SDR 40th Anniversary Gala - Easter Sunday 12.04.09

My 250th Video* and what an event to be it!

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the reopening of the Ashburton Branch, that happened on the 5th April 1969, the South Devon Railway, as it is now known, had a massive 9 day Gala event, streching from Sunday 5th April to Bank Holiday Monday 13th April 2009. Each day had at least three of the eight locomotives in action, with the final two days having all eight in steam. Four residents and four guest locomotives made up the list of eight exGWR locomotives.

5542 was visiting from the Gloucs. Warks. Railway, 5552 from the Bodmin & Wenford, along with 6435 and the final guest was 6695 from the Swanage Railway.

6695's visit was important as it was the first time a 'Red' route code locomotive had ever operated over the SDR, as the line had just had it's axel load increased. Also resident 5786 made her debut in BR early Black at the event, which she will now carry for the remaining 2 and 1/2 years or so of her current boiler certificate.

The full line-up was -

| GWR 0-6-0PT 1366 Class 'Outside-Cylindered Pannier Tank' no. 1369
| GWR 2-8-0 2884 (38xx) Class 'Heavy Freight 2-8-0' no. 3803
| GWR 2-6-2T 4575 (55xx) Class 'Small Prairie Tank' no. 5526
| GWR 2-6-2T 4575 (55xx) Class 'Small Prairie Tank' no. 5542
| GWR 2-6-2T 4575 (55xx) Class 'Small Prairie Tank' no. 5552
| GWR 0-6-0PT 57xx Class 'Pannier Tank' no. 5786
| GWR 0-6-0PT 64xx Class 'Pannier Tank' no. 6435 (formerly known as 'Ajax')
| GWR 0-6-2T 66xx (56xx) Class 'Taffy Tank' no. 6695

I couldn't miss this event, a proper GWR branchline using proper GWR branch locos, (apart from 3803 and 6695). I had to visit Easter Day aswell, three my favourite class (GWR 2-6-2T 4575 (55xx) 'Small Prairie') were triple heading and were in livery order. It was a sight that left me standing in awe.

Thanks must be made to my parents, Mum for letting me go on Easter Day for a start and my Dad for getting up early (5am) to drive down in time for the three 4575s LE to Totnes and driving back late. We were out for just under 16hrs in the end.

I visited with my Dad, GJDobbzy and jakeyboygen. Here is the plan my Dad and I did -

| 1023 Buckfastleigh-Staverton Auto hauled by 5542
| 1145 Staverton-Buckfastleigh hauled by 3803
| 1350 Buckfastleigh-Totnes hauled by 5552
| 1522 Totnes-Buckfastleigh hauled by 5552
| 1650 Buckfastleigh-Totnes hauled by 5786
| 1737 Totnes-Buckfastleigh hauled by 6435 & 5786

I was going to get the 1110 Staverton-Totnes with 5526 & 5552 and then the return 1132 to Buckfastleigh with 3803, but my Dad and I got seperated and I couldn't find him when the train arrived at Staverton, so I couldn't get on it because he had my ticket. I will carry my ticket from now on lol. It would of been my first 4575 double header :'(

Well done to the SDR for a top top event, please hold one like it (or better) for your 20th Anniversary of taking control of the line in 2011 :) haha.

* - was at the time, video's have been deleted since.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• SDR
• 40th
• Anniversary
• Gala
• Steam
• Trains
• Dart
• Valley
• Light
• Railway
• South
• Devon
• Ashburton
• Branch
• Branchline
• Buckfastleigh
• Staverton
• Totnes
• Littlehempston
• 1369
• 3803
• 5526
• 5542
• 5552
• 5786
• 6435
• Ajax
• 6695
• Class
• 1366
• 28xx
• 2800
• 38xx
• 2884
• 4575
• 55xx
• 57xx
• 5700
• 64xx
• 6400
• 56xx
• 5600
• 66xx
• Taffy
• Tank
• Pannier
• Small
• Prairie
• Heavy
• Freight
• 2-8-0
• 2-6-2T
• 0-6-2T
• 0-6-0PT
• GWR
• Great
• Western

[RASDV]

Great video.

[JBTEvans]

Thank you!

[Exqheat]

Most enjoyable. What the kids cannot remember.

[JBTEvans]

Thank you, but I'm only 14 myself lol

[ronik24]

Hi,

Fabulous, thanks a lot! :-)

Sadly I couldn't stay there longer when I was there, but we got some freight shunting just for ourselves in the morning at Totnes... ;-)

Greetings,

Roni

[JBTEvans]

Thank you for the comment

[jaannetts16]

5* brilliant footage

[jakeyboygen]

ace video here josh loved it! loved the shots of the triple heading Prairies at the start was fab! and the shot of the goods with 6435 and 5786 was great also and i liked the shot of 6435 departing Buckfastleigh and loved the noise of 5786and 6435 outside of staverton never heard anything like it was great was nice to mee u again and thanks for letting me have a great day was a pity you missed 5552 and 5526 DH :( 5 stars mate and in my favs!

[edosmamacias]

pichurrias.

[jhonjairotecnico]

hermoso paisaje, y los trenes. saludos desde Colombia.Bogotà.

[JBTEvans]

Thanks for the comment!

[muthatrucka2]

again m8 a great shot vid..which looks like it was a great day...enjoyed it as usual.....nicely edited...heres to the next 40 years..!!!