Steam engines

Another day of industrial history.

The old railway line between Buckfastleigh and Totnes is preserved and runs mostly steam, but also some historic diesel, engines. On the half hour journey it passes along the banks of the River Dart, stops at Staverton station and then goes on to Totnes (Littlehempston). The train is not allowed onto the main line so there is a footbridge over the Dart and a path into town past the Totnes main-line station with the alternative of a longer walk along the river bank to the lower end of the town. We have walked the longer route several times but time and the weather led us to walk the direct route this time so our photos are all of the trains.

The little tank engine was pulling our train. At the end of the ride it is shunted round to the opposite end of the train for the return journey, with the engine travelling backwards. On this occasion its water tanks needed refilling before the return journey. The two old angines in the yard are awaiting restoration at the railway works, which restores engines for other preservation societies - boilers, wheels etc - so helping to keep our steam heritage alive and working.

Lustleigh Church

The Roman stone has a Latin inscription which is translated on the notice board.

The ancient chair has a carving on its back of Adam and Eve, with the serpent in the tree, as well as David playing his harp to Saul at the top.



The bell ropes are hung on a pulley out of reach of non-ringers. On the wall side the ropes for the Ellacombe hammers are visible. These can be pulled by a single person to chime the bells, rather than ringing them full circle with individual ringers on each bell using the bell ropes.

Parke to Lustleigh

10kms round trip:-

We left the car at the National Trust at Parke and walked uphill and then through the woods. The route then goes along a country lane to the little moorland village of Lustleigh. Once upon a time the trains came here on their way to Moretonhampstead, but the line closed in the 1950s. The approach into the village is similar to reaching a village in Spain, but with thatched roofing. We visited the church and then sat on a seat outside to eat our pasties. Returning by the same route to start with we then walked along the old railway track, back towards Bovey Tracy, where it has been cleared as a footpath and cycle way. A further section is now being cleared to provide a bridleway/footpath/cycle track which will eventually link Bovey to Moretonhampstead again.

More photos to follow below later