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South Devon Railway

Buckfastleigh Station

South Devon Railway is a former branch line of the Great Western Railway. Steam services run through scenic countryside along the river Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. At Buckfastleigh station there is a railway museum, dedicated to the Great Western, and to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, builder of the Great Western. On display are Great Western engines, rolling stock, and other items such as dining car equipment. The Great Western was originally "broad gauge", with rails set further apart than the standard used by other railway builders. Eventually a uniform standard was adopted based on the narrower gauge. The only surviving engine of Brunel's broad gauge is kept at the South Devon Railway.

Information boards at the museum describe Brunel's railway and ship building exploits. There is also information on Brunel's atmospheric railway of 1847 which ran between Exeter and Newton Abbot. This system relied on using air pressure in a tube running along the line to drive a train along. Brunel did not invent this system, but his application of it was one of the most adventurous attempts to apply the system in practice. This is characteristic of Brunel. He was an engineer who didn't so much invent things, as take the latest technology and see how far it could be pushed. It is ironic that the South Devon Railway presents itself as commemorating a simpler time. Staverton station, a stop between Buckfastleigh and Totnes, is described as "an idyllic reminder of what country stations used to be like." There's no doubt that Staverton is very pretty, as is the whole line. But the fact is Brunel and his Great Western Railway in its time were at technology's cutting edge. Brunel was all about energy and vision, not sleepy little country railway stations. Railways were the future, and heralded a new age of travel and communication.

 

 

 

A GWR locomotive on the line between Totnes and Buckfastleigh

Buildings used to support Brunel's atmospheric system still survive close to Totnes main line railway station, and can be viewed from the platform. The South Devon Railway station at Totnes is only five hundred yards from the mainline station.

The South Devon Railway shows great attention to detail. Period cars are parked outside Buckfastleigh Station. On certain days, traditional fairground rides are operating. Historic buses provide a link with Buckfastleigh, and Buckfast Abbey.

There is a restaurant and a model railway, gift and bookshop.

 

Address: South Devon Railway, Dart Bridge Road, Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0DZ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building used by Brunel's atmospheric railway, at Totnes station

Directions: Buckfastleigh station is just outside Buckfastleigh in south Devon. From the A38 follow brown tourist signs. Click here for an interactive map centred on Buckfastleigh station.

Opening Times: The main season begins on 20th March, and runs to 31st October. Between these dates there are daily services. Out of season services are occasional, with special trains laid on around Christmas, and New Year. Use the web site link below for more details.

Access: All trains are wheelchair accessible. There is level access to platforms at Buckfastleigh and Totnes Littlehempston.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact:

telephone: 0845 345 1420

fax: 01364 642170

web site: http://www.southdevonrailway.org/