Gunnislake Line - Tamar Valley Line - ongoing discussion, merged posts

[whole diary]

[LiskeardRich]

I hope they are both 150/2s and not 150/1s to allow through access for the event.

I expect 150/1 as the Santa is only open to specific ticket holders reading the above. If you've paid the premium fare, you wouldn't expect normal farepayers to enter the area.

[sprinterguard]

It doesn't matter if the train has a corridor connection, access can still be restricted with the cab doors. 

[bobm]

If the poster at Plymouth Station is to be believed it will be 150 124..... 

[Pb_devon]

This has me reminiscing about the GWRSA^» (Great Western Railway Staff Association - website) Santa Specials in the 1980s. Packed out and running about 4 times on a Sunday with the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) liveried DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit). All the children were allowed into the cab and to sound the whistle on the Gunni section.  I have a photo of the family with Santa but I will be kind to my son (six then and now in his 30s) and not reproduce it.

[RichardB]

Bit of a different one, this.  I've been contacted by a Bere Alston rsident who bought a number of Tamar Valley Line station name signs from Wessex Trains in 2005 and is now looking to sell them.

The signs weren't that old - mid 90s - and have the station name with the line logo next to it (this is the old, pre Wessex line logo).  Stations available are Gunnislake, Calstock, Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers, Keyham and Devonport.

If anyone is interested, please message me and I'll send the telephone number for the person who is selling them.

As it happens, I kept a picture from when these were sold ten years ago and have attached it.  The seller mentioned a "To Looe" sign so they also have that.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for posting that rather intriguing item, RichardB. 

The seller mentioned a "To Looe" sign so they also have that.

Purely out of idle curiosity on my part: does the seller also have a rather diminutive sign for "To Looe: slow trek", by any chance?

Sorry, just my rather schoolboy sense of humour again. 

[RichardB]

We're celebating 50 years of regular direct trains between Plymouth and Gunnislake over the weekend of 1 - 3 June.

Full details here - www.tvl50.com

Just to pick out a few things -

On Saturday 2 June, there will be a railway themed guided walk around Calstock.  No charge, but booking necessary.

Also on Saturday 2, there will be a vintage bus trip from Gunnislake to Okehampton station and back, connecting with trains (including at Okehampton, where the Meldon shuttle will be running).  Again no charge, but booking necessary. 

On Sunday 3 June, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have very kindly agreed to allow free travel for children on the line all day.  There will also be an Open Day at the Tamar Belle Heritage Centre next to Bere Ferrers station.

[RichardB]

Just a PS to say that there are seats still available on the bus.  To book, just send me a message.

[chuffed]

A very public thank you from me for  arranging the delightful vintage Western National bus ride from Gunnislake to Okehampton. It was really good to meet you and Bobm. As we didnt come back with you, we had a superb leisurely cream tea on the station ....2 large warm scones, lashings of jam and cream for a fiver. One of the best I've had in Devon, or indeed anywhere else. We strolled down into town for the Stagecoach 6 into Exeter St Davids and the 1802 Paddington train where we got off at Tiverton Parkway and drove back to North Somerset arriving at 7.20pm.

A thoroughly enjoyable day out.The weather and the views were beautiful. I am sure the 15 or so other passengers on the bus were equally as thrilled. It was just a shame the other 26 seats were not taken, and I just hope that WHOTT were not too much out of pocket. For those of you that didn't make it,you missed a treat.
 

[RichardB]

A very public thank you from me for  arranging the delightful vintage Western National bus ride from Gunnislake to Okehampton. It was really good to meet you and Bobm. As we didnt come back with you, we had a superb leisurely cream tea on the station ....2 large warm scones, lashings of jam and cream for a fiver. One of the best I've had in Devon, or indeed anywhere else. We strolled down into town for the Stagecoach 6 into Exeter St Davids and the 1802 Paddington train where we got off at Tiverton Parkway and drove back to North Somerset arriving at 7.20pm.

A thoroughly enjoyable day out.The weather and the views were beautiful. I am sure the 15 or so other passengers on the bus were equally as thrilled. It was just a shame the other 26 seats were not taken, and I just hope that WHOTT were not too much out of pocket. For those of you that didn't make it,you missed a treat.
 

Many thanks Chuffed.  Good to meet you both and pleased you enjoyed the trip (and good to hear of your cream tea!).  I too thought it was a great day out and it was a pity that more people didn't come along.  Just to reassure you, WHOTT weren't out of pocket. 

[bobm]

Well for those who didn't or weren't able to come, you missed a great day.  I have travelled on the Gunnislake branch a few times and been to Meldon but not had a chance to explore further.

A few photos from the day


Setting off from Plymouth


Getting the train staff at St Budeaux


Unprompted our driver made a particularly slow crossing of the Calstock viaduct to allow us to take in the view


Arrival at Gunnislake


Our "rail replacement bus"




Two views of Brentor Station - now a private house


The old goods shed at Bridestowe


Waiting to leave Okehampton for Meldon Viaduct


A two minute walk from the train out to the Viaduct

Weather was just about perfect.  Some cloud but a bit of breeze and not too hot.  A word too for our driver.  I have been on a few vehicles driven by enthusiasts and not had the smoothest of rides.  However our driver made easy work of the challenging narrow roads in places and was knowledgeable as well.

Good to meet trainer and chuffed and many thanks to all who helped to organise the day - including RichardB, who no doubt enjoyed a well deserved pint or two after we dropped him off at the pub on the way back to Gunnislake!

[JayMac]

A very public thank you from me for  arranging the delightful vintage Western National bus ride from Gunnislake to Okehampton. It was really good to meet you and Bobm. As we didnt come back with you, we had a superb leisurely cream tea on the station ....2 large warm scones, lashings of jam and cream for a fiver. One of the best I've had in Devon, or indeed anywhere else. We strolled down into town for the Stagecoach 6 into Exeter St Davids and the 1802 Paddington train where we got off at Tiverton Parkway and drove back to North Somerset arriving at 7.20pm.

A thoroughly enjoyable day out.The weather and the views were beautiful. I am sure the 15 or so other passengers on the bus were equally as thrilled. It was just a shame the other 26 seats were not taken, and I just hope that WHOTT were not too much out of pocket. For those of you that didn't make it,you missed a treat.

The most important question of all...

How did you have your scones? Being so close to the border... 

[chuffed]

I was very aware  of being in the DMZ so I did a BoJo and had cream and jam followed by jam and cream followed by cream and jam followed by jam and cream. However I expect to be criticised for showing my true feelings by electing to do the cream first. I am sure there is a scientific reason behind it, but I find the jam slips off cream whereas cream on jam tends to stay put.

If Finn had been there I think he would have scoffed the lot in two shakes. No doubt he would have had that Percy ( the station cat) off the train toot sweet.

[bobm]

I assume this is Percy

[chuffed]

That's him ! Even has his own named cat flap in the signal box ! Looking every inch, the cat that got the cream !