The first gala event of the year on the South Devon Railway will take place over the Easter weekend when a special train service will operate on Sunday 16th & Monday 17th April.

2006 will once again see several Special Events take place on the South Devon Railway. These include a number of special gala weekends, the first of which is being held over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend.
The “Easter Steam Extravaganza” will feature three former Great Western tank locomotives running to a special timetable which features a variety of services including the ever popular auto trains, demonstration goods trains, and some doubleheaded
services.
The following locomotives are scheduled to work on both days:
 

57xx	0-6-0PT	5786	GWR plain green livery
4575	2-6-2T	5526	British Railways plain black livery
4575	2-6-2T	5542	GWR plain green livery
Pecket	0-4-0ST	1690	"Lady Angela."

STOP PRESS
10 April 2006 Locomotive 1420 is now out of service due to Boiler Problems and will not be taking part in the Gala.
Please see revised working timetables below.
With the exception of pannier tank 5786, which faces smokebox towards Ashburton, all locomotives are smokebox first towards Totnes.
The gala will be one of the first chances to see visiting 2-6-2 “small prairie” 5542 in steam. This locomotive will be based on the railway for much of the year, and during the gala is booked to operate several services including the two-car auto train.
This will be the first time the loco has operated a two-car auto train and it will work one of the two auto services each day
In addition to the auto train, two other passenger trains will be in operation. The first will be a five coach set formed mostly of British Railways Mark 1 stock, and including a buffet, whilst the second will be a three coach Great Western formation.
This second set will be hauled by each of the GWR liveried locomotives during the course of the gala and should help recreate scenes of a Great Western branch from yesteryear.
On both days there will be a number of demonstration goods trains running between Buckfastleigh and Staverton. These will be formed of appropriate GWR and Private Owner wagons and will be worked by 1690 and 5542 on Sunday, and by 5542, 5786 and 5526 on the Monday.
The chance to operate double-headed “small prairie’s” is not being overlooked with one service each day being worked by 5526 + 5542. Such workings were common many years ago when, in British Railway’s days, pairs of the smaller 45xx tanks could be seen working the annual Buckfastleigh Sunday School excursions, and then again in the early 1970’s when former residents 4555 and 4588 worked several trains together. On both days the Buckfastleigh to Totnes working (12.15 dep Sunday, 14.15 depart Monday) will carry a “Cornish Riviera” headboard, this reflecting the times past when pairs of these useful locomotives were employed on the St Erth to St Ives section of this famous train.
Whilst the train service will provide the main attraction, at Buckfastleigh there will be displays of vintage road vehicles, the miniature railway will be in operation, and of course there will be the chance to visit the museum, running sheds and workshop viewing area, plus the gift shop and model railway. Refreshments will be available at Buckfastleigh from the café, or from the buffet car on selected services.
At Staverton, scenes of years gone by will be recreated at various times on each day when the demonstration goods train arrives and shunts in the yard. Indeed this idyllic station complete with its traditional semaphore signals and level crossing is an ideal place to stop off and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of steam.
The small halt at Nappers will see a restricted service on both days. The halt will be served by the auto train services, and due to the low platform the guard will have to operate the retractable steps for any passengers wishing to alight or board a service here.
At Totnes progress on the new signalbox will be clear for all to see, and for those wishing to break their journey, the adjacent rare Breeds Farm is well worth a visit.
The coffee shop also serves a good selection of hot and cold food and drinks.
Please print out the event Poster and display it for us!
Sunday working timetable Page 1 and Page 2
Monday working timetable Page 1 and Page 2

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On days marked in yellow we run an intensive service with many trains.  Some will only go as far as Staverton, whilst others will do the entire round trip.  Special tickets apply on these days giving the ability to travel on each style of train.  Please contact the     the South Devon Railway by telephone, Post or e-mail for specific details nearer the event. The General Manager The South Devon Railway The Station Buckfastleigh South Devon TQ11 0DZ Telephone Lo-Call: 0845 345 1420 (UK Only) International: (UK) +44 1364 642338 Fax (UK +44) 01364 642170 E-mail: