www.sdronline.org.uk

EVENING TRAINS

FERRY VISITORS

TO THE

REAL ALE FESTIVAL

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the South Devon Railway ran special evening trains to ferry visitors from Totnes Littlehempston and Buckfastleigh to the Real Ale Festival at Staverton Station. Services comprised 14xx no.1450 and auto trailer no.178 on all three nights and were supplemented on Saturday by the SDR's prairie no.5526 with two auto trailers.

These trains were a huge success with both our regular and holiday visitors, as indeed was the Real Ale Festival itself. The Devon Diesel Society, who once again organised the event, have furnished us with the phenominal figure of 2880 pints sold during the four day event.

One of the main features of Sunday and Monday morning services was the unusual formation for the first train of the day of 1450 and three auto trailers. This is the first time this has been seen on the South Devon Railway for some forty years and our photograph shows the train at Caddaford.

On Sunday and Monday Collett mixed traffic loco no.3205 could be seen running with a Cambrian Coast Express headboard manufactured by our own Chris Bowden and was of his usual excellent standards. Is this headboard a hint of things to come in 2011? Watch this space for news of next year's events in a few weeks time.

I'll leave you with two images in this final report from the August Bank Holiday Rails and Ales Gala. A busy scene at Staverton station on Sunday as no.5526 prepares to leave with the 14.20 for Totnes Littlehempston, and no.1450 'somewhere in the woods' on Monday with the 13.33 Staverton - Buckfastleigh service.

During the week commencing 6th September we will be publishing Galleries from the Rails and Ales event, including images created by my friends and colleagues Paul Arthur and Julian Moore of train movements in various sections of the line that I was unable to cover.

COLLETTS

STEAL THE DAY AT SATURDAY'S

RAILS & ALES GALA

C.B.Collett's 14xx auto tank and 2251 mixed traffic locomotives were just two of his prolific designs during his period as C.M.E. of the Great Western Railway from 1922 until 1941. Both 1450 and 3205 have long associations with the South Devon Railway going back to the 1970's and 1980's and to see them together again this weekend has been a joy for all those volunteers and staff who have been involved with the railway over the years. Visitors too were turning their cameras on these locomotives as they passed; 3205 on the regular service train and 1450 with its single auto trailer - a common sight on country branch lines many years ago.

Another common sight on these country branch lines were diesel railcars. The SDR's Class 122 'Bubblecar' took over the first service train of the day on Saturday at short notice due to a problem with the rostered diesel. Caught on camera at Staverton Station the railcar reflects a scene from British Rail days in the 1960's as diesel power began to replace steam.

Staverton Station is the venue for the Real Ale Festival and on Saturday under blue skies and a higher temparature than expected visitors were enjoying some of the ales and ciders on tap, on the platform patio and seating areas.

We'll leave Saturday's round up of the Rails and Ales Gala with our image of the day, visiting locomotive 1450 and its auto trailer leaving Staverton with a service to Buckfastleigh.

BULLIVER'S TRIUMPHANT

RETURN

1450 and Auto Trailer No 178 arrive at Buckfastleigh with the 17.17 ex Totnes service, having completed it's first

round trip down the line. Driver Giles Gilbert and Fireman Andy Greening (seen here about to deposit the token

on the catcher) had no trouble in bringing the train into Buckfastleigh 'right time' at 17.45.

A FINE START TO THE FOUR DAY

RAILS AND ALES EVENT

Fine weather, fine locomotives and fine ales kicked the first day of the Rails and Ales Festival into play, yesterday Friday 27th August. It was the first night of evening trains, also running on Saturday and Sunday, to transport passengers from both Buckfastleigh and Totnes Littlehempston to Staverton Station where the Real Ale Festival is being held. On Saturday evening 1450 and its Auto Trailer will be joined by the SDR's own prairie no.5526 which will also be hauling an auto train.

The South Devon Railway's newly restored Collett Mixed Traffic Loco no. 3205 rounds the final

curve into Buckfastleigh Station. 3205 is also rostered to run on each day of the Festival.

STEP BACK IN TIME

Why not step back in time and experience a journey on one of the SDR's steam trains and soak up the charm of travel on a country branch line as it was many years ago. You'll follow the course of the River Dart and can alight at Staverton to savour some of the 40 different ales and ciders available at the Real Ale Festival. The main bar is in the old goods shed adjacent to the main platform and opening times are Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th 11.00am until 23.00pm, and Monday 30th 11.00am until 18.00pm. If you start your journey at Buckfastleigh the large car park is free and with extremely limited parking at Staverton using the train really is the way to travel.

"Bulliver" - 1450 and Auto Trailer

A DIFFICULT LIFT

COMPLETED WITHOUT A HITCH

Friday 20th August and at 8.00am a thirty five ton mobile crane arrived at Buckfastleigh Station to lift the new metal post signal into prepared ground at the north (Ashburton) end of the main platform. In driving drizzle, which pervaded throughout the entire operation, the crane was readied into the only available space; seen in the photograph below. A tricky manouvre in itself since the load bearing stabilisers had to be positioned either side of the Bookshop, with very few inches to spare on the Plog Shed side as well.

