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News Stories featuring the South Devon Railway

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Special trip to mark 140th birthday of scenic railway

The steam operated South Devon Railway celebrated the milestone with a special day trip for local dignitaries. The railway has come a long way since May 1, 1872, and has a colourful history. It has been run and owned by five different companies and ...

This Is South Devon, Sat 12 May 2012

Steam sets high standards on holiday visit to South Devon

Passengers on the heritage line, between Buckfastleigh and Totnes, were able to choose between the British Railways Standard Class 2 and Standard Class 4T locomotives which had been loaned by the Great Central Railway and the Llangollen Railway.

This Is South Devon, Tue 10 Apr 2012

Steam sets high standards on holiday visit to South Devon

Passengers on the heritage line, between Buckfastleigh and Totnes, were able to choose between the British Railways Standard Class 2 and Standard Class 4T locomotives which had been loaned by the Great Central Railway and the Llangollen Railway.

This is Cornwall, Tue 10 Apr 2012

Devon travel guide

In season, privately run, hop-on, hop-off trains ? some of them steam ? open up otherwise hidden scenic areas. The most notable of these is the South Devon Railway (southdevonrailway.co.uk). Devon buses provide a good year-round service, and often pass ...

Telegraph.co.uk, Wed 4 Apr 2012

After 140 years it's still full steam ahead for popular Devon line

The South Devon Railway enjoyed a surge in visitor numbers as guests flocked to take advantage of its annual cut-price event to launch the season. This year, the busy weekend had a special significance, as it is the first big activity in a momentous ...

This Is South Devon, Mon 26 Mar 2012

After 140 years it's still full steam ahead for popular line

The South Devon Railway enjoyed a surge in visitor numbers as guests flocked to take advantage of its annual cut-price event to launch the season. This year, the busy weekend had a special significance, as it is the first big activity in a momentous ...

This is Cornwall, Mon 26 Mar 2012

An Update on Preserved Railways' Expansion Plans, Articles for Sale and Disposals

The Downpatrick & County Down Railway is to double the track out of Downpatrick Station, thereby separating the railway's north and south lines. The project is being undertaken in conjunction with installing track into the new HLF-backed 'Carriage ...

Rail.co.uk, Tue 13 Mar 2012

Devon Based GWR Prairie Steam Locomotive to Visit the Chilterns at Chinnor

9682 (in its latter stages of an overhaul at Southall) should arrive to provide Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway with steam for the rest of the year. The engine will be used on regular passenger services every Sunday from March 17th and between ...

Rail.co.uk, Fri 9 Mar 2012

Preserved Steam Events to Look Forward to Across the UK

The gala will also feature double-heading and demonstration works trains, with No. 3 also likely to be in steam over May 12-13 ? see www.corris.co.uk for further details. The loco now known as Talyllyn Railway No. 3 Sir Haydn was built in 1878 for the ...

Rail.co.uk, Mon 5 Mar 2012

MPs debate Cycling

If only the bridge were open and there was co-operation with landowners and, crucially, the co-operation of a sustainable steam railway?the South Devon Railway?which had the bridge built. The real scandal is that £87000 of public money went towards ...

DeHavilland (press release) (subscription), Fri 24 Feb 2012

Wizard casts his spell over visitors

It follows the "Three Great Attractions, One Amazing Day" offer between the farm, Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies, and the South Devon Railway which Mr Tolley said had been an "incredible" success.

This Is South Devon, Mon 20 Feb 2012

Full steam ahead for new bridge

The Prairie 5526 thundered across the bridge run by South Devon Railway on Saturday at Southport Leat, Staverton, between the station and Napper's Crossing. Services stopped in January while work was carried out, including stripping the track, ...

This Is South Devon, Mon 13 Feb 2012

Tower of London retiring Chief Yeoman Warder

... to move to Devon to spend more time on his hobbies, which include walking, computers and Heritage Steam Railways, where every year he becomes Sir Topham Hat, the Fat Controller for Thomas the Tank Engine themed trips on the South Devon Railway.

Newstoday.co.uk, Thu 2 Feb 2012

Regency charm on the coast

Trains have brought holidaymakers to Dawlish and neighbouring Dawlish Warren ever since Brunel's South Devon Railway opened in 1846. The station itself is a significant, if weather-beaten, building that forms part of the sea wall separating the town ...

Bristol Evening Post, Sat 21 Jan 2012

Beefeater is hanging up his hat after 20 years

Mr Keohane plans to spend more time on his hobbies of hill walking and computing and pursuing his passion for South Devon Railway. "It might be a case of how much time my wife allows me to spend down there," he added. "Although it may be a case of ...

