PhilM Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I know nothing abou the railways of the south west - and this may be widely known - but the factory that converted VW campers into what are known as Devons was rail served in the 50s, perhaps 60s. If you have facebook this link has an overall view of the factory and a couple of great views of vans being delivered by rail. Would make an interesting model. https://www.facebook.com/preservationparts/photos/pcb.538731642941543/538726196275421/?type=3&theater Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Extremely interesting, thanks for posting. Our first camper was a Devon, but it was a 1975 so unlikely to have been delivered by rail. Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I know nothing abou the railways of the south west - and this may be widely known - but the factory that converted VW campers into what are known as Devons was rail served in the 50s, perhaps 60s. If you have facebook this link has an overall view of the factory and a couple of great views of vans being delivered by rail. Would make an interesting model. https://www.facebook.com/preservationparts/photos/pcb.538731642941543/538726196275421/?type=3&theater I wonder what was originally on that site; something military, perhaps? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loconuts Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I wonder what was originally on that site; something military, perhaps? An emissions test station? Loconuts Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Apparently it was the gas works, thus already rail-served. JP White moved in in 1960. (from info@faroutcampers.co.uk) Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I looked a bit further into the Facebook page and found this :- https://www.facebook.com/preservationparts/photos/pcb.538731642941543/538729332941774/?type=3&theater and this:- https://www.facebook.com/preservationparts/photos/pcb.538731642941543/538729459608428/?type=3&theater This is the only coachbuilder I've seen who had a direct rail link, but several coach-builders and caravan manufacturers used rail, delivering to near-by railway goods depots:- Bluebird Caravans used Tyndall Fields Depot, Cardiff (see link on the Freightlifter thread) An ambulance builder in Portsmouth, using Fratton yard Dormobile in Folkestone. Lowmacs seem to be the preferred wagons in these instances. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilM Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share Posted October 10, 2015 Extremely interesting, thanks for posting. Our first camper was a Devon, but it was a 1975 so unlikely to have been delivered by rail. Ed I still drive a 75 Devon! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray M Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 I still drive a 75 Devon! You`ll be paying no road tax, next year then. Lucky sod. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 He'll probably pay more in oil. Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reading General Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Fantastic. My Transit Devon Dawn was built there un 1985 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gismorail Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Used to have our family holidays in Sidmouth and never knew about the Devon factory very interesting Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted March 17, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 17, 2016 It has all been rather nicely modelled. Check out MRJ 243. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.