Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Part of an enjoyable day out . |
| Disadvantages: |
Not really enough for a full day . |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
The South Devon Railway.
This is another of those preserved railways that runs steam trains and sometimes diesel trains. The original line was closed down during the 60's not due to Dr Beaching I might add but other financial considerations.
The line now is some 7 miles in length from Totnes to Buckfastleigh. The original terminus was at Ashburton but that part has gone now, possibly under road improvements and it is unlikely to return.
The line itself runs along the Dart valley and during fine weather can be a very pleasant journey along the river bank with the Dart rushing along towards the sea.
There is only one intermediate station and that is at Staverton. The journey time being some 30 mins for the whole journey. This line is single and having only one train in steam on it at any one time. They do have quite a bit of various stock and this can be observed along the route at Staverton and at Buckfastleigh. I do not believe it is allowable to go aboard these
other engines and carriages as some are under restoration and there are probably insurance considerations.
At Totnes, a new platform for the railway had to be constructed for access. The junction with the main line is still in existence but again as a matter of costs I could not see the company being allowed to use the main line station.
This new platform is only some 400+ yards away from the main line station along a footpath that is tarmaced and signposted so access is easy. There is also special car parking space alongside the "Down" platform of the Totnes mainline station and an pedestrian over bridge to the "Up" platform. The footpath starts at the end of the car park, passes under the main line and over the Dart River to the new station. All gradients are easy and the path is asphalt surfaced so that you should not get too dirty walking along it. There were some rainwater puddles in evidence when I was there but nothing major. Here I am using "Down" to specify a train from London as was the railway usage
However access by a wheelchair user from the mainline trying to go from one platform to another is more difficult. It would not be possible to use the pedestrian over bridge so the user would have to leave the station all together and travel along the road to an road over bridge on the aptly named Station Road and back down another road.
On the day that I travelled, one of the carriages was a conversion from an older guards van. The interior had been fitted with some seats from a different carriage but the double size doors had been retained, thus making wheelchair access easy. Ramps were provided at the stations. Each carriage on the train had a plaque at the end giving a brief history of that carriage. All were the older 1950's style of open plan and corridor carriages.
The seating was very comfortable, far more so than the modern diesel multiple units that are rather like buses on rail wheels. The carriage springing itself was rather stiffer than I would have liked, giving a slightly bumpy ride in some places. It did not seem to be a track problem as that had recently been re-tamped. (A training exercise for main line personnel)
The engine itself for the day was an ex-GWR heavy goods engine of the 2-8-0 classification. This engine was originally built in 1939 and has had a major overhaul. Starting and stopping was very smooth, no bumps or jerks at all.
Finding the railway.
As stated, the new station is only some 400+ yards form the Totnes mainline station and there is dedicated parking.
The station at Buckfastleigh is well signposted with the normal brown signposts and again there is ample car parking.
Facilities.
At Totnes there are the usual toilets and a sheltered area. There is a separate bookshop operating from a converted wagon.
I did not stop at Staverton so I cannot report on any facilities or lack of.
At Buckfastleigh there is a far larger station with all the normal facilities. There is also a small museum that has a number of interesting railway exhibits including a Broad Gauge locomotive called "Tiny" This has vertical boiler and cylinders and had been used for shunting.
Alongside the station is a large facility that has a shop and a rather good cafe/restaurant.
The only fault I found was the wait for food, but as it was a very wet day and rather crowded at the time is I feel rather excusable. The shop has the usual railway souvenirs and books. There is also a railway layout, though I did not visit this.
From the station, there is a vintage bus that travels into Buckfastleigh itself. I understand that it goes to the Abbey. There is no fare as they rely on donations, so if you use this please be generous.
It has been my experience that there are several distinct types of person who travel these preserved railways. There can be The Pensioners outing, The Disabled Group outing, The Parent with young child getting its first experiences of a steam train and The Enthusiast.
I will let you work out into which group I fall.
The pensioners, mostly older women, will be reminiscing about older times. The parent will be truing to keep their young child under some sort of control as they always try to see "Thomas" everywhere. Sometimes the groups will be all mixed up with grandparents looking after children or disabled people. The day I was there, there were a group of schoolchildren from Russia, Chernobyl to be precise.
Overall impression. This is a well cared for railway. The Carriages were all very clean inside and all the staff was friendly, answering the various questions put to them and even going and getting information that they did not have to hand immediately. It is quite a small railway and is well worth a visit. If you should happen to be in the area on a holiday then do drop in for a visit to either Buckfastleigh or Totnes.
Additional information. The River Dart is Tidal to Totnes and sometimes there are river cruises to and from Dartmouth, so it is sometimes possible to travel on the Paignton to Kingswear railway and then on to Totnes along the river. Check this before you travel though. If the tide is out, then there are no boat trips. Totnes has a castle and a museum though I visited neither on the day I was there. At Buckfastleigh there is the Buckfast Abbey, again worth a visit.
This railway would prove to be an interesting addition to a holiday in the area. At only 7 miles long and a half hour running time there is not much that could be expanded to further ntertain a visitor. There is the rare breed farm at Totnes where children will love the animals and possibly the ottery and butterfly area at Buckfastleigh. Again this will probably delight small children.
Historical facts.
This line was originally constructed as a Broad Gauge line in 1872 to link up with the Exeter-Plymouth main line. However due to financial difficulties it was taken into G W R ownership in 1876, and had been converted to the Stephenson gauge by 1892. Like many another branch line it was never very profitable and having survived two world wars and nationalisation it finally gave up the ghost for passenger travel in 1958. Freight survived until 1962 when even that had declined.
In 1962 a group of local businessmen were looking to reopen the line in a popular tourist area, and so The Dart Valley Railway Ltd came into being, but again it ran into financial difficulties so in 1989/1990 the volunteers who worked the line took over as the present charitable trust.
Fares. For a return trip an adult fare is £8.80, Pensioner £7.90 and child £5.30. childeren under 5 free. There are group rates and additional tickets to Butterflies and Otteries.
First train out from Buckfastleigh is at 10.45 arrive Totnes 11.15 depart 11.30 and back to Buckfastleigh by 12.00. Last daily train 03.45 pm Buckfastleigh, arrive Totnes 04.15 depart 04.30 and arrive Buckfastleigh 05.00pm
There are other trains at the season height covering end of July and all August.
For complete details see..http://www.southdevonrailway.org/
Some of the criteria do not seem to apply to a railway!
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