South Devon Railway

Your Letters

Wednesday 5th May 2010 Days Out With Thomas
We would like to thank everyone who was involved with our D.O.W.T. last weekend for the hard work, dedication and splendid enthusiasm they put into the event.
After the monitoring visit on behalf of HIT Entertainment (Thomas' license holders) over the weekend, we were particularly complimented for the way in which we coped with the problems caused by having a "Poorly Thomas" Also, the way that we altered our programme and provided suitable props for a "Poorly Thomas" in such a short period of time was praised.
From the very beginning of the first day to the end of the last, the whole event went without any significant hitches and the very few problems we had were dealt with quickly and without fuss. Everyone right across the whole seven miles of our site worked superbly. Although we do not know the final figures at present, it was yet again a very successful and profitable weekend. Thank you all!
Dick Wood. General Manager
Neil Smith. Commercial Director. 5 May 2010

Tuesday 11th April 2010
EASTER WEEKEND
Dear Dick
Now that I am back home and the dust is starting to settle from my time away with 70013 (although the locomotive continues its journeys around Scotland), I am taking the earliest opportunity to write, expressing our gratitude to you, and all of the team, on the South Devon Railway for the reception that Oliver Cromwell and support crew received.
Although we only spent a couple of days on the SDR, and the locomotive did little more than stand in the yard at Buckfastleigh for much of that time, the way that 70013 and the whole support crew were accepted into the SDR fold was fantastic.
The lengths to which volunteers and paid staff alike went to ensure our visit was as smooth as possible really were much appreciated. From the moment 70013 crossed from Network Rail metals on to the South Devon Railway, nothing seemed to be too much trouble. The friendliness, support and encouragement from everybody connected with the SDR was little short of amazing.
I sincerely hope that, despite the setbacks over the weekend, the SDR benefited from the brief visit by both 70013 and 44871 and, should a similar opportunity arise in the future, that a repeat visit can be arranged.
Even though we were only with you for a few days, we were made to feel so welcome that the whole support crew felt it a wrench when the time came to depart.
Please pass on our sincere thanks to everybody involved on the SDR for making our visit so memorable.
Best regards
Chris Williams
(On behalf of the 5305 Locomotive Association)

Tuesday 6th April 2010
EASTER WEEKEND
Notice to all Volunteers and Staff
On behalf of the SDR Trust Board, I'd like to thank all of our staff and volunteers for their dedication and professionalism over the Easter weekend when large numbers of people came to see the superb main line visiting engines which we were very proud to welcome to the SDR.
In particular, I'd like to praise everyone involved along the line for the calm and measured way they handled the derailment incident of Black Five 44871 late on Sunday 4th April which obviously was a disappointment for us all on an otherwise great day for us.
Handling unexpected and adverse circumstances is the acid test for any organisation and, having effectively lost the line below Staverton to Totnes for emergency track repairs, we started Easter Monday morning with "a blank sheet" of paper. It was very pleasing, therefore, to witness the way that everyone involved worked in unison that we were not only able to and pull together a workable train timetable with rail replacement buses, but also had the track-work completed the same day.
Despite the problems we faced, we were very busy on Monday and I have received only good reports so far from members of the public about the way everything had been handled, and that we were able to keep train services running so well.
Finally, I'd like to my personal hearty thanks and a general "well done" to everyone, staff and volunteers alike because we simply could not keep this railway running without you.
Thank you
Dick Wood
General Manager

Feb 2010
Hello,
Just wanted to ask you if you could put some kind of "Thank you" on the web site from me to everyone for the great gift that Dick Wood presented me when I left the SDR last Friday 26th. They gave me a signed print of Dumbleton Hall puling out of Kingswear, it to me is the best print I could wish for as I was born in Kingswear and my late grandfather and two uncles worked that line when it was GWR. I can remember as a kid it being GWR so long ago. I was touched by the kindness and their generosity of every one that put towards the print, as well as the Mole Valley tokens and all who signed the card. I wish the South Devon Railway and all that work there all the very best.
Regards
Chris Cloarec-Pollard.
"The Ex groundsman"

Dumbleton Hall at Kingswear

Sep 2009
To whom it may concern,
I visited the railway last Thursday 24th September and I would like if possible for you to pass on my thanks to all who made my first visit to your railway so interesting and informative.
All your staff working that day where both polite and professional in there approach(even the poor lady in the Cafeteria doing her best following continual power failures).
In particular would you thank the TTI for not interrupting my on train videoing and the Booking Clerk and Station Master at Totnes for entertaining me early that morning.
I would like to have spent more time back there in the afternoon but first Great Western waits for no man so I needed to be back on the train before I could thank them all.
I shall certainly be visiting again and will be passing on this view to my colleges on the SVR.
Thank you all again.
Roy Bennett (SVR Volunteer Working Member - Hampton Loade Station)

Views expressed in letters are those of the correspondent and not necessarily endorsed by the South Devon Railway.

