Great Western Coffee Shop

We're celebating 50 years of regular direct trains between Plymouth and Gunnislake over the weekend of 1 - 3 June.

Full details here - www.tvl50.com

Just to pick out a few things -

On Saturday 2 June, there will be a railway themed guided walk around Calstock.  No charge, but booking necessary.

Also on Saturday 2, there will be a vintage bus trip from Gunnislake to Okehampton station and back, connecting with trains (including at Okehampton, where the Meldon shuttle will be running).  Again no charge, but booking necessary. 

On Sunday 3 June, GWR have very kindly agreed to allow free travel for children on the line all day.  There will also be an Open Day at the Tamar Belle Heritage Centre next to Bere Ferrers station.

Just a PS to say that there are seats still available on the bus.  To book, just send me a message.

A very public thank you from me for  arranging the delightful vintage Western National bus ride from Gunnislake to Okehampton. It was really good to meet you and Bobm. As we didnt come back with you, we had a superb leisurely cream tea on the station ....2 large warm scones, lashings of jam and cream for a fiver. One of the best I've had in Devon, or indeed anywhere else. We strolled down into town for the Stagecoach 6 into Exeter St Davids and the 1802 Paddington train where we got off at Tiverton Parkway and drove back to North Somerset arriving at 7.20pm.

A thoroughly enjoyable day out.The weather and the views were beautiful. I am sure the 15 or so other passengers on the bus were equally as thrilled. It was just a shame the other 26 seats were not taken, and I just hope that WHOTT were not too much out of pocket. For those of you that didn't make it,you missed a treat.
 

Many thanks Chuffed.  Good to meet you both and pleased you enjoyed the trip (and good to hear of your cream tea!).  I too thought it was a great day out and it was a pity that more people didn't come along.  Just to reassure you, WHOTT weren't out of pocket. 

Well for those who didn't or weren't able to come, you missed a great day.  I have travelled on the Gunnislake branch a few times and been to Meldon but not had a chance to explore further.

A few photos from the day

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/gunn1.jpg)
Setting off from Plymouth

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/gunn2.jpg)
Getting the train staff at St Budeaux

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Unprompted our driver made a particularly slow crossing of the Calstock viaduct to allow us to take in the view

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/gunn4.jpg)
Arrival at Gunnislake

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Our "rail replacement bus"

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/gunn6.jpg)

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/gunn7.jpg)
Two views of Brentor Station - now a private house

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/gunn8.jpg)
The old goods shed at Bridestowe

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/gunn9.jpg)
Waiting to leave Okehampton for Meldon Viaduct

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/gunn10.jpg)
A two minute walk from the train out to the Viaduct

Weather was just about perfect.  Some cloud but a bit of breeze and not too hot.  A word too for our driver.  I have been on a few vehicles driven by enthusiasts and not had the smoothest of rides.  However our driver made easy work of the challenging narrow roads in places and was knowledgeable as well.

Good to meet trainer and chuffed and many thanks to all who helped to organise the day - including RichardB, who no doubt enjoyed a well deserved pint or two after we dropped him off at the pub on the way back to Gunnislake!

The most important question of all...

How did you have your scones? Being so close to the border...  ;D

I was very aware  of being in the DMZ so I did a BoJo and had cream and jam followed by jam and cream followed by cream and jam followed by jam and cream. However I expect to be criticised for showing my true feelings by electing to do the cream first. I am sure there is a scientific reason behind it, but I find the jam slips off cream whereas cream on jam tends to stay put.

If Finn had been there I think he would have scoffed the lot in two shakes. No doubt he would have had that Percy ( the station cat) off the train toot sweet.

I assume this is Percy

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/percy.jpg)

That's him ! Even has his own named cat flap in the signal box ! Looking every inch, the cat that got the cream !

Finn actually likes cats. Inquisitive rather than chase. Problem is the cats don't reciprocate the love. He's been whacked on the nose a few times by the neighbour's and my Sister's cat.

Indeed

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/percy1.jpg)

Gunnislake formed 150 vice usual Sunday 153

This because GWR offered free travel for children today.  I wasn't out on the line today (as it happened, I as at the Plym Valley doing their great "Driver for a Fiver").  Hope it went well.

Thanks to Bob for his pics of yesterday.  Yes, I enjoyed my beer at the Queen's Head, Albaston - it's one of my favourite pubs.