Viewing Single Post From: Simply a Man among Giants

Viewing Single Post From: Simply a Man among Giants
MRW Digest	9 May 2008, 08:29 PM
Porter Posts: 19 Group: MRW Digest Member #297 Joined: October 30, 2007	As a post-script to the main article: I've received in the last couple of days two photographs of the Riverside Miniature Railway from Dave Holroyde. Both are in balck-and-white and are from the 7.25" days. However, they are very important for two reasons. One reason is that they conclusively prove that the track was dual-gauge; the thrid rail is very evident in both photographs. This shows that the third rail was left in situ after the conversion, and possibly a 10.25" loco remained for the odd day out (or visitor from another of Kitchenside's railways or elsewhere), while the majority of operating stock was 7.25". The second reason is that the station is almost exactly in the same place as the new station built by the present railway. This almost leterally completes the railway circle at Buckfastleigh, especially since 1/4 mile of Gorse Blossom rail is now on site. Now all we need is Yeo to visit for 40 years since SDR preservation and we're all done!! Photos supplied: Both D. Holroyde Collection. It's interesting to note what's written on the back of the top photo: "1st July 1979. Dart Valley Railway at Buckfastleigh Park. NG, 7.25" gauge. Model 2-6-2T of Lynton & Barnstaple Railway "Yeo" built Milner Engineering, Kinnerton nr. Chester, No. 107 of 1979. Owned Geoff Kitchenside, Commercial Manager of DVR, Q&P Kitchenside Ltd. Opened 31 July 1978. Cost Ł10,000, 8' long, 26" wide, 15cwt. 120lbs. per sq. in. 11" wheels" So evidently the engine was very new at the time of photographing, and is a very substantial machine. Geoffrey Kitchenside being Op. manager of DVR at the time would be the reason for the railway's existence at Buckfastleigh, whether the move to Gorse Blossom was prompted by him leaving office or other reason is unknown. Still, this pair of black-and-white photographs gives a little insight into the early set-up at Buckfastleigh before the days of the present railway, and it's interesting to note how things have changed. Cheers, Dom Greenop SDMR Do you have any memories of the original Riverside Miniature Railway to share? Or perhaps one of the other railways in the Kitchenside empire at Kingsbridge Quay or Gorse Blossom? Miniature Railway World Forum members may add their response to this topic.
	Miniature Railway World Digest Edited by Colin Peake

Simply a Man among Giants · Miniature Railway World Digest