The South Devon Railway is holding a special three-day steam and diesel gala event, plus a fund-raising real ale festival, this coming August Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 25- Monday 27 August).

The weekend will bring back happy memories for many of the 1950’s and 60’s British Railways era before the infamous Dr Beeching wielded his axe and closed so many West Country branch lines for good.

But, thanks to the efforts of local railway enthusiasts, the South Devon Railway not only survived Dr Beeching’s axe but also is now seen by many as the best example of a rural West Country branch line in the country. Many trains from the pre-Beeching age will be running over the Bank Holiday weekend hauled by a variety of steam and heritage diesel locomotives, and visitors can soak up a nostalgic trip down memory lane, plus the taste of some excellent real ales. For example, an early diesel multiple unit (DMU) will be running from which passengers can enjoy views of the line straight ahead through windows from right behind the driver’s seat. The South Devon Railway’s ever popular two-coach ‘Auto Train’ will also be in use. Here, the steam locomotive pushes the coaches along and the driver sits in a special compartment at the front of the leading coach working the engine’s controls remotely. Visitors can also enjoy the now long gone scenes of branch line goods trains trundling along the line and stopping off to shunt the yard at Staverton.

There, they can soak up the show whilst enjoying a pint or two of traditional real ale or cider at the real ale festival being held at the station which is mid way along the scenic, seven-mile route from Buckfastleigh to Totnes. With over 20 beers and ciders on offer ranging from Barngates Catnap (3.6%), Clarks First Whistle 3.8% and Black Dog Rhatas (4.6%) -- which is tricky to say at any time -- to Empire East India IPA (5.0%), Houston Blond Bombshell (4.0%) and Jarrow Joblings Swinging Gibbet (4.1%) there should be something to suit most tastes, plus beers from the Red Rock and Bays Brewery and cider by Thatchers plus a local maker.

The real ale festival has been organised by the Devon Diesel Society and opens at 11.00 on Saturday 25th August, running until 7.00 pm on Monday 27th.
Profits from the festival will help with the ongoing restoration to working order of the Society’s 117 ton Class 50 diesel locomotive, No. D402 named “Superb” which was built in December 1967 and so celebrates its 40th birthday later this year.

After all of the beers were sold during the last real ale festival at Easter this year, beer festival co-ordinator Jon Morton has increased the number of brews available to meet the expected demand. He said: “Our Easter festival was a great success and we were sold out by early Monday afternoon. So, to ensure we have plentiful supplies, we have increased the number and range of real ales available and hope people will come along and support us again. The main bar will be located in the former goods shed at picturesque Staverton Station. Located deep in the stunning Devon countryside alongside the River Dart, there are few better venues around to enjoy a pint or two. The Staverton Preservation Group, which maintains the station, will also have pasties, soft drinks and other snacks for sale.

With access to Staverton Station being via quiet country lanes, visitors are being advised to “ride the rails to reach the ales” by using the train services from either Buckfastleigh or Totnes.

There is a large free car park at Buckfastleigh and, with the station situated just off the A38 Devon Expressway, it is just 25 minutes from Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay. There are several public car parks and also connections with the mainline rail network at Totnes. Thoughout Saturday 25th August, the SDR’s normal ‘Red’ timetabled services will be hauled by former Great Western Railway (GWR) ‘small prairie’ steam loco No.5526 but, to cater for the extra passengers travelling to and from the beer festival and to provide a more frequent service, additional train services will be hauled by visiting Class 31 diesel electric locomotive No. 31108 which is staying at the South Devon Railway for 12 months.

On the Saturday the first trains depart from Buckfastleigh at 10.45 (steam) and 11.30 (diesel), and from Totnes (Littlehempston) at 11.30 (steam) and 12.15 (diesel). There is a regular service at 45 minute intervals throughout the day.

By a happy coincidence, this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Class 31 and Class 20 diesels which were among the first diesel -electric locomotives to operate on British Railways as part of the 1955 modernisation plan, and loco No 31108 once carried the same number as its steam counterpart, being numbered D 5526!

The evening special beer express passenger trains to the real ale festival will be hauled by former GWR pannier tank loco No.5786. Curry & rice will be on sale on board these services, the first of which departs from Buckfastleigh at 18.00.

On Sunday 26th & Monday 27th , the SDR’s normal ‘Blue’ timetable will operate on both days but with additional services, including demonstration “pick up” goods trains, ‘auto trains’ and the Class 127 DMU. Trains start from Buckfastleigh at 09.10 and Totnes at 10.02, running regularly throughout the day until early evening both days. Four steam and diesel locomotives will be in operation, including steam locos Nos.5526 and 5786 and diesel Class 20 No. D8110 and Class 04 No. D2246. It’s hoped that No. 5786 will temporarily appear in British Railways plain green livery for this weekend only.

Many of the passenger trains that operate over the weekend will also include an on train bar serving further types of real ale, including the Devon Diesel Society’s own branded ale from local supplier Red Rock Brewery.

Devon Diesel Society Chairman Andy Matthews commented: “With so much to see and do on the South Devon Railway over the August Bank Holiday, and with the price of a pint being just £2.20, it’s not only going to be a great weekend but also great value too.”

Commenting on the August weekend’s activities, South Devon Railway General Manager Richard Elliott said: “We’re looking forward to a busy weekend entertaining our visitors and have laid on a great show representing the British Railways era of the 1950’s and 60’s. “Located in the old goods shed at picturesque Staverton Station, the weekend’s real ale bar nestles deep in the Devon countryside almost alongside the River Dart. It’s an ideal venue to enjoy a pint or two of good traditional beer in a country setting, and with relaxing haulage by our traditional steam and heritage diesel trains.”