to use up the final bits and peices i got recently i decided another trip to the south west was needed, and beings the south devon railway was holding a gala all week i decided it would be best to go and visit.
the gala was the branch line gala and a special guest in the form of GWR rail motor no. 93 was the star attraction being a busy service until the last service. a second visitor in the form of small prarie worked in tamden with 2 auto coaches on the full length of the line accompanying the railmotor which was for passengers with upgraded tickets, 2 shuttle services were also operated, on the buckfastly to staverton section a third visitor 14XX no. 1450 worked a 1 coach br 50s/60s branchline train while on the 2nd shuttle between staverton and totnes littlehampstead resident 1369 worked a 2 coach GWR branchline train both shuttles accompanied by 2 milk tankers for part of the day, in the evening a class 122 bubble car was let out to run taking people to and from the staverton beer festival and people to totnes for journeys home. though at times things got very quiet and the timetable a little quiet in points i had a great time especially while riding the rail motor. the day of my visit (23/02/13) was very cold (not the south devon's fault) but this did not stop me having a fantastic time on this very delightful west country branchline and i hope to go back for a 4th visit in the future.
meanwhile i was kept informed about the happenings on my home fort of peterborough as the very same weekend the nene valley railway was holding it's own winter gala with guest engines 70000 britannia and 4141 running with 44422, 22 & 1800. information relayed to me involve 70000 britannia derailing, a vacuum problem with the 4F or the MK1s at some point, 4141 not being able to do it's first train and that there was almost a colision. will i be making a visit on the sunday as planned? read the above blog (you probably already have though)
the gala was the branch line gala and a special guest in the form of GWR rail motor no. 93 was the star attraction being a busy service until the last service. a second visitor in the form of small prarie worked in tamden with 2 auto coaches on the full length of the line accompanying the railmotor which was for passengers with upgraded tickets, 2 shuttle services were also operated, on the buckfastly to staverton section a third visitor 14XX no. 1450 worked a 1 coach br 50s/60s branchline train while on the 2nd shuttle between staverton and totnes littlehampstead resident 1369 worked a 2 coach GWR branchline train both shuttles accompanied by 2 milk tankers for part of the day, in the evening a class 122 bubble car was let out to run taking people to and from the staverton beer festival and people to totnes for journeys home. though at times things got very quiet and the timetable a little quiet in points i had a great time especially while riding the rail motor. the day of my visit (23/02/13) was very cold (not the south devon's fault) but this did not stop me having a fantastic time on this very delightful west country branchline and i hope to go back for a 4th visit in the future.
meanwhile i was kept informed about the happenings on my home fort of peterborough as the very same weekend the nene valley railway was holding it's own winter gala with guest engines 70000 britannia and 4141 running with 44422, 22 & 1800. information relayed to me involve 70000 britannia derailing, a vacuum problem with the 4F or the MK1s at some point, 4141 not being able to do it's first train and that there was almost a colision. will i be making a visit on the sunday as planned? read the above blog (you probably already have though)