Cornish Guardian, Sat 14 Jan 2012

Heritage railway volunteers chuffed with third record year

The picturesque South Devon Railway has bucked the recession by chalking up its third record-breaking season in a row. The seven-mile line, which is run as a charity, carried more than 112000 passengers for the first time and in its 20th anniversary ...

West Briton, Tue 3 Jan 2012

Heritage railway volunteers chuffed with third record year

The picturesque South Devon Railway has bucked the recession by chalking up its third record-breaking season in a row. The seven-mile line, which is run as a charity, carried more than 112000 passengers for the first time and in its 20th anniversary ...

South Devon Herald Express, Tue 3 Jan 2012

South Devon Railway reports third 'record' season

The South Devon Railway (SDR) has had a "record breaking" season with passenger numbers up to more than 112000. It said the third consecutive record season was an appropriate end to its 20th anniversary year. General Manager Dick Wood attributed the ...

BBC News, Sun 1 Jan 2012

All aboard for the mince pie steam special

The South Devon Railway between Buckfastleigh and Totnes is offering Mince Pie Specials until January 2. Giving families a chance to get out and about, especially if they have spent Christmas in front of the television, the trips offer views of the ...

South Devon Herald Express, Fri 30 Dec 2011

The dogged Isambard Kingdom Brunel

The fact that the railway company returned to the well tried steam engines must have hurt Brunel badly, what an enormous disappointment it must have been after all his great successes with bridge and tunnel building and also his accomplished work in ...

Paignton People, Thu 29 Dec 2011

Exmouth's Flog It! show to be screened next Friday on BBC Two

Paul also takes a trip back to the age of steam when he visits the South Devon Railway ? recently featured in the Exmouth People gallery. Were you at Flog It! in Exmouth on Wednesday 4 May? What did you think of it? And are you looking forward to ...

Exmouth People, Fri 30 Sep 2011

Evacuees return to wartime classrooms

When you get to my age you live from year to year and if you don't do it now, you may never do it at all," said Mr Clarke. As a special day out, the group went on the South Devon Railway yesterday for a trip on what they used to call the 'Push and ...

South Devon Herald Express, Sat 10 Sep 2011

New Brixington families enjoy fun day

It gave tenants the chance to meet members of staff and one of the most popular attractions on the day was free rides on a miniature steam train courtesy of Lee Moseley and the South Devon Railway. Lee is a member of the Cornerstone Gardening Team and ...

Exmouth Journal, Tue 30 Aug 2011

South Devon Railway hosts 'Rails and Ales' festival

Special train services have been carrying passengers to Staverton station, home of the South Devon Railway Trust's Devon Diesel Society. Proceeds from the festival will be used to help restore the society's largest locomotive. ...

BBC News, Sun 28 Aug 2011

Chernobyl youngsters' railway visit

During their stay, the children are visiting Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, Buckfastleigh, Dartmoor Otters centre and the South Devon Railway, to name just a few attractions. South Devon Railway General Manager Dick Wood said: "We have welcomed the Chernobyl ...

Plymouth Herald, Sun 31 Jul 2011

Recreating life in wartorn Britain

THE clock will be turned back more than 65 years to the days of World War II when the scenic South Devon Railway hosts its annual 1940s weekend. Organised with the Devon Branch of the Military Vehicle Trust, the event will feature over 50 historic ...

South Devon Herald Express, Wed 13 Jul 2011

Steam train tribute to railwayman Brian, 70

Since 1969 he had worked for the Dart Valley Railway ? more recently the South Devon Railway ? and drove the first 'public' train on the line between Littlehempston and Buckfastleigh after it was reopened. On Friday up to 300 mourners are expected to ...

South Devon Herald Express, Tue 12 Jul 2011

Vandals attack bridge at centre of vandalism row

You may recall what happened on the Dartmoor Railway a few years back when vandals broke every single window in their coaches stored near Meldon by throwing stones from the adjacent cycle path." Mrs Black admitted that the trust had 'legitimate ...

South Devon Herald Express, Fri 24 Jun 2011

LUCK was smiling on a weary lamb as it lay helpless on the track with a 200 ...

South Devon Railway driver Lance Hale made an emergency stop just outside Totnes to save the fragile creature from being hit. He and fireman Charlie Dennis stepped down from the plate to rescue the lamb from between the rails. ...

South Devon Herald Express, Tue 26 Apr 2011

Steam train in emergency stop to save sick lamb

The animal was spotted lying between the rails by the driver and fireman on board the South Devon Railway locomotive on Sunday. The tourist train was travelling from Buckfastleigh to Totnes when it was brought to a "rapid halt". ...

