Celebrating 90 Years of the Tivvy Bumper

The Tiverton Museum is marking a special milestone in 2025—the 90th birthday of its most iconic exhibit, the GWR locomotive No. 1442, affectionately known as the Tivvy Bumper.

Originally, the term “Tivvy Bumper” referred to the trains that operated on the branch line linking Tiverton Station with Tiverton Junction. From 1884 until the line’s closure in 1964, these trains provided an essential link between the Exe Valley Line and the main railway network.

Locomotive 1442 is part of the GWR 14XX class, purpose-built to run with auto coaches that allowed for push-pull operation—removing the need to turn the engine at each end of the journey. This made them perfectly suited to the short, rural branch lines of the Exe and Culm Valleys, where 1442 spent much of its working life. After the cessation of passenger services in Tiverton in 1963, the engine was briefly reassigned to routes between Yeovil Town and Yeovil Junction, as well as the Seaton branch line.

In 1965, the locomotive found its way back to Tiverton thanks to the efforts of Viscount Amory, who acquired it for preservation at the museum. Initially displayed outdoors near the old GWR goods shed, the engine began to suffer from exposure to the elements. In the late 1970s, it was relocated to the museum itself, where a dedicated transport gallery was constructed around it. Visitors of all ages still delight in seeing the engine, standing on the footplate and pulling its whistle.

To celebrate 1442’s 90th year, the museum is hosting a series of railway-themed events throughout 2025. Highlights include a talk by local railway historian Amyas Crump and temporary exhibition Making Tracks. For the full programme of events, visitors are encouraged to check the museum’s website www.tivertonmuseum.org.uk or pop in for more details.

You can visit the Tivvy Bumper at the museum Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm.