The award winning South Devon Railway is holding a special “Steam Engine Driver for a Tenner” event at its Buckfastleigh station this coming Saturday, November 12, with the proceeds going towards the Royal British Legion's annual Poppy Appeal.

As well as contributing to this very worthy cause, anyone who has ever nurtured childhood ambitions of driving a steam railway loco can now have their dreams come true for just £10.00 and experience what life’s like on the footplate of a working steam engine.

SDR General Manager Dick Wood comments: “We have good links with the Royal British Legion through one of our drivers Ron Reynolds and we try to organise a similar event each year in aid of the annual Poppy Appeal.

“People can come along and shovel coal into the firebox, blow the whistle and try their hand on the regulator to make the loco move.

“They can sense the loco’s power and know what it feels like to be a real fireman and driver by moving the engine in and out of Buckfastleigh station.

“So, why not treat yourself or someone special to the thrill of a lifetime and help raise money for the Poppy Appeal?”

The steam engine “Driver for a Tenner” event will be held at Buckfastleigh station from around 09.30 and carries on through the day.

Pre-booking for the limited places for the “Driver for a Tenner” day is required and STRONGLY ADVISED by ringing the SDR in advance on (01364) 643536.

With ample car parking at Buckfastleigh on the A38 Devon Expressway, the South Devon Railway is just 25 minutes from Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay. And the South Devon Railway will also be getting ready to run its ever popular Santa by Steam trains which operate most weekends in December and during the last week before Christmas.

The Expressway model railway shop is already stocking up with Christmas presents for children of all ages and is open for business on most days.