Over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend of 30th April to 2nd May 2022 the South Devon Railway will run an intensive train service between Buckfastleigh and Totnes Riverside stations with the addition of a vintage bus service linking Buckfastleigh to Ashburton town, the original terminus of the railway.

Special displays will illustrate the history of this idyllic branch line and there’ll be a few additions and recreations to bring history to life! Whilst you are with us, why not explore our museum and discover the unique exhibits of ‘Tiny’ of 1868, the only surviving original broad gauge locomotive in existence, and the ‘Littleworth Coach’ thought to date from 1848!

1924, Swindon-built Prairie tank NO 4555, the first locomotive to arrive on the then Dart Valley Railway in 1965, is the surprise star guest at the South Devon Railway’s (SDR) 150th anniversary celebrations.  We are very grateful to our friends at the East Somerset Railway and the Dartmouth Steam Railway for their help in arranging a replacement locomotive at such short-notice.

GWR First Class Saloon 9044, visiting from the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, is expected to see it’s first use on the SDR over the course of this event, operating on the Great Western set of carriages.
The carriage was built in 1881 and is believed to be the oldest surviving GWR bogie coach in existence. Originally used as a family saloon, it has supposedly seen passengers who include King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, and opera singer Madame Patti.
It is hoped that 9044 will provide a first class travel option on certain services and an opportunity to experience what luxurious travel was like from the years when our branch line was in it’s infancy.  (Operation of this carriage is subject to final testing and clearance checks).

For more details of the event including timetables and ticketting please click here (Note this opens in a new window.).