Devon Day Rangers

[PeterY]

I recently visited Devon and treated myself to two one day rangers, with a senior rail card, a bargain at £8.20 a day
I don't get involved in until numbers but I managed to ride the Barnstable branch on a pacer. Great fun.

Thursday 22nd February
Exmouth to Barnstable
Barnstable to Exeter Central.
Exeter Central to Dawlish Warren and I had a walk along the sea wall to Dawlish. You could almost shake hands with the drivers, the tracks are so close to the wall and path.
Dawlish to Paignton
Paignton back to Exmouth.
In the evening Exmouth to Polsloe Bridge and back.
173 rail miles

Friday 23rd February
Exmouth to Eggesford,
Eggesford to Exeter, more pacer riding.
Exeter to Plymouth
Gunnislake branch
Plymouth back to Lymspstone Village
196 rail miles.

A couple of observations. Staff were friendly and on the whole trains were punctual.
One emergency stop near Exmouth, the driver nearly hit someone on a foot crossing, apparently the person had headphones on.
When I got off at Lympstone Village the RPI's were doing a sting, that explained why the guard didn't come around the train selling tickets.
The trains were fairly busy. Most times the trains stopped at the request stops of Exton and Lympstone Commando
One free ride, One day I did the walk from Exmouth to Topsham. I caught the train back to Exmouth from Topsham and no one came around to collect my fare.

It was nice to see the lines well used.

 

[mark_47769]

Sounds like you had a good day. The Devon Day Ranger in my opinion is really good value for money.

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a nice couple days in Devon

 

[Cowley]

I’m glad you took the time to do a bit of walking. It is quite amazing how close the trains are when you walk along the Sea Wall.
Just as an aside Eggesford station was for sale quite recently but I didn’t realise, if I had we would have seriously considered making an offer for it.

 

[AnthonyRail]

In the summer it’s even better with the possible class 57 haulage on Plymouth-Exeter rtn