Both the pick up point of where the signal lay and its final resting place were hidden from the crane operator's line of sight and so precise hand signals were relayed by South Devon Railway Engineering staff Robbie and Steve. The lift commenced at 8.52 and by 9.15 it was complete, a job well executed by all involved including the S & T crew who were on hand to assist.

The lift commences in driving drizzle	Nearly vertical - note the crane operator's obscured view
A six feet tall block of concrete forms the base and was brought through the gap where the gate normally hangs.	Down at last in the prepared ground. The crane recorded the lift with a fully extended jib at one and a half tons.

This replacement signal is due to be re-commissioned during Friday 27th August. The signal will consist of a fixed stop arm, below which there will be a standard calling on arm. The calling on arm will be cleared for trains requiring to run beyond the signal.

14xx CLASS No 1450 ARRIVES AT BUCKFASTLEIGH

An old friend of the South Devon Railway in the shape of Mike Little's 0-4-2 auto tank no.1450 rolled off the lowloader at Buckfastleigh early this morning (Thursday 19th August). Booked to take part in the Rails and Ales Bank Holiday Weekend event on 27th - 30th August and the Heritage Transport Weekend on 11th and 12th September this pretty little locomotive promises to be a sure fire favourite with passengers and enthusiasts alike.

1450 is in GWR green and its chocolate and cream ex GWR autotrailer no.178 is expected to arrive on Monday 23rd August, the pair portraying a typical branch line auto train of yesteryear. At the Rails and Ales Event 1450 will be used on three evening services on Friday and Saturday as well as daytime and evening services on Sunday and Monday.

Our photograph shows the locomotive entering the yard at Buckfastleigh.

CULTURE SHOCK

Whilst walking around the site at Buckfastleigh today I noticed that the loco shed possessed a new time piece. Observing the words London 1854 and Paddington Station on the clock face I asked its history, quite frankly expecting an answer that would go something like this,

"It was found in a previously undiscovered basement room at Paddington Station, rescued and given to our care."

Imagine the culture shock when I was told it was actually bought from a garden centre a few weeks ago and at a price well under £20.

Well, I'll go to the foot of our stairs!

BITS 'N PIECES

The upper quadrant ground mounted shunt signal positioned on

the Ashburton side of the run round points at Buckfastleigh has

been replaced with a ground position light signal.

The replacement signal is of the LED type and will display

two red lights horizontally for danger. The proceed aspect is in

the form of two white lights at an angle of 45 degrees. The

signal remains under the control of Buckfastleigh South

Signalbox.

It's always good to see our younger volunteers learning

new skills and progressing through the system. I wanted

an image of the token being placed on the token catcher

apparatus at Buckfastleigh but hadn't achieved quite what

I wanted in a previous attempt. And so today I caught the

13.30 arrival at Buckfastleigh with Ernie Elsworth-Wilson

on the footplate, learning firing skills. Full marks for the

perfect way to transfer the token.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, in any aspect

of the railway, full details can be found on the South Devon

Railway Association website on www.southdevonrailway.org

RAILS AND ALES WEEKEND

LATEST

18-15pm August 18th

We have received the following statement issued this evening by South Devon Railway's General Manager Dick Wood :-

"Regrettably, retubing repairs to Dukedog No. 9017 at the Bluebell Railway will not be completed in time for the loco to attend both the SDR's Rails & Ales event on 28-30 August and the Heritage Transport Gala on 11 & 12 September or to fulfil a number of planned photo charters.

"The Bluebell Railway, which owns the engine, very much regrets that this news will disappoint people who were hoping to see the unique loco in Devon, but all is not lost as plans are being made for the engine to visit the SDR in 2011 instead, probably around the Easter weekend.

"As a result, the Dukedog has been replaced in the loco workings by newly out shopped Collett 3205 for both events when it will also be joined by former Buckfastleigh line stalwart GWR loco No. 1450 and matching GWR liveried auto trailer No.178.

"The SDR hopes to run a three car auto train formation for the first time in many years thereby recreating a scene not witnessed on any heritage line since the 1960's in order to make up for the disappointment people will have over the Dukedog's absence."

On a murky and misty early Spring day in 2008 1450 is seen between two autocars

CHERNOBYL CHILDREN VISIT

THE SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY

It may seem strange to begin two consecutive news stories with mention of my photographic career. Although I was not a photojournalist there have been times when I've been called upon to illustrate a human interest story, for one reason or another. Very occasionally the people concerned with such stories are exceptional and what unfolds before the camera tugs at the heartstrings. Perhaps we sometimes observe a little too much, we see beyond the exterior facade and become a little emotionally involved. This, from a professional point of view, is not good since the quality of our work will inevitably suffer as our thoughts go out to the people before our lens; rather than keeping our minds on our camera work.

I found myself in this situation on Thursday 12th August when a party of eight children and their interpreter visited Buckfastleigh and boarded a train for a trip down the line to Totnes Littlehempston. Not the run of the mill school party certainly, for these children had travelled approximately 1,390 miles from Minsk in Belarus, Russia. And even that might not seem that special until you learn that Minsk is around 213 miles from Chernobyl in the Ukraine and that the area in which they live suffered a 60% radioactive fallout after the disastrous nuclear accident at Chernobyl's nuclear power plant in April 1986.

