Tiverton Museum celebrates railway history with a special steam event

-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Tiverton Museum is holding a special Railway Day this month to celebrate the railways and the 90th anniversary of the Tivvy Bumper Steam Engine.

The event on Saturday, January 25, will include a host of family fun activities telling the story of the railway in Mid Devon.

This includes looking at how the railways were important for the wartime evacuees, butter making, a seaside photo booth, a look at railway objects, crafts, dressing up and more.

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Culm Valley Model Railway Club will also be bringing one of their layouts for visitors to see. The day, which runs from 10am to 4pm, is the first of a number Bumper anniversary events planned at the museum.

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“The biggest object in our collection is the GWR steam locomotive 1442, known as the Tivvy Bumper. The name the ‘Tivvy Bumper’ originally applied to all trains working on the branch connecting Tiverton Station and Tiverton Junction at Willand,” said a spokesman for the museum.

“Between 1884 and 1964 trains ran daily, connecting the main line trains at the junction with the Exe Valley trains at Tiverton.

“The 14XX engines were designed to work with the GWR design of auto coach, a specialist coach designed for push-pull working meaning that the engines didn’t need to be turned around before making a return trip up the line. These were ideal for working on branch lines, and were used on the local Exe Valley and Culm Valley lines.

“Loco 1442 was built by GWR in Swindon and served as the Tivvy Bumper. It also pulled trains on the Exe Valley line, from Exeter St Davids to Dulverton, and on the Culm Valley Line, from Tiverton Junction to Hemyock.

“Following the withdrawal of the Tiverton passenger services in 1963, loco 1442 briefly served on the Yeovil Town to Yeovil Junction branch, and then on the Seaton branch.

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“Loco 1442 returned to Tiverton in 1965 when it was bought by Viscount Amory for Tiverton Museum. Initially the engine was displayed on a plinth close to the former GWR goods shed on Blundell’s Road.

“In 1978 the engine was moved through the town to the Museum where a new transport gallery was built around the engine where it remains today.

“Our visitors (and staff!) love walking onto the footplate and pulling the whistle!”

Entry to the Railway Day is £8.50 (adults), £3 (child). Members: £4.25, child of member: £2. for more details and to book, visit: https://www.tivertonmuseum.org.uk/