Wednesday 5th May 2010	Days Out With Thomas We would like to thank everyone who was involved with our D.O.W.T. last weekend for the hard work, dedication and splendid enthusiasm they put into the event. After the monitoring visit on behalf of HIT Entertainment (Thomas' license holders) over the weekend, we were particularly complimented for the way in which we coped with the problems caused by having a "Poorly Thomas" Also, the way that we altered our programme and provided suitable props for a "Poorly Thomas" in such a short period of time was praised. From the very beginning of the first day to the end of the last, the whole event went without any significant hitches and the very few problems we had were dealt with quickly and without fuss. Everyone right across the whole seven miles of our site worked superbly. Although we do not know the final figures at present, it was yet again a very successful and profitable weekend. Thank you all! Dick Wood. General Manager Neil Smith. Commercial Director. 5 May 2010

Tuesday 11th April 2010	EASTER WEEKEND Dear Dick Now that I am back home and the dust is starting to settle from my time away with 70013 (although the locomotive continues its journeys around Scotland), I am taking the earliest opportunity to write, expressing our gratitude to you, and all of the team, on the South Devon Railway for the reception that Oliver Cromwell and support crew received. Although we only spent a couple of days on the SDR, and the locomotive did little more than stand in the yard at Buckfastleigh for much of that time, the way that 70013 and the whole support crew were accepted into the SDR fold was fantastic. The lengths to which volunteers and paid staff alike went to ensure our visit was as smooth as possible really were much appreciated. From the moment 70013 crossed from Network Rail metals on to the South Devon Railway, nothing seemed to be too much trouble. The friendliness, support and encouragement from everybody connected with the SDR was little short of amazing. I sincerely hope that, despite the setbacks over the weekend, the SDR benefited from the brief visit by both 70013 and 44871 and, should a similar opportunity arise in the future, that a repeat visit can be arranged. Even though we were only with you for a few days, we were made to feel so welcome that the whole support crew felt it a wrench when the time came to depart. Please pass on our sincere thanks to everybody involved on the SDR for making our visit so memorable. Best regards Chris Williams (On behalf of the 5305 Locomotive Association)

Tuesday 6th April 2010	EASTER WEEKEND Notice to all Volunteers and Staff On behalf of the SDR Trust Board, I'd like to thank all of our staff and volunteers for their dedication and professionalism over the Easter weekend when large numbers of people came to see the superb main line visiting engines which we were very proud to welcome to the SDR. In particular, I'd like to praise everyone involved along the line for the calm and measured way they handled the derailment incident of Black Five 44871 late on Sunday 4th April which obviously was a disappointment for us all on an otherwise great day for us. Handling unexpected and adverse circumstances is the acid test for any organisation and, having effectively lost the line below Staverton to Totnes for emergency track repairs, we started Easter Monday morning with "a blank sheet" of paper. It was very pleasing, therefore, to witness the way that everyone involved worked in unison that we were not only able to and pull together a workable train timetable with rail replacement buses, but also had the track-work completed the same day. Despite the problems we faced, we were very busy on Monday and I have received only good reports so far from members of the public about the way everything had been handled, and that we were able to keep train services running so well. Finally, I'd like to my personal hearty thanks and a general "well done" to everyone, staff and volunteers alike because we simply could not keep this railway running without you. Thank you Dick Wood General Manager

Feb 2010	Hello, Just wanted to ask you if you could put some kind of "Thank you" on the web site from me to everyone for the great gift that Dick Wood presented me when I left the SDR last Friday 26th. They gave me a signed print of Dumbleton Hall puling out of Kingswear, it to me is the best print I could wish for as I was born in Kingswear and my late grandfather and two uncles worked that line when it was GWR. I can remember as a kid it being GWR so long ago. I was touched by the kindness and their generosity of every one that put towards the print, as well as the Mole Valley tokens and all who signed the card. I wish the South Devon Railway and all that work there all the very best. Regards Chris Cloarec-Pollard. "The Ex groundsman"


Sep 2009	To whom it may concern, I visited the railway last Thursday 24th September and I would like if possible for you to pass on my thanks to all who made my first visit to your railway so interesting and informative. All your staff working that day where both polite and professional in there approach(even the poor lady in the Cafeteria doing her best following continual power failures). In particular would you thank the TTI for not interrupting my on train videoing and the Booking Clerk and Station Master at Totnes for entertaining me early that morning. I would like to have spent more time back there in the afternoon but first Great Western waits for no man so I needed to be back on the train before I could thank them all. I shall certainly be visiting again and will be passing on this view to my colleges on the SVR. Thank you all again. Roy Bennett (SVR Volunteer Working Member - Hampton Loade Station)