Yes, here is a link to buy vouchers for the footplate experience - www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/gift-vouchers

@@thefabulouswizardofit2761thanks!

Makeshift Speedometer given that the loco hasn't got a fitted speedometer

That is a very interesting question. I don't have the definitive answer. The US is 40 times bigger than the UK, and 74 times bigger than England. The US has more space to build bigger and louder things, and therefore generally do. The first practical static steam engine was invented by Newcomen in 1712 in Dartmouth England. It pumped water from coal mines, and was adapted for factories and therefore was instrumental in starting the Industrial Revolution in the UK. The design was improved dramatically by James Watt 70 years later. In 1825 Stephenson, built the locomotive Locomotion for the Stockton and Darlington Railway in the north east of England, which became the first public steam railway in the world, although it used both horse power and steam power on different runs. In 1829, he built the locomotive Rocket, which entered in and won the Rainhill Trials. This success led to Stephenson establishing his company as the pre-eminent builder of steam locomotives for railways in Great Britain and Ireland, the United States, and much of Europe. The first public railway which used only steam locomotives, all the time, was the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in the UK, built in 1830. Steam power continued to be the dominant power system in railways around the world for more than a century. The steam engines got bigger, better and more efficient during that time period. On 3 July 1938, the Mallard engine in the UK broke the world speed record for steam locomotives at 126 mph (203 km/h), which still stands today. The Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company have several steam engines that were built in Swindon UK. They also have an American locomotive called Omaha which is a bigger engine. The Swindon engines burn 3 tonnes of coal a day, and Omaha burns 5 tonnes. The engine is bigger and probably has a louder whistle - although a I cannot confirm this from memory?

@@thefabulouswizardofit2761 thank you very much for the information.

Yes I had a great day. All the staff are very friendly and knowledgably, and always happy to answer any questions. They all appear to love their jobs and their steam trains and line. It seems to be a lovely company to work for.

Thank you very much. I am looking forward to travelling on the Christmas train of lights in December where the train and route are illuminated with lights and there are Christmas themes to view along the route during the illuminated journey.

Yes this church is in use. it is one of 3 churches in use in the area. The inside view is also beautiful - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKeaqpWjjrSfsJI. St Petrox church at the mouth of the river dart at Dartmouth castle dates from 594 is the oldest church of the three - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIfbm2B8gciWf68

All British locomotives were right hand drive originally but while other railway companies went to left hand drive GWR retained the idea

That was started in COVID time's

Yes, this church is in Dartmouth in Devon near the Dartmouth river. This is the birth place of the first practical steam engine by Thomas Newcomen 1712 which allowed portable energy to be generated for the first time and gave birth to the Industrial Revolution.

You beat me to it !

Thank you. Yes, with a VR headset you are inside the video, and viewing everything 360 degrees from an immersive position that is impossible from within the train carriages.

Thank you. Most of the Seagull photos were deliberate, as I like mixing the high tech aircraft world with the natural world. I'm sure the aircraft designers were inspired by these majestic birds.

Thank you very much! I think you will really enjoy the scenic train ride, and if you get the chance to ride on the engine footplate, then that is a real treat for train enthusiasts and budding train drivers. The river cruises are lovely, especially the trip on the Paddle steamer which starts this season in July.

The renovated building will open in the autumn of 2024

Thank you. More to come shortly

Thank you. The footplate experience fulfilled my childhood dream of being a steam train driver. I got to experience what it would be like for real, and it was fantastic - far better than the high expectations I already had. I highly recommend taking a trip on the engine. The English Riviera Coastline that the train hugs is very beautiful. The crew are friendly and helpful. You get to ride on the engine one way, and then the return journey you can see the fantastic view of Torbay form the unique observation carriage - The Devon Belle - only two of these exist in the world.