50th Anniversary Special Show - South Devon Railway

The March meeting of the SDR Trust Museum Group will be a very special way to kick off the South Devon Railway’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. The very first public steam hauled services of the heritage era (on what is now the South Devon Railway) ran on Easter Saturday 1969, which was 05 April. The SDRT museum – based at Buckfastleigh station – is hosting exhibitions and displays throughout the year to mark the occasion.

The meeting will include a selection of photos from 1969 showing the first day’s operations, including many by Bernard Mills, and also the official opening in May by Dr Richard Beeching. We will have at least one speaker to give us some personal memories, and there will also be colour film, fully digitised and on public show for the very first time featuring the railway from 1967 through to 1972. This is guaranteed to be a very special evening: check back here for updates, which will be posted as soon as we have them.

The meeting takes place in Buckfastleigh Town Hall, and doors open at 7.00pm. The show itself starts at 7.30pm. There is plenty of parking in the Victoria Woodholme and Mardle Way car parks, both of which are free after 6.00pm. Light refreshments will be available, and there will be a prize draw. Entry is free, so do come along for an entertaining and informative evening.