The weather on Good Friday was fine and sunny, Silent Saturday was torrential rain, and Easter Sunday and Monday were sunshine and showers – including some hail.

The South Devon Railway offered a wide range of train services and other attractions, and the crowds arrived for another good gala.

Heritage ’bus services were popular – Western National No 137 ran to Staverton station and Landscove whilst the recently repainted London Transport Routemaster RM1872 ran the rail replacement service to Ashburton.

When the sun shone the spring flowers put on a good show.

There was a fine show of classic cars despite the weather.

Carol Jones, along with other “cake ladies”, was selling their excellent cakes in the Picnic Coach.

Easter week itself has not been quiet: the first delivery of new bullhead rail for possibly 40 years arrived today ( 30th March 2016 ). This will allow the railway to make a significant start on upgrading its permanent way.  It may well be the first ever new rail in the branch since initial construction, as replacement rail would almost always have been second hand.  This is certainly the first new rail in heritage days.

The platform starting signal at Totnes has now been installed by S&T, and is complete with its arm and motor. Commissioning of Ashburton Junction signal box should not now be too far away. 6412 is seen running round its train in the photo.

Finally, work was in progress by Dartmoor Roofing on the building formerly known as CATS, and located behind “Saunders House”. It has been moved next to the Museum’s Archive Centre, and after extensive refurbishment will also house museum objects and archives. Its former site is being redeveloped with a new building which will be used as a training centre. Click here for the earlier news article.

John Brodribb
SDRT Museum Curator