Last passenger train to Barnstaple

There was a civic farewell at Bideford railway station on Saturday evening for the last regular passenger train on the up line to Barnstaple.

The Mayor (Mrs Ethelwynne Brown) escorted by the Stationmaster (Mr H.J. Mock) went into the signal box where, under the supervision of the signal man, Mr Fred Harvey, she pulled the lever to signal the train to Bideford from Torrington. Before the arrival of the train, she thanked the railway staff past and present for their services to the public.

On the return journey from Barnstaple a few farewell detonators were exploded by the train and an effigy of Dr Beeching made its appearance.

Gazette article 8 October 1965