Exmouth "Avocet Line" 150th Celebrations..

[50Fan91]

On Sunday May 1st there will be a special train heading down the Exmouth branch - a full HST set to commemorate the lines 150th anniversary.

The train is set to leave Exeter St. Davids at 10:39, and run to the timetable of a regular service train, stopping at all intermediate stops all the way down to Exmouth. Even better, standard ticket prices will apply as well!

(Methinks I'll be getting a Devon Day Ranger from Plymouth - even if the train may well be standing room only!)

But to my point - does anyone know what set will be forming this service? ie. will the set have been stabled in Exeter sidings the previous evening, or..?

I'm sure on this incredible forum that someone can through light on the query!

See the following link for exact timings and further info on the day's events:

http://www.avocet150.co.uk/the-exmouth-flier/

 

[TEW]

I expect the set will just run up empty from Laira in the morning. The service actually starts and terminates at Newton Abbot, calling all station Newton Abbot-Exeter St Davids.

 

[DavidBrown]

I expect the set will just run up empty from Laira in the morning. The service actually starts and terminates at Newton Abbot, calling all station Newton Abbot-Exeter St Davids.

You sure it's not Paignton? That's where all the Sunday Exmouth services go to.

 

[TEW]

No, it's starting at Newton Abbot. A unit will connect with it to/from Paignton.

 

[50Fan91]

Thanks for the info, I don't suppose you know the time when it's actually starting at Newton Abbot, do you?

It'd be great if you were able to share the information!

 

[TEW]

Newton Abbot 09:50
Exeter St Davids 10:33-10:39
Exeter Central 10:43-10:44
Exmouth 11:23-11:33
Exeter Central 12:12-12:13
Exeter St Davids 12:16-12:24
Newton Abbot 13:00

Full timings can be found in any online journey planner.

 

[louis97]

Thanks for the info, I don't suppose you know the time when it's actually starting at Newton Abbot, do you?

It'd be great if you were able to share the information!

0950 from Newton Abbot
Arrives back into Newton Abbot at 1300

 

[50Fan91]

Full timings can be found in any online journey planner.

Thanks TEW - when I wrote that previous post I had forgotten that despite it being HST hauled the service is essentially still a "regular" run!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

0950 from Newton Abbot
Arrives back into Newton Abbot at 1300

Thanks, Louis! Will you be on making the journey down to Exmouth on this special occasion?

 

[louis97]

Thanks, Louis! Will you be on making the journey down to Exmouth on this special occasion?

Most certainly will be, will you?

 

[Birdbrain]

Its funny how the press report still calls it an Intercity 125!

 

[50Fan91]

Most certainly will be, will you?

I'll be there! I'll be catching the train up from Plymouth to coincide with 09:50 departure of the train from Newton Abbot. After the briefest of looks over the timetable, I think this means that I'll be leaving Plymouth on the 08:40 service..

Let me know if you're going to be at a similar place at a similar time - it'd be great to meet up and 'compare notes'!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Its funny how the press report still calls it an Intercity 125!

What was even funnier was when I was on a service from Plymouth a few weeks back and the guard said in his welcoming announcement, "Welcome aboard this Intercity service to London Paddington.."

Made me smile!

 

[louis97]

I'll be there! I'll be catching the train up from Plymouth to coincide with 09:50 departure of the train from Newton Abbot. After the briefest of looks over the timetable, I think this means that I'll be leaving Plymouth on the 08:40 service..

Let me know if you're going to be at a similar place at a similar time - it'd be great to meet up and 'compare notes'!

Yes I shall be on the 0840, also gonna try nip to Teignmouth and back, as there is a connection back on a unit, only possible though if the 0840s on-time, of which normally it isnt :roll:, even though before I have made a 1 minute connection there!

Yeh, i'm sure we'll be able to meet up, and 'compare notes' as you say!

 

[duffman82]

It will certainly be a squeeze for a HST in exmouth can't wait to see the photo's

 

[Mystic Force]

As an Exmouthian exiled to the USA I wish I could see this. So hopefully people will be kind enough to share some photos of the event with me.

Mat

 

[50Fan91]

As an Exmouthian exiled to the USA I wish I could see this. So hopefully people will be kind enough to share some photos of the event with me.

Mat

Don't worry, I'm sure that following this event the internet will be flooded with photos and video!

 

[DavidBrown]

It will certainly be a squeeze for a HST in exmouth can't wait to see the photo's

Exmouth will be easy - I'm tempted to try and board at Exton! Getting on any train there is fun given how low the platform is.

One little tip - I'd probably try to avoid the road through Topsham. The longer train will probably mean the level crossing being down for a while (the schedule gives the train 2 minutes in Topsham station, but any longer and traffic will be backing up quite some way.

 

[Ivo]

Exmouth will be easy - I'm tempted to try and board at Exton! Getting on any train there is fun given how low the platform is.

One little tip - I'd probably try to avoid the road through Topsham. The longer train will probably mean the level crossing being down for a while (the schedule gives the train 2 minutes in Topsham station, but any longer and traffic will be backing up quite some way.

What he said. I went that way on a Stagecoach (57?) bus in December 2009 and the barrier was down for something like five minutes, effectively cloging up the whole village.

 

[ACE1888]

Rode the 'Exmouth' for the first time a couple of weeks back, very pleasant trip, barring the 142 ride down of course! Shame I'm working Sunday, would of made the effort otherwise

 

[Mystic Force]

There is an alternative route through Topsham where the railway goes over a bridge. It is just a little way north of the station.

 

[gogogoadam]

Second attempt to post this!

On the way down there now on 0745 from BRI, a lovely 150.

Hoping to catch the HST at Newton Abbott and get some good pics in.

Come and say hi, carrying black JD bag.

Cheers

Adam

 

[50Fan91]

Come and say hi, carrying black JD bag.

Cheers

Adam

I reckon that the amount of people that were jammed into that train it was near impossible for anybody to meet up with anybody else! I was lucky enough to window hang from coach G all the way down to Exmouth, and I must admit that today has probably been one of my greatest railway experiences ever - hats off to everyone that helped put the day together! (Quite literally, in some cases!)

And I think my original comment about the train being standing room only was quite an accurate forecast! I honestly don't think the train or the stations along the way could have fitted anyone else on them - I almost felt sorry for the poor people who were planning to get on the train just as a means of getting from A to B!!