This year the South Devon Railway has expanded its annual
Spring Bank holiday gala to cover three days. The gala theme is West Country
Branchline’s and visitors to our line will be assured of plenty of traditional
train formations at this all steam event.
The locomotive fleet will be bolstered by the special
guest appearance of Llangollen based 64xx 0-6-0pt 6430. This locomotive
spent many years based at Buckfastleigh during the 1970’s and 80’s where
it was used as a source of spare parts for sister engines 6412 and 6435.
The appearance of 6430 will be the first time a member of the class has
run on the line since the departure of 6435 to the nearby Paignton &
Dartmouth Railway in the early 1990’s, and it will be the first time that
6430 has ever steamed on the South Devon line. Good use will be made of
the locomotive and in addition to working normal passenger services and
demonstration goods trains, the locomotive will be used extensively on
our auto train. The loco will run both single-car, and for the first time
in preservation two-car set. On the Saturday evening, in what is believed
to be a preservation first, it is also hoped to operate two separate single
car auto trains.
With the recent failure of home based 1420 the desire
to run two separate auto trains seemed to have been lost for this event,
however we are pleased to announce that in addition to 6430, another “old
friend”, 6412 will also now be appearing at the gala too. The welcome return
of this loco, its first appearance on the line since 1972, will allow the
South Devon Railway to offer what is believed to be the first chance in
preservation to see two auto trains pass each other. Both 6412 and 6430
will work two single car auto trains on the Saturday evening. Another bonus
will be the chance to see the first double-headed 6400’s in over 30 years
(the last time being in the early 1970’s when 6412 and 6435 paired up).
6412 and 6430 will pair up a couple of times on the Sunday and Monday.
Another star attraction will be the debut gala appearance
of newly restored Great Western 2-8-0 heavy freight locomotive No. 3803.
This locomotive is nearing the end of its restoration from ex Barry condition
and is on target to steam in early May ready to take a staring role at
the gala. The locomotive will work several services on each day, including
a number of demonstration goods trains.
To enhance the Great Western atmosphere of the railway,
during the gala the main train set will be formed of ex British Railways
Mk 1 stock. This allows the Great Western coaches which normally form part
of the main set to be released for other duties and over the course of
the gala we shall be running many all Great Western Railway passenger trains
with 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 coach formations planned. On the Monday a special
service will operate formed of the two Ocean Saloons, 9111 King George
and 9116 Duchess of York, along with recently arrived special saloon 9005.
On arrival at Totnes these coaches will be added to the other Great Western
vehicles to run a complete seven coach rake of GWR stock – thought to be
the longest such train to run on the line in preservation.
Although not running in passenger service, giving a glimpse
of things to come, on the Sunday a two coach Victorian train, formed of
ex Great Western Directors Saloon No.249 which once ran in Queen Victoria’s
Royal Train, and former Dynamometer Car No.7, which although externally
complete is still undergoing internal refurbishment.
Throughout the gala various demonstration goods trains
will run. Two sets of wagons will operate, one will be formed of Great
Western and Private Owner wagons, the other of British Railways liveried
vehicles. These will both operate where possible with motive power in appropriate
liveries. On a couple of runs both sets will combine to provide a longer
train of approximately 16 to 18 wagons, whilst on the Monday, with addition
of a few other wagons, it is hoped to run a goods train of 20 plus wagons.
This train will be hauled by 3803.
A special timetable will operate over
all three days and with a total of 115 trains during that time there will
be plenty to enjoy. Passenger services start at just after 09.00 each day.
On the Saturday passenger train services are extended into the evening
and onwards until the last arrival at Buckfastleigh at 23.15.
Whilst the trains will be a major attraction, another
popular feature is expected to be the railway's first ever Beer Festival.
A licence has been obtained for this to take place at Totnes and it is
expected to feature a range of Real Ales from several breweries.
Other attractions will include the Lee Moor Tramway museum
at Buckfastleigh being open. Visitors will be able to see one of the remaining
locomotives from this system which ran on a gauge of 4 feet 6 inches.
At the other end of the scale, located inside the main
museum at Buckfastleigh there will also be the chance to see the last surviving
locomotive from the Broad Gauge era – Tiny. This important locomotive forms
part of the National Collection and is on loan to the SDR.
Also at Buckfastleigh the miniature railway will be operating
over all three days, as will the permanent 00 gauge model railway. The
vintage bus service linking the station with Buckfast Abbey and town will
be running and this is free to SDR passengers.
Enquiries & Further Information
The Station, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0DZ
Telephone : 0843 357 1420
