one ar Paignton for storing the service loco and others of choice. There is also one at Churston which is the main maintenance depot with big yellow and black doors previously mentioned.

As for the carriages, there is a platform long siding at Paignton for storing these, there is also space for the extra train (or second service train) at Kingswear just before you come into Kingswear itself. The carriage shed is based at Churston opposite the engine shed.

Goods e.t.c. are stored in a siding on the left on the way to Goodrington, and there are also somemore opposite the carriage sidings at Kingswear. As well as this they tend to store a combination of brake vans and ballast wagon with occasionally a autocoach in the track opposite the headshunt at Kingswear (sorry don't know the technical term). Also the Directors Saloon tends to be parked up outside the shed at Paigtn in the small siding.
(If you would like pictures out of curiosity I have most of them and could email to you.

The sidings may just be for space, but an odd purchase that was mentioned in the Bulliver magazine in 1987, but never carried out. Also the road link for delivering engines may be a good thing as I believe every other distinguished railway has one, also it gives them more flexibility as they can hire in trains, so not just restrained to gala weekends.
I believe before with Flying Scotsman & another I cant remember were craned (at huge cost) therefore this reduces the need for the Rail Excursions, (or being the only source of new locos to the line).
If so could we see a return visit for City of Truro, Flying Scotsman and all the others that regularly travel the country on display, also what about 1450 or 1420 to recreate the branch line feel, again time will tell???

 

I was under the impression that the sidings at Goodrington were to be used for carriage storage whilst Paignton was being rebuilt.

 

That seems like a good idea that I hadn't thought of when is this scheduled refit of Paignton due then. Also does it have something to do with the bus station being above or below or something as thats the rumour I heard

 

Don't know if anybody else has seen this but it seems that P&DSR are letting there Class 25 go to the South Devon Railway for there Diesel Gala 26th & 27th April 2008. http://www.devondiesels.org.uk/updates.htm
With this happening will it mean they will have another steam loco on hand just in case of a failure while it's away !
Also makes you wonder if they might have a change of heart with there steam loco's at some point.

 

Prob use the 08, would shift the loads providing it isn't rushed.

 

It's definately an unexpected step in the right direction, seems a good idea. Although personally I'm nit a diesel fan.

 

D7535 is expected to be moved from Paignton to Totnes on Friday 25th, with arrival at Totnes likely to be around early afternoon. Haulage over the mainline will be provided by Advenza Freight 47 237, and also in the consist will be Cotswold's 33 202.

On arrival D7535 is expected to move down the branch to Buckfastleigh ready for the gala the following day. The most likely way will be for the loco to pilot the Class 127 DMU which will be working a number of private charters on the day.

During the gala the loco will make several trips, including an expected appearance on the popular beerex runs on the Saturday evening. Whilst the loco will have several solo workings, the chance will also be taken to run a few services double-headed with the SDR resident Class 25, D7612 - both loco's wearing the attractive two-tone green livery.

A return back to Paignton is planned for Sunday afternoon.

The visit of D7535 to the SDR has been made possible following the kind co-operation of Mr Barry Cogar.

 

In the new issue of Heritage Railway,
4277 is due to be delivered from Pete Waterman's Crew works to Churston in early April for running in and a final paint.
4277 as been sold by SPS Ltd, (Peter Best's company)

 

After Lizzie now we have "The Duke" to look forward to on May 24th.

According to Kingfisher tours, who have book the loco for "The English Riviera Express". Ex Paddington but with steam between Taunton -- Kingswear -- Taunton

 

I went down Beach Road to look at it tonight. No gates, so no access for road-rail loading/un-loading. just a headshunt that rolls off (rather unconventionally) down a slope to a buffer stop. Why the slop down I wonder? It looks quite steep, so I would have thought difficult to control a loco heading down it!! Ah well. looking forward to the heritage Weekend....

PS - saw a 66 on some VSOE pullmans heading up to Churston at about 7pm yesterday.....