Over the coming weekend of Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September 2016, the South Devon Railway (SDR) is holding its popular annual ‘Heritage Transport Gala’

Most of the line’s operational steam and diesel locomotives will feature, running frequent passenger and demonstration goods 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 actually 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 Buckfastleigh

• SDR Museum tours, shunting demonstrations in the yard with loco No. 1369 and goods wagons
• Buckfastleigh’s original signal box, from the days when the line ran through to Ashburton is open both days.
• SDR Engineering workshop, boiler shop and C&W works has tours on both days.
• Miniature traction engines and commercial vehicles on the station forecourt & coach bay.
• Heritage diesels on display, including a cab visit to mainline diesel D6737.
• SDRA Recruitment: Join the supporters’ Association in Expressway Models; recruitment stand also at Totnes.
• Miniature Railway and workshops open.
• Rides on the fairground collection, plus Worcester Loco Society sales stand.
• Lee Moor Tramway collection open, and Children’s ’just-for-fun’ tank engine hunt.
• Various classic cars and motor bikes on display in the grounds.
• Routemaster circular trip via Buckfast Abbey and Ashburton
• Vintage bus trips to Staverton

At Staverton

• Here will be a display by the Staverton Station Group, including wagon restoration, and the station’s café coach will be open, where you will also be able to learn about volunteering and becoming a member of the railway.
• The Permanent Way (PW) depot, where the SDR keeps all of the line’s impressive track maintenance machinery, will be open. 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. Demonstration runs with two Wickham motorised trolleys are planned in the yard.

At Totnes

Guided tours of the various restoration projects, including wagons, taking place by the Totnes Station Group. The SDR Association Membership stand will be at the station, plus ‘Driver for a Fiver’ rides on the footplate of GWR 64xx 0-6-0PT 6412.

At Ashburton

In GWR and British Railways days the South Devon Railway ran a further two miles to Ashburton but in 1972 the A38 “Expressway” was built over the trackbed. So, people can catch the SDR’s big red, double-deck Routemaster ’Bus to Ashburton from Buckfastleigh and see the remaining trackbed of the Ashburton branch, plus the buildings that still exist on the site.

‘Heritage Open Days’ is the largest heritage festival in the country; with over 4,600 events expected and 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 off organisations (including civic societies, heritage organisations, and local councils, community champions and thousands of enthusiastic volunteers).