South Devon Railway

Visited : 29th May '00

Summary

A nice heritage line, running along the river dart. We went on one of their 'everything goes' days, so they were running lots of steam and interesting old diesel engines.

DMU pulling into Buckfastleigh

Site

One average station (Buckfastleigh Bridge) a small station (Steverton) and a small terminus at Totnes. Nothing too grand.

Ride

We started at Buckfastleigh and traveled 7 miles mostly alongside the River Dart. While you can walk into Totnes, we didn't. There isn't anything to see at Totnes station, so we came straight back.

Engines

Saw lots, both in the engine shed and 'resting' in the yard. Apparently they have 16 Steam and 7 other locomotives.

Rolling Stock

Nothing fancy.

Buckfastleigh from the Footbridge

Engine Shed

At Buckfastleigh. a shed which can be viewed from one end, and a service / restoration area which has it's own high viewing platform. Both were a little tatty, but functional.

Museum

At Buckfastleigh. Dusty and very old looking, with lots of old stuff in old display cases with old pictures. Had a model of the line with Percy & Duck running up and down it ! Also contained steam shunter and 'Tiny' the only surviving broad gauge engine. It has a vertical 'coffee pot' boiler.

Shop

At Buckfastleigh, built into the Cafe in a modern building outside the Station. Quite good !

Catering

Combined with the shop at Buckfastleigh. Hot meals, cake & tea.

Toilets

Not tested.

Other Facilities

Sizable Model Railway in shop and Cafe building. Contained OO, EM & OO9 Gauge models.
7 ¼" track running in a sizable loop, pulled by a diesel. Large, but strangely not very impressive.
Next to Devon Butterfly and Otter sanctuary. We bought a combined ticket to save money.

Guide Book

Good. Nice journey guide & plenty of colour pictures.

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This page was last updated on December 23, 2002