Rail Ale Trail rewards for Jack Russell terriers

l Junior and Tramp enjoy a well-deserved pint, having had their Rail Ale Trail success marked with commemorative jackets

October 25, 2005: Junior and Tramp, two pint-sized Jack Russell Terriers from Norwich, Norfolk, have become the first dogs to complete the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership's Rail Ale Trails on the scenic St Ives Bay and Truro to Falmouth Maritime lines.

The two dogs, along with owners Geoff and Pat Coleman, enjoyed travelling the branch lines, a stroll to the pubs and sampling a little of the local ales while on holiday near St Ives. Normally participants collect stamps at pubs accessed by train, for souvenirs such as tour shirts and badges. In this case the Rail Partnership decided to have coats printed especially for the dogs to recognise their support.

Owner Pat Coleman said: "The Rail Ale Trails are a lovely idea; we discovered places and pubs that we wouldn't otherwise have found. The trails are put together in a way that makes exploring places in West Cornwall by train really easy. Our favourite pub on the trails was the Pirate Inn at Alverton, Penzance."

Lyn Winter, of Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, said: "To say we were surprised to receive completed trail leaflets from two dogs is an understatement! But we had to do something to recognise this unusual achievement so we asked local printer, Mike Claire, to print two dog coats for us and presented them to Tramp and Junior when we were in Norfolk recently."

There are five Devon & Cornwall Rail Ale Trails, covering branch lines from North Devon to West Cornwall. Leaflets are available from staffed railway stations, Information Centres, online at www.railaletrail.com or by phoning 01752 233094.