Over the weekend of Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September, the South Devon Railway (SDR) is holding its popular annual Heritage Transport Gala.

All of the line’s operational steam and diesel locomotives will feature, running frequent passenger and demonstration freight trains on both days, and many vintage cars and other road transport vehicles will also be joining in the show and on public display.

The event also offers a chance to see ‘Behind the Scenes’ on the SDR as part of the nationwide ‘Heritage Open Days’ event which provides a great opportunity to find out how the railway is run as well as enjoying the sight of vintage vehicles and different train types all day long.

‘Behind the Scenes’ activities will take place up and down the line over the weekend:

At Ashburton: The South Devon Railway once ran a further two miles to Ashburton in GWR and British Railways days, but in 1972 the A38 was built over the trackbed. 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.

• Original signal box: open continuously Saturday ONLY 11.00 to 3.00pm. Try your hand at signalling!
• SDR Engineering: timed 45 minute tours at 12. 0pm, 2. 0pm 3.30pm each day.
• Miniature Railway and its workshops: timed 30 minute tours at 11. 0am, 12.45 pm and 2. 0pm with visiting locomotive ‘Otter’ from Pecorama.
• Fairground equipment timed tours at: 1. 0pm and 4. 0pm
• Lee Moor Tramway collection open Saturday ONLY 11. 0am to 3. 0pm
• Stanley steam car rides around the site on both days
• Vintage ’bus trips to Staverton
• Various vintage cars and motor bikes in the grounds

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. There will be PW personnel on site for some of the event. It is also hoped to have demonstration runs with a Wickham trolley.
The café will be open.

At Totnes (Littlehempston)Saturday ONLY:

• Tours of the restoration work in progress behind the station
• Booking office revealed in the station building originally built in 1907 for Toller station at Toller Porcorum on the Bridport branch from where it was rescued in the early 1980s.

Heritage Open Days is the largest heritage festival in the country; in 2014, over 4,600 events welcomed around three million visitors across England. Heritage Open Days operates as part of the National Trust with funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Historic England.

Heritage Open Days is co-ordinated and promoted nationally by the National Trust, and run locally by a large range of organisations (including civic societies, heritage organisations, and local councils, community champions and thousands of enthusiastic volunteers).

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 any of 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.