The South Devon Railway will be holding another of its popular Transport Gala’s over the Easter weekend. The gala itself is being held on the Sunday and Monday and will feature the usual mix of railways and road transport, however this year the entertainment starts a day earlier as the Devon Diesel Society are also running a Real Ale Festival over the weekend.

The main festival bar will be located at Staverton where a variety of traditional ales and ciders will be on sale from the bar in the goods shed. Additional seating capacity is being provided by a coach stabled in the former goods dock. With access to Staverton being via quite country lanes, and with very limited parking available at the station, visitors are being advised to “Ride the rails to reach the ales” by catching the train from either Buckfastleigh (large free car park) or Totnes. Most passenger services will also feature on train bars serving other variety’s of ale.

On the Saturday, in addition to the normal steam hauled services, in order to provide a more varied service to and from Staverton, a number of “relief” trains will operate throughout the day. These will feature the Devon Diesel Society’s Class 37 locomotive 37 321 Loch Treig, whilst in the evening there will also be a special service. The evening trains, subject to no last minute complications, will be hauled by ex Great Western Railway 0-6-0pt 1369. This will be the loco’s debut passenger runs following completion of its overhaul in Buckfastleigh workshops. Having spent its last ten years in British Railway’s black livery, 1369 will this time around be running in green with “Great Western” proudly displayed upon its tanks.

The Sunday and Monday will see a special train service in operation. Locomotives expected to be in use include 1369, 5786, 5526, 3803 and Lady Angela, plus heritage class 25 diesel D7612.

The first train of the day will depart Buckfastleigh at 09.15 and will be worked by British Railways black “small prairie” 5526 coupled to the two-car Auto set. With the recent repainting of trailer car W225W, both coaches now match and this will be the first runs of the two-car set with both vehicles in carmine and cream livery. 5526 is at present being equipped with auto gear and if the work is complete by the time of the gala the loco will propel the train on the return working from Totnes.

Care has been taken to try and roster locomotives and stock from appropriate era and in complimentary liveries. The main train set, formed of chocolate and cream coaches will be worked by G.W.R liveried 2-8-0 No.3803 on its first three trips, and by “pannier tank” 5786, also in G.W.R livery, for its last. Other trains will be formed of carmine and cream coaching stock. The two-car auto train will run the first and last trips of the day and be worked by 5526. A separate three-car rake will be worked by D7612 which now carries the attractive two-tone green livery of the 1960’s. During the middle of the day the two carmine and cream rakes will combine to create a five car set. This will be the longest train in this livery to operate over the branch and will be worked by 5526. For added variety, and as a reminder of the 1960’s when steam and diesel combinations were common, D7612 will also double-head with 5526 on one round trip.

Newly restored 1369 will be in action working demonstration goods trains between Buckfastleigh and Bishops Bridge. The loco will also make one trip hauling the two clerestory coaches, No’s 249 which ran in the 1894 Royal Train, and No.7, the former Dynamometer Car. Although 249 has limited passenger accommodation, work on 7 is still progressing so the train will run as an empty stock working, however it will provide a glimpse of “something to come”.

The other pannier, 5786, will spend most of the gala as station pilot at Buckfastleigh. It will be coupled to a G.W.R “Chariot” shunters truck and with goods trains to re-marshall, coaches to add and detach, it will be kept busy throughout the day. Panniers were often found on such duties in years gone by so it will be fitting to see 5786 and shunters truck scuttling around the station.

During the weekend the S.D.R’s largest steam locomotive, 4920 “Dumbleton Hall” will also be appearing outside for the first time in several seasons. The loco is at present awaiting a heavy overhaul and for the past few seasons has been stored, mostly out of sight, at the back of the main works. During Sunday afternoon the Hall is to be displayed with both Super Saloons, 9111 King George and 9116 Duchess of York, and Special saloon 9005. Following the gala 4920 is expected to go on public display in the PLOG shed.

At Staverton, in addition to the Real Ale Festival, Peckett 0-4-0st Lady Angela will be working brake van rides between trains and also shunting goods trains as required throughout the Sunday and Monday.

At Buckfastleigh there will be a display of vintage road transport and the miniature railway will be open providing rides around the spacious site. The extended shop will be catering for all your modelling needs and purchase of gifts and souvenirs, whilst the refreshment room will have a varied menu available throughout the weekend.

At Totnes visitors will be able to see the recently constructed water tower. This was fabricated in the railway’s own workshops at Buckfastleigh, and subject to all ancillary work being complete, locomotives may be taking water from the GWR water column located on the platform.