The children and their interpreter Anastasia Tsytseryma on arrival at Totnes Littlehempston

The visit was organised by the Plymouth link of The Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline charity, also known as Sunflowers; who bring approximately 10 -15 children to Plymouth every year to stay with host families for four weeks in the summer.

By bringing the children over for a four week recuperative holiday the children are out of the contaminated radioactive environment they permanently live in and in turn decontaminate which gives them an extension of their lives by 2+ years. It has been medically proven by scientists that it then takes two years to build up the dangerous levels of radiation again when they return to their homes.

The children look very similar to any group of English children in the age range of nine to fourteen; a little slimmer but then in times of increasing obesity that's no bad thing. They certainly don't have two heads or any other visible deformities but perhaps it's their eyes, their difficulty in smiling, that gives away the ticking time bomb within. I came across the following matter of fact statement,

"The Ukrainian government agency Chernobyl Interinform in Kiev reported in March 2002 that 84 per cent of the three million people in Ukraine who had been exposed to radiation were registered as sick. These include one million children." And the Ukraine is only 200 miles away from where the children live!

The children, Anastasia and members of the Sunflowers enjoyed their trip on a steam hauled train – a first time experience for the children. In the grounds of Totnes Littlehempston Station they had a picnic before visiting the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm. I watched as the children came alive around the Rare Breeds' very friendly animals; stroking goats and owls, cuddling guinea pigs and feeding the chickens. Not an unusual occurrence for our own children; but for the Chernobyl Children it was a million miles away from their normal lives with experiences and memories to treasure for many years.

But there was more to come as later in the afternoon on their return to Buckfastleigh they also visited the Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies centre.

“All of the Chernobyl children and their host families said that they had enjoyed a truly wonderful, fun packed day out on the South Devon Railway, Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies and they hope to visit again,” said Sunflowers trip organiser Geoff Hudson.

The Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline charity known as the Sunflowers has links all around the U.K. who also bring children over for four weeks. They are undoubtedly an extraordinary group of people who give their time freely, not only to host for four weeks, but also in their continuous fund raising activities to ensure that next year's batch of children are able to come.

The subjects of a lens and the photographer may depart to go their separate ways but in this case the thoughts and the memories will be with this photographer for some time to come. It really was a very special job!

THE BIGGER PICTURE

During forty something years of professional photography I can , perhaps more than many, appreciate the truth behind the phrase "every picture tells a story". After all the purpose of the majority of photographs I created were to tell or illustrate a particular story given to me in a brief. In a similar vein I've come to realise, having now re-invented myself as a photographer of 'steam trains', that behind each locomotive I photograph, that has been rescued from a scrapyard and returned to life, there is equally a story. Yes it's often about the nuts and bolts of several years toil to put what resembles a scrap heap together and produce a living fire eating beast that turns heads wherever it goes. But behind that there's always a human interest story to be found, either of individuals or groups, who have given so much of their lives to keeping our great steam heritage alive.

The ex G.W.R. mogul 5322, hired in to star in this year's 1940's weekend, is no exception to that and I make no apologies for publishing again my own favourite photograph of the locomotive to head this article. Peter Lemar was just such an individual, who was not only the main instigator of saving this exquisite locomotive but a man who had a long standing association with the DVR, SDR and Great Western Society. During the 1940's weekend the South Devon Railway were thrilled to welcome Joan Lemar, her daughter Gillian and granddaughter Kathryn, who explored and then posed for a photograph on the footplate of 5322. Subsequently David Lemar wrote giving details of his father's experiences, or perhaps a more apt description would be adventures, not only with 5322 but the whole heritage railway scene. A real life pioneer, and you can read David's account by following this link.

A BLISTERINGLY GOOD WALK

So said the participants of the annual sponsored walk down the line

Twenty five brave souls give a cheery wave before setting off on their seven mile walk from Totnes Littlehempston to Buckfastleigh. Travelling from Buckfastleigh to Totnes by the last train of the day they then waited until confirmation that the returning train had cleared the section at Staverton before setting off down the line at 17.33pm. The weather was kind - fine and dry with a cooling breeze and the line looked at it's summer best as they progressed to the mid point at Staverton. There the station volunteer group had supplied welcoming refreshments of tea, coffee and soft drinks but steadfastly refused to serve calls from some for more 'medicinal liquids'.

Setting off again for the home stretch they passed Riverford Bridge and continued alongside the River Dart as the sun dropped lower in the sky giving that beautiful summer evening light. Everyone agreed that it had been a most enjoyable walk even though it has to be said that walking seven miles on sleepers and ballast is very tiring and hard on the feet. So well done to all the walkers and whilst the final figure of the money raised isn't in yet I'm told that the grand total is likely to be between £600 - £700. This is an absolutely brilliant effort on the part of the walkers, both in achieving the distance and collecting the money from their sponsors, and the Buckfastleigh Station Group who organised the event give a huge thank you to all who took part and those who sponsored the walkers.

