The official gateway to Devon museums

South Devon Railway

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.

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Tiny

Tiny, built in 1868 and the only surviving broad gauge locomotive, is on loan to the South Devon Railway from the National Railway Museum in York. Tiny stands on a section of original broad gauge track.
Eating on the Move

The SDR's museum hosts a collection of railway tableware which gives a fascinating insight into travel in a bygone era. The items range from knives, forks, spoons, plates, dishes and all the things that a diner would have used on the train or station restaurant, most from the GWR.
Ashburton station

Today's South Devon Railway was the Totnes to Ashburton branch. The line between Buckfastleigh and Ashburton was lost in 1971 and we have an extensive display of photographs of the northern section of the line, and Chris Lamacraft's fine model of Ashburton station.
Ashley the Small Blue Tank Engine

Ashley spent his working life at Exeter Gas Works, and yes - it really was blue! It came to the South Devon in 1969 and was restored to working order. Shunted into the museum in 2010 he now does a great job telling people how to drive a steam engine.
Catch a steam train on the South Devon

The whole South Devon Railway is a museum piece, although our trains operate to modern standards. We run steam trains between Buckfastleigh and Totnes from the end of March to the end of October every year. Visit us to find how travel used to be!

Admission & prices

In 2021, the railway is running from May 17th to the end of October and, at Christmas, hosts The Polar Express™. Please check the South Devon Railway website at www.southdevonrailway.co.uk for details of train times and train fares. Entry to the museum is free, except on Day Out With Thomas days.

Find us

By car: Free parking at Buckfastleigh station, half way between Exeter and Plymouth on the A38. Follow the brown signs.
By train: Totnes Riverside is a c. 500 metre walk from Totnes main line station. www.nationalrail.co.uk
By bus: Buses serve Totnes and Buckfastleigh stations. www.travelinesw.com

Information

The South Devon Railway offers a fantastic all-weather short or long day out, with something for everyone, including a train ride, gardens, heritage rolling stock, children’s play area, museum, shop and Refreshment Rooms. We welcome parties and can provide an interactive, stimulating and enjoyable experience.

Our museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users. On certain days during the season the original signal box at Buckfastleigh will be open, where you can try your hand at pulling the levers. The Lee Moor Museum, featuring locomotive Lee Moor No 2, will also be open on selected days.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

South Devon Railway
The Station
Dartbridge Road
Buckfastleigh
TQ11 0DZ

T: 01364 644370
E: trains@southdevonrailway.co.uk