South Devon Railway

The South Devon Railway, or SDR, is a seven mile former Great Western Railway branch line, built in 1872, which runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes.

Steam trains with heritage rolling stock offer a wonderful all day, all weather attraction for families and people of all ages.

The line, which is operated mainly by dedicated volunteers, runs for seven miles from Buckfastleigh to Totnes in South Devon along the stunning valley of the river Dart. The journey takes you through beautiful, unspoilt countryside rich in wildlife and well away from roads.

With a backdrop of Dartmoor and beautiful Devon hills, at Buckfastleigh we have a museum, historic steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock, a play area, gardens, riverside walks, a picnic area and lots to see as well as our Refreshment Rooms and Expressway model and gift shop with its new model railway. Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies are also at Buckfastleigh station.

The train pauses at Staverton, a wayside country station that takes you back to the days when life was slower and quieter.

Our station at Totnes has been built entirely from buildings and artifacts rescued from GWR stations all around the west.  The award-winning Totnes Rare Breeds Farm is right next to our station.

Trains can be joined at Buckfastleigh, where there is ample free car parking, or at Totnes, which has a main line railway station and car parking in the town. Trains also stop at Staverton from where there are riverside walks to the pretty village with its pub and 14th century church.