November 24th 2023 Meeting at Brockenhurst Village Hall
Ken Mumford presents " The Devon Belle – Part 3 - Exeter to Ilfracombe / Plymouth "
After WW2 the Southern Railway was anxious to resume as soon as possible. Operation of this
all Pullman luxury train began on June 20th 1947 from London
Waterloo to Ilfracombe and Plymouth; unusual in that all seats had to be
reserved and with an observation car at
the end for Ilfracombe passengers.
Despite initial popularity, the train was not such a
success as hoped and the Plymouth portion was dropped in September 1949.
Services were further reduced in 1952 and withdrawn entirely at the end of the
1954 summer season.