BBC News, Mon 25 Apr 2011

South Devon railway's 'record' rise in visitor numbers

The South Devon Railway (SDR) has announced a "record increase in visitor numbers" over the February half-term holiday. A spokesperson said visitors to the railway had increased by 14%, compared to last year. This half term 1940 passengers visited the ...

BBC News, Mon 7 Mar 2011

It's full steam ahead for record-breaking volunteers

THE PICTURESQUE steam-operated South Devon Railway has recorded its highest passenger rate in almost two decades. The Buckfastleigh-based business carried ...

South Devon Herald Express, Tue 4 Jan 2011

TORBAY'S boundless beauty has been captured in a new film on YouTube.

The Bay's geopark status is featured in the film, as well as attractions such as Kents Cavern, Paignton-based South Devon Railway, Paignton Zoo and the ...

South Devon Herald Express, Thu 30 Dec 2010

Railway worries in a far from ideal world

Indeed he waived his fee as chief engineer of the South Devon railway because of cost and technical problems with the "atmospheric" system used on the first ...

Plymouth Herald, Thu 18 Nov 2010

MPs debate Exeter to Plymouth Railway

There is a meeting in two weeks' time of the western structure team, at which Teignbridge district council, the Environment Agency, English Heritage, ...

DeHavilland (press release) (subscription), Thu 11 Nov 2010

Devon steam railway brings repair firm in house

The South Devon Railway has bought a local steam boiler repair company to help it maintain its locomotives and safeguard jobs. ...

BBC News, Mon 11 Oct 2010

Holidays by rail: Taking the slow train on a guided tour around Devon and Cornwall

We boarded a steam train on the South Devon Railway to Buckfastleigh and it certainly felt like I was slipping back into a different decade. ...

Daily Mail, Wed 22 Sep 2010

Severn Valley Railway welcomes back original locomotive

The first locomotive bought by the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) is returning to the line for its 40th anniversary celebration weekend. ...

BBC News, Tue 21 Sep 2010

SVR autumn steam gala

ORGANISERS of Severn Valley Railway's (SVR) autumn steam gala say they are pulling out all the stops as part of the railway's 40th anniversary celebrations. ...

Kidderminster Shuttle, Tue 21 Sep 2010

LAND Rover's enduring Discovery has come of age. This iconic creation is ...

On the Sunday, owners meet at the Lee Mill Tesco's car park and depart at 10am for the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh. Ian said: "Here in 1989 they ...

West Briton, Fri 3 Sep 2010

Land Rover's enduring Discovery has come of age. This iconic creation is ...

On the Sunday, owners meet at the Lee Mill Tesco's car park and depart at 10am for the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh. Ian said: "Here in 1989 they ...

West Briton, Fri 3 Sep 2010

BEER and steam trains are proving to be the perfect coupling at an event which ...

Hundreds of visitors have taken classic steam trains on the South Devon Railway to attend a real ale festival at Staverton's railway station, ...

Plymouth Herald, Tue 31 Aug 2010

Cycling in Britain: 10 best cycle rides under 12 miles

From here use South Devon Railway station to catch a steam train back to the start. Eight miles. Runs alongside Grand Union Canal on what is known as Colne ...

Telegraph.co.uk, Mon 23 Aug 2010

Brave battalions' battle to protect city's streets

6 (GWR) Co had responsibility from the South Devon Railway Bridge to Cowley Bridge. This work was done on Sundays, but once in January 1941 No. ...

Express & Echo, Tue 29 Jun 2010

Ways With Words in South Hams, Devon: The perfect break

On the South Devon Railway (www.southdevonrailway.co.uk), which operates steam trains along a picturesque stretch of track along the Dart between Totnes and ...

Telegraph.co.uk, Wed 16 Jun 2010

About A Boy: Year One

... that's Oklahoma, not Berkshire) before joining the coastal line of the historic South Devon Railway as it hugs the vertiginous red sandstone cliffs at ...

Cambridge News (blog), Fri 21 May 2010

Kentisbeare auction this Friday

Other items include tickets for South Devon Railway, Devon County Show, Wookey Hole and the Princess Theatre Torquay. There will be a barbecue, ...

Mid Devon Star, Tue 4 May 2010

Kentisbeare auction this Friday

Other items include tickets for South Devon Railway, Devon County Show, Wookey Hole and the Princess Theatre Torquay. There will be a barbecue, ...

This Is The Westcountry, Tue 4 May 2010

Attraction grinds to a halt after locomotive derails

South Devon Railway has launched an investigation after a slow-moving locomotive hauling five passenger coaches came off the railway tracks near ...

South Devon Herald Express, Wed 7 Apr 2010

GWR on track for 175th anniversary celebrations

Dick Wood, general manager of the South Devon Railway, said: "With 2010 being the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway it should be a memorable ...

Express & Echo, Tue 6 Apr 2010