Present-Day South Devon Railway
The railway operates a 7-mile route between Buckfastleigh and Totnes Riverside, running alongside the beautiful River Dart. It features a variety of restored steam and diesel locomotives and hosts popular events, including Santa Specials, beer festivals, and heritage galas. The railway also includes a museum, workshops, and a riverside walk, attracting visitors from across the country.
Preservation and Reopening
After closure, the line was purchased in 1969 by enthusiasts who formed the Dart Valley Railway Company, which began restoring it as a heritage railway. The first section reopened in 1969, and the line was renamed the South Devon Railway in 1991 when the South Devon Railway Trust took over operations.
History of the South Devon Railway
The line opened in 1872 as part of the Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway, a branch line of the South Devon Railway Company, later absorbed by the Great Western Railway (GWR). It was built to serve the local communities, providing passenger services and carrying goods such as wool, cider, and agricultural produce. Following the decline in passenger numbers and freight traffic due to the rise of road transport, British Railways closed the line to passengers in 1958 and to freight in 1962.