Taken from the 'Branch Line Society' webpage at
http://www.branchline.org.uk/events.php'Saturday 10th October 2015
We are honoured to have been asked to assist
GWR▸ (the new franchise succeeding
FGW▸ on 20 September) in running a very unusual and special charity railtour in aid of First Devon and Exeter Prostate Cancer Fund. The aim is to raise ^20k for a portable scanner. Timings are provisional and subject to
NR» validation with pick up and set down at: London Paddington (07.15/20.39), Reading (07.42/20.08), Didcot Parkway (07.55/19.52), Swindon (08.15/19.33), Bristol
TM‡ (08.52/18.50), Taunton (09.25/18.02) and Exeter St. David's (09.54/17.37); through P6 requested both ways. Then Newton Abbot (through P1 requested), Totnes facing crossover at 222m 47ch to P2 (reverse) and via the mainline South Devon Railway connection to Buckfastleigh (11.15). Enjoy a break on the delightful South Devon Railway or this small market town with all its amenities and attractions. Given the length of a
HST▸ the front should be well beyond the end of the platform to clear the starting signal for return. There will be workshop tours and services operating on the SDR. Departing at 11.25 the HST makes an extra optional return trip to Heathfield (12.44/12.55) also for local people, returning to Buckfastleigh at 14.47. It then picks up all the passengers from the main tour before departing at 15.02 to Heathfield again (16.22/16.42) then back to Paddington as per outward route. This might be the farewell railtour (and is the first HST) to the mothballed Heathfield branch which has had no booked traffic since the timber trains to Chirk were transferred to Exeter Riverside on 3 April 2015 (BLN 1233.914). A comprehensive catering service will be available on board including real ales and freshly cooked food from a Travelling Chef, with all proceeds going to charity.
Standard class fares from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads stations ^75 and ^50 from Taunton or Exeter St. David's. There is a Buckfastleigh to Buckfastleigh return special fare of ^25 which will be donated to the South Devon Railway and the Devon Diesel Society. First class is not available and no child discounts. Cheques payee 'Branch Line Society'. PLEASE NOTE PAYMENT BY CARD IS NOT AVAILABLE ON THIS CHARTER (enquire if you are not able to send a cheque). Provide your name, address, email and contact phone number. If no email supply an SAE, and a second if you require an initial acknowledgment. All bookings to our member Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, Cheshire CW9 8PT. Envelopes should be marked 'HST Special'. Booking queries
blsfgw@gmail.com and general queries to
kev.adlam@branchline.org.uk NB: bookings will be acknowledged after 14 September'
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