THE first steam train to run on the scenic Tamar Valley Line since the 1960s will be taking to the rails next month. On Tuesday March 27, specialist railtour company Past-Time Rail will be running two round trips from Plymouth to Bere Alston and back. Each will also visit a point near the line's original terminus, Plymouth Friary, which closed in 1958. Made up of vintage 1960s mainline coaches, complete with buffet car, the train will be hauled by a diesel locomotive out from Plymouth. The steam locomotive will be at the other end and will haul the train back from Bere Alston for the trip to Plymouth Friary. Past-Time Rail Director Andy Staite said: 'People love steam trains and we have long wanted to give people the chance to travel behind a steam locomotive on the great scenic railways of Devon and Cornwall. 'I very much hope local people will join us on the trains and help make these trips a great celebration of their fabulous branch lines.' The train has been named 'The Tamar Belle' after the Tamar Belle Holiday and Heritage Centre based at Bere Ferrers station. For the benefit of steam aficionados, the locomotive being used will be a British Railways Standard Class 4 4-6-0, number 76079, built in 1957 at Horwich Works, Lancashire. It was sold for scrap by BR in 1968 and was saved from the famous Woodham's Scrapyard in Barry, South Wales in 1974. The previous last steam train to visit the Tamar Valley Line was around 1966, prior to the closure of the through route to Tavistock and Okehampton in 1968. Regular steam on the line ended in 1964 and steam ended nationally in 1968. Fares on the steam run are £20.00 adult, £15.00 child (5-15). This covers travel on one round trip from Plymouth via Bere Alston and Plymouth Friary. An all-day ticket is available for £38.00. The telephone number to make a booking is 0871 871 4119. The Tamar Belle is part of a week of steam train travel in the far South West which will also see steam return to St Ives, Falmouth, Newquay and Cornish china clay freight lines.
