South Devon Railway in February half term week 2013

I don't know whether this is officially a gala, but reading Steam Railway, I saw an item about 1450 spending winter on the SDR and turning out for the mid February service, plus steam railmotor and the bubble-car; possibly auto fitted 5542 as well. If that lot doesn't amount to a gala, especially for the branch line enthusiast, then I don't know what does!

 

1450 + auto coach and 5542 are on site.

 

More details after the Christmas break, however outline details are as follows:

A nine-day event to showcase the best of Western Branchline operations. Weekends (16/17 & 23/24) will feature an intensive service using 1369, 1450, 5542 and the visiting Steam Railmotor No.93. Plenty of auto trains including one, two and three-car formations, including the first ever 3 car 55xx auto in preservation. There will also be a two coach GW local set, plus a single coach BR era local, and both of these are also expected to appear at various times with one or two six wheel milk tanks in tow. No.93 is expected to make at least four trips each weekend day. A winter ale festival is planned to be held in the new bar at Staverton on both weekends with late trains on both Saturdays and possibly the first Sunday too.

Weekdays are expected to feature a two-train service with plenty of auto train activity throughout the week.

More details in the new year, but this is really now shaping up to a cracking start to the SDR's 2013 season.

 

It can't get any better than that for the branch line enthusiast.

Not wishing to be greedy, but will the bubble car (preferably with a milk tank in tow!) get a turn? Just icing on the cake - I'll definitely be there barring any accidents.

 

Pretty much the plan where possible to match locos and stock, we do try to do this at most events, but it is sometimes not possible due to various operational reasons. I've completed draft wtt's and expect these to be going live early in the new year, the weekend days in particular will see a very frequent service formed of shorter trains - the longest planned is the three-car auto. One of the big aims for this event is to have the SDR return to its branch line origins in a big way. Normal services and passenger demands now require 4, 5 and 6 coach trains on a regular basis, so it will be nice to see plenty of traditional 1,2 and 3 coach trains at this event.

 

Excellent; the branch line atmosphere has become hard to find, due to the very success of the preserved movement!

 

Timetables now on SDRT & SDRA sites. Looks brilliant. Typical branch line services.

 

Will 3205 be operating at all over half term?

 

Not planned to be, but it is the standby loco. Whilst it would have been nice to run this as well, with everything else going on there are no extra pathways available, so to use it would mean running the other loco's less which is not really an option. 3205 will be a regular again this year on the line and should appear in a few of the other galas, particularly the 1960's event over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May.

 

Thank you very much for the reply Good that it will still be in service for the rest of the year. By the way do you know if 3803 is making a return in the near future?

 

Visited Buckers today and was pleased to see 1369 doing a shunt of 1450(black) 3205. 5542.
A splendid sight in the rain. Staverton had many thousands of snowdrops out.....!!
suddenly the Matisa tamper passes looking v smart. Off to the Dartmouth steam rly on contract work on the lorry bringing the SRM 93 to the SDR.
there was a real feeling of preparing for the gala already.

1450 will work single coach on occasion as well as auto wkgs

Please support this gala by purchasing tickets/travelling as its a very good line up. The round trips with the rail motor look good........

nearby Dartington Hall looks good in spring with excellent food and fantastic spring flowers. A good alternative to partners who may need persuading. I hope lots of NP members will support this gala as last years v wet summer did no favours to SW steam railways.......

Ray Mason

 

Yes, this deserves support as (1) it is a brilliant re-enactment of the Westcountry GWR branch line scene, (2) the tickets are good value, (3) spring comes early in the south-west and it's a great place to be, and (4) it takes courage to launch a gala in February - the SDR has in the past just run a normal (red) TT for the February half term. This is worthy of vindication by decent numbers of bums on seats and ticket sales!

John

 

Will definitely be buying a ticket for this even if I'm mostly just out taking photographs and getting the atmosphere at Buckfastleigh. Went to Bodmin for both the Railmotor's gala outings and think it's a fantastic achievement. The January gala with the Railmotor and an auto train at Bodmin was PACKED on the day I went, so hoping for similar success for the SDR.

 

Isnt the SDR the first first line the rail motors ran which originally used them?

 

No93 arrived and unloaded earlier today and now safely tucked up in the shed at Buckfastleigh. W232 from Bodmin due to arrive late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

 

Pictures of the arrival at South Devon Railway - GWR Steam Rail Motor No. 93

 

Just a few hours until the first trains. Nearly everything is in place, however although a big effort was made, we only have two out of the three auto's available at present. If all goes well next week we may yet get the third back into traffic for the second weekend. That said it still looks like a cracking event. Our friends at Bodmin have loaned us there rather splendid auto trailer 232, which of course was once based at Buckfastleigh, and the maroon livery of this vehicle will be matched with the operational SDR auto (W228) being outshopped from C&W today in lined maroon. When was the last time a pair of auto's were seen together in BR lined maroon????

The steam railmotor has made succesful test runs, and although tight, clearance exists for it to operate just into the platform at Totnes. Following some requests, the SRM will now also make a call at Staverton on the return working from Totnes to set down only. This will provide passengers with the chance to get off and maximise their day and get most use from their rover ticket. Likewise, after listening to some feedback, we have added an additional late night train from Staverton on each Saturday to provide connections with the last up service on the mainline. Good connections also exist for the down services too.

The real ale festival is all ready to go with around 10-12 ales on offer to start with, but with others ready to go if the demand requires it. Quiz night on Sunday.

Looking forward to seeing the numerous branch line style trains running up and down the valley. The lineside vegetation has also been cut back over the full length of the line in the past week so some good views, and good photo's will be possible.

Looking forward to seeing some of you during the event.

Cheers

 

Will be there next Saturday (23rd) and looking forward to my 12:20 trip on the SRM, the Mrs. wants to know which loco will be hauling it :frusty::frusty:

 

Yes yes yes!
Buckfastleigh last mon for the press launch. The rail motor looked exactly right running by the river Dart!

this is a mega enthusiasts event in my view. Tourist numbers were down in Devon in2012 and the SDR really deserves support with 1450 crossing 93.
next week 1450 and 5542 will be running the service. The 2 train service will both feature auto coaches. A mini auto fest.

make the most of this gala and please buy a rover even if not travelling.

hoping to meet NP members tomorrow !