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Now, a report by the SDRT Museum Curator, John Brodribb.

Activity on the station at Buckfastleigh has included a start on rebuilding a Southern Railway platform trolley which was in an advanced state of disintegration. Meantime, in Carriage & Wagon the tables are receiving new Formica tops prior to re-installing back into BR Mark 1 open coach No 4785.

In the museum the Station Cat is seen doing what cats do best: dozing on the bale of wool in the Light Side. This particular feline is now thought to be officially resident in the Old Totnes Road, but has adopted us for the time being at least. It is in very good condition indeed, and was very reluctant to leave the museum at closing time yesterday!

It was Ian Couldridge, pictured on stewarding duty in the Sentry Box, who did the dastardly deed. Ian is one of the museum’s most recent volunteers, and has proved invaluable this season in helping – often at very short notice – with stewarding. This is a good point at which to mention that museum stewarding is not safety critical, does not need a medical, and works in half-day turns, rather than the full day required by many operating duties. Yes, you can answer almost all visitors’ questions, which are:

• How much does it cost to come in? (it is free, and says so on the sign)
• Where are the toilets? (far end of the station building)
• When is the next train? (this one is a bit more tricky, but not much!)

I’ll be happy to handle any enquiries about volunteering in the museum.

A quick reminder about the Big Red Bus trip on 14 October to the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway (£20, depart Buckfastleigh station at 10.00am, book via the museum or email to me) and the social evening on Thursday 28 September when the subject is the Teign Valley Railway, by Mark Chambers. Tea, coffee and cakes; prize draw and free entry: Buckfastleigh Town Hall 7 for 7.30.

Best wishes

John Brodribb
SDRT Museum Curator