After being closed for more than a year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the scenic South Devon Railway (SDR) has announced its outline programme for a Spring re-opening of the seven-mile heritage line running from Buckfastleigh to Totnes.

The last SDR steam trains ran virtually empty on Tuesday 17 March 2020 just ahead of the first lockdown the following weekend. This dramatic change came  straight after a very popular weekend SDR steam gala event featuring former branch favourite loco No. 4555 as the star visitor.

It’s now the longest period that the former GWR branch line has been closed in its 52-year history after re-opening as a tourist railway in 1969 following closure by British Railways in 1962.

However, the SDR says it will re-open to visitors in phases starting with the large Buckfastleigh site first on Monday 12 April when national restrictions are set to ease significantly for attractions. The SDR site will be open all of the week commencing 12 April for the half-term holiday, then on every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday until 16 May. Entrance is free, but the SDR does ask for a donation at the gate.

And, at long last, the good news is that SDR trains are set to start steaming down the picturesque valley of the River Dart once more from Monday 17 May.

The SDR is putting in a range of measures to ensure that customers can travel on trains in confidence and safely. This includes reduced capacity on trains, all tickets booked in advance, socially-distanced passenger flow systems, hand sanitisation stations and enhanced cleaning regimes.

Train tickets will be available from Monday 12 April on the SDR website www.southdevonrailway.co.uk and booking website.