PAIGNTON AND DARTMOUTH STEAM RAILWAY

Timetables and Fares

 

 

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visit the

 

Paignton & Dartmouth Railway Website

 

or

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which includes the

Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway

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The much-repaired water tank at Paignton Park Station,

with an exquisitely refurbished set of coaches in GWR livery, standing alongside.

GWR No.7827, "Lydham Manor", prepares to run round the train of eight coaches at Paignton Park Station

prior to making a spirited run up the incline to Churston Station.

The Station Nameplate at Churston.

 

 

On the entrance to Churston Station, standing on the original branch line to Brixham, can be seen the turntable,

which is part of the main repair and servicing depot located on the opposite side of the tracks here.

 

 

"Lydham Manor" emerges from the trees, and runs alongside the River Dart

on the outer approaches to Kingswear Station.

 

 

 

Locomotive and train pass the north-bound 'outer home' colour light signal,

and heads towards the waiting photographers.

 

 

The driver and fireman keep a watchful eye as the locomotive nears the automatic barrier crossing

on the approach to Kingswear Station.

 

 

 

Against the magnificent backdrop of the River Dart and Dartmouth Marina,

the fully loaded 10 coach train in all GWR colours,

finally arrives at it's destination recreating scenes of yesteryear.

 

The car park on the right of the picture

was the original location of Kingswear Goods Yard and turntable in GWR & BR days.

 

 

 

This idyllic scene of the station environs around Kingswear

shows the 'Manor' locomotive about to run round it's rake of coaches,

 

whilst the photographers cluster on the footbridge over the extended platform,

which proudly proclaims: "Kingswear for Dartmouth", accessed by means of the River Dart ferry.

 

 

DARTMOUTH MARINA

with the Britannia Royal Naval College prominently in view across the River Dart estuary

 

 

With Dartmouth Marina once more in the background the driver of "Lydham Manor" opens the regulator to move his charge towards the crossover located at the other side of the barrier crossing.

 

The locomotive has now regained the 'main line' and is preparing to couple up to the coaches for the return journey to Paignton.

The 'Whistle and 10mph speed limit" sign for the level crossing and the crossing itself is clearly visible in this shot.

Another close up of the "Manor" locomotive

as she prepares to couple up.

 

 

The fireman has performed his duties and re-coupled the locomotive, and the driver now opens the 'blower' to brighten the fire,

and raise the steam pressure for the hard climb ahead back to Churston.

 

 

A close up shot of the locomotive nameplate.

For the technically minded, the 'Rocking Levers' and the 'oil boxes' for the Eccentric Straps of the Stephenson Valve Gear

are clearly visible in this picture.

 

 

A trackside view of the approaching train.

 

And now, a pair of photos taken through the window of the Observation Carriage,

which is now positioned at the front of the train for the return journey,

showing the locomotive running round and coupling up once more to the coaches.

As the gentleman sitting in the front seat of the Observation Carriage remarked :

" This is what a 'head on' train crash must look like!

 

 

We are ready for the return journey 'tender first' to Paignton.

I was unable to avoid the top of the front seat passenger's head

unfortunately!

 

 

After the exhilarating climb with superb sound effects

( which don't process very well on a photograph! ),

we approach the mouth of the long tunnel just prior to

arriving in Churston Station and the long winding descent to Goodrington Sands.

 

 

On a warm and balmy afternoon the train drifts across Churston Ferrers Viaduct 'tender first'

on the approach to Goodrington Sands Station.

 

In the background are the many leisure boats

and the empty tanker, the "BW Lake", anchored in the bay.

 

Our train now approaches Churston Station

with it's wonderful GWR footbridge.

 

The clearances on this line are very generous

as it was original constructed to Brunel's 'Broad Gauge'.

 

 

As we approach Goodrington Sands Station,

the beach can be clearly seen on the right.

 

This is a wonderful location with the beach,

being located adjacent to the station.

 

Sea, sand, and steam locomotives, what more could one wish for?

Our train finally returns to Paignton Park Station

at the end of our wonderful journey.

 

In the cab of the locomotive are the driver,

fireman and trainee

( GWR locomotives are right hand drive )

 

 

 

The returning locomotive hauls the train out of the sunshine

into the relative gloom of the station roof at Paignton Park,

 

whilst large crowds await the commencement

of the the next service to Kingswear.

 

This is one 'Heritage Railway' which is doing very nicely thank you.

 

Oh Doctor Beeching, if you could see it now!

