Visitors to the South Devon Railway (SDR) will be able to travel back in time over the August Bank Holiday weekend during the annual 1950's and 1960's gala event.

The railways were a lot different 40 and 50 years ago before the infamous Dr.Beeching wielded his axe and shut many lines. It was a time of great change and the Modernisation Plan of 1954 envisaged modern diesel and electric locomotives replacing the steam locomotives that had ruled the iron rails for many years. In August 1968 British Railways ran its last scheduled steam hauled train.

During the two-day event visitors to the SDR will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of both steam and heritage diesel traction at work. Passenger services, which start at 10.00 from Buckfastleigh, and 10.02 from Totnes on both days, will be hauled by former Great Western Railway steam locomotives, No's. 5786 and 5526, and English Electric Co. Type 3 diesel locomotive No. D6737.

No. 5526, which wears its original British Railways livery of all over black, will work a number of services each day, including two round trips with the SDR's popular "auto train". Given the nickname "Push Pull Trains", in one direction the steam locomotive pushes the coaches along whilst the driver sits in a special compartment at the front of the leading coach working the engine’s controls remotely. These trains will also call, on request, at Nappers Halt, a small wayside stop between Staverton and Totnes. The platform at the halt is very low and passengers will be able to witness another novel feature of the auto train - its fold away steps. Once stationary at the platform, the Guard can operate a special lever inside the coach that works the special steps that are normally stowed under the coach. These swing out to allow passengers to board or alight at the ground level platform with great ease.

D6737, which was built in 1962, has recently been overhauled to near as built condition by its owners The Devon Diesel Society, and now wears the original British Railways green livery, complete with working four digit head codes at each end. These were once used to assist signalman and other railway staff in identifying each individual train service.

In the late 50's and early 60's several branch line services gave way to diesel traction in the form of the new Diesel Multiple Units (D.M.U). These units, often formed of just one or two vehicles, provided greater economies. During the gala some passengers services will be worked by the SDR based Class 127 2-car DMU. A popular feature of the train is the ability for passengers to enjoy views of the line straight ahead through windows from right behind the driver's seat.

In the 1950's and 60's the railway was much busier handling freight and goods traffic. The daily "pick-up" goods trains were a way of life on many branch lines, delivering or collecting a vast array of livestock, coal, milk or just about anything else that needed to be moved. After trundling along the branch line, stopping off at many stations to drop off or pick up the odd wagon or two, the trains would run to Junction for onward movement to places far and wide. These nostalgic scenes will be recreated on both days when a number of demonstration goods trains run between Staverton and Buckfastleigh. Some will be hauled No. D2246, a small 52 year-old diesel-shunting locomotive of just 204-horse power. The larger Sulzer Type 2 No. D7612 will work others.

Complimenting the train services will be the Heritage Bus Service. Operating from Buckfastleigh station, several round trips will be made via the scenic and circular route that includes stops at the famous Buckfast Abbey, and the town centre.

There is a large free car park at Buckfastleigh, and with the station situated just off the A38 Devon Expressway, it is just 25 minutes from Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay. There are several public car parks and also connections with the mainline rail network at Totnes.

At Buckfastleigh visitors will also be able to enjoy some of the SDR's regular attractions including:

• An extensive museum, including Brunel's only surviving "broad gauge" engine,
• Expressway model and gift shop,
• Riverside walks, a maze and children's play area,
• Newly refurbished "Refreshment Rooms",
• Picnic area and wooded parkland.

Trains run EVERY day from now until the end of October. The Expressway model railway shop has gifts for children of all ages and is open for business on most days.