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

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 Ashburton: The 11.35am and 2.10pm Rail Replacement services from Buckfastleigh will call additionally at Ashburton, Pear Tree for a “Last mile” guided walk along “Bulliver Way” which is the remainder of the Ashburton Branch through to Ashburton Station.  Return to Buckfastleigh on the following ’bus.

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.

• 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 military ambulance and Archive Centre: 11.30am, 2. 0pm, 3. 0pm 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 12. 0pm, 2. 0pm 3.30pm each day.
• Parks & Gardens: timed 45 minute tours each day. 11.30am, 2.00pm.
• Miniature Railway and its workshops: timed 30 minute tours at 11. 0am, 12.45 pm and 2. 0pm
• Fairground equipment timed tours at: 1. 0pm and 4. 0pm
• Lee Moor Tramway collection open 10. 0am to 4. 0pm

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).

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.
The café will be open.

At Totnes (Littlehempston) – Saturday ONLY:

• Timed tours of the restoration work in progress behind the station on the hour from 10. 0am to 3, 0pm
• Booking office revealled – 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 3. 0pm

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 their 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.