COMMUNITIES both sides of the Tamar will link up to mark 100 years of rail between Bere Alston and Gunnislake. A host of events to mark the milestone include the first ever official walk over the stunning Calstock Viaduct. Exhibitions, film shows, a jazz train, Edwardian fair, talks on trains, an exciting interactive arts project and guided walks are part of a full programme of centenary celebrations, which begin on February 23. The centenary itself falls on March 2 and there will be ceremonies at Bere Alston, Calstock and Gunnislake stations. Retired local railwayman John Snell will give a talk on the train about the history of the line earlier in the week and will unveil a plaque at Gunnislake Station. A box of Tamar Valley daffodils will be taken by train to Bere Alston to be presented to local dignitaries. Richard Burningham, of Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, which has organised the events with local committees and councils said: 'Thanks to a lot of effort from a lot of local people we have a cracking programme of events lined up to celebrate 100 years of trains between Bere Alston and Gunnislake. 'While a lot of things have changed since the line opened, the railway is still an important part of Tamar Valley life and long may it remain so. I hope people will come and join us in these celebrations.' Rail arrived relatively late to the Tamar Valley but when many of the lines were axed in the 1960s, the railway between Bere Alston and Gunnislake remained as road travel took longer than rail. Transporting people to work in Plymouth, school and college, the line is also used by tourists with people from all over the world coming to enjoy the scenery of the Tamar Valley. Special film shows have been created for the celebrations after trawling the South West Film and TV Archive for footage of the line, which originally extended to Kelly Bray, and there will also be exhibitions. A railway theme evening with songs, talks, sketches and a special feature by children from Bere Alston Primary School will be held on March 1 and an Edwardian Fair in the car park at Calstock Station on the centenary day will feature local flowers, pots and gifts and period sideshows. Two guided walks have been organised, linking trains on the Bere Peninsula, which both take in stunning views of the viaduct and river. The Tamar Valley heritage project has organised an innovative arts project called 'Station 2 Station' to get local people and rail passengers to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences about the line using new technology. A new website will be launched which organisers hope will be a lasting legacy of the centenary celebrations. Events close with the first ever official walk over the Calstock Viaduct between 3pm and 4.30pm on March 3 courtesy of Network Rail. There, groups of 60 people will have up to 20 minutes to walk across the viaduct from Calstock Station, take in the views and walk back again. Places can be booked (for a cost of £5) by calling 01752 233094 where full details of the programme can also be obtained. To encourage people to explore the line and travel to the events by train, current half price cheap day return offer will be extended to cover the centenary weekend. The events follow the celebrations last August to mark the centenary of Calstock Viaduct.
