The Tivvy Bumper

The locomotive is a 4800 class (later re-numbered 14xx). The first of the class was built in 1934 for the Great Western Railway, for the purpose of running single carriage passenger branch line trains in rural areas of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

 

These passenger branch line trains would carry villagers, holiday-makers, travellers and townsfolk in and out of different towns and villages to do their shopping, connect to the main line to travel further afield, visit relatives and travel to market.

 

Timeline

 

1936: The Tivvy Bumper (1442) was built in Swindon works at a cost of £2,285.

 

Mid-1960's: Lines the loco ran on closed during the period known as the 'Beeching cuts.'

 

1964: The Tivvy Bumper had its final journey along the Tiverton line.

 

1965: The locomotive was bought by Lord Amory as a gift for the people of Tiverton, to commemorate the steam era and was stationed in the open air, on display, on Blundells Road, Tiverton.

 

1978:  The Tivvy Bumper was moved to the Tiverton Museum, to be housed in a special building, to prevent rusting and deterioration of the engine, where it remains today.

 

2010: The Tivvy Bumper celebrated its 75th birthday with a giant tea party, dancing and storytelling from the son of the creator of the Thomas The Tank Engine series, Rev. W. Audrey.