The little station at Newton St Cyres has been the subject of many SideTracked caches over the years. First there was GC1JEYP, then came GC3EM4M and that was resurrected in the form of GC7A830. This short offset multi cache is another excuse to revisit this station located in a small hamlet just outside of Exeter.
Newton St Cyres railway station was opened in October 1851 as 'St Cyres' with a single platform, signal box and ticket office. A second platform was added in 1875 along with freight sidings. The signal box was removed in 1930 and the second platform was taken out of use in 1984.
The station is served by a handful of trains each day on services between Exeter and Crediton or Exeter and Okehampton. As a request stop passengers need to attract the attention of the driver as the train approached the platform.
The cache is hidden a short distance along a country lane and to discover its whereabouts you will need to access the platform. Head to the northwestern end and you will see a metal sign by the bridge. There are three digits on this sign, these are ABC. Now head southeast to the other end of the platform where there is a blue sign with a large letter S. There are also two digits on this sign, these are DE. You will see a number of green planters on the platform, there is a sign indicating who maintains these. The number of letters in the first word on the third line is F, the number of letters in the fourth word on the third line is G.
The cache is hidden at N 50 46.(C+E)(A-D)(F-C) W 003 35.(B-D)(A+B)(G+D) and is a sample tube hidden within a host that is very apt for this part of the world. Those with wheelchairs and pushchairs should have no difficulty reaching GZ but may need some assistance with retrieving the cache.
In order to claim a find you must sign the logbook. After adding your name to the book please replace everything as found and ensure that the cache is concealed from view.