Bideford Railway Heritage Centre

13/06/2026

We have one of the largest second hand bookstall in the town.
Paperback novels from 50p, railway books and loads of kid's books.
All in our 1950s restored railway carriage.
Stop for refreshments while you are there!

10/06/2026

Work continued on the station building, with permission from The Royal Hotel
For the first time since the 60s, the building, front and back returns to SR colours.
We are using this opportunity to remove some of the old signs and modern additions.
We also plan to restore the original canopy detailing which was removed a while ago.

03/06/2026

Work continued today on restoration work to the station building. We are working with the The Royal Hotel who own it with plans for the further enhancement of the site and repairs to the lighting.
Today the windows on the car park side were repaired and repainted together with the lamp posts.
Elsewhere the station gardens were enhanced, the planters were repainted and the site tidied as the busy tourist season approaches.

30/05/2026

27/05/2026

First running of the Brake Van into the platform. See earlier post.

27/05/2026

The first movement of the Brake Van (see earlier post)

27/05/2026

Huge day today as after some 10 years of lying idle and 2 years of restoration our Brake Van finally moved!
We were all very nervous ahead of its first run under controlledconditions, but it performed really well as it made several trips up our running line and into the platform for a celebration photo!
Special thanks to the General Manager and Traction Manager of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway for their help in making this happen.
Plenty of paperwork, training and practice ahead before we can announce passenger rides, but it is a huge step forward for the Group.
Elsewhere we added white paintwork to the windows of the station building. It was the welcome shady side of the building too!

24/05/2026

Half term running day today. Really good passenger numbers on a really hot day.
The station looked wonderful, being decorated with flags, our book stall, display boards, merchandise stall all bringing the station alive.
Toon station refreshments used the new picnic area with plenty of outdoor seating and shade too!
Interesting to chat to the tourists, including a family from Poland 🇵🇱 who loved the train ride!
Onwards and upwards! 🌞

24/05/2026

TODAY!!
Ride on Bideford's train.
11am till 3pm.
Museum and refreshments

22/05/2026

Railway cab rides in Bideford this Sunday!! Kids love it!

Come and visit the railway museum, the Signal Box and enjoy refreshments in our 1950s restored railway carriage.