What’s On

With a busy calendar of events at, and around, the South Devon Railway each year, we have made this page to help you find out exactly what’s on and when.

If you know when you’re visiting us, you can use the links below to jump to a month:

~ October ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 - - -
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Family Fun Weekend

* The colours inside the circle of Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea days indicate the train service running that day.

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Family Fun Weekend

~ 5th & 6th October ~

Our best value event, with your train ticket including free entry into Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies, plus loads of family entertainment. Steam trains running all day, miniature railway rides, heritage bus trips, children's entertainers and family activities with lots of steam trains running all day!
Find Out More

Kids Travel Free this Spooktacular Half Term

~ 27th October to 3rd November ~

Kids travel free using discount code "Halloween24" when booked online or at the ticket office. Plus, join in with our Spooktacular Pumpkin Trail with a chance to win a free family ticket!
Find Out More

~ November ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - - 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 -
11 Heritage Steam Experiences
11 Diesel Gala
11 SDR Gifts & Model Shop Open (No trains running)
11 The Polar Express™ Train Ride

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Diesel Gala

Saturday 9th November 2024
The first diesel-only operating day at the SDR since 2019, an opportunity to enjoy the fleet of heritage diesel locomotives based on the SDR.
Find Out More

The Polar Express™ Train Ride

The most iconic feature of The Polar Express is its sleek black steam engine. It’s even inscribed with the ‘1225’ signage to identify it as Santa’s own train. Your children will gasp with amazement as the Polar Express train pulls into the station. Billowing steam all the way, your authentic steam train ride will last around an hour.
Find Out More

~ December ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - - - - 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31 1 2 3 4 5
11 The Polar Express™ Train Ride
11 SDR Gifts & Model Shop Open (No trains running)
11 Merry Christmas
(Railway & Shop Closed)
11 Festive Services
11 Winter Steam Gala

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Polar Express day from
10am to 7pm.

Open non-Polar Express days from
10am to 4pm.

Closed on Mondays.
Find Out More

The Polar Express™ Train Ride

The most iconic feature of The Polar Express is its sleek black steam engine. It’s even inscribed with the ‘1225’ signage to identify it as Santa’s own train. Your children will gasp with amazement as the Polar Express train pulls into the station. Billowing steam all the way, your authentic steam train ride will last around an hour.
Find Out More

Festive Steam Services

~ 26th December to 1st January ~
Looking for something to do during the Festive Period? The South Devon Railway has the perfect day out for visitors of all ages with heritage steam train services running daily between 26th December 2024 and 1st January 2025.

Travel in our warm and cosy trains, enjoy a hot drink or mince pie from the on-train buffet, and enjoy the winter views as the train travels down the valley of the river Dart.

Winter Steam Gala

~ 3rd to 5th January 2025 ~
Come along for a final steam fix of the season, with on-train catering and heated heritage carriages to make your visit even more enjoyable.

Visiting locomotives, freight trains, auto trains, double heading and an intensive service makes this an event not to miss!

~ January ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 - - - -
11 Festive Services
11 SDR Gifts & Model Shop Open (No trains running)

Gift & Model Shop


Open from 10am to 4pm.

Closed on Mondays (but open on Monday 1st January 2024).
Find Out More

Festive Steam Services

Looking for something to do during the Festive Period? The South Devon Railway has the perfect day out for visitors of all ages with heritage steam train services running daily between 26th December 2023 and 1st January 2024.

Travel in our warm and cosy trains, enjoy a hot drink or mince pie from the on-train buffet, and enjoy the winter views as the train travels down the valley of the river Dart.
Find Out More

Winter Steam Gala

Friday 30 December to Sunday 1 January
Returning for a second year, the South Devon Railway winter steam gala features two visiting locomotives, plus a locomotive from the home fleet, operating an intensive service of steam hauled trains over the New Year weekend.

Come along for a final steam fix of the season, with on-train catering and heated heritage carriages to make your visit even more enjoyable.
Find Out More

~ February ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 - - -
11February Half Term Trains
11SDR Gifts & Model Shop Open
(No trains running)

Gift & Model Shop


Open from 10am to 4pm.

Closed on Mondays.
Find Out More

February Half Term Trains

For February half term, our steam trains will be running the OFF-SEASON timetable, departing from Buckfastleigh at 1030, 1230 and 1430 and departing from Totnes at 1115, 1315 and 1515.

~ March ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - - 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
11SDR Gifts & Model Shop Open
(No trains running)
11Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11Easter Event

Gift & Model Shop

Every day from 10am to 4pm except Mondays until 19th March, then Daily from 20th March.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Easter Heritage Spectacular

~ 30th and 31st March ~

Hop on down to the South Devon Railway this Easter where you can enjoy steam and diesel trains throughout the day as well as other activities too!
Find Out More

~ April ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Murder Mystery Experience
11 Mad Hatter’s Travelling Tea Party

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Mad Hatter's Travelling Tea Party

~ 6th and 7th April ~

Join all of your favourite inhabitants of Wonderland on board an immersive journey through the world of wonderland! Meet Alice, The Mad Hatter, the March Hare, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum this spring and help Alice solve her mysterious riddle and bring herself and all of you home from Wonderland.
Find Out More

Murder Mystery Experiences

Join us for our Murder Mystery Experience, an evening of immersive entertainment on board our historic steam train.

Murder by Appointment, the longest established murder mystery company in the West of England, will take you back to a bygone era of dark crime.

