Paddington - Barnstaple - Woody Bay Charter REPORT

Sunday 17th April - Charter from Paddington - Barnstaple - Woody Bay

This report by Roger Bye and Keith Vingoe

After a lovely journey through rural Wiltshire, Somerset and Devon, the UK RailTours Tarka Tourer, one-day charter from London Paddington to Barnstaple, reversed at Exeter before taking the Tarka Line from Exeter to Barnstaple, where it arrived in glorious sunshine.

1. Many local people were on the station, making the most of the opportunity to record the unusual sight of an HST at Barnstaple.

2. The InterCity 125 arrives with Power Car 43165 Prince Michael of Kent.

3. The already busy platform ...

4. ... gets even busier as the 500 plus passengers leave the train ...

5. ...and head out of the station.

6.& 7. Some visitors headed into Barnstaple ...

8. & 9. ...but 250 boarded the fleet of five coaches and one minibus for the trip to Woody Bay Station. Four L&B Directors and the Commercial Manager acted as couriers on the five coaches, pointing out key L&B sites during the trip through Barnstaple, via Bratton Fleming and Blackmoor Gate.

10. Arriving at Woody Bay station, visitors made their way from the car park ...

11. ...and down the station approach road ...

12. ... to where their train, comprised of four heritage carriages ...

13. ...drawn by ISAAC, and driven by General Manager Martyn Budd - waiting in glorious sunshine.

14. Return to Woody Bay Station - cameras at the ready.

15. After their trip, our visitors - many from London - head for the marquees ...

16. ...for tea, cake, soup or a sandwich.

17. & 18. The Taw and Torridge luxury coaches are a splendid sight in the car park.

19. The friendly and helpful Taw and Torridge drivers also played their part in making this a splendid day.

20. & 21. Mid-afternoon, and the station is still very busy.

22. Meanwhile, at the Picnic Area - photographers assemble.

23. This is what they came to see.

24. All eyes on the train.

25. Others partake of the barbecue.

26 & 27. The last train of Charter Passengers arrives at Woody Bay in glorious Spring Sunshine.

28. Now back at Barnstaple - massed ranks of cameras await the return of the 125.

29. The Charter Passengers await the arrival of their train to London.

30. Hard to believe that this train is now over 30 years old.

31. A quick look back from the Train Manager before departure

This from Doug Lindsay of who arranged the Tarka Tourer's visit to North Devon and Woody Bay.

Re: Sunday 17th April Rail Charter

Good Afternoon ...

I was fortunate to be a Tour Manager on the UK Railtours Chartered HST Train to Barnstaple yesterday. I am writing to say just how excellently the whole tour went, and in particular, the visit to your wonderful railway!  Many elements of the visit were exceptional, not withstanding the lovely weather, which helped raise the visitor’s, spirits no end!!!

It was so refreshing to see the professionalism, the enthusiasm and the sheer determination of all of your staff and volunteers, let alone the incredible progress that you are all making in your efforts to save and rebuild the long lost railway.

We were regaled with a very professional and interesting commentary by your representative, whose name I failed to record, on the coach up from Barnstaple, which was very, much appreciated by our guests aboard the coach and enhanced the experience no end. We were then met by various officers and staff at Woody Bay and advised of all the options laid on for our visit including the four train departures, works visits and the very welcome, and superb barbecue and tea marquees. Many passengers mentioned your great catering.

I thought the presentation throughout of your trains, infrastructure, passenger facilities and information on the future was exceptional.

I have been involved in heritage railways for nearly sixty years, starting in the 1950s at the Talyllyn and subsequently from 1960s at the KESR where, back in the 80s I was full time GM. I am a member of several others and make regular visits all over the country to these railways both on a personal level and as a Tour Manager with large parties, but I have to say that yesterday's L&B experience was something quite different to what has gone before....your approach to the challenges ahead, your focus on getting it 'right', your enthusiasm for your dream and the obvious support of some very influential members and agencies, are beginning to bear fruit.

I do, sincerely, wish you all the very best for the future and thank you all for your superb hospitality on Sunday. It was a real eye-opener and realisation that 'When there's a will, there's a way'.......you all seem to have the 'will' and now large parts of the 'way' as well!!!

Please circulate this to all involved on Sunday...they were fabulous.

Best Regards...I'm sure we'll be back!

Doug Lindsay