I would have liked to have been able to get down to view 1442 from ground level and although there is a gate to stairs that lead down,it was locked when I visited.
Amongst the train related items on show,are many Exe Valley things like the signs from Cove and Tiverton station.
For me it was really interesting to get inside the cab and look at and touch all the controls.I still find it amazing how fire and water are what made these trains move.Be warned that the inside of the cab is a magnet for children of all ages and you may have to barge your way in for your go!
We left very happy with our visit to Tiverton Museum.I would definitely recommend a visit to Tiverton Museum.Just being abto to stand in the cab of an Exe Valley train makes it worth it and it's relatively cheap too.We paid £4.50 each for two adults and the kids get in free(when accompanied by an adult).If you're driving,park in the nearby multi-storey car park where it is just £1 for 5 hours.As you drive down Great Western Way to get to the museum,be aware that you are actually driving where the old line was before it was tarmaced over and made into a road.
After visiting the museum,we drove to Taunton where we got caught in a massive traffic jam.As I sat there waiting to move my 10 feet every 5 minutes,I couldn't help but think of the days when the Tivvy Bumper would be tooting along the Exe Valley and how much better that seemed to the mass madness that I was stuck in now.
I also couldn't help thinking that the Tivvy Bumper had been so well preserved at the museum,that surely it wouldn't take too much to get it going again.Could it be possible that one day it might rattle down the Exe Valley again?
Please watch this video I made of the Tivvy Bumper