Bideford station welcomes a school visit

On 6th June 2023 we welcomed 70 children from West Croft school who wanted to experience the station because they were learning about evacuations during World War 2.

We showed them around the station, "sold" them a ticket to Waterloo, demonstrated how the signalbox worked,  and showed a video of evacuees arriving and images of the station in the past.  We were also able to let them speak to a Bidefordian who lived in the town during the war years and married an evacuee.

Bideford station Galas brought back into our programme.

The 150th anniversary of the station opening in 1872 was celebrated on 12th June 2022.  This was our chance to bring back the idea of a special Gala Day - and this was it!   Seeing the vehicles on display again was really great.   The kids enjoyed the selection of model railways we had and the range of stalls was much enjoyed.   And the crowds came yet again for a ride on our train.  

Thanks to Lewis for organising the attractions.

Successful Nameplate Exhibition finishes

March 2022 marked the end of the exhibition at The Burton Art Gallery  and Museum of our newly acquired set of nameplates from 34019 "Bideford".   The exhibition also explained how the railways brought holidaymakers to Bideford in the 1950s.

The image shows the Mayor of Bideford, Councillor David Ratcliff, opening the exhibition on 29th August 2021.

The nameplates are currently in store pending the completion of our new museum in the coach at Bideford station.

A 2021 Christmas present 

Right at the end of 2021 we gave ourselves a Christmas present.  We had the opportunity to purchase a genuine Atlantic Coast Express headboard from a private collector.  It was too tempting to resist as this is from the train that brought holidaymakers to the town until 1964.   Currently in store, it will be on display in the new museum area of our coach once it's been opened.

A great start to 2021 - our wish for the last 25 years achieved!

"BIDEFORD" LOCOMOTIVE NAMEPLATES PURCHASED !! 

In March 2021 we 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 in 2020.

The nameplates, numberplate and coffee table were on exhibition at The Burton Art Gallery and Museum from August 2021 until March 2022.

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.