22nd November 2021

British Transport Commission Holiday Runabout Ticket 1962
Tickets please - Railrover Tickets
Guy Vincent

Hello Keith / Roger
                                   Inside a box of miscellaneous railwayana items I have been adding to for many years now the following ticket was found.   A rather worn British Transport Commission 'Area No 7' Holiday Runabout Ticket dated 29th July - 04 August 1962.    Senior members will no doubt recall these tickets and the opportunities they presented for exploring out of the way branch lines and sampling traditional push-pull tank engine operations in the period leading up to Beeching's axe which led to the closure of many of these routes.  Today all that remains is the route from Newton Abbot to Barnstaple (Junction) and of course the main line eastwards from Cowley Bridge Junction to Stoke Canon (where the Tiverton line diverged) and beyond.  Exeter-Tiverton closed October 1963, Dulverton-Barnstaple lasted exactly 3 more years and closed in October 1966.  Torrington went in 1965 and Ilfracombe lost its passenger trains from 5th October 1970.    Maybe someone has further examples of these 'Area' tickets covering other areas?

Regards , Guy Vincent  

The young Guy Vincents ticket

The reverse of Guys ticket - if only one could do that trip now.

West Cornwall Rover - Roger Winnen.

The much used and battered ticket of the young Roger Winnen.

The reverse of Rogers Cornish Rover ticket - Roger Winnen collection

Western Region Railrover  - Michael L Roach.

A ticket to Freedom - just look at what it covered. From the Mike Roach collection.. One wonders at the significance of the red 'W' was that to indicate the region of use?

The reverse of Mikes ticket - includes the Somerset and Dorset. From the Mike Roach collection.

West Cornwall Rovers Keith and Valerie Jenkin

At the time of purchase we were advised that although not shown on the availability map as the future of the Helston and Chacewater - Newquay  branches was at the time very much in doubt that we could travel on these lines. Hence the additional markings on the route map at the rear of Valeries ticket.  This was done after use. 

KJ's Rover

KJ's Rover back view;

VJ's Rover - front view. Note the sex discrimination W for woman.

The rear of Valeries Rover ticket.

Many thanks to Guy for the article and to those who have provided copies of their tickets. As Guy says - do you have any similar tickets for other areas in the SW? 
​Please let us see them.

Devon Rover
Good News

Looking at  the GB Railrovers site on the internet it shows that the Dartmoor Line is now included in the Devon Rover ticket
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Plashford Bridge, Looe branch.
Autumnal Colours
Chris Harvey

Hi Keith,
I've dug through the archives to find a picture from 1999 of autumn colours beside the Looe branch.

Best Regards, Chris Harvey Bodmin.

On a crisp 6th November 1999, 153 318 trundles south away from the camera at Plashford Bridge, with the 1320 Liskeard - Looe. Copyright Chris Harvey..

Many thanks Chris - no doubt inspired by Clive Smiths article yesterday 'Autumnal  trip to Looe' .
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Bristol Temple Meads
Paul Barlow

In contrast to the rural scene above 46001 dominates this picture as it sits at Bristol Temple Meads on the 12.25 Newcastle to Plymouth the 1V89/ 29th November 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul.
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