Review of 2012 on the South Devon Railway - South Devon Railway

The South Devon Railway Trust Museum will restart its popular series of Thursday evening social meetings on 31 January 2013. On this occasion Museum Curator John Brodribb will give an illustrated review of events on the SDR during 2012. There were two important anniversaries – the former Ashburton branch opened 140 years ago in 1872, and finally closed fifty years ago, in 1962. Both were marked by celebrations on the present railway, including the running of brake van special trains 

Other events included visits from British Railways standard locomotives Nos 80072 and 78019, and former GWR pannier tank No 6430. This had spent many years in a scrap condition on the Dart Valley Railway before being sold for restoration to working order.

The most important people on the railway in 2012 were – after the passengers and other visitors – the volunteers who work on the footplate, in the signal boxes and on the permanent way. Others work on the buffet car, in the museum, run the stations – without the volunteers there would be no railway. This evening’s show will celebrate the contribution made by the South Devon Railway’s volunteers, so do come along and find out what goes on.

The meeting will be held in the Refreshment Rooms at Buckfastleigh station. Doors open at 7.00pm, and the meeting starts at 7.30pm. Admission is free, and the café will be open for business as usual. There will be a draw. Hope to see you there!