Bideford Railway Heritage Centre

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Bideford Railway Heritage Centre

page of the Bideford Railway Heritage Centre. Museum and Signal Box open on Wednesdays and Sundays 10.30-4pm

Bideford Railway Heritage page features all railway related news in the Bideford area. It features the Bideford Railway Heritage Centre, Instow Signal Box and the "Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway" It does not necessarily represent the views of the Bideford Railway Heritage Centre CIC, but seeks to promote and publicise its aims and objectives and ultimately to seek the re-opening of the railway from Bideford back to Barnstaple.

27/08/2026

We are sorry the Museum and Toon station refreshments will be closed on
Sunday 30th August,
Monday 31st August,
Tuesday 1st September
Wednesday 2nd September
We will be back on
Thursday 3rd September
Thankyou

26/08/2026

No sooner had we sat down after our busy Gala Day, we have started in our next project which is to restore the Down Starter signal post and ultimately to connect it to the Signal Box.
We have all the parts necessary for this and the lever frame in the SB, retreived from "Netley" near Southampton is operational so this can we done.
Elsewhere the Signal Box was cleaned and polished, thank you James, the loco was given some TLC.
Finally, group volunteer Ian Hayes celebrated his 70th birthday so we all stopped for coffee and a rather superb cake 🎂 Happy Birthday!!

Don't forget, the Museum, café and Signal Box are open daily, but closed this Sat/Sun/BH Monday due to other commitments.

25/08/2026

* Gala Day 2026 *
Finally had time to report on our Gala Day last Sunday!
The highlight was continuing to operate Brake Van rides. We were joined by the Combe Rail Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust and various model railways.
Despite the hot sunny (beach) weather, there were great crowds with everyone enjoying railway rides in the town.
Over the last two weeks we have carried nearly 150 passengers in the brake van. Not a bad start!

If you wish to join our band of volunteers, we meet every Wednesday from 10am onwards 👍

20/08/2026

Railway Gala Day tomorrow! Rides in our Brake Van, model railways, stalls and exhibits.
In Bideford's town centre!
Note: No parking on site.

16/08/2026

Our first Brake Van rides for around 15 years and it didn't disappoint!
Apart from sneaking 10 mins lunch break, we can constantly from 11am until 3pm. Several of our trips were 11 passengers, so we now offer two runs down the line per ticket.
The difference between BV rides and cab rides are enormous, not only enabling larger groups to travel together but a more interesting ride. The feedback from our passengers was all very positive.
We even had our first canine passenger! 🐕
Our merchandise stall and outdoor book stall was equally busy.
All set for our Gala Day next Sunday!

14/08/2026

Train rides in the heart of Bideford!
We're just a short walk across the old bridge. Climb aboard our 1950s Brake Van at Bideford's restored railway station, see our Signal Box and Museum.
Open 11am until 3pm.

12/08/2026

After many weeks of guard training we are now ready to re-commence Brake Van rides at Bideford.
After around 18 months of intensive restoration on the BV it now looks spectacular both inside and out.

Want to see it? We are giving rides from 11am until 3pm this Sunday and from 11am to 4pm next Sunday 23rd at our Gala Day.

Elsewhere work continued on the north end of the station building where we are assisting the The Royal Hotel to make the building look very smart. Using historic photos we are returning it back to SR colours.

05/08/2026

The The Royal Hotel have erected scaffolding on the north end of the station building so we could finally get to the timber louvres. They have now been rubbed down and a first coat of undercoat was applied. Looking good!

Elsewhere work continued on minor repairs and paintwork to the Brake Van ahead of passenger operations.

The sun continues to shine so a busy museum and good to see so many people about 🌞

01/08/2026

Our next running day is on Sunday 16th August when we introduce Brake Van rides. Set your diaries!

29/07/2026

Busy day today with guard training ahead of our Brake Van rides. Plenty of rehearsals ahead of the paying public. Adjusted the timber steps that previously gave access to the loco to fit the Brake Van and added some rather nice lamps which have been gathering dust under the Signal Box.
Elsewhere the railings by the bridge were painted. These railings date from 1986 when the raising of the bridge cut the station in two, but they look neater then previously.
A busy day at the Heritage Centre as the summer holidays is in full swing. Plenty of sales of books, merchandise and donations.
Don't forget we are open daily!

Address

Bideford

Website

http://www.bidefordrailway.co.uk/

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