THREE ANNIVERSARIES IN THE NEXT 2 DAYS
50 years ago the first rolling stock arrived on the Dart Valley Light Railway (now the South Devon Railway) in the shape of 2 locomotives and 4 coaches. The date was Saturday 2 October 1965 and the locos were 3205 and 4555.
On the same day 50 years ago the last passenger trains ran between Barnstaple Junction and Torrington in North Devon.
45 years ago the last passenger services ran between Barnstaple Junction and Ilfracombe. The date was Saturday 3 October 1970.
Regards Mike Roach
Many thanks Mike, keep watching the calendar!
50 years ago the first rolling stock arrived on the Dart Valley Light Railway (now the South Devon Railway) in the shape of 2 locomotives and 4 coaches. The date was Saturday 2 October 1965 and the locos were 3205 and 4555.
On the same day 50 years ago the last passenger trains ran between Barnstaple Junction and Torrington in North Devon.
45 years ago the last passenger services ran between Barnstaple Junction and Ilfracombe. The date was Saturday 3 October 1970.
Regards Mike Roach
Many thanks Mike, keep watching the calendar!
4555 and 3205 reach the top of Dainton Bank on their way to Buckfastleigh. Remarkably 3205 is still at Buckfast 50 years later. 2nd October 1965 Copyright Mike Roach
4555 pushes its way through the bushes at Staverton Station on the afternoon of the 2nd October 1965 The vegetation had grown quite tall in the 3 years since the last freight trains ran to Buckfast and Ashburton. 2nd October 1965 Copyright Mike Roach