Heritage Transport Gala - September 12th - 13th 2009
The South Devon Railway's ever popular Heritage Transport Gala takes place on 12th / 13th September.
During an action packed weekend, there will be plenty to see and do and visitors can enjoy the sight and sound of two visiting steam engines in a six strong line up of steam locomotives.
Great Western Railway locomotives no 4566 from the Severn Valley Railway and no 4247 from the Bopdmin & Wenford Railway will be action alongside the home-based GWR engines nos 1369, 5526, 5786 and 3803.
At Buckfastleigh, around 100 different transport exhibits will be on show, ranging from ancient bicycles, motorbikes and old cars to vintage buses, coaches, vans and lorries, including a striking steam-powered Sentinel wagon.
Outside the station, vintage buses, including a former London Transport Routemaster, will provide the SDR heritage bus service, taking visitors on the ride around the town to visit Buckfast Abbey and the time-warp Valiant Soldier pub.
A special train service will be in operation on bothdays with steam and heritage diesel locomotives in use. Passenger services start from Buckfastleigh at 9 a.m. and from Totnes as 9.42 a.m. on each day.
The gala will see the railway operate a number of services representing types of train once seen on many West Country branch lines in years gone by and the visit by loco 4566 will be particularly poignant as, in July 1960, she was the last steam engine to go through Newton Abbot works before its closure. Indeed this engine was nearly purchased from Barry scrapyard in the 1970s for preservation on the South Devon line.
On both days, Locomotive no 5526 will work a push-pull 'auto train' between Buckfastleigh and Staverton. Using special controls in a driver's cab at the end of the coach, the loco stays at one end of train and propels the coaches.
4566 on the South Devon Railway at Riverford.
Photo: Classic Traction
Throughout the gala, the Buckfastleigh miniature railway will be running with trains at regular intervals on both days.
