Old Friends Reunited - South Devon Railway

With many thanks to the nearby Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company, newly restored former Great Western Railway (GWR) tank engine No 4555 will be returning to haul trains on the South Devon Railway (SDR) for one weekend only over 14-15 March, recreating scenes that haven’t been seen for very many years on the line. 

The locomotive will be reunited with some other old Dart Valley loco friends again in ex-GWR Pannier tanks Nos. 6412 and 1369, the latter making a return to regular traffic after a two-year overhaul and sporting a new GWR livery. One of the SDR’s other popular GWR Prairie tanks, No 5542, will also be working.

Over the weekend the four GWR engines will perform an intensive timetable so giving plenty of opportunities to witness the sight and sounds of these lovely locomotives together again, whilst also seeing the South Devon Railway in the spring time. The event will feature regular trains to and from Totnes Riverside, auto push-pull trains and goods trains, so there will be plenty of services to ride and see at this special event.

This will be the first time over forty years that these three original Dart Valley locos have been together and steamed: an event which GWR fans will not want to miss! 

The SDR Trust Museum will be open on both days from 9.30am to 4.45pm, and will have special displays featuring locomotive No 4555 and the early days of the Dart Valley Railway. Museum entry is free. Day Rover train tickets are available at £19 for adults, and can be bought at a discount in advance on the SDR website at www.southdevonrailway.co.uk. The first passenger train on the day leaves Buckfastleigh at 9.40am, and the last at 4.05pm. We have plenty of free car parking, and Stagecoach buses 88 and X38 serve Buckfastleigh station approach on Saturday. GWR and Cross Country trains serve Totnes main line station.

Hope to see you there!