It’s that time of year when the final services of 2023 are running across most heritage railways. Today we’re at the South Devon Railway for their Winter Steam Gala. The ~6.5 mile line runs from Buckfastleigh down to Totnes Riverside with a passing loop at Staverton. There’s a wide selection of locomotives on offer today. The weather was typically unpredictable and British for this time of year; tipping down at 9am but then quickly brightening up.
The first ride of the day is from Buckfastleigh on an Autotrailer coupled with a GWR Pannier Tank (6412). Autotrailers are hard to come by and offer views in all directions so they are always a treat when getting to ride one.
Back at Buckfastleigh, we have some more movement. BR 7820 Dinmore Manor is entering a siding with a rake of ballast wagons and brake van from Totnes Riverside.
Once Dinmore Manor is clear, it’s time for the next departure. This time it’s hauled by a GWR Prairie class No 5553. Interesting fact about this loco is that it was the last locomotive to leave Barry scrapyard in 1990 and holds the record of all locomotives for longest time there. She’s far from the scrapyard days now and has been in preservation for over two decades now.
The services today were frequent but there were also a few surprises along the way. As well as the autotrailer, there was a double-header service comprised of the Prairie and Dinmore Manor. They always say not to stick your head out of the carriage windows when the train is moving, but with this panting away at the front, how could I resist. This was spectacular to travel on and even better to photograph. My standout photo of the day has to be the following one…
Totnes didn’t used to be the terminus of this branch line. It used to extend up to Ashburton but the service between Totnes and Ashburton was withdrawn in 1958. Ashburton Junction signal box lives on as shown below.
