News
Calling rail enthusiasts, budding photographers, and history buffs…
We’re celebrating Railway 200 – the bicentennial of the modern railway – with a ‘Story of South Devon Railway’ in pictures. We’re looking for photos telling the stories of the people, livelihoods, and history around our heritage line.
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Winston Churchill’s D-Day carriage returns to rails after 50 years
A historic railway carriage with extraordinary ties to Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower is returning to the rails after more than five decades. Pullman Car No. 246 ‘Lydia’, used during crucial wartime strategy meetings ahead of D-Day and later during Churchill’s state funeral in 1965, has been meticulously returned to its original specification by the skilled team at South Devon Railway.
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All Aboard! Celebrate Modern Railway Milestone at Devon County Show
The Devon County Show looks forward to celebrating 200 years of the Modern Railway with South Devon Railway at the 2025 Show in May. A key attraction will be the magnificent 6430 steam locomotive which in its heyday was in service all over the West Country and Wales, including Plymouth and Exmouth Junction.
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DAY OUT WITH THOMAS™: THE PARTY TOUR IS HEADING TO SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY
All Aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine, everyone’s favourite #1 blue engine, is coming to town and we’re celebrating big this year for 80 years of Thomas & Friends™. Day Out With Thomas: The Party Tour will be stopping at the South Devon Railway on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June 2025.
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Sound in the New Year with the National Whistle-up
On 1st January 2025, heritage railways across the UK will unite in a symphony of steam whistles, commemorating 200 years of modern train travel.
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Class 60 to visit for diesel gala
The South Devon Railway will welcome one of the most powerful locomotives in the country for its Diesel Gala on the 9th of November 2024.
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SDRE completes contract repair of HST power car for Colas Rail UK
The power car left the South Devon Railway at the end of February and will be displayed at Colas Rail UK’s Rugby depot for its launch.
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Victorian “Clerestory” carriage to visit South Devon Railway for summer 2022
GWR First Class Saloon 9044 has arrived at Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway from the Bodmin & Wenford Railway for recommissioning work and use on the railway during the summer.
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South Devon Railway celebrating 150 years
Commemorative tree planting and a visit by the first engine to arrive on the line in its preservation era are among the highlights of the South Devon Railway’s 150th anniversary celebrations this weekend (30th April – 2nd May 2022). Visitors are being encouraged to turn up in Victorian clothing too.
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South Devon Railway Engineering wins Colas HST Power Car contract
South Devon Railway Engineering, the contract engineering business of the South Devon Railway (SDR) has won an instruction from Colas Rail to carry out contract work on former high speed train (HST) power car 43277.
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