Watch as the story unfolds, listen out for clues and question the cast if you wish to try and piece together the puzzle.
Find Out More

~ May ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31 - -
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Family Fun Weekend
11 Murder Mystery Experience
11 Spring Rails & Ales
11 Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Family Fun Weekend

~ 4th to 6th May ~

Our best value event, with your train ticket including free entry into Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies, plus loads of family entertainment. Steam trains running all day, miniature railway rides, heritage bus trips, children's entertainers and family activities with lots of steam trains running all day!
Find Out More

Murder Mystery Experiences

Join us for our Murder Mystery Experience, an evening of immersive entertainment on board our historic steam train.

Murder by Appointment, the longest established murder mystery company in the West of England, will take you back to a bygone era of dark crime.

Watch as the story unfolds, listen out for clues and question the cast if you wish to try and piece together the puzzle.
Find Out More

Spring Rails & Ales

~ 24th to 27th May ~

A great bank holiday treat.
 Join us for the bank holiday for Rails & Ales and our famous Beer Festival at Staverton Station.
Real ales, ciders and craft beers, with steam and heritage diesel trains into the evening, in collaboration with the Devon Diesel Society.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here. Additional diesel trains may operate should there be capacity demand.
Find Out More

~ June ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - - - 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Murder Mystery Experience

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Murder Mystery Experiences

Join us for our Murder Mystery Experience, an evening of immersive entertainment on board our historic steam train.

Murder by Appointment, the longest established murder mystery company in the West of England, will take you back to a bygone era of dark crime.

Watch as the story unfolds, listen out for clues and question the cast if you wish to try and piece together the puzzle.
Find Out More

~ July ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 - - - -
11 Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Sunday Lunch & Afternoon Tea*

* The colours inside the border of Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea days indicate the train service running that day.

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Back to the 1940s

~ 6th & 7th July ~

Take a step back to the 1940s and enjoy the fashion, music and vehicles of the era. Sales stands with vintage items and clothing. Vintage civilian and military vehicles. Trains all day. Come along dressed for the event!
FInd Out More

Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.

On these dates an additional diesel service operates with our heritage diesel multiple unit (DMU), providing an opportunity for a more intensive timetable and views from the observation windows.
Find Out More

~ August ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31 -
11 Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Murder Mystery Experience
11 Summer Rails & Ales

* The colours inside the circle of Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea days indicate the train service running that day.

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Kids Go Free

Kids Go Free on the South Devon Railway between 1st and 10th August 2024! Jump aboard and explore the heart of South Devon, in the valley of the river Dart.
Find Out More

Summer Explorer Trail

1 August - 6 September

Join us this Summer and take part in our Summer Explorer Trail! Free for all customers, with great prizes to be won - great fun in Devon for all the family.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Murder Mystery Experiences

Join us for our Murder Mystery Experience, an evening of immersive entertainment on board our historic steam train.

Murder by Appointment, the longest established murder mystery company in the West of England, will take you back to a bygone era of dark crime.

Watch as the story unfolds, listen out for clues and question the cast if you wish to try and piece together the puzzle.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam & Diesel Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.

On these dates an additional diesel service operates with our heritage diesel multiple unit (DMU), providing an opportunity for a more intensive timetable and views from the observation windows.
Find Out More

Summer Rails & Ales

~ 23rd to 26th August ~

A great bank holiday treat.
 Join us for the August Bank Holiday for Rails & Ales and our famous Beer Festival at Staverton Station.
Real ales, ciders and craft beers, with steam and heritage diesel trains into the evening, in collaboration with the Devon Diesel Society.
Find Out More

~ September ~

Calendar

M T W T F S S
- - - - - - 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 - - - - - -
11 Heritage Steam Train Experiences
11 Murder Mystery Experience*
11 Heritage Open Days

* The colours inside the circle indicate the train service running that day.

Gift & Model Shop

Open Every Day from 10am to 4pm.
Find Out More

Heritage Steam Train Experiences

Jump into a world of nostalgia at the South Devon Railway, where our heritage steam trains gently meander alongside the river Dart through glorious Devon scenery. See the guard wave their flag, hear the engine blow its whistle and glimpse the whisps of white steam drifting past your window. Enjoy a ride along our line in our beautifully restored vintage carriages to our historic stations, with lots more to see and do when you are here.
Find Out More

Summer Explorer Trail

1 August - 6 September

Join us this Summer and take part in our Summer Explorer Trail! Free for all customers, with great prizes to be won - great fun in Devon for all the family.
Find Out More

Murder Mystery Experiences

Join us for our Murder Mystery Experience, an evening of immersive entertainment on board our historic steam train.

Murder by Appointment, the longest established murder mystery company in the West of England, will take you back to a bygone era of dark crime.

Watch as the story unfolds, listen out for clues and question the cast if you wish to try and piece together the puzzle.
Find Out More

Heritage Opens Days

~ 14th & 15th September ~

As part of Heritage Open Days, England's largest festival of history and culture, we will be opening up the railway so you can see behind the scenes and learn about how we run the railway, with historic displays, talks, workshop and signal box tours and a chance to climb aboard some of our heritage rolling stock.
Find Out More

Company

South Devon Railway Limited, Registered Office:
The Station, Dartbridge Road, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0DZ
Registered in England No. RS008114
Community Benefit Society No. 8114

Contact Us

T: 01364 644 370
E: trains@southdevonrailway.co.uk

© Copyright South Devon Railway