Devon Group - November 2022

Our volunteers rail trip was in tribute to our missed friend, Bob Ayres, who passed away recently. Bob would have enjoyed the usual camaraderie among his fellow L&B enthusiastic volunteers.

For the record, we went from Barnstaple to Exmouth (model shop, cafes, and market patronised). Lunch and ale at Exeter at the Georges Meeting Rooms, where we all raised a glass for Bob.

Then time for an afternoon trip from Exeter Central to Okehampton on the Dartmoor Line, now celebrating its one-year anniversary, and great to see the evidence of the well-patronised trains on the hourly service. We sampled the recently opened Bulleid Buffet enjoying teas/coffees and cake and also supported the Dartmoor Railway Association's shop with a few purchases.

All trains ran on time on this another enjoyable and respectful day for Bob Ayres.

Figs 1, 2 & 3.  At Georges Meeting Rooms at Wetherspoons pub in Exeter, the
group raise their glasses in a toast and tribute to our very much missed
friend and volunteer Bob Ayres.

Fig 4.  DMU 150232 at Okehampton. The continued restoration of the station and
signs now show the way to the all now opened rooms of the station building.

Fig 5.  We patronised the recently opened Bulleid Buffet cafe on the platform.

Fig 6,  The traditional Booking Office staff area has been lit up and displayed
as viewed from the Buffet.

Fig 7.  In the Dartmoor Railway Association shop, an ex-Southern Railway
platform barrow helps with the sale of fundraising souvenirs.

Fig 8.  Back at Exeter St. Davids station, a nighttime view of a pair of class
150 DMUs on Platform 1. The new sleepers seen await Network
Rail's track gang to undertake their installation.

Words and pictures by Nigel Thompson.