Buckfastleigh Steam Train

The Standard Gauge Railway, which runs between Buckfastleigh and Totnes has been open for 40 years, it is a beautiful stretch of line along the Dart river. Ironically, it was opened by Dr Richard Beeching, who was responsible for the axing of many branch lines in the 1960's. The small group of staff, aided by several hundred volunteers work together to recreate the age of the Golden Age of Steam, keeping memories of GWR and historic transport alive and running. Certainly, when you first arrive there, it is like stepping back in time ...

This feeling of time travel backwards is increased when you cross over the bridge, and get your first glimpse of the train standing in the station ...

We took Corinna and David there for a trip when they came to stay with us. Of course, we had to check out the controls ...

It was a beautiful day, and a memorable trip along the Dart River - we even had our tickets "punched" by the guard, as in the old days! The train certainly attracts a lot of attention from walkers by the river. When we reached Totnes, Bob and I were staying on there, whilst Corinna & David returned to Buckfastleigh, so I was able to take a video of their train as it went past us, steaming out of Totnes station (press the forward arrow to play). I have to confess that I found it quite exciting, must be the child in me!!