A former train driver and instructor is calling on local people in the Wiveliscombe and Milverton area who remember travelling on the train that used to run there, to get in touch for a project to help celebrate its last journey 60 years ago this October.

Adrian Wales, who worked on the railways as a driver and train driving instructor for 40 years, became intrigued by the local train that used to run through the area, when he retired to Wiveliscombe five years ago, after working in Sussex.

Hearing that October this year will be the 60th anniversary of the closing of the railway and the last train out of the town, and inspired by hearing a radio programme on the memories of old war veterans, he hopes to get enough material together to put an article on Facebook or print a booklet that will capture something of the period.

“I thought how nice it would be to have memories of the train through the people’s eyes,” said Adrian.

He is not doing a history of the line, which he feels has already been written about, but is keeping it to the local area, and while he has a number of photos, it’s people’s actual memories that he hopes to hear about, to bring it to life.

Initially he put out a call on Facebook, then followed it up with a second one.

“I had quite a few responses and have asked for more detail so that you can visualise it.

“I want real in-depth memories, that will give a sense of history – what was it like to travel on the train, what were the station and the staff like, did someone nick the coal and get into trouble.” Anyone with memories to share, can contact Adrian at [email protected]