At Buckfastleigh Station a BBQ awaited the walkers on their return. Provided by the Station Group and set up on the main platform, there was an astonishing amount of food with fresh burgers and sausages beautifully cooked by Wayne Dunbar, ably assisted by Hilda, Sue and Tony. After the main course there was fresh fruit, home made cakes and perhaps star of this section of food, homemade apple turnovers. Yet another enjoyable 'mini' event at the South Devon Railway where you can find great trains, great people and great apple turnovers!

Above - Pauline and Chris were amongst the first

of the SDRA members to make it back to Buckfastleigh.

Left - The walkers set off from Totnes

AND A THIRD FISH & CHIP TRAIN!

Yes due to demand the Buckfastleigh Station Group are putting on their third Fish & Chip Special this year. And it's no wonder really because of the sheer value for money - a £10 ticket not only brings you fish or sausage and chips but includes a return trip to Totnes on a steam hauled train. A third train is a new record for the Group and the date for this latest outing is Sunday 19th September, 6.30 for a 7.00 departure. Past experience shows just how quickly these trains sell out so the Group urge you to book sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are available from the Booking Office at Buckfastleigh and groups of people travelling together can be assured of sitting in reserved seats. As usual there will be a raffle and it's hoped that the Devon Diesel Society will be running their Real Ale Bar.

THE S.D.D.T. Ltd's CL25 AT

THE G.W.R. DIESEL GALA

Explaining the Headline - due to the restrictions of page width on websites headlines often appear, to the uninitiated, as a meaningless collection of gobblygook initials. To the railway enthusiast of course they mean everything; facts not lost on the Government were it necessary to reform the Home Guard in the event of another war. These geriatric guardians of sections of our railways, still fiercely wearing their genuine 1960's Parkas, would be talking in coded language such as, "The Bobby's just pulled off the board for the 50." Thus even the most modern form of an Enigma Code breaking machine would not be capable of translating this type of message.

But, as usual, I digress and given the space the headline would read 'The South Devon Diesel Traction Ltd's Class 25 at the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway's Diesel Gala.' D7612 was invited along to the Gala held on the 9th, 10th and 11th July and Richard Bruford has kindly sent me some images from the event; but for a full gallery of pictures you could do no better than to follow this link to the Diesel Group's own website http://www.sddt.co.uk/Gloucester&WarickshireGala2010/index.htm

WHAT IS THIS LIFE IF, FULL OF CARE,

WE HAVE NO TIME TO STAND

AND STARE? -

So asked Welsh poet William Henry Davies in his poem Leisure when, all those years ago, he looked at the frantic pace of the world he saw around him. And yet as the photograph below seems to prove in an even faster moving world than Davies lived in, the steam engine has the power to stop people in their tracks to stand and stare, even wave at this noisy, smoky, dirty beast that streaks past them for just a few seconds in their lives. Look however at photographs of steam in the 1950's and 1960's along that famous Devon seawall and you'll find that few turned their heads as the trains swept past; then they were commonplace - today they are a spectacle.

71000 Duke of Gloucester thunders under the footbridge at the end of Dawlish Station on

Sunday morning July 18th, causing people to stop, turn from their gentle strolls, abandon their

conversations mid sentence to watch the spectacle that is steam at full stretch.*

The South Devon Railway can't run trains at 60 miles an hour but it still has an enormous capacity to turn heads, to cause visitors to stand and stare. With just a handful of working steam locomotives and heritage diesel traction (yes some diesels are now 50 years old) the railway can transport those who are old enough to remember back to a quieter age, and show those who were not born 50 or 60 years ago how the railway system was worked in what many of us regard as 'the good old days'.

Our immaculately turned out steam locos turn heads

as do a variety of visiting locomotives

This week is the start of the summer peak timetable, which sees nine return services running down the line and two locomotives normally in steam. It's a busy time when holidaymakers from all over the country will be visiting the line. In his column in this month's Heritage Railway magazine David Morgan, chairman of the Heritage Railway Association, asks the question "Heritage line or tourist railway?" One of his conclusions is that visitors to either type of line will inevitably be 'tourists'. The South Devon Railway is undoubtedly a Heritage Railway, recreating a period in time long past by means of a continuing program of conservation; but sitting comfortably alongside that are all the facilities that the 21st century tourist expects on a day out.

We've mentioned before in these columns that the South Devon has an enviable reputation for its friendliness; the volunteers who are responsible for so many of the jobs both seen and unseen by the public, making everyone instantly feel at home. And with seven miles of the most beautiful Devon countryside to travel through, following the course of the River Dart all the way from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, there is certainly time to stand and stare and take in the atmosphere of this living steam railway.

For full details of how to get to the railway and what to see when you get there go to

http://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/

* To view more images of 71000 Duke of Gloucester on the Torbay Express

go to the 'Main Line' Page or click here

NOW HERE'S SOMETHING

YOU DON'T SEE EVERY DAY

ON THE SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY

Locomotive no. 69621, the only surviving member of the Great Eastern Railway N7/4 class

enters the yards at Buckfastleigh Friday 16th July.

