South Devon Railway

South Devon Railway

Picture Above: © Copyright Duncan Grey and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The South Devon Railway is a Standard Gauge Heritage Steam Railway running from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, a distance of 7 miles.

Route

Buckfastleigh

This is the Railways Headquarters. There is a Cafe, Engine Sheds, (which can be visited I believe), Picnic Area, Model Railway, Miniature Railway, Landscaped Gardens, Maze, Play park, gift shop and a museum.

The miniature Railway has recently had a complete rebuild, and even more recently extended!

Staverton

Staverton is the halfway point on the line. There is a Single Line Platform here, some sidings etc.

This is also the passing point, when the Railway is operating Two trains. The loop is situated outside the Station.

It has featured in some TV Shows too, most notably in BBCs’ “Hound of the Baskervilles”!

Totnes (Littlehempston Riverside)

Finally is Totnes. This lies in-between the Devon Mainline and the River Dart.

There is a mainline connection here, which saw use in 2002 for a Tamper Vehicle to gain access to the SDR, As well as sidings containing stock, and a goods shed!

It’s nice to get off and have a walk here, and the town is not to far to walk.

Rolling Stock

The Railway mainly operates Ex-GWR Stock. They have a fine collection of GWR Locomotives, Coaches & Wagons.

Trains normally consist of about 5 coaches. On galas etc, the Railway may run a special Auto Coach Service.

Other

The Railway has a number of sideline attractions, most them mentioned above. Most of these only operate over special events. The Miniature Railway has had a complete overhaul during 2006, it operates steam and diesel, the loco bing a Replica Hunslet 0-4-0ST+T quarry loco. The ride is about 1/2 a mile long.

There is also a Maze, not certain as to when this is open & a Play park for the youngsters!

As far as I know, when I last visited anyway, you can visit the Engine Sheds, viewing them for a platform above the engines!

There is museum at Buckfastleigh too, I almost forgot all about it…!

Website: http://www.southdevonrailway.org/

Operating Dates: http://www.southdevonrailway.org/Timetable-2k10.html

Line Length: 7 miles

Operational Locomotives:

• GWR Hall 4-6-0 No.4920 Dumbleton Hall (Out for Overhaul)
• GWR 38XX 2-8-0 No.3803
• GWR/BR 4575 class 2-6-2T No.5526
• GWR 57XX 0-6-0PT No.5786
• GWR 64XX 0-6-0PT No.6412 (Under Restoration)
• Peckett & Sons Ltd. 0-4-0ST No.1 Ashley (Under Overhaul)
• Kitsons/Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST Canarvon (Awaiting Restoration)
• WD Austerity 0-6-0ST Glendower (Out for Overhaul)
• Peckett & Sons Ltd. 0-4-0ST Lady Angela (Privately owned, currently out of service)