Mike Truscott
Exmouth Junction
David Tozer
Many thanks David We sincerely hope that what you predict won't happen.
Guy Vincent
45069 awaiting departure from platform 5 at Exeter St Davids on the SO 1S84 1024 Paignton-Glasgow Central on 21st July 1984, the last full year of 'classic' railway activities at this station. 45069 lasted a further two years before withdrawal from service in July 1986 and was scrapped by Vic Berry at Leicester towards the end of 1988. Many a happy summer Saturday was spent between 1983 and 1986 riding behind a variety of locomotive types on a 'Devon Explorer' 1 day ticket. I even managed a class 58 (58002) pulling a failed HST on September 1st! (Pictures anyone?)
City Basin was a location of interest as when passing on any train, especially during the summer months, there was always a distinctive aroma of hot tar/bitumen in the air. Much less unpleasant than the odour one always noticed when passing the former British Cellophane factory at Bridgwater!
Guy Vincent A bit of nostalgia there Guy, Many thanks.
Brian Pibworth
Time was passing fast and a quick look at Trainline showed an off peak Senior return at £21 from Axminster. This seemed a bit steep compared to my usual Supa Doopa Saver to Exeter at £6, but it was quite a long way, into Great Western territory and a foreign county to boot. To mitigate the expense I searched for the same ticket from Crewkerne which is equidistant from my home in Chard, but closer to the destination. That was better and the price dropped to £16.70, possibly because the station is in Somerset although it doesn't qualify for the Heart of Wessex Railcard.
Off I went, by car, having to divert for flooded roads and arrived at Crewkerne Station to find the booking office closed. Never mind, the machine was operating and I soon had my ticket - Crewkerne to Westbury £16.70. The train was on time and the journey interesting with the prize at the end of half a dozen freight locos and GW ICE etc all in full view from the platform and 50 min before my return train ( much more at https://www.flickr.com/photos/rabbipx) . It wasn't until I was half way home that the germ of an idea penetrated my addled brain and I called up Trainline on my phone and discovered that the ticket price had been calculated as if I was travelling via Salisbury - quite a long distance and warranting the high fee. Had I thought things through, I realised I should have booked direct to Salisbury at £10.55 but would have been diverted for engineering works via Westbury, the destination I wanted all along
I'm sure the charming lady at Crewkerne would have flagged this up had her office been open but it just goes to show that online ticketing is very logical and has no conscience.
With kind regards, Brian. Many thanks indeed Brian - glad you had a challenging and interesting journey.