The N7, owned by the East Anglian Railway Museum, and normally seen at work on The North Norfolk Railway is visiting the SDR Workshops for some repairs. It has the distinction of being the last locomotive to have been constructed at the Stratford Works of the GER, being built from a 1914 design by A.J.Hill and delivered in 1924 with the number 999E. Not long after it carried the L.N.E.R. number 7999 which it retained until 1947 when it became 9621 with the 6 added at Nationalisation. The locomotive was used extensively for suburban workings out of Liverpool Street and Fenchurch Street and was fitted with the Westinghouse system of compressed air braking which, we understand, is a magnificent sound to be heard when she is in steam.

She is certainly a powerful looking locomotive, and for technical buffs weighs in at 61 tons 16 cwt, has a T.E. of 20515 lbs, operating at 180 lbs boiler pressure with two 18" x 24" inside cylinders and Walschaerts valve gear. We wonder is this the furthest south she has ever been?

Help For Heroes

At the SDR's 1940's Weekend some of our own heroes baked their socks off for two or three days to provide the NAAFI with a variety of delicious looking home made cakes. Having done that they then sold them to the visitors to raise money for Help For Heroes. Also further funds were raised by donations received on the platform and trains. Well done to the girls who baked and then sold the cakes to raise the magnificent sum of £614.33 - of which cake sales were £301.81 and other donations £312.52. Pauline Short would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to provide the cakes and to everyone who bought a cake or made a donation.

Carol Jones, Hilda Hocking and Pauline Short take a break from baking

and selling cakes to listen to one of the ENSA concerts.

Photograph Sarah Anne Harvey

Pictured right is Enid Ellis who, besides collecting donations on the platform,

travelled up and down the line on trains receiving money from our very

generous passengers. Well done Enid!

Photograph courtesy Pauline Short

Annual Sponsored Walk

The Buckfastleigh Station Group - a Project Group of the South Devon Railway Association, have announced the Annual Sponsored Walk from Totnes Littlehempston Station to Buckfastleigh on Saturday 7th August at approximately 5.30pm. Walkers will be conveyed to Totnes by train leaving from Buckfastleigh at 4.30pm. On return to Buckfastleigh there will be the usual BBQ. As in the last two years it is being held in aid of funds for the continued improvements and refurbishments which will be undertaken by the Station Group.

Full details are available on a leaflet obtainable at Buckfastleigh Station or by 'phoning Mick Stevens (Sponsored Walk Organiser) on 01364 642997.

Third Locomotive Visit Confirmed

As we go to press with this report it has just been confirmed that ex GWR 0-4-2 no 1450 will be visiting the South Devon to take part in the August Bank Holiday Rails and Ales Festival and the September Heritage Transport Gala. It seemed that the 40th Anniversary Year might be a hard year to beat for the variety of visiting engines but the thoughts of the 14xx and the Dukedog on the SDR at the same time is very exciting. By their looks they could be mistaken for locos built in Victorian or Edwardian eras, but both were built in the 1930's. More news as we get it!

A Word from Dick Wood

General Manager Dick Wood sends the following message to all staff and volunteers. "I'd like to thank everyone who helped or attended last weekend's 1940's event which was truly excellent. The whole show was very well received and enjoyed by all who came along with some great flashbacks to what life looked like in the 1940's. Our visiting loco Mogul No. 5322 arguably stole the show but the music from the ENSA entertainment troupe, the military displays in the field and people in period costumes made it really come alive. There was a sea of smiling faces on both days and we're hoping to host an even bigger and better event next year, so book the date now!"

SARAH GETS A FRONT COVER

A photograph created by Sarah Anne Harvey, the South Devon Railway's Photographer in Residence, has been chosen for the front cover of a national railway magazine. Heritage Railway, one of the leading steam news magazines, chose the image for the front cover of their 8th July - 4th August issue. Besides spending the majority of her time at the South Devon Sarah also photographs mainline rail tours as they pass through the South West. The chosen image was of 6024 King Edward I piloting 5029 Nunney Castle as they passed over the Forder Viaduct, near Saltash in Cornwall with the 'Cornish Riviera'.

Sarah commented "I'm thrilled to bits that of all the photographs that would have been taken between this main line steam excursion departing London Paddington and running all the way down to Par in Cornwall, mine was selected. There were around 20 other photographers shooting from this location but I looked at where they had gathered and stood apart from them - I particularly wanted to include Devonport Dockyard in the background."

And Sarah was quick to add, "Having achieved this goal my next aim is to get a front cover with an image that has been created on the South Devon, now that really would be something else!"

With ex GWR mogul 5322 having visited during last weekend's 1940's Gala and the Dukedog due in a couple of months we're sure there will be some stunning images that will appear on this website too. The full image is shown below.

EX G.W.R. MOGUL 5322 ARRIVES

Tuesday 6th July - and 2-6-0 ex G.W.R. Mogul 5322 arrives from Didcot. The locomotive arrived first followed by the tender a few hours later which, when they had been re-united, were taken through the loop and then into the Yard.

The South Devon Railway's 1940's Weekend is being held on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th July and No. 5322 is our special visitor. Whilst it saw actual active service in France during World War One it is also a fitting reminder of the part played by Britain's railways during World War Two. The engine is painted in the Railway Operating Department (ROD) khaki livery it carried at the time when it hauled trains loaded with supplies between Calais and the Front line. It will also be just the third time a Mogul has ever run on the South Devon line and enthusiasts are expected to flock to see the loco, which is owned by the Great Western Society.

