There will be something to interest anyone who enjoys historic transport over the coming Easter weekend on the award-winning South Devon Railway (SDR), especially on Easter Sunday and Monday with over 60 different vintage road vehicles on display, plus other attractions including two surprise main line steam locomotives.

In addition, a heritage bus service will run from the railway to the town and Buckfast Abbey, along with intensive steam and diesel train services between Buckfastleigh and Totnes over the scenic, seven-mile line. Trains will be hauled by former GWR steam engines 3803, 5526 and 5786, plus diesels D8110 and "Bubblecar" W55000, including auto and goods trains.

The two surprise main line steam locomotives expected to visit the line for servicing, public display and that may also see possible use will do so in between hauling the "Royal Duchy" and prestigious "Great Britain" rail tours.

The pair are "Britannia" Class No. 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" and Black Five No. 44871 which have the distinction of having hauled the very last steam train, the Fifteen Guinea Special, on British Railways in August 1968. It will be the first time a Britannia Pacific Class loco has ever been seen on the Buckfastleigh branch but the type once ran over the South Devon banks in the BR steam era.

The ten-acre Buckfastleigh site should be crammed full of interesting transport exhibits including classic cars and motorcycles plus there will also be a providing a gentle tour around the locale with stops at Buckfast Abbey and Buckfastleigh Town (on a clear day there is a good view over the local countryside to Dartmoor from the upper deck), and a miniature railway.

One area of the museum, which has been closed for major refurbishment over the Winter, will also be open to visitors featuring Broad Gauge survivor "Tiny" plus former Exeter Gas Works loco "Ashley"

The SDR had hoped popular ex-GWR 14xx Class steam locomotive No.1450, once a regular performer on the line, would be visiting its old stamping ground again for the weekend following a major overhaul, but the contract repairs could sadly not be completed in time. As a result, No. 1450 will hopefully now visit the SDR later in the 2010 season.

With a large free car park at Buckfastleigh, and the station situated just off the A38 Devon Expressway, the SDR is just 25 minutes from Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay. There are several public car parks and also connections with the mainline rail network at Totnes.

The South Devon Railway, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, also features:

• Expressway model and gift shop and "Refreshment Rooms"
• Riverside walks, a maze and children's play area
• Picnic area and wooded parkland.

The South Devon Railway runs trains EVERY day from now until the end of October. The Expressway model railway shop has gifts for children of all ages and is open for business on most days.

The fun starts on 2nd April 2010 and continues until 5th April 2010 inclusive.

STOP PRESS

Two main line steam locomotives are visiting the South Devon Railway on Easter Sunday and Monday!

British Railways Britannia class 4-6-2 No 70013, Oliver Cromwell and LMS Black Five 4-6-0 No 44871, both of which had the distinction of hauling British Railways' last official steam train, the famous 'Fifteen Guinea Special' in August 1968, will be arriving on the South Devon Railway on Easter Sunday and will be operating selected SDR services on the Sunday and Monday.

They will be on the line for servicing, public display and might also see possible use in between hauling the Royal Duchy and prestigious Great Britain rail tours on the main line during the weekend.

It will be the first time a Britannia Pacific locomotive has ever travelled down our line, although some members of the class were allocated to British Railways Western Region in the 1960s for use on the main line between London Paddington and the West Country, working through Totnes and over the South Devon banks. The locomotives are booked to work a limited number of South Devon Railway services, as follows:-

44871 will also haul the 10.33 freight from Buckfastleigh, returning to Buckfastleigh at 12.17 on Monday.

The locomotives and their support coaches are due to leave Buckfastleigh on Wednesday.

Unfortunately due to an incident Sunday night Monday's services were restricted and a replacement 'bus service had to be operated between Staverton and Totnes Mainline. The official statement.