South Devon Railway Winter Gala - 2nd-4th January 2026

Utilising:

1369
5526
2807 (visiting for Polar Express services)

Possible fourth loco TBC.

https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/event/winter-steam-gala-2/

 

“We are pleased to confirm that Hunslet Works No.1589 ‘Newstead’ will be appearing at the South Devon Railway Winter Steam Gala, courtesy of owner Alex Alder. Newstead was built in 1929 and spent most of its life at a colliery in South Kirkby, before ending up in a garden of a convent until 2016, after many thought the missing locomotive had been scrapped.

Joining Newstead for this steam spectacular will be Bagnall 2572 ‘Judy’, courtesy of the Bodmin Railway. This diminutive locomotive was built for moving China Clay wagons at Par docks, meaning it had to be very short to allow for passage under the low bridges there.

Alongside these two visiting engines will be our GWR winter resident 2-8-0 No.2807, as well as home fleet locomotives 5526 and 1369.”

https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/event/winter-steam-gala-2/

 

That's a fun line-up, very intrigued to see what kind of workings Judy is put on once the timetable's out.

 

Havnt you heard, they are burrowing under the A38 and Ashburton or Bust!

 

I reckon you've nailed it, a cut-down cab is the perfect solution to that expressway being in the way!

 

I suspect Judy will either be doing rides at one of the stations, or a Staverton shuttle as per what had been planned for Henbury at this year's event (before it was unfortunately withdrawn from the event). Hopefully we shall be without the -7*c morning that caused water supplies and infrastructure to freeze up...

 

Likely either brake van rides or the Totnes - Staverton shuttle on a single coach as, although I cannot be certain, she is limited to 50t.

 

Although it caused some difficulties operationally, that -7*c day on the Friday was absolutely beautiful. Fantastic watching the locomotives coming off shed that morning.

 

She’s doing three rounds trips to Staverton each day with Auto 233, then working a goods to Bishops Bridge, before piloting Newstead and 1369 back from Staverton on the last train.

 

If I have read that correctly that means that Newstead, 1369 and Judy will be triple heading the last train?

 

Not very useful for anyone travelling by train to/from Totnes.

 

Why is it not? There will be plenty of services departing Totnes to both Staverton and Buckfastleigh.

 

I think malc means anyone coming in from Totnes who wants to see the triple header will thus be unable to do so.

Hoping the public timetable isn't far off - am coming up as part of the Newstead crew but have a few friends planning to visit that weekend (some from as far as Birmingham and Ireland) coming via rail to Totnes who want to know timings so they can plan.

 

Ah yes, I see what you mean, that is unfortunate but there will be an operational reason for it no doubt.

The public timetable is available to myself and other SDR staff and having looked at it I would at it looks very good, I am sure it will be an excellent 3 days for everyone. If you’re part of the Newstead crew then I shall see you there bright and early.

 

So with just over a week to go, still no timetable available on the SDR gala page, yet its available to staff and volunteers. Not the best way to encourage visitors to an event, especially those who need to make travel plans or book accommodation. The lack of anything other than a full day Ranger ticket is also a poor decision as for anybody who can only make a short visit it makes the event a costly exercise.

Edit: Having just checked the website again a very poorly laid out timetable is available if you go in via the your visit, timetable and fares section, yet no timetable shown on the event page itself. Also if you enter via the your visit route normal day return fares of £23 and Ranger Ticket at £25 are shown, yet go via the event page book tickets here link and the only ticket on offer is a day ranger at £32. Seems to be a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing......

 

It looks like it's appeared on the website this morning, Andy!

https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/event/winter-steam-gala-2/

 

While I understand your point, there are reasons behind the timetable only just being released. One of which is that it’s not always possible to guarantee a locos availability until quite close to the date of the gala what with how difficult it can be to organise road/rail moves to and from the SDR.

It will be a good day for everyone and I am sure both locos will be very popular.

 

Ah, the SDR website in general is one of the worst. Something that does one of the senior heritage railways no favours. The Association website isn't much better. It's a common theme to many heritage railways and I often wonder if the management ever takes a critical look at the format.

 

I am more than aware of what's involved with moving loco's to and from events, even to and from Buckfastleigh in fact, but have to disagree that holding the timetable back was the right thing. If there are last minute glitches, providing good communications and explanations are forthcoming, people will understand and providing the necessary timetable well in advance allows time for people to plan travel and accommodation arrangements as necessary. Accuracy is also key, go to the website and there are still different prices shown depending on which page you visit....I may pop over to get a few pictures of Newstead, however with just the one size fits all fare structure in place, unfortunately I wont be travelling and will instead head elsewhere for the remaining days.

The fact that the SDR now deems to ban shareholders tickets (and members tickets) at events is very regrettable and frankly very poor considering when the railway needed people to buy shares back a few years ago, part of the offer was shareholders tickets were provided annually (the number per year depending on how many shares were purchased) with the only restriction being they couldn't be used on Thomas events or Santa services. To now withdraw that after effectively taking the cash is very poor business. All a stark contrast to another favourite railway of mine which I visited recently and was able to travel free for three days enjoying not only some of the excellent home fleet but also a visiting BR 7MT and Deltic. Compare the benefits provided by the two railways and it is easy to see which would get more money if they appealed for it.....

 

As someone who has done gala timetabling before, I can assure you from the planning side there is nothing more infuriating than devising a timetable for locomotives you are expecting, only to have the plans fall through or something you weren't expecting added and weeks of hard work binned as you have to start anew (remembering of course that certain locomotives will have load limits, lower speeds, lower water capacity etc. to account for, meaning a 'one timetable fits all' approach is not really possible). Ergo, waiting until the contracts are signed is highly recommended - even if that does come late.

In addition, the railway has had a rather big event taking place this month and I imagine that has had to take priority too...

I don't know anything about the pricing decisions although excluding a family ticket option is, in my opinion, a little disappointing.