 

 

To view the

RVR Historical Rail Map

which includes the

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

click here

 

As we leave Whitby Station behind Class 25 Diesel D7628, 'Sybilla' ,

we pass under the magnificent Larpool Viaduct

on the closed Scarborough to Whitby line,

now reduced to a cycleway

 

 

On reaching Grosmont Station on the NYMR,

ex LNER ( GNR ) N2 Condensing Tank, locomotive No.1744, backs onto our train

for the stiff climb to Goathland

 

 

N2 tank No.1744 pilots Class 25, D7628, out of Grosmont Station

 

 

After reaching Goathland Station after a spirited climb from Grosmont,

we are greeted by the sight of a superbly-restored goods train standing in the sidings

bringing back many boyhood memories

 

 

The elegant water tank and water crane at Goathland

with semaphore signals clearly visible over the bridge in the distance.

 

The sun was in the wrong place for this photo but the tree at the other side precluded a brighter picture!

 

 

This view of Goathland Signal Box, sited at the foot of the eastbound platform

also shows the repainting of the station footbridge

and the busy platform awaiting the arrival of the next train to Grosmont

 

"The interesting bits", the Control Room of the N2 Tank.

 

I would love to get my hands on these valves and things,

with gloves on of course!

 

 

A graphic shot of the N2 tank about to take on water at Pickering

for the return journey to Grosmont,

 

obtained by kind permission of the Station Controller

after a heated discussion about the over-zealous application

of the "Health and Safety At Work Act" !!

 

Approaching Levisham Station, with its level crossing,

on the return journey to Goathland

 

 

The reasons for including this shot are twofold.

Firstly, it illustrates the rugged nature of the terrain through which this magnificent line was built.

The embankment and fence were actually on fire just previous to this picture, presumably ignited by the last train!

 

Secondly, because of the condensing operation of this locomotive, the poorer quality of coal now obtainable is highlighted.

 

The smoke emitted from the chimney was very bad all the way up this steep climb, causing passengers to close the windows!

 

 

A detailed shot of the 3 - arm bracket signal on the approach to Goathland Station

 

 

Westbound train, headed by "Black 5", No.45428, "Eric Treacy" ,

awaits our arrival in the passing loop at Goathland to allow the drivers of the respective locomotives

to exchange "Tokens" for their following sections

 

 

Stainier Black 5, "Eric Treacy", stands at Goathland,

with a full head of steam, awaiting the right of way to return to Grosmont

 

 

A view of Goathland Station.

used extensively in the TV series "Heartbeat" and the "Harry Potter" movies.

 

I find this station extremely emotional

as it evokes many memories of long days gone by spent at various railway locations

 

 

A high level view of the main platform at Goathland,

used extensively whilst filming

 

 

Goathland again

 

Black 5, No.45428, "Eric Treacy",

arrives at Goathland Station tender first.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, three pictures of "Elizabeth", the Sentinel Steam Bus,

which started life in 1931 as a steam wagon,

was then converted to a tar sprayer in 1948,

and reverted to a wagon in the 1950's.

 

It was saved from the scrap yard as a flatbed wagon

by the present owner Vincent (who drove for the NYMR and the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter movies),

finally added the bus body,

and has been giving rides around the hills of Whitby since 2005.

 

"Elizabeth" is capable of 50mph on the motorway,

and has plenty of reserve power for climbing the steep hills

around this East Coast resort.

Well worth a visit!

"Elizabeth" also sports a most gloriously sounding "Chime Whistle"

As the slogan says " Relive the glory of steam".

 

An atmospheric view of Larpool Viaduct

 

 

This is how it used to be!

The End

 

Quick Links:

 

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Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

 

Ffestiniog Railway

Welsh Highland Railway

Bluebell Railway (Bleasdale)

 

West Somerset Railway

Model Railway at Gilling East

Ellenroad Steam Museum

 

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Return to RVR Home Page

To view the   July 1938 Bradshaw Timetables   for all the railway lines shown on the map located at the start of this feature   click below

 

 

Quick Links:

 

Top of page

 

Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

 

Ffestiniog Railway

Welsh Highland Railway

Bluebell Railway (Bleasdale)

 

West Somerset Railway

Model Railway at Gilling East

Ellenroad Steam Museum

 

Return to Gallery Home Page

Return to the Trailer Gallery

 

Return to RVR Home Page

 

 

Above photos courtesy North Yorkshire Moors Railway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) - Minehead

To view the

RVR Historical Rail Map

which includes the

West Somerset Railway

click here

 

Floral Display at Bishop's Lydeard

 

 

GWR Mogul at Bishop's Lydeard

 

 

The water tank and signals at Bishop's Lydeard looking towards Taunton

 

 

GWR Mogul taking water at Bishop's Lydeard