What’s On

With a busy calendar of events at, and around, the South Devon Railway each year, we have made this page to help you find out exactly what’s on and when.

If you know when you’re visiting us, you can use the links below to jump to a month:

Download Our Time Table Leaflet

~ November ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 - - -
11 SDR Gifts & Model Shop Open (No trains running)
11 The Polar Express™ Train Ride

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

The Polar Express™ Train Ride

The most iconic feature of The Polar Express is its sleek black steam engine. It’s even inscribed with the ‘1225’ signage to identify it as Santa’s own train. Your children will gasp with amazement as the Polar Express train pulls into the station. Billowing steam all the way, your authentic steam train ride will last around an hour.
Find Out More

~ December ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - - 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
1 - - - - - -
11 The Polar Express™ Train Ride
11 SDR Gifts & Model Shop Open (No trains running)
11 Merry Christmas
(Railway & Shop Closed)
11 Festive Services
11 Winter Steam Gala

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Polar Express day from
10am to 7pm.

Open non-Polar Express days from
10am to 4pm.

Closed on Mondays.
Find Out More

The Polar Express™ Train Ride

The most iconic feature of The Polar Express is its sleek black steam engine. It’s even inscribed with the ‘1225’ signage to identify it as Santa’s own train. Your children will gasp with amazement as the Polar Express train pulls into the station. Billowing steam all the way, your authentic steam train ride will last around an hour.
Find Out More

Festive Steam Services

Looking for something to do during the Festive Period? The South Devon Railway has the perfect day out for visitors of all ages with heritage steam train services running daily between 26th December 2023 and 1st January 2023.

Travel in our warm and cosy trains, enjoy a hot drink or mince pie from the on-train buffet, and enjoy the winter views as the train travels down the valley of the river Dart.

Winter Steam Gala

~ 29th to 31st~
Come along for a final steam fix of the season, with on-train catering and heated heritage carriages to make your visit even more enjoyable.

~ January ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - - - - 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 - - - - -
11 Winter Steam Gala
11 Festive Services
11 SDR Gifts & Model Shop Open
(No trains running)

Gift & Model Shop


Open from 10am to 4pm.

Closed on Mondays.
Find Out More

Festive Steam Services

Looking for something to do during the Festive Period? The South Devon Railway has the perfect day out for visitors of all ages with heritage steam train services running daily between 26th December 2022 and 2nd January 2023.

Travel in our warm and cosy trains, enjoy a hot drink or mince pie from the on-train buffet, and enjoy the winter views as the train travels down the valley of the river Dart.
Find Out More

Winter Steam Gala

Friday 30 December to Sunday 1 January
Returning for a second year, the South Devon Railway winter steam gala features two visiting locomotives, plus a locomotive from the home fleet, operating an intensive service of steam hauled trains over the New Year weekend.

Come along for a final steam fix of the season, with on-train catering and heated heritage carriages to make your visit even more enjoyable.
Find Out More

~ February ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 - - - - -
11 Steam Open Day
11 SDR Gifts & Model Shop Open (No trains running)

Gift & Model Shop


Open from 10am to 4pm.

Closed on Mondays.
Find Out More

Steam Open Days

While we are working on winter track maintenance and renewal, the site at Buckfastleigh is open where you will find a locomotive in steam, steam train rides, gardens museum, signal box and workshop viewing gallery open, creams teas and heritage rolling stock on display.
Find Out More

~ March ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31 - -
11 SDR Gifts & Model Shop Open (No trains running)
11 Mother’s Day
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Sunday Lunch / Afternoon Tea Trains

Gift & Model Shop

Every day from 10am to 4pm except Mondays until 20th March, then Daily from 21st March.
Find Out More

Mother's Day

Join us on the 19th March and climb aboard a special train to enjoy a cream tea whilst you travel behind an historic steam locomotive through the valley of the River Dart.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea

Why not join one of our popular on-train dining services?

Enjoy a Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea in an historic British Railways carriage as you are pulled by a heritage locomotive through the valley of the River Dart. These experiences will run throughout the season on selected Sundays.
Find Out More

~ April ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - - - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Sunday Lunch / Afternoon Tea Trains
11 Easter Family Fun Weekend
11 Mad Hatter’s Travelling Tea Party
11 Family Fun Weekend

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Easter Family Fun Weekend

~ 7th to 10th April ~

Our best value event, with your train ticket including free entry into Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies, plus loads of family entertainment. Steam trains running all day, miniature railway rides, heritage bus trips, children's entertainers and Easter-themed activities with lots of steam trains running all day!
Find Out More

Mad Hatter's Travelling Tea Party

~ 11th and 12th April ~

Join all of your favourite inhabitants of Wonderland on board an immersive journey through the world of wonderland! Meet Alice, The Mad Hatter, the March Hare, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum this spring and help Alice solve her mysterious riddle and bring herself and all of you home from Wonderland.
Find Out More

Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea

Why not join one of our popular on-train dining services?

