Dartmouth Steam Railway General Discusssion

Due to be 75014 and 7827 this week on two train services.

 

Travelled on this line on 11th August behind the 2.8.0T Goliath both ways. Was very enjoyable. Pre booked the tickets online and then collected the paper tickets on arrival which they had all printed out on a table ready to hand over to each passenger. The tickets had your coach/seats numbers on already so you didn't get to choose where to sit. You could book a single ticket if you wish.

Also went on the Kingswear castle paddle steamer. You just book a boat trip online and can't select which boat, just gives the times, so when I asked on arrival if it would be on the Kingswear castle was told no not that sailing, but in the kiosk in Dartmouth they changed to a later sailing for us in just a few mins so we would be on it. As we had a kiddy pushchair with us it is good too that they have marked space to put them which made life more easy.

It is a slick professional operation, only thing is that some of the coach interiors were a bit 'modernised' but only enthusiasts would notice.

 

I am glad you had an enjoyably day Toplight. The Kinsgwear Castle is something different, steam train rides, usually, are similar - just different scenery and sounds. Brownie points for the change of vessel option I guess!

 

It was the first time I had seen or been on it, it is a bit like Waverley but a lot smaller. It went first out towards the open sea then back down the river as far as Greenway viaduct. Everywhere in Torbay was very busy, hotels booked up and railway/boats doing good business, with Goliath and 75014 running trips back and forth all day long.

It is good that they have lots of kiosks in the whole area even including Torquay selling tickets and promoting the operation, Other railways could learn from that to improve their passenger numbers especially among the casual day tripper who hadn't necessarily planned to travel.

 

Not the first time I’ve heard something similar to the first part of this post, compared to a few years ago this seems to be a railway that seems to have listened to what both the public and the cranks/gricers want and when possible seems to accommodate both.
I find it rather interesting that it seems to happened since the current GM took charge.

 

Any idea what's running tomorrow (Sunday 23rd) and which way it's/they're facing? Many thanks in advance

 

75014 facing Kingswear out today

 

Presumably it's a two boat operation on the river cruises. Is there a general rule of thumb for which services Kingswear Castle operates? Looking to do a trip on it next month.

 

Yes there was a modern boat operating too doing alternate trips with the Kingswear castle. On the day I went there was a sailing on the Kingswear castle around 1pm and 3:15pm ish if that helps. When you book on the website it just lets you pick the times of the sailing you want but without indicating which boat it is. Presumably they want to keep the passengers on each one roughly the same. Just telephone and ask for the day you want to go. Alternatively you can change the ticket in the Kiosk in Dartmouth (where the boats arrive/depart). From what they said boat trips in the middle of the day are more busy.

 

Kingswear Castle wasn't operating on Fridays during July. Maintenance day, so it is probably still the case.

 

Friday is a different day for many tourists. They are doing last minute shopping and getting geared up for travel home in many instances.
Saturday was known as 'change over day' especially in the days of holiday camps and tourists that came for a week or fortnight. There was a trend towards staggered times with many people coming during the week, but Covid seems to have changed habits a little .

 

7827 facing Paignton and 75014 facing Kingswear were out yesterday.

I booked my tickets over the phone last Friday to enquire which sailings Kingswear Castle was on and the member of staff was very helpful in informing me it was on the 12:00 and 1:30 sailings so we did the 12:00 after coming down on the 10:35 departure off Paignton. Depending how far out you are booking they may not have the workings though. Great trip on the paddle steamer, highly recommended. Think I spent more time looking down into the engine room than I did at the scenery!

 

I assume 5239 was out today as I was sent a photo of 7827 outside the shed at Paignton this morning as the 1000 pulled away hauled by 75014.

 

Travelled on the 29th August, Lydnham Manor was in operation, I rode behind her on the line in the early 80's so it was good to see her again.

Organisation was good, although out connecting GWR service was delayed by a trespasser so we had to get a taxi from Torquay.

Again like @toplight we did the cruise on the Kingswear Castle, my father had introduced me to the delights of the Bristol Queen just before her sad demise so taking my three sons aged 18, 11 & 10 on a paddle steamer, even if rather different in size is important to me. Even my wife liked it!

All in all a rather nice day out.

On the Wednesday the boys went to Splashdown at Goodrington - the water park while my wife & I enjoyed tea from the South Sands Cafe and a good view of the trains - with Braveheart & Goliath on a two train service I could watch the trains while she enjoyed the sea view.

We had to laugh at the coach called Dave!

 

I travelled on the railway yesterday and was thoroughly impressed by the whole operation, particularly the clear perspex screens erected between each table of 4 in the TSOs (only railway I've been on so far that has done that). Very intensive timetable - both 75014 and 5239 were in service - with trains departing from each end of the line every 35 mins. With just 15 minutes at both Paignton and Kingswear before the next departure I thought that schedule would slip but the crews are clearly experts at uncoupling, watering, running around the train and recoupling in as quick a time as possible. Every departure I witnessed and travelled on was right on time.

Here's a couple of pics of the two operating engines that I snapped during their runarounds at Kingswear.

 

Excellent maximum use of your assets having quick run rounds - assuming you are filling your trains each time - having a loco and a bunch of coaches standing round at the station too long is just not making any money and 15mins is more than adequate to run round if your crews are on the ball (been there).



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

With respect, cutting out the stops at Goodrington and Greenway each way therefore bringing down the end-to-end journey time, they aren't doing the turn around at either end any quicker than what is expected on a standard two train day.

 

I've visited to the line over a few days earlier this week. Filmed on the Monday 7th & Tuesday 8th. Locos ran was 75014 & 5239

 

That old boiler has been there a long while. It has moved in recent times, it used to be sited near what is now the large bus maintenance shed. I can't answer about its provenance however. When I pass that way I rarely get chance to look over the road bridge: it is wide, far too much other traffic and 'er indoors complains that I have taken my eyes off the road.
It is used to burn rubbish in - or was in the past.