Great Western Coffee Shop

Last Thursday, trip to Evesham and with a number of hours to kill - trip out to the Evesham Vale Light Railway, about 2 miles out of town, suggested by a friend who also (usefully) told me he expected it to be open and running, and that the 582 bus from the top of the Station Approach ....

Well, I was in town from very early, took a river walk and ended up in the town centre at the sort of time that the railway would be open.

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OK - here's the bus stop for the 582 in the town.  List of all the various buses right across the (ha, ha) Bus Station overlays the list for the current stops and times - so no clue as to what time it goes until 12:34.   And what I THINK is the 582 says to "Private Road, Twyford" is actually to the private road at The Valley out of town shopping and leisure centre.

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Correct guess, good bus ride out to The Valley (as the only passenger on the bus) and get off, walk between a couple of the buildings and I'm in the heart of the place.

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And following a few finger boards to the top of the site, we find the the EVLR station, with a train scheduled every half hour.

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Although a modern leisure railway, theres some interesting stock

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And a steam engine waiting to pull the train

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It's a pleasant but short run around the outside of The Valley ...

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To Evesham Vale Station at the other end, where the station is on a loop.

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When we get back, the engine's 'tother way round at it needs to be turned - turntable in Ventnor style!

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Great fun trip - good recommendation; back to the "bus stop"

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Oh - yes, that's where the bus dropped me off and the driver told me he would pick me up at the same place an hour later.  No "Bus Stop" sign, no timetable.  A couple of seats in the back yard, and a helpful shop worker stopped to ask me (the old man) if I'm alright.

Only one on the bus again - lovely bus, great, friendly driver - what a pity about the signage and information.  Good ride back into the down, where I was relived to see the 582 picking up a handful of passengers headed out to the other side of town.

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