This page was set up in 2018 to keep a year by year historical record of developments as they occur.
2020 was COVID-year, when we used the time to maintain our sites and collect display items.
We purchased this original Instow station sign. Being in WR brown it dates from 1963 when the line was taken over by the Western Region. It is either from the running-in-board or the signal box. We are trying to work out which.
Rob did some sterling work restoring the level crossing gates at Instow.
Steve and Spencer show off Rob Dark's brilliant "replica" of 34111's nameplate. Photo taken on 1st April 2020.
In January 2020 the SR coffee table that was presented to the Mayor of Bideford in 1946 when the locomotive was named at the station was donated to us. Many thanks to Jeanette Wills, the granddaughter of Mayor Chubb.
In 2019 the new Interpretation Centre was opened by the Mayor of Bideford and the Planet diesel locomotive was driven into the station after a lengthy overhaul.
Our sites restored by 2018.
LATEST NEWS
COVID-19
Because of difficulties in meeting Government advice relating to social distancing, the Bideford and Instow sites are closed this year. We hope to see you next Easter when we intend to reopen.
LATEST MAGAZINE (WINTER 2020/21) NOW OUT!
INSTOW STATION SIGN PURCHASED (See Gallery)
WEBSITE SALES PAGE
Do look at the Sales Page where you can buy BRHC booklets and other items, and all those railway books that you've been looking for. All income goes towards developing our sites.
PAYMENTS AND DONATIONS
Our main source of income - sales and donations at both Bideford and Instow - has effectively ceased for the whole of this year, which has a drastic impact on our activities. If you feel you can help us please consider buying a book from our Sales page and/or making a donation, using one of these three options:
1. a cheque made payable to the Bideford Railway Heritage Centre and sent to BRHC c/o Tree Tops, Northdown Road, Bideford, Devon EX39 3NA or
2. by bank transfer (BACS) to A/C Number 20370096 Sort Code 20-04-59, using your surname and DONATION or SALES as the Reference or
3. by PayPal, debit or credit card using your surname and DONATION or SALES in "Write a Note".
Many thanks for your support.
oPENING tIMES
We're open from 10.30 to 4pm every weekend from Easter to the end of October half-term, and daily during school holidays.
We are a small group so there may be rare occasions when we can't open. If this is the case there will be a message on the Tea on the Train facebook page (below). Please check.
When we are not open the site is still accessible from the Tarka Trail.
WANT TO VOLUNTEER WITH US? Working Parties are held on Wednesdays. Phone 07854590503.
BRHC on Facebook
Bideford Railway Heritage Centre, Instow Signal Box and Bideford Tea on the Train all have pages on Facebook - join us there!
Visit Us!
Interpretation Centre
Our historic railway parcels van at Bideford contains a fabulous interpretation display, with beautiful information panels, a model railway and a high-tech touchscreen interactive.
It's an in-depth historical experience of life on the north Devon railways - come and see us!
Tea on the Train
The Quirky Cafe in the Carriage! Join us for a selection of delicious food, homemade cakes, local ice creams and hot and cold drinks.
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