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
"BIDEFORD" NAMEPLATES PURCHASED !!
We have purchased the nameplates and numberplate from 34019 "Bideford", bringing them back to the town where they belong.
Thanks to the Bideford Bridge Trust for their substantial grant and to others who made donations large and small.
The locomotive was named by the Mayor, William Chubb, at Bideford station in 1946 and it was scrapped by British Railways in 1967. The nameplate will be an appropriate companion to the coffee table that was presented to Mayor Chubb at the naming ceremony. This was donated to the Centre last year.
Photo on this Home Page.
COVID-19
Because of difficulties in meeting Government advice relating to social distancing, the Bideford and Instow sites are closed at the moment. We will announce on this webpage when we intend to reopen.
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
This is where you can pay for sales items and for your membership fee.
You can also make a donation to help us through these difficult Covid times.
There are 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, MEMBER or SALES as the Reference or
3. by PayPal, debit or credit card using your surname and DONATION, MEMBER or SALES as a message.
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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