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.

[@bobingram6912]

Oh well, you can't have it sunny all the time, you captured the Devon Damp excellently!!! Good to see the old clerestory and a freight working is always a bonus. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Weather aside, it was a good day all-in. Even with the weather, this railway always manages to be pretty. Glad you enjoyed!

[@10astudios66]

Great gala!I was at the gcr gala yesterday although the south Devon railway gala looked great

[@pannierprairie7884]

A thoroughly enjoyable watch, in spite of the poor weather. Love the pairing of the two prairies and the great western stock, especially the clerestory and the toplight 👍

[@andrewmarch7891]

Many thanks most enjoyable; particularly for including the wildlife.

[@locowerke]

Great footage of a very idyllic GWR railway! Thanks for posting your efforts!!

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@SunshineArsenal]

A small simple gala amazing👌🏻

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Simplicity is key sometimes, and this was a great example.

[@GWRFan281]

Great video, I love this railway.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@oldfart6318]

Super video. Thanks for putting up with the rain.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@BrickishRail]

4555 certainly looks the part, definately a railway on the to-do list!

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Can highly recommend it. It's very peaceful on the river bank.

[@OnTheMoveTransport]

Nice what happened also for East Somerset was that they got L92 for the weekend. I didn’t go to this gala because of the fact East Somerset got a visiting engine from this situation, I rode 4555 2 weeks ago on east Somerset and last visited Swanage when 5526 was running. L92 had just returned from its loan in Wales. 813 seemed to have had problems as the brakes took ages to release while I went to the Severn Valley’s Spring gala. For Sunday I went to the Moors Valley’s visiting engines gala, it’s a small 7 1/4 narrow gauge railway. And Monday would be to see L92. Saturday was Mid Hants. Good video as always

[@85dstudios]

813’s problem was a broken spring on the axle below the cab which snapped whilst running.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

It would have been great to make it over for L92 as well, but didn't have the time. Been to the Moors Valley Railway many times over the years - just never got around to filming there, maybe one day...
Wasn't so much the spring that broke on 813, as it was a cast mounting bracket for the spring - a more hefty failure.

[@85dstudios]

@@TheSouthernerYTChannel yes, the metal plate underneath the cab shattered and there’s been damage to the cab floor, it’s been deemed unsafe the run, it’s estimated she’ll be out a while.

[@SimonTog]

Very good video from the gala :)

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Cheers

[@welshsteamenthusiast3440]

Wow nice!

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Cheers

[@jakemcallister34]

Hi southerner will you be down for the 95th anniversary at the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch railway

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

There is a chance...

[@therailwaycatuk5477]

Pretty sure I saw you on the river bank as we went by!

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

There is a good chance you did

[@jakemcallister34]

Hi

[@TamasKiss-bv9hz]

❤🤍💚👍👍👍