Find out about: South Devon Railway
About Us
The South Devon Railway is one of Devon’s and the West Country’s best loved tourist attractions and is the longest established steam railway in the south west.
It is a seven mile former Great Western Railway branch line, built in 1872, which runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. We run steam trains with heritage rolling stock and offer a wonderful all day attraction for families and people of all ages.
Ride the South Devon Railway and, while you are with us, you can visit the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies. The museum itself is on the platform at Buckfastleigh station.
Facilities
The South Devon Railway offers a good-value day out, with something for everyone. We welcome parties from schools and other groups, and can provide an interactive, stimulating and enjoyable experience covering many parts of the National Curriculum.
Our Next Event
British Railways Mixed Traffic Weekend
When: 19 May 2012 to 20 May 2012
Where: South Devon Railway
The South Devon Railway will be holding another of its popular events for railway enthusiasts over the weekend of 19-20 May. This time the clock will be turned back to the 1960s, when British Rail was in the throes of changing from steam to diesel traction. The infamous Beeching report of 1963 threatened closure of many rural rail lines, while also trying to boost the traffic that was suited to rail.
Many ways were tried to cut costs and increase traffic. Diesel railcars were introduced, and proved popular with the public – come and enjoy the view of the line from behind the driver. There will be a frequent service of trains between Totnes Littlehempston and Buckfastleigh stations hauled by a variety of steam and diesel locomotives from the 1960s.
In between there will also be goods trains, to show how busy the railways still were at the time. There will even be a demonstration milk train – it used to be brought to railway stations in churns, and then taken to dairies such as the one at Totnes, where it would often be sent to London or other cities in bulk tankers.
There is no need to book in advance – just turn up at Buckfastleigh, Staverton or Totnes Littlehempston station on one or both days and enjoy a feast of nostalgia. South Devon trains carry a buffet car, and there are cafes at Buckfastleigh and Totnes Rare Breeds Farm.
Click the button above to add this museum to your MyMuseum wish list. Once added you can choose to save this for future visits or email the Museum details to a friend.
Our Collections
Tiny is the only broad gauge locomotive still in existence. It is the centre piece of our collection.
We also have images of some paintings made for the original South Devon Railway around 1848, showing the atmospheric and broad gauge railway.
We encourage children (of all ages!) to go on the footplate of our small blue tank engine, Ashley. It spent its working life at Exeter Gas Works.
We try to show what the railway did in the old days, from carrying bales of wool, to dining in First Class with real silverware. We've even got a collection of model trains through the years!
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Our Latest news
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Spring at the South Devon Railway Museum
19 February 2012
The South Devon Railway museum had a very successful opening at half term, when trains wer...read more
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Winter Opening Hours for 2012
03 January 2012
The South Devon Railway Museum is now closed for the winter season. Thank you to everyone ...read more
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Admission to the museum is free.
Opening dates: the museum is open every day that trains are running. Trains run daily from 11 to 19 February, then every Saturday and Sunday. Trains run every day from 24 March to 04 November.
Opening times are 10.00am to 4.00pm, but longer in the peak season and special event days. Check the South Devon Railway website at www.southdevonrailway.co.uk for details of train times and train fares -
Click on the map above to view the Museum location in Google Maps
A38 from both Exeter and Plymouth: take exits for Buckfastleigh. Totnes: A381 from Kingsbridge and Newton Abbot, A385 from Paignton.
Buses to Totnes and Buckfastleigh: call Traveline 0871 200 22 33.
Quarter mile walk from National Rail station, Totnes -
South Devon Railway
The Station
Buckfastleigh
TQ11 0DZ
T: 01364 644370
E: editor.bulliver@southdevonrailwayassociation.org
W: www.southdevonrailway.co.uk View our Twitter page -
1. The Valiant Soldier, Buckfastleigh
(Distance: Under 1 mile)
2. William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust
(Distance: Under 1 mile)
3. Buckfast Abbey
(Distance: Under 1 mile)
