Where was I yesterday, 18th August 2017

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Where be this?

[ellendune]

Coombe Junction?

[rogerw]

Seaton tramway. The thing on the right is a point indicator.  Not enough information to give an exact location but not the south end of Axmouth loop as the indicator is bagged over.

[JayMac]

Seaton Tramway will do. Correct. Precise location is the approach to Colyford Tram Stop heading toward Colyton.

Despite having lived in the westcountry most of my life, the Tramway is an attraction I'd never visited before. Took my 4 year old nephew along and he loved it.

For those that don't know, Seaton Tramway is 2'9" narrow gauge line. It runs for 3 miles from Colyton to Seaton in Devon. It uses half scale replicas of classic trams from former municipal tram systems in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom). These are powered by 120v DC^▸ (Direct Current) overhead lines. The tramway is laid partly along the trackbed of the LSWR^▸ (London South Western Railway)'s former branch to Seaton, closed by British Railways in 1966. The branch connected to the Salisbury-Exeter line at Seaton Junction.

Talking of Seaton Junction. The station buildings and a platform are largely extant and in fairly good condition. I had a brief nose around on my way home from the tramway.

[bradshaw]

I can certainly recommend a visit. Marion and I first went many years ago on a cold and windy day. However the offer of a cab ride the whole length of the way, both ways, overcame the weather.
They are also intending to rebuild the Seaton terminus in the near future.

[JayMac]

I'd recommend it too. Although not on the top deck in inclement weather. My nephew and I got a bit damp on the way back to Colyton. Bright sunshine when we left Seaton. Torrential rain as we approached Colyton.

And that was after the electrical storm that greeted us earlier in the day when we arrived by car at Colyton.

I'll post more pictures later.

[rogerw]

I must admit that my answer was a bit of a cheat as I am a regular volunteer on the Tramway.  My avatar is  a bit of a clue and, yes. it is me driving that tram. I am stationed at Colyton on most peak Sundays (two left) you if you visit come and say hello.

[LiskeardRich]

I must admit that my answer was a bit of a cheat as I am a regular volunteer on the Tramway.  My avatar is  a bit of a clue and, yes. it is me driving that tram. I am stationed at Colyton on most peak Sundays (two left) you if you visit come and say hello.

Roger, I'll have to look out for you. I'm working voluntarily for the Jurassic Mule buses a few shifts a month, as well as remotely running all social media as of last week. The only Sunday I'm up is the 3/9 for our gala weekend.
I'm probably about Wednesday and maybe bank holiday Monday as well.

[LiskeardRich]

I can certainly recommend a visit. Marion and I first went many years ago on a cold and windy day. However the offer of a cab ride the whole length of the way, both ways, overcame the weather.
They are also intending to rebuild the Seaton terminus in the near future.

In the local paper a couple of weeks back was suggestion of significant funding being confirmed

[rogerw]

Work starts mid September when the Seaton terminus will close and all trams operate to/from Riverside with a bus connection into Seaton.  I will be down at Colyton on 27 August and 3 September 1030 to 1630 unless it pours with rain when I leave earlier.

[grahame]

Work starts mid September when the Seaton terminus will close and all trams operate to/from Riverside with a bus connection into Seaton.

Is that a temporary or permanent change?

[Timmer]

Wonderful wonderful line and definitely well worth a visit if you are in West Dorset. I hope to visit Seaton Tramway again in September. My first memory of having a holiday as a child in the late seventies was staying in a caravan on a site next to Colyford tram stop. I remember the sound of the trams humming by the back of the caravan in the evenings.

[rogerw]

Temporary while the new terminus is constructed. It is programmed to reopen in time for Easter next year but the overhead wiring may cause some delay as the original contractor decided to decline the job after having their tender accepted.