Devon Group trip to South Devon Railway

Devon Group trip to South Devon Railway Wednesday 24th October

Twelve L&B Trust members enjoyed the half-term trip to Totnes and Buckfastleigh including a ride on the South Devon Railway.

1. The group were able to sample for the first time, one of the new GWR Inter City Express Class 802 trains on the service from Exeter to Totnes.  These 802's are gradually replacing the 40 year old HST's on routes in the South West. A smooth ride, longer carriages, seats around tables, and everything so new and clean, something we're not used to on Devon's Railways!

2. & 3. Lunch at Buckfastleigh Station tea rooms.

4. Then a walk around the site to view the new carriage sheds built to house the SDR's historic rolling stock.

5. The standard view of Buckfastleigh Station from the footbridge.

6. Our locomotive today was Prairie tank 5542. A west-coutry engine, first based at Taunton in 1934, it was a regular performer on the Minehead branch for most of its pre-preservation working life.  After working on the preserved WSR as well as the Dean Forset and GWR, the loco entered service on the South Devon Railway in March 2006.

7. Back at Totnes, the group - all seated patiently - wait by the Signal Box Cafe for their next train (a traditional HST) back to Exeter.

8. Finally there was time for some of us to travel down the Exmouth branch, to enjoy their first beer (or two) of the day at the Swan Inn at Lympstone.

Next trips:

Wednesday 24 Oct - South Devon Railway.
Wednesday 14th November - Calstock and Gunnislake.
Wednesday 12th December- Xmas dinner at Crediton and local rail trip...

All welcome - if interested, contact Nigel for further details.

Text and photos Nigel Thompson