Plymouth by Train

Note: The Taunton by Train entry (previous) is actually Tuesday, 3 October 2006, though it seems it is not now possible to change this in blogger.

I arrive on a Thursday afternoon (5 October 2006) again at Exeter St Davids, this time intending to get a train to Honiton which I haven't visited since I nearly moved there about 2 years ago. But the train is just leaving as I arrive at the ticket office/main entrance. Instead, after a little look at the automated ticket machine and its many destinations - and the Departures tv screen above - I opt for Plymouth, at #7.00 Cheap Day Return. Ideal.

A sluggish 40 mile journey through Newton Abbot, Totnes, Ashburton, etc., which takes an incredible 70 minutes though the distance should only take about half that.

Plymouth station is ghastly. I thought Sevenoaks and London Bridge were bad enough, but this makes them look like the Giles Gilbert Scott's St Pancras of railway stations. Dreadful. A 12 storey tower block is about all there is, with lots of 1970s white concrete scattered around, just down the road from Home Park. Welcome to the Home of the Royal Navy it says outside. Fair enough. I head for the Barbican district.