THE man behind a popular Newton Abbot attraction in the 80s and 90s has passed away at the age of 93.

Geoffrey Kichenside, pictured, ran Gorse Blossom Railway with his wife Paula for nearly twenty years.

The railway was a popular miniature railway located near Bickington.

It operated primarily during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Known for its scenic woodland setting and a replica Lynton & Barnstaple 2-6-2T steam locomotive named ‘Yeo,’ the railway was sold in 1998 and finally closed around 2003.

In the years thereafter, the land was converted into an upmarket camping site.

Born on August 21, 1932, Geoffrey grew up in Kenton in north-west London, attending the Lower School of John Lyon in Harrow.

Geoffrey excelled at languages, his mother wanting him to pursue a career in diplomatic services, however he hated the idea, instead seeking to work in the transportation industry.

He joined Ian Allan Publishing, which specialised in transport books.

Geoffrey become the editor of ‘Railway World’ , an English-based, monthly magazine covering rail transport across Great Britain.

And it wasn't long before Geoffrey himself put pen to paper, writing close to 20 books.

In the early 1970s, Geoffrey was headhunted by Newton Abbot-based publishers, David & Charles, to become editor for the company’s railway books, a role which he held for ten years.

A lifelong fascination with miniature railway, Geoffrey decided it was about time to build his own, being 38 acres of land at Bickington, the site which would become Gorse Blossom Railway.

The 7.25 gauge railway ran for nearly a mile and could take up to 60 passengers.

Geoffrey and Paula, who lived in Bovey Tracey, ran Gorse Blossom for 18 years before retiring, though Geoffrey couldn't quite bring himself to fully retire, joining the Dart Valley Railway for a time, before eventually retiring for good.

And such was his knowledge about all things railways, the BBC would often invite Geoffrey to appear on the news whenever there were problems with the railway in and around Plymouth.