Special Events
~ 2020 ~
Spring Steam Gala
~ 14th and 15th March 2020 ~
With many thanks to the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company, newly restored former Great Western Railway Prairie tank No.4555 will be returning to haul trains on the South Devon Railway for one weekend only over 14th and 15th March, recreating scenes that haven’t been seen for over 47 years on the line!
~ 12th and 13th April 2020 ~
There will be plenty to see with shunting demonstrations, our miniature and garden railways, vintage cars and more. There will also be trains running all day.
~ 7th to 10th May 2020 ~
A great treat; ride behind Steam & Heritage Diesel trains through the valley of the River Dart, or sit down and relax whilst enjoying a drink or two at our Staverton Station beer festival. Real Ales, Ciders, Wine and Prosecco, as well as, soft drinks are all available. There is plenty of seating in the station yard so you can spend the day watching the trains go by!
~ 23rd to 25th May 2020 ~
Everybody’s favourite little blue engine is coming to visit the South Devon Railway and bringing his friends too. The Fat Controller will be in charge all day to make sure Thomas behaves and to look after all our visitors.
With lots of activities to keep everyone entertained, it’s a great family day out.
You can book your tickets in advance, online, by clicking the button below.
South Devon 1940s Festival
~ 4th and 5th July 2020 ~
Once a year the South Devon Railway is transported back to the 1940s for the South Devon 1940s Festival.
The show has grown and developed greatly and now boasts a large amount of displays, vehicles, trade stands, entertainment and atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else!
A fun filled day out that will transport you back to the 40s.
British Fireworks Championships
~ TBC August 2020 ~
Experience the British Fireworks Championships with all the fun of the fair and music on Plymouth Hoe this summer with our Routemaster bus excursion from Ashburton, Buckfastleigh and Ivybridge. This excursion was very popular last year so please book early!
~ 28th to 31st August 2020 ~
A great bank holiday treat; ride behind Steam & Heritage Diesel trains through the Dart Valley, or sit down and relax whilst enjoying a drink or two at our Staverton Station beer festival. Real Ales, Ciders, Wine and Prosecco, as well as, soft drinks are all available. There is plenty of seating in the station yard so you can spend the day watching the trains go by!
Models & Miniatures
~ 12th and 13th September 2020 ~
Models & Miniatures is a celebration of all things model and miniature – including trains, road vehicles and ships.
It is a delight for all ages and a fantastic opportunity to see everything from fine scale engineering to much loved toys and models.
~ 25th to 27th September 2020 ~
Everybody’s favourite little blue engine is coming to visit us for the second time this year with lots of his friends too. The Fat Controller will be in charge all day to make sure Thomas behaves and to look after all our visitors.
You can book your tickets in advance, online, by clicking the button below.
Diesel Gala
~ 9th to 11th October 2020 ~
A selection of first-generation British Railways diesels from the sixties running an intensive service.
More details will follow as soon as they are confirmed.
Driver for Armistice
~ 7th November 2020 ~
Your chance to drive a steam locomotive on the South Devon Railway – in aid of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
You can buy your tickets in advance, online, by clicking on the button above. Alternatively, you can contact us.
To book a Day Out With Thomas ®, click here.
~ 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th and 18th to 24th December 2019 ~
Come and join Father Christmas for an enchanting experience at the South Devon Railway this Christmas.
Admire our wonderfully traditionally decorated carriages and stations as you take a warm and cosy journey to Totnes behind one of our majestic steam locomotives. Enjoy festive refreshments in your seat as the beautiful Devon countryside passes by the window and visit Father Christmas in his Grotto carriage with a gift for every child.
For the ultimate magical experience why not travel on one of our evening trains and soak up the wonderful ambience of our beautifully lit carriages and stations.
~ 12th and 13th December 2019 ~
Enjoy a festive train trip, full of joyous carols, with a complimentary tea or coffee and a mince pie before departure.
~ 26th December 2020 ~
A post-Christmas steam train ride, where we stop off at Staverton for a warming drink.
~ 27th December 2019 to 1st January 2020 ~
Enjoy a mince pie as you watch the winter countryside of the Dart valley gently glide past your window from the warmth and comfort of one of our steam trains.
February Half Term
~ 13th to 23rd February 2020 ~
This February Half Term (15th to 23rd), why not take a train ride on our heritage diesel unit, known as a ‘Bubblecar’, whose large windows allow for almost panoramic views of the beautiful valley of the river Dart on its journey from Buckfastleigh to Staverton and return?
The ‘Bubblecar’ is not used on our passenger trains regularly, so this is a fairly rare opportunity to take a ride on this lovely old vehicle.
