Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th January 2025
The South Devon Railway Winter Steam gala returns for this festive period, with not one but two visiting steam locomotives in use, plus two locomotive from the South Devon Railway home fleet. Trains will operate to an intensive timetable, giving plenty of opportunity to travel behind these heritage locomotives.
The middle of winter is a great time to travel on our Great Western branchline, as the lack of greenery on the trees allows for some stunning views of the river and hills as the train meanders down the valley of the river Dart, travelling between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. Our trains are also cosy and warm, being heated by steam from the locomotive hauling your train.
Our buffet carriage will be serving hot and cold drinks, light refreshments and snacks on some services.
For a limited time only, we are selling tickets for the event at 2024 prices, so book now to grab a discounted ranger ticket, allowing you unlimited travel all day, giving you the perfect opportunity to travel behind all of the locomotives.
There is a large free car park at our Buckfastleigh station, and our station at Totnes Riverside is a 450-metre walk from Totnes National Rail station, which has paid parking and rail and bus links. See the How to Find Us page for more details.
Locomotives in Use
GWR built 2800 Class locomotive No.2807 is the oldest survivor of its class and the oldest GWR locomotive in use today, having been completed in 1905. The locomotive is on loan to the SDR courtesy of owning group Cotswold Steam Preservation Limited and home railway the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. 2807 has been in use on the SDR hauling Polar Express services, and this event will be the only opportunity to travel behind the locomotive on normal passenger trains.
The locomotive will be appearing in GWR Wartime Black, making a welcome change to the liveries more commonly seen. The locomotive will be facing north (towards Buckfastleigh).
The GWR 2800 Class were heavy freight locomotives, built to haul trains such as heavy coal trains through the Welsh Valleys. The locomotive was based at a number of sheds across the GWR network, including near London, in South Wales, Hereford and a short stint at nearby Newton Abbot. A strong capable locomotive, 2807 is bound to be a popular locomotive at this event.
Photo courtesy Brian Gamlin.
Peckett and Sons locomotive No. 1940 “Henbury” will be making a rare visit away from its home base of the Bristol Harbour Railway, getting the chance to “stretch its legs” along the length of the South Devon Railway.
Henbury was built in 1937 in the Peckett works in Bristol, and was purchased by the Port of Bristol Authority for work on the industrial railways around Bristol’s docks at Avonmouth. After working for 27 years, the locomotive was purchased to become part of the Bristol Industrial Museum collection, where it remains today as part of the M Shed exhibit.
With both the Port of Bristol Authority and the Bristol Industrial Museum being controlled by the Bristol Corporation, Henbury is the steam locomotive that has been continuously owned by the same body for the longest amount of time, and additionally it has rarely ventured away from Bristol.
Photo courtesy Juliet Eden.
GWR 64xx Class Pannier Tank No. 6412 is a popular stalwart of SDR services. It was the first locomotive to work passenger trains on the railway in preservation during Dart Valley days, before being sold to the West Somerset Railway in 1976. The South Devon Railway purchased the locomotive back in 2009, with it being restored to steam in 2015.
The locomotive is now very near the end of its current boiler ticket and will stop for overhaul at the end of this event, so this will be the last chance to travel behind this popular locomotive for a while.
6412 is a firm favourite on the SDR and will complement the two visiting locomotives, including working prototypical “Auto” trains with Auto carriage No. 233.
Photo courtesy Rob Sherwood.
The 45xx and 4575 classes were favourites for branch line work over most of the Great Western Railway territory. Devon and Cornwall were no exceptions and virtually all the branch lines in the two counties saw engines of one or other of the two types right up until the end of steam on British Railways (Western Region), or in many cases, until the closure of the lines in question. The branch line from Totnes to Ashburton – today’s South Devon Railway – was no exception. Here the 45xx class were used for the freight traffic.
5526 is a popular performer on the SDR and can regularly be seen hauling our normal services. The locomotive will see use across the event, appearing in the popular Great Western green livery it currently carries.
Photo courtesy Rob Sherwood.
Timetable
Trains marked with a 
have a buffet on board serving hot and cold drinks and light refreshments, and also contain wheelchair accessible seating.
The working timetable, with details of locomotive and carriage allocations, is available to download for those who would like further information – CLICK HERE.
Fares
Our great value ranger tickets are available to purchase for this event, allowing unlimited travel on the day selected. Purchase your ticket now to get it at 2024 prices – our early bird discount is in place until Christmas.
No discounted tickets (including PRIV, Members, HRA passes etc) are available for this event.
| Fare type | |
| Adult | £24 |
| Child (3-15) | £17 |
| Child (0-2) | Free |
| Senior Citizen | £23 |
| Family Super Saver Bundle (1 adult & 2 chuldren) | £53 |
| Family Super Saver Bundle (2 adults & 2 children) | £73 |
| Disabled / Carer (available from booking office only) | £12 |
| Dogs | £2.50 |