Of the 1940's Weekend Dick Wood, SDR's General Manager said “Fewer and fewer people now remember what the 1940’s were like, so we are hoping to recreate some of the everyday but memorable and nostalgic scenes from that era in conjunction with the Devon area Branch of the Military Vehicle Trust. There will be something on site to attract most people who have an interest in British military history and steam trains, and we will be especially pleased to welcome Great Western Society loco No. 5322 to our line for the very first time. It promises to be a memorable event.”

0-4-0 FOWLER

The 0-4-0 diesel mechanical Fowler was also outshopped today in its MFP livery and will be

performing Yard shunting duties during the 1940's Weekend.

For full details of the 1940's Weekend and WTT click here

MUSEUM REFURBISHMENT

PROGRESS

We called in at the Museum which is situated in the old goods shed at Buckfastleigh Station, to see how the refurbishment program was getting along. Entrance to the Museum is currently from the main platform only and it has to be said that one single step away from the hustle and bustle of passengers and trains takes you into another world altogether. Museums are often dark and dismal places and although the South Devon Railway's Museum is definitely a look back at two centuries it is done in a fashion very appropriate to the expectations of 21st century visitors. It's light and airy with objects and displays that draw your attention.

The two largest displays are of course Tiny the only remaining original broad gauge locomotive in the country, which is on loan to the SDR from the National Rail Museum. And tiny it is not, for it is a fearsome looking piece of Victorian engineering which performed its duties as a shunting engine, the driver and fireman standing admist moving cranks and rods with no protection from the elements. Flanking it, and providing something for children and adults alike to clamber onto the footplate, is Ashley - a diminutive saddle tank locomotive that spent much of it's life at Exeter Gas Works.

New displays on purpose built boards line the wall and it's very much a case of 'something for everyone'. Of course the refurbishment continues in an area still closed to the public but the hard work of volunteers is creating yet another area for visitors to step inside and browse which will open during the coming months.

Our photograph shows the work completed so far.

TRACK TROLLEY SURVEY

FOR THE LINE

Yellow Peril Visits the SDR

Visiting traction and rolling stock is always a popular feature on the SDR, however on Tuesday 8^th June what was probably the smallest visiting item of rail mounted plant ever to visit the line made what was also probably the slowest ever journey from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, departing from Buckfastleigh at around 08.00 and not arriving at Totnes until around 15.45.

The yellow machine in question was a track geometry trolley that had been hired in for the day with its operator, Brian Richards, from Brian Richards Surveying and Setting Out Services Ltd. Brian is a keen supporter of heritage railways and whilst being a link up approved Network Rail contractor, he is also prepared to undertake heritage railway work utilising his very expensive and specialist rail survey equipment at favourable heritage rates.

The trolley is manually pushed along the line whilst its on-board computer records the survey data. This is recorded via wheel mounted probes and measured values are collected constantly whilst the trolley is moving forward and the on-board monitor also provides an immediate visual illustration of the survey data by means of a real time trace graph, which is constantly updated as the recorded values are being received.

The data collected from the survey is then downloaded and processed into a survey report format as a follow up desk top exercise, with the aim of then assisting with future decision making process’s relating to where, when and what track maintenance and improvements are undertaken.

With a full line survey having been undertaken there are also additional benefits to be gained, because there has been a full “snap shot” record undertaken and thus the decision making process in relation to prioritising the potential benefits to be gained from various proposed future PW works is supported by the comprehensive survey data available. Thus, not only will it assist in defining the current track geometry situation, it will also provide an independent technical audit of the integrity of those works that have been undertaken in recent times.

The survey team consisted of Trolley Operator Brian Richards, PW Manager Andy Matthews, Rail Infrastructure Engineer Tony Phillips, and Lookout Mike Webb.

My thanks to Andy Matthews for supplying the technical data and report.

Photograph left shows Mike Webb on Lookout duties

and who inbetween trains took the opportunity to practice with his Vuvuzela

that annoying 100 wasps trapped in a bottle noise, heard at World Cup Matches.

NEWS IN BRIEF

The South Devon Railway passenger figures are holding up particularly well this year and, at the end of the May Half Term holiday week, had carried just five passengers fewer at the same period than in 2009 which hopefully augurs well for the rest of the season.

With heavy freight former GWR 2-8-0 No 3803 now away on hire to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway until the end of August, this is the first season ever that every working South Devon Railway steam loco has been away on hire to other railways: 5786 visited the Severn Valley Railway in March; 5526 visited the Bodmin and Wenford Railway in April; 1369 is on long term hire to Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway and, dependent on successful running in trials, 3205 should visit the SVR briefly in September as part of their 40th anniversary year but is otherwise not for hire.

The South Devon Railway Trust Board has also taken the decision to offer locomotive 3803 for sale in order to help pay for the costly restoration of ex GWR pannier tank 6412 and also fund other important development projects on the railway. The guide price is £350,000 and the locomotive has six years left on its ticket -- expressions of interest to Dick Wood, General Manager, South Devon Railway, please telephone (01364) 643536 or e-mail: DickWood@southdevonrailway.org .

