South Devon Rly Branch Line Weekend - 24 and 25 May

This Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday it should be worth being around for another special event - 1369, 5542 and 5786, together with bubble car and EE Type 3 to represent diesel age; all sorts of trains etc. Check the South Devon Railway website for more details.

John

 

Yes it should be good, auto working, tail traffic on the Bubblecar, milk trains and lots more. Also there'll be the usual 1 coach local, 3 coach BR ex Gwr and then the main set as well. Lots of typical branchline action!

 

I can't find any timetable - normally these are given on-line. Shall just turn up at 09.20 and see what happens. Not likely to be disappointed!!

John

 

I imagine the timetable will be released in the next few days, they usually are. And no you're not likely to be dissapointed at all - what could be better than going for a ride behind a lovely Great Western tank engine, trundling alongonside some beautiful scenery and a river for 7 miles with perfect stations and semaphore signalling? Not much I don't think!

 

The only improvement on that scenario that I can suggest is to get off at Nappers Halt, off an auto train, and pop up to the Salmon Trout for lunch, washed down with a pint or two of Palmers ale, then some kind soul giving me a lift to Hood Bridge to take a photo of an afternoon mixed train.

That's what I call civilised living! Being a Devonshire boy, I'm biased, but it's true; you can't beat it.

John

 

Totally right you can't beat it! Nothing like Devon!

On the Knappers Halt thing, last year they did have autos stopping at the halt, so they may do so again this year. It's a shame it doesn't get used so much as it could, and I have enjoyed getting off there in the past and going for a meal at the pub as well.

Also on the miniature railway we are planning to have hopefully between 2 to 3 trains running on the circuit for the Sunday and Monday, and possibly 1 or 2 on the Saturday, however that cannot be guaranteed at the moment due to spare parts being required for both home based locomotives. I will post if the situtation changes.

Also I have asked after the timetables so hopefully will be able to get back to you on that one soon.

 

First passenger train 09.20 from Buckfastleigh, 10.02 from Totnes on both days. 1369 + 1 coach.
Auto train 10.00 from Buckfastleigh, 10.47 from Totnes. Nappers is a request stop.

 

anyone know if the tickets are just a normal return or unlimited travel?

 

I should think you will be able to get both types of ticket i.e a Single and a Rover depending on what you require

 

Timetables now on the web site and rover tickets should be available as normal I understand.
http://www.southdevonrailway.org/News-a ... d.html#WTT

 

Should be a fun weekend! Update on the miniature, there will be a maximum of 2 locos in service each day, however these are still not guarnetted due to spare pars etc. However the Hunslet steam loco should be running.

Hopefully see lots of you there, pop down onto the miniature to say hello.

 

I shall definitely be in attendance one or both days - bubble car with milk in tow is a must. The SDR always manage to get something new on top of what is a brilliant programme anyway.

John

 

im going with family who want to visit rare breeds and butterflies/otters so i wouldn't of been entirely sure if the rover was available

 

Isn't there a combi ticket for them all?

 

there is yeah but i want to combine it all with a rover

 

I've just found out that the bubblecar may not run due to an electrical fault. Unfortunately I'm away from the railway at present due to sickness, so although having planned everything out am a bit out of it so to speak, however I believe the back up plan will be for the auto to make another run, and if this is the case, the milk tanks will be coupled to the rear of this set instead./ I'm sure what ever happens it will be a great event.

 

from what i can see on the website are tickets for monday unlimited travel all day?

 

Spot on Ganger, all done. Revised wtt to go to the webmaster sometime today. The additional auto train is booked to call at Nappers in each direction, upon request.

 

may i just say what an excellent gala, i went on Monday and it was a most enjoyable day, well done to all involved

 

I've just added my pics I took of the event to my Fotopic site unfortunately I didn't take as many as I normally would as I was playing a very small role in the gala. I think you'll like the ones I did manage to get all the same!!