Devon Belle Observation Car
Paul Negus
Seeing the Devon Belle observation car in the Swanage snaps posted by Andrew and Diane Jones yesterday made me search out our images of its "sister" carriage on the Paington and Kingswear Railway in June of this year.
We joined our train at Kingswear after a panoramic trip across the Dart on one of the railway's ferries and arrived in time to see the earlier departure behind Lydham Manor. We saw the impressive Devon Belle carriage was in the train and asked the guard if our (standard) tickets would be valid, as our return from Paignton would be behind Lydham Manor. He replied that you can ride in this carriage for the princely supplement of three pounds. What a bargain! (I remember charging passengers £1 to travel in the Observation Car on the Ffestiniog Railway back in the 1960s - about £23 in today's money). Needless to say, we enjoyed the best view right at the back of the train and I can thoroughly recommend the trip to all readers.
We joined our train at Kingswear after a panoramic trip across the Dart on one of the railway's ferries and arrived in time to see the earlier departure behind Lydham Manor. We saw the impressive Devon Belle carriage was in the train and asked the guard if our (standard) tickets would be valid, as our return from Paignton would be behind Lydham Manor. He replied that you can ride in this carriage for the princely supplement of three pounds. What a bargain! (I remember charging passengers £1 to travel in the Observation Car on the Ffestiniog Railway back in the 1960s - about £23 in today's money). Needless to say, we enjoyed the best view right at the back of the train and I can thoroughly recommend the trip to all readers.
7827 is ready to depart Kingswear running tender-first, coupled to the Devon Belle observation car. 18.05.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
7827 'Lydham Manor' with The Devon Belle at Paignton. 18.05.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
The observation car at Kingswear. 18.05.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
Many thanks, Paul - I'm sure these are a valuable asset to their owners, they allow a great view when on the rear of a service.
Burngullow Interlude
Jon Hird
66054 stands in the loop at Burngullow having arrived with a mixture of loaded and empty JIA wagons from Par Harbour. It's quite unusual to see a train here this late in the day nowadays, with most Treviscoe traffic arriving early in the morning. 10.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43042 rushes past with 2C20 from Exeter St. Davids. 10.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Later in the day, whilst on the way to town, I made another quick visit to Burngullow. A drone shot in the warm evening light showing the sad state of Burngullow yard and the rest of the huge site which has sat silently decaying for a number of years. 10.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
GWR's 800002 passes by in some lovely evening light with the 1715 Penzance - Plymouth. 10.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The Torbay Riviera Pullman
Andrew Triggs
In between the showers I caught up with the Return 1Z33 17.29 Paignton-Norwich 'Torbay Riviera Pullman' with LSL 43047 and 43055 passing Norton Fitzwarren heading towards Taunton. 3 shots for CRS in somewhat challenging conditions.
Shortly after passing Norton Fitzwarren, as the rain briefly stops. 10.09.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Clearing Silk Mills Road overbridge. 10.09.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Passing Fairwater Yard heading towards Taunton. 10.09.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Many thanks Andrew, well done for braving the weather!