On September 7 members and friends of the Bridport and District Model Railway Club visited the South Devon Railway which is based in Buckfastleigh and runs along the River Dart to Totnes.

They departed from Bridport and Beaminster about 8.30am and travelled to Buckfastleigh, the northern end of the line, for the start of a very exciting day. On arrival at Buckfastleigh the party toured the station and its facilities as well as enjoying a welcome cup of tea before having a pre-arranged conducted tour of the vast engineering and repair workshops.

This is the main engineering point for the South Devon Railway preservation work where most aspects of the railway restoration work is carried out including steam and diesel engine rebuilds, boiler repairs, carriage and rolling stock refurbishments amongst the multitude of ancillary railway equipment which needs both repair or renewal.

It is worth noting that the South Devon Railway engineering workshop carries out contract work for many other heritage railway lines and has some of the only equipment in this country and in Europe to carry out heavy engineering in connection with restoration work.

After a most interesting ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the works area the party were delighted to be able retire for lunch in the station restaurant. After lunch the party boarded the train, pulled by steam engine L92, a London Transport pannier tank locomotive, for the most picturesque ride through seven miles of glorious Devon countryside to Totnes.

The station building at Totnes (Littlehempston) was originally the station at Toller on the Bridport Branch railway line, so this was a wonderful reminder of our home territory. After viewing the small station, adjacent to the main line, the party boarded the train for the return trip to Buckfastleigh which was over only too quickly.

On arrival back at Buckfastleigh the party was able to enjoy a last cup of tea, browse and buy in the well-stocked shop before departing for the return journey to West Dorset. The day was very memorable and enjoyed by all those who attended.