South Devon Railway - '150th Anniversary Gala' 01/05/2022

The 1st of May 1872, the Ashburton branch openned to the public, stretching 10 miles from Totnes to Ashburton via Staverton and Buckfastleigh. 150 years later, the preserved South Devon Railway would hold a '150th Anniversary Gala' over the bank holiday weekend of April 29th - May 2nd, to celebrate the occasion. The SDR, although not running into Ashburton, is based on 7 miles of the original track between Totnes and Buckfastleigh. The event would feature an intensive passenger service over the four days, with three locomotives in steam throughout, and a selection of attractions to also mark the ocassion. Among these, some of the highlights included a demonstration freight set and a connecting heritage bus service between Buckfastleigh and Ashburton. In addition, 1881 built GWR First Class Saloon - 9044, thought to be the oldest surviving GWR bogie coach, would visit for the event courtesy of the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Originally, Ex-Port Talbot Railway Saddle Tank - 813 had been scheduled to attend the event. However, the locomotive failed while at its base of the Severn Valley Railway, with 'Small Prairie' - 4555 being sourced as a suitable last minute replacement. 4555 worked the inaugural preservation service over what would become the South Devon Railway in 1969, having been the first locomotive to arrive on the fledgling heritage railway four years prior. Locomotives: GWR 4500 'Small Prairie' Class - 4555 Ex-GWR 6400 'Pannier Tank' Class - 6430 GWR 4575 'Small Prairie' Class - 5526 All footage filmed on Sunday the 1st of May 2022.