This coming August bank holiday weekend will see the scenic South Devon Railway (SDR) hold its annual Rails and Ales gala which this year is again over four days due to its popularity.  The Beer Festival is being organised by the Devon Diesel Society as in previous years so a high standard can be expected.

Following the success of last year there is a special First Great Western service from Exeter St. Davids to Staverton and return on Saturday 25th August using a class 150/2 unit.  See poster below for details.
Passengers who wish to travel on this service are advised to book in advance, this will be possible by calling the South Devon Railway offices, after midday on Friday 10th August. If seats remain, tickets will be available from on-train staff on the night.

The event, which is popular with both railway enthusiasts and fans of Real Ale, is expected to feature a mix of classic rail travel over the seven-mile line, including the use of both steam and heritage diesel locomotives, and a Real Ale Festival serving a variety of traditional ales and ciders – see list below.

The frequent service of passenger trains will be mostly steam hauled — rostered locomotives are GWR 0-6-0 3205, GWR 0-6-0PT 6430, GWR 0-6-0PT 1369, BR diesel D8110 & BR diesel railcar No. W55000.

GWR 0-6-0PT 6430, on hire from the Llangollen Railway, will be operating GWR style ‘auto’ trains over the weekend.

The festival will offer about 50 ales and traditional ciders from both local and national brewers. Cost will be modest per pint, with no separate admission charge to the festival. Staverton Station Preservation Group normally sell a range of non alcoholic drinks and food.

The combination of the authentic surroundings of a station unspoilt from years past and set in such a tranquil location, together with the classic combination of heritage trains and good quality ales and cider, has proved to be an excellent recipe with the size and popularity of the festival growing year upon year.

The festival opens at 11:00 Friday and closes at 18:00 the Monday.  The gala is open daily from 11:00 until 23:00 Friday, Saturday, Sunday and then 11:00 to 18:00 on the Monday.

Also on view at Staverton station will be the DDS class 37 locomotive D6737 and 04 shunter D2246.

A new feature this year – we hope to be having an evening Bar-B-Que on the Saturday to coincide with the arrival of the FGW 150 unit, and of course the usual quiz night takes place on Sunday.

With very limited parking at Staverton station visitors are advised to travel by the frequent train service to the festival or, on the Saturday only, use the FGW special service from Exeter. There is a large free car park at Buckfastleigh, which is situated just off the main A38 Devon Expressway, whilst at Totnes there are good connections with mainline trains.