Over the extended weekend of Friday 23rd to Monday 26th May 2014 the South Devon Railway is running its 1960s themed gala and, at Staverton, a beer festival.

The event will feature four locomotives, two steam and two diesel, that represent the changing scene on the national railway network in the 1960s. Steam services will be handled by our own 3205 and visiting Ivatt 2-6-0 46521, whilst diesel services will be handled by Sulzer type 2 No. D7612 (in original two tone green) and English Electric Type 3 No. 6975 (in rail blue – a livery that came into being during the decade). Railcar W55000 will also make an appearance on the Sunday evening.

The basic service is to a regular 45 minute interval pattern. In addition to the frequent passenger service during the day, late trains will run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to connect with the Real Ale Festival at Staverton.

During the day two train sets will be in operation, one in Carmine and Cream livery and the other in Chocolate and Cream. In the evening (Not Monday) late trains will operate. On Friday and Saturday these will use a single auto trailer (W228 in Maroon) plus a couple of box vans. This train will again reflect the branch line origins of the line and both 3205 and 46521 will make appearances on this set. On the Sunday evening “bubblecar” W55000 will operate the late service.

A demonstration goods train, made up of open and engineering wagons, will make a number of trips during the gala, including several evening runs on both Friday and Saturday. This unusual approach will provide some added interest for those who are visiting the festival in the evening, and for photographers it also provides the rare chance to see such a service running late on and into the dark.

Beer Festival at Staverton

The real ale festival will feature in excess of 40 ales and ciders, sourced from both national and local brewers. A more detailed drinks list will be provided nearer to the event. The bar will be open from 11.00 each day until 23.00 (18.00 on Monday). As normal the bar is being run by the Devon Diesel Society with proceeds going towards the ongoing restoration and maintenance of its fleet of heritage diesel locomotives.

The “new” refreshment vehicle at Staverton will be in full use for the first time following its excellent conversion. 59740 started life as a DMU trailer car but is now a very well presented catering vehicle and will open during the day throughout the festival serving a wide selection of hot and cold snacks, soft drinks, and hot beverages. Saturday and Sunday evening will see a barbeque in the station yard (more details to follow) and the WLS will be present (not Friday) with their PIMMS tent. The popular “just for fun” quiz takes place again on the Sunday evening. Proceeds from the event go towards the upkeep of rolling stock and buildings on the railway.