Enjoy a Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea in an historic British Railways carriage as you are pulled by a heritage locomotive through the valley of the River Dart. These experiences will run throughout the season on selected Sundays.
Find Out More

Family Fun Weekend

~ 29th April to 1st May ~

Our best value event, with your train ticket including free entry into Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies, plus loads of family entertainment. Steam trains running all day, miniature railway rides, heritage bus trips, children's entertainers and family activities with lots of steam trains running all day!
Find Out More

~ May ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 - - - -
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Sunday Lunch / Afternoon Tea Trains
11 Spring Rails & Ales
11 Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea

Why not join one of our popular on-train dining services?

Enjoy a Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea in an historic British Railways carriage as you are pulled by a heritage locomotive through the valley of the River Dart. These experiences will run throughout the season on selected Sundays.
Find Out More

Spring Rails & Ales

~ 26th to 29th ~

A great bank holiday treat.
 Join us for the bank holiday for Rails & Ales and our famous Beer Festival at Staverton Station.
Real ales, ciders and craft beers, with steam and heritage diesel trains into the evening, in collaboration with the Devon Diesel Society.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here. Additional diesel trains may operate should there be capacity demand.
Find Out More

~ June ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 - -
11 Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Sunday Lunch / Afternoon Tea Trains

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.

On these dates an additional late afternoon service operates with one of our heritage diesels, providing an opportunity for an extended visit to us, along with the chance to ride behind a heritage diesel locomotive that is over 50 years old.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea

Why not join one of our popular on-train dining services?

Enjoy a Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea in an historic British Railways carriage as you are pulled by a heritage locomotive through the valley of the River Dart. These experiences will run throughout the season on selected Sundays.
Find Out More

~ July ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - - - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 - - - - - -
11 Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Sunday Lunch & Afternoon Tea*

* The colours inside the border of Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea days indicate the train service running that day.

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Back to the 1940s

~ 1st & 2nd ~

Take a step back to the 1940s and enjoy the fashion, music and vehicles of the era. Sales stands with vintage items and clothing. Vintage civilian and military vehicles. Trains all day. Come along dressed for the event!
FInd Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea

Why not join one of our popular on-train dining services?

Enjoy a Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea in an historic British Railways carriage as you are pulled by a heritage locomotive through the valley of the River Dart. These experiences will run throughout the season on selected Sundays.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.

On these dates an additional diesel service operates with our heritage diesel multiple unit (DMU), providing an opportunity for a more intensive timetable and views from the observation windows.
Find Out More

~ August ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 - - -
11 Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Summer Rails & Ales

* The colours inside the circle of Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea days indicate the train service running that day.

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.

On these dates an additional diesel service operates with our heritage diesel multiple unit (DMU), providing an opportunity for a more intensive timetable and views from the observation windows.
Find Out More

Summer Rails & Ales

~ 25th to 28th August ~

A great bank holiday treat.
 Join us for the August Bank Holiday for Rails & Ales and our famous Beer Festival at Staverton Station.
Real ales, ciders and craft beers, with steam and heritage diesel trains into the evening, in collaboration with the Devon Diesel Society.
Find Out More

~ September ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - - 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 -
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Sunday Lunch & Afternoon Tea*
11 Heritage Open Days
11 Family Fun Weekend

* The colours inside the circle of Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea days indicate the train service running that day.

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Murder Mystery Experiences

~ 2nd and 21st September ~

Join us for our Murder Mystery Experience, an evening of immersive entertainment on board our historic steam train.
Find Out More

Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea

Why not join one of our popular on-train dining services?

Enjoy a Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea in an historic British Railways carriage as you are pulled by a heritage locomotive through the valley of the River Dart. These experiences will run throughout the season on selected Sundays.
Find Out More

Heritage Opens Days

~ 9th and 10th September ~

As part of Heritage Open Days, England's largest festival of history and culture, we will be opening up the railway so you can see behind the scenes and learn about how we run the railway, with historic displays, talks, workshop and signal box tours and a chance to climb aboard some of our heritage rolling stock.
Find Out More

Family Fun Weekend

~ 23rd and 24th September ~

Our best value event, with your train ticket including free entry into Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies, plus loads of family entertainment. Steam trains running all day, miniature railway rides, heritage bus trips, children's entertainers and family activities with lots of steam trains running all day!
Find Out More

~ October ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - - - - 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31 - - - - -
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Sunday Lunch & Afternoon Tea*
11 SDR Gifts & Model Shop Open (No trains running)

* The colours inside the circle of Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea days indicate the train service running that day.

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea

Why not join one of our popular on-train dining services?

Enjoy a Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea in an historic British Railways carriage as you are pulled by a heritage locomotive through the valley of the River Dart. These experiences will run throughout the season on selected Sundays.
Find Out More

Kids for a Quid

Join us between the 21st and 29th October to end our season with a great ticket promotion.

Take a scenic autumn journey beside the River Dart and visit the towns of Buckfastleigh and Totnes. For one week only children can travel for just £1.
Find Out More

Company

South Devon Railway Limited, Registered Office:
The Station, Dartbridge Road, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0DZ
Registered in England No. RS008114
Community Benefit Society No. 8114

Contact Us

T: 01364 644 370
E: trains@southdevonrailway.co.uk

© Copyright South Devon Railway