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[PT Sideshow]

I was watching a Public Broadcasting Service mystery of Miss Marple last night, From the BBC production company. Since it's a period piece, they always seem to have great period equipment and boats etc. This is the second one though that has had some kind of ferry on wheels and high off the ground. That drives across a low tidal area, sans water and when there is water in the same area. They only show glimpses of these things, and then its only partial shots of them. So never had a proper look, and the other time they showed one it was in water and the running gear was covered.

I was wondering what are they called and is there a web site or a link for some pictures. The one in the show last night was a pale powder blue and had a number of steps more than 8 to get up to the riding platform area. Which had benches and an canvas awning on pole type roof frame.

There was a real nice looking cruiser ion it to, that they had all the suspects on and Marple pushed one sitting on the rail over the side.

Any information would be greatly appreciated
 

[barriew]

Didn't see this but it sounds like the thing that used to run to an island off the south coast of England - Burgh Island I think, although that may be Agatha Christies name for it.  The device is basically a tractor that runs on a causeway.

Barrie

[Colin Bishop]

There was one of these installed between Brighton and Rottingdean in Sussex see:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brighton_and_Rottingdean_Seashore_Electric_Railway  http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__7605_path__0p115p207p479p.aspx and http://www.rggj.net/Rottingdean/old_pc/index.htm

I think the one in Miss Marple is Burgh Island as Barrie says: http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/image_galleries/burgh_island_gallery.shtml?3

Colin

[DickyD]

It is Burgh Island in Bigbury Bay Devon.
It has an Art Deco hotel on it that was used by people like Agatha Christie and Noel Coward.
There are very few photos of the sea tractor but loads on the hotel.

http://www.burghisland.com/

[nhp651]

Went accross their once as a young gad about in my twenties with a mate whilst we were touring the south coast in my (then new) triumph Vitesse convertible
I' remember wanting a drink in the beautiful bar and thought of a cocktail.
If I remember rightly I'd have had to have traded my car in just to get a round of drinks in.

[Roger in France]

Yes, Burgh Island off the coast of south Devon has such an arrangement. It runs between the island and Bigbury and has done for many years. The island is tiny - only a large rock really.

The same ferry (I do not think it has a unique name, possibly "tractor ferry") was also featured on a TV programme which mentioned that the hotel on the island does "Murder Weekends" in period costume. The latter may have spawned the former or vice versa.

I was born near there and had an aunt who lived in Bigbury.

Roger in France
(Born a Janner - for those not in the know "Janner" from "Jan Stewer" in the song "Uncle Tom Cobbly and All", therefore a Devonian. Also, please note there is no such place as "Devonshire" it is Devon).

[PT Sideshow]

Thanks, to all. The first time I saw it  was at that hotel were the story was set. I don't know if they still have version one and two of the sea tractor, as the hotel site says this is the third version. The one last night had skinny tractor tires and was worked up with a drivers cabin and other 20's 30's do dads probably Movie set dressing.

It does then give one a whole lot of leeway, in build one of their own. Great stuff I have seen the rail version before and it looks like a wild ride that high up! \

Oh the one last night was Gotsberry  or some thing of the like. But then again it could have been made up place.
Thanks again.

[alan colson]

Oh wonderful! I can remember as a child going on something like the vehicle at Burgh Island and have often wondered where it was so that I could go and see it again, many times I spent holidays in South Devon with family as my Nan and Great Aunt used to live in Sidbury near Sidmouth, Devon. Now I have another excuse to hitch up the caravan and go to that area of the country.
Alan