Seaton Tramway

In a nutshell

Gauge:          2' 9" (838 mm)

Length:        3 miles (4.8km)

Opened:      1970

Location:   

Seaton Tramway, 
Harbour Rd, 
Seaton 
EX12 2TB

Web:        https://www.tram.co.uk/

Email:     info@tram.co.uk
Tel:          01297 20375
 

Date of visit:     28 September 2018

 

Key Facts

• The tramway uses part of the branch railway line to Seaton, which closed in March 1966. 
• The line runs for three miles between Seaton and Colyton. There are six passing loops and there is a level crossing at Colyford.
• The tramway was set up in 1970 by Claude Lane, of Modern Electric Tramways Ltd, which had originally been based in Eastbourne between 1954 and 1969.
• The tramway now has fourteen tramcars which are based on classic British designs. They are scale replicas of the originals - between half-scale (1:2) and two thirds-scale (2:3). 
• The majority of the tramcars were scratch-built by Claude Lane and/or his successor Allan Gardner, apart from three, which are rebuilds of full-size trams from Bournemouth, London and Exeter.
• The modern looking station at Seaton was opened in June 2018, to replace the former building when the area around the station was redeveloped.
• During the peak season, trams depart every 20 minutes between April and September. A minimum of four trams, are used, crossing each other at the intermediate passing loops. At peak times additional trams are rostered which can increase the number of cars in service to seven or even eight. 
• Outside the peak season, trams depart every 30 minutes, with two or three cars in service.
• There are cafes at Seaton and Colyton and most of the trams are wheelchair accessible.

Route

 

My Impressions

I have visited the area several times over many years but this was the first time I experienced and travelled on the tramway. My first impressions of the new facilities at Seaton were highly favourable. The building has been very thoughtfully designed to blend in with the new developments on the adjacent sites.

The facilities inside are modern, but tasteful. There is a small shop and cafe and, of course, toilet facilities.

A single deck tram was waiting on one of the four tracks in the main station shed. As I wanted to take video we decided to wait until one of the open topped double deck trams arrived.

There was not long to wait until tramcar No. 11 arrived .......

... and the single deck No. 15, departed.

We took up our seats on top deck of the newly arrived car and waited while another car (No. 10) arrived.

It was impressive that, although this was outside the peak season, there were plenty of cars in service and each one had a goodly number of passengers.

 Before long, we were off ........

..... threading our way between the rear of the supermarket, the recently opened Jurassic exhibition centre and the car park.

The line then made a series of right angled turns.

I never cease to be amazed at the dexterity of tramcars, as they negotiate what seem like impossibly tight curves, without so much as a flange squeal.

The final turn took us alongside the River Axe, where the first passing loop was located, together with a single slip leading back to the tramsheds and workshops.

We then picked up speed along the old trackbed of the Seaton Branch railway line.

 Further down the line we encountered the second passing loop, where we met another tramcar on its way up from Colyton.

After passing it by ..........

 .... we resumed our journey, passing through Swan's Nest Loop, ......

...... and onwards to Colyford, where there was another loop .......

..... and a level crossing.

After receiving the signal white light, we edged forward ........

....... across the road.

Pressing on, ......

..... we met car No. 15 on its way back up the line.

We passed it on Tye Lane Loop ..........

 ..... and then carried on until we reached Colyton station.

The original station building and platform have been retained and enhanced to make it very attractive.

After passing the station building, we reached the end of the line, where we alighted.

The tramcar reversed and pulled up adjacent to the building and then, after a short wait, ........

..... it departed.

We spent around 15 minutes enjoying a cup of tea and a sticky bun, sitting outside the cafe in the sunshine. I also made a quick tour of the shop which had a good selection of memorabilia, local souvenirs,  books, pamphlets and postcards. The next tramcar (No. 10) then arrived.

The tramcar proceeded to the end of the line and the passengers disembarked.

I was intrigued by the reversing procedure. Firstly, the driver nipped upstairs and reversed all the seats.

..... and then he drove the tramcar back towards the station building, the trolley pole swinging itself around by use of a clever arrangement with the overhead wires.

We boarded the tramcar, taking up our positions once more on the front seats on the upper deck.

We proceeded up the line, passing car No.9 at Tye Lane Loop.

We traversed the level crossing once more at Colyford .........

 ..... and then ran beside the Axe, past the depot .........

...... where I was intrigued by an inset four-way point serving the storage sheds.

After re-negotiating the right-angled curves, watched by a herd of interested cows, ......

 ....... we arrived back at Seaton Tramcar Station, ........

..... pulling into track No. 3.

This was a delightful end to a busy day. It was encouraging to see the continued popularity of this very intriguing piece of tramway history. My only regret is that I have waited so long to travel upon it and see the care and attention to detail which has been lavished on these replicas of an important part of our country's transport history.

All the staff we encountered were helpful and obliging - and clearly proud of their role in keeping this tourist attraction up and running. If you are in this part of the world, it is definitely a must-see destination. I shall return.

Video

[In preparation] 

Exbury Gardens Steam Railway

In a nutshell

Gauge:         12¼"

Length:       1½ miles

Opened:      2001

Location:    

Exbury,
Southampton,
SO45 1AZ

Web:         https://www.exbury.co.uk/

Email:      https://www.exbury.co.uk/Contact
Tel:           023 8089 1203

Date of visit:     25 September 2018

Key Facts

• The railway was inspired by Leopold de Rothschild's passion for model railways which was spawned when, as a child, he was not allowed a train set.
  
• After an initial planning application for a two foot gauge railway was rejected in 1994, a further submission in 2000 was successful with the proviso that railway travellers must be visitors to the gardens
• The line took almost a year to construct, partly during one of the wettest winters on record, and officially opened in August 2001.
• Part of the route was constructed through what was once a landfill site, specially landscaped for the railway. The rest of the railway meanders through the existing gardens.
• The railway has three steam tender locomotives, two 0-6-2s and a larger 2-6-2, all constructed by the Exmoor Steam Railway Company. It also has an 0-4-0 diesel loco.
• The queen is a regular visitor to the gardens and has ridden in the cab of one of the line's steam locomotives.
• The coaches are wheelchair accessible and there is a well stocked restaurant where a good range of refreshments can be purchased.

Route

 

My Impressions

After enjoying a good quality snack and cup of tea in the well appointed cafe, I made my way into the gardens. It's not possible to ride on the railway without visiting the gardens and so the combined price is a little more than I would expect to pay just to travel on the train. However, this requirement was a stipulation of the planning permission for the railway and so there is no alternative, though it is possible to view the station, sheds and workshops from the car park for free.

The train was almost ready for departure, but there was an opportunity to watch the loco (0-6-2 Naomi), joining the front of the train.

Within a couple of minutes we were off.

After initially climbing away from the station through the first bank of trees .......

..... we passed over the girder bridge which took us over the lower track.

The train then wound its way back on itself to pass beneath the girder bridge ......

...... and then back out into the open, heading back towards the main part of the gardens. This stretch of railway was constructed on what used to be a landfill tip.

Source: Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway

It has been landscaped beautifully with a lake and plenty of interesting plantlife.

The train now wound its way through more mature trees, passing by the largest artificial rock garden in Europe.

We then passed over the junction for the reverse loop .........

 ..... before looping around another lake .........

...... and passing Dragonfly Halt.

The line then passed through a rhododendron plantation, which gives the railway its name, .......

.... before reaching the half-way point, where we paused.

 Our guard gave us a short talk about the history of the gardens and shared some of her personal recollections, including those of visitations from royalty. We then resumed our journey.

Passing back over the junction for the reverse loop, we once more made our way through the mature woodland, .......

...... and passed over a double junction, leading to each arm of the section on the reclaimed refuse tip.

We then arrived back at the main station (Exbury Central).

 After disembarking, I was able to watch the loco refuelling and running around the train, ready for the next departure.

I then retraced the route of the railway and took a few lineside photos. Here, the train is passing the lake on the reclaimed section.

And here, the train is passing by the rockery.

The train has negotiated the reverse loop and is now heading back towards the station.

After arriving at the station, .......

...... the loco was detached ........

....... and turned, before being made ready for the shed.

In the meantime, the line's diesel loco was used ...........

....... to shunt the carriages into the shed.

I spent a short while in the carriage shed, reading up on the history of the railway and watching the video of its construction.

It's certainly an interesting little railway and it has clearly been well financed - a contrast to some enthusiast-run lines which struggle to raise funds for repairs and maintenance.

It was well worth the visit I made. During this part of the season, just one train was running, but at the height of the summer, two trains work in tandem to ferry passengers around the line. A lot of thought and planning has been put into the route, to ensure it is interesting and varied. It is very picturesque and I imagine the scenery will be stunning at the start of the summer when the rhododendrons are in flower.

Video

[In preparation]