SDRONLINE IS ONE YEAR OLD TODAY

Yes, born on 16 June 2009, this website has

now been around for twelve months!

Conceived originally as a kind of independent and unofficial monthly magazine, it has developed more into a daily paper with up-to-date news and now our new pages of Galleries of images from recent events.

At the end of that first month last year, we had received 154 visits compared with our current month which is now receiving an average of 245 visits a day!

Total visits for the twelve months to lunchtime yesterday (Tuesday 15^th) are 51,616 with a massive total of 142,697 pages read. I expect the number of hits on the website to exceed just over five million before the end of the month.

With the website name being sdronline, using Google and the name South Devon Railway has always been a problem for us. At the end of November 2009, we could be found on page 21 of Google – and that was only if you had the stamina to plough through 20 other pages to get to us! But, for several weeks now, we have been the sixth entry on page 1 having gradually worked our way up.

So, the intention of this website is still, wherever possible, to be the first with the news, thereby filling a void for staff, volunteers and visitors alike. We would like to thank all of you who have remained ardent readers over the past twelve months and welcome those of you who have just joined us.

And so, with some pride, we wish ourselves ‘Happy Birthday’ and will do our best to ensure there are many more to come. It’s certainly been a year to remember!

Sarah

Dia del Pare, Ziua Tatălui, Festa del Papà,

Dia do Pai, Tevo diena, Día del Padre, Vatertag.

Just a few different ways of saying Father's Day

and therein lies a story!

It's often thought that Father's Day is a modern invention devised purely for commercialism and also for the fact that if women could celebrate Mother's Day then men should be allowed to have their day too. Well the former wasn't really true, but a lady by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington did believe that fathers should also have their only special celebration and through her efforts the first observance of Father's Day is believed to have been held on June 19, 1910 in America.

Of course politicians in America spotted an opportunity for some media coverage in their favour and a bill to accord national recognition of the holiday was introduced in Congress in 1913 but it was not until 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972, just 59 years after the idea was first mooted in the House. In the meantime 54 other countries around the world were celebrating Father's Day, in their own ways, on the third Sunday in June with many other countries putting aside a special day at other dates throughout the year.

There were even arguments about how the day should be written - should it be Fathers' Day or Father's Day? Well the records show that the discussions went something like this. Although the name of the event is usually understood as a plural possessive (i.e. "day belonging to fathers"), which would under normal English punctuation guidelines be spelled "Fathers' Day", the most common spelling is "Father's Day", as if it were a singular possessive (i.e. "day belonging to Father"). In the United States, Dodd used the "Fathers' Day" spelling on her original petition for the holiday, but the spelling "Father's Day" was already used in 1913 when a bill was introduced to the US Congress as the first attempt to establish the holiday. (Hopefully this lengthy explanation will prevent a flood of emails to this site which start "I don't wish to be a pedant but..........")

But where is the significance of all of this to the South Devon Railway? After all the intention of the site is to bring you news of the Railway. 'Seempuls' - on June 20th the SDR are running a special Father's Day lunchtime Dining Train. Now what better way to get the family together to give Dad a special treat? A tip top menu in the comfort of our heritage Dining Saloons "King George" and "Duchess of York" both of which were built by craftsmen in 1937 and which will be hauled by a steam locomotive. The Dining Train is conveyed down the line to Totnes through countryside, that looks particularly beautiful at the moment in it's coat of spring greens, and which closely follows the course of the River Dart. During the return journey cheese and biscuits and coffee are served.

It's such a different way to give Dads a very special day to remember and Mums will be equally relaxed because they don't have to cook. The American comedian Bill Cosby once said, "Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope." Well the lunchtime Dining Train running on Father's Day 20th June is a bit more special and memorable than soap-on-a-rope and there are some tables still available. For more information and to book telephone 0845 345 1466 (local rate).

THE SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY

QUIZ No 67

On a well earnt day off from work

would you prefer to get your hands dirty by

a) Mowing the lawn

b) Decorating the smallest room

c) Cleaning out the kids' rabbit hutch

or instead

get your hands on the controls of a steam locomotive

and then get your hands on one of these

What better way to spend your leisure time than driving a steam loco which is hauling coaches up and down one of the prettiest heritage lines in the country? In a never to be forgotten experience you can spend a day on the South Devon Railway doing just that under the guidance of some of our most experienced drivers and firemen. Not only that but your day will be packed with visits to the loco shed, the workshops, one of the signal boxes and other areas not generally accessible to the public. It's a chance to see behind the scenes, chat to experts who are only too willing to tell you how a heritage railway ticks before climbing aboard the steam locomotive that you will be driving and firing during the day.

And with just a few places left in June and July (before the Footplate Experience Days are suspended during the busiest weeks of our high season two trains in service timetable) now is the time to book. For a full account of what you can expect during the day read the report of someone who took part. Maureen Douglas-Green's telling of the day's events starts with these words, "Nothing can prepare you for the sense of responsibility that some of life’s experiences throw at you. When, at the end of the day, you have been left in a state of absolute awe and wonder, you know that day will live in your memory for the rest of your life."

