This event will feature both vintage steam and diesel locomotives operating a frequent passenger service in different formats.

Confirmed attraction: Former BR(W) 4-6-0 7827 “Lydham Manor” is returning to the Ashburton Branch for a limited period including this gala.  For more details read the News story.

We expect many vintage cars and other road transport vehicles to join in the event for public viewing.

This year we are again offering “Behind the Scenes” visits to parts of the railway that are not usually seen by the public. These include the original signal box at Buckfastleigh, our engineering works at Buckfastleigh, and Permanent Way (track) plant and machinery at Staverton.

If you ever wanted to find out what happens to make a railway work, or better still, want to join in – do come along. And yes, we do need people to help in our museum - with stewarding, cataloguing, conservation and display – we look forward to seeing you.

Interested visitors can turn up at any of the stations – Buckfastleigh, Staverton or Totnes Littlehempston. Volunteers at each station will be pleased to show them what is happening there.

At Buckfastleigh stewards will be based in the forecourt, in front of the main station building. They will be able to direct visitors to all of the various attractions, including the “Behind the Scenes” events. At Buckfastleigh they will include:

• SDRT Museum, on the platform: timed 30 minute tours at 11.00am, 2.30pm each day. Museum open 9.30am to 4.45pm
• SDRT Museum education, on the station forecourt: timed 30 minute tours of wartime garden and military ambulance. 10.30am, 12.30pm, 3.00pm each day.
• Original signal box: open continuously both days 10.00 to 4.00pm. Try your hand at signalling!
• SDR Engineering: timed 45 minute tours at Elliott 12.30pm, 2.30pm each day.
• Parks & Gardens: timed 45 minute tours each day. 11.30am, 2.00pm.

In addition we hope to offer a look round the miniature railway workshops and diesel cab visits: please check this site for updates.

At Staverton the Permanent Way depot will be open continuously between 10.00am and 4.00pm on both days. Members of the public can access the yard via the gate behind the lamp hut. A varied selection of PW on-track machinery and plant will be on display, including the tamper, road-railer, TRAMM, Wickham trolleys and diesel shunters. It is hoped to have PW personnel on site for some of the event and, where possible, members of the public will be able to visit the cabs of both the tamper and TRAMM under supervision. It is also hoped to have demonstration runs with a Wickham trolley throughout the day on Sunday.

There is no charge for any of the “Behind the Scenes” events, but normal train fares and entry to Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies will apply. Become a member and get members’ discounts, of course!

For those travelling by car there is ample free parking at Buckfastleigh, just follow the “brown” signs from the A38 to the station.

For those travelling by train First Great Western can provide through tickets from local stations to the SDR via Totnes mainline station.  Passengers have to transfer between the railways by walking along the footpath at Totnes station (approximately 450 metre).
Please note that the through tickets are also available from the local First Great Western guards as an “add on” to the normal Totnes railway ticket.

As part of the Heritage Transport Gala the South Devon Railway’s former London Transport Routemaster ’bus RM1872 will be operating a rail replacement service to and from Ashburton (see Omnibus timetable for details).