Finally the footplate of a steam locomotive really isn't just a male domain, two of our volunteers are lady firemen and ladies of all ages are welcomed aboard the Footplate Experience Days. For Maureen's account and photographs of her day click here.

South Devon Railway footplate experience courses make a superb and memorable gift. To check dates and availability and to book, call 0845 345 1466 or e-mail info@southdevonrailway.org

A COUNTRY BRANCH LINE

TO BE PROUD OF !

Who could fail to have felt a quickening of the heart beat, a stirring of memories at the sight and sound of the Collett Mixed Traffic Locomotive 3205, back in public service after a five year absence. If ever a locomotive looked 'just right' it is this one and Buckfastleigh once again echoed to its familiar bark as it started its journey down the line. And the number of people who turned out to watch and ride behind it confirmed that it is the undoubted star of the line.

Although Saturday's weather put a dampener on the first day's proceedings Sunday and Monday were at least dry, bringing out the visitors in numbers necessitating the use of the field as an overflow car park. At Staverton the Real Ale Bar was a huge attraction as the station took on a new look in the area between the coach in the bay platform and the goods shed. Here an excellent patio appeared which was furnished with garden tables, chairs and parasols. More additional seating could be found on the main platform side too as visitors watched the passing of trains clutching their pints and pies and then absorbing the absolute peace and quiet of the countryside surrounding this pretty station when the train had departed.

The line itself is perhaps at its most beautiful at this time of the year amidst a multitude of vibrant spring greens and the never ending movement of birds seeking food for their young. At Woodville, as I waited for a train to pass, a buzzard settled on the arm of a telephone post not fifty yards away and kept me company for at least five minutes as it took a breather from soaring high above the fields. And in the background the soft gurgling of the River Dart, quite low at the moment but oh so clear.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1st, 2nd, 3rd June the railway is running its two trains in service timetable, with frequent departures during the day; and so if you missed the Gala Weekend there's still time to come and visit and ride this wonderful country branch line.

I've added a gallery of photographs taken during the weekend, click here if you'd like to view it.

ROAD-RAILER IS A BIG HIT

WITH THE P.W. GANG

The Liebherr 312 Road Railer proved itself on Wednesday evening when the permanent way gang replaced a track panel in the main platform line at Buckfastleigh. Much of the hard labour involved in lifting old sleepers out of the track bed and carrying them away was removed by the machine's lifting capabilities. It then set to work removing the old surface and loading it straight into the waiting wagon - another back breaking chore when done by hand.

Work started after the stock from the last service train of the day had been stored in the loop headshunt and the road-railer, followed by the P.W. train, rolled through the platform line and into action.

The P.W. gang operate on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer and Andy Matthews hopes that now some of the more physical tasks have been taken over by the Liebherr a few more volunteers will turn up to help out - there's even time for a teabreak as the machine saves so much time.

With the track bed levelled to Andy's specification the new sleepers were lifted in, two at a time in a matter of minutes, to very appreciative smiles and much head nodding from the gangers.

A SUNNY SATURDAY AT TOTNES

On the hottest day of the year so far I visited Totnes Station to check out a rumour that the Association's chief signmaker had left his mark on yet another part of the railway. And it was true - as I passed over the quaintly named Bulliver Bridge, which gives passengers access to the railway's Totnes Littlehempston Station from Totnes Town, there it was hanging proudly for all to see. Well done CB, another 'propurr job' which gives clear notice of what is beyond the bridge.

Work has restarted on painting the bridge, abandoned in the late winter months due to the adverse weather conditions. Whilst nowhere near as big a project as the 2011 planned repaint of Brunel's Saltash Bridge, Bulliver has 28 panels per side, consisting of 14 spindles each and with four sides to each spindle to rub down and paint that's no mean task.

The picnic area between the bridge and platform looked particularly splendid after some attention by Ian weilding a 'no bovver hovver' mower and it really is a lovely area for passengers to enjoy a picnic on the gently sloping grounds which reach the banks of the River Dart. There are also some picnic tables and benches, ideal for families, at the platform end of the grounds.

Along the platform I found Chris Mackenzie-Thorpe lavishing some tender loving care on the now upright red telephone box, the sheer weight of this defeating all previous attempts to get it up from its horizontal position on the platform. On arrival after purchase it took two hours to transport it the 464 yards from the BR Car Park to the SDR station. Chris reckons the box will have been fully restored by 2011 when the public will be able to enter the kiosk to view the planned full size Totnes Station Museum in its Tardis like interior.

I couldn't help visiting the Rare Breeds Farm after I heard they had some new arrivals. Access to the farm can only be gained from the South Devon Railway's platform and it's well worth a visit, as an ex lifelong towny I love the place and it deserves its award winning status. I can't resist showing you a good 'aaahh' picture and here are some of the new arrivals.

Meet the Kids	Stop staring at me. I'm trying not to make a pigs ear of eating these chips!
	Left - this tiny baby owl is a very new arrival and hasn't yet been named. Above - a familiar site to many passengers is farm volunteer Pete who brings one of the owls to the platform to meet the trains.

Our final image is of Bulliver Bridge and hanging from the central upright the new signs.

South Devon Railway - the unofficial website

South Devon Railway's unofficial site - first with the news, pictures and information.