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Buckfastleigh/Staverton

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Cowley

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Hi, I've not been down to Buckfastleigh in the last couple of years and they've built some new buildings recently since they incorporated Pridhams business. Pretty much all the stock is kept at Buckfastleigh although there are a few bits and bobs in other places, there may be a loco in the spare platform at Totnes but probably just stock there, you used to be able to walk around the shed site at Buckfastleigh quite easily and even in the shed if you asked nicely and there was a viewing platform up some stairs by the side entrance. The people down there are friendly and welcoming though and will let you know what's where.
 

MarkyT

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The list on the SDR site is not entirely up to date.

This wikipedia page is better. Not 100% but pretty good as far as the steam fleet is concerned.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rolling_stock_preserved_on_the_South_Devon_Railway

Regular steam performers this season (Summer 2016) are:
1369, 3205, 6412.

L92 (5786) is currently away, hired to the Chinnor and Princes Risborough line.

There are two diesel owning groups on the line.

Devon Diesel Society http://www.devondiesels.org.uk/
Operators of: Class 04 D2246, Class 37 D6737 and Class 50 D402

South Devon Diesel Traction Ltd http://www.sddt.co.uk/
Operators of: Class 25 D7612 (25 262, 25 901), D7541 (25 191), Class 33 D6501 (33 002) and Class 37 37 275 (D6975)
(Both Class 20s have been disposed of to HNRC)

. . . there may be a loco in the spare platform at Totnes

That was not possible under the old train staff working method until May this year when the old GWR signalbox from Cradley Heath, which has been used for a decade or more as a ground frame for run-round purposes, was finally commissioned as a fully fledged signal box ('Ashburton Junction') together with a new electric key token section to Bishops Bridge SB near Staverton where there is a passing loop and a number of sidings. There was a special method of working at Totnes for galas which instated Totnes as a 'temporay block post' using 'staff & ticket' to allow locos to 'step back' and remain in the loop to work the next train, but no working loco could be left at Totnes after close of business. With tokens and a signalbox now, locos can be stored at Totnes if desired although actually there's no space and the bay and sidings have yet to be formally commissioned. Stepping back of locos can now be carried out routinely if desired however without any special arrangements. This month the S&T also commissioned an additional 'long section' electric key token system between Ashburton Junction SB and Buckfastleigh SB which allows the line to be worked without Bishops Bridge signalbox being open (and thus without a passing facility) at quieter times. There is an elaborate cooperative switching in and out procedure to change from the two short token sections to the long section and vice versa, controlled by a special 'King Lever' at Bishops Bridge SB.

Ever since commissioning of Bishops Bridge SB in the 1990s (formerly the operating floor of Athelney rebuilt on a new brick base), locomotives, usually diesel shunters, have been able to be left at Staverton in the various sidings and the passing loop along with the railway's collection of Permanent Way plant and rolling stock, some of which is self propelled.
 
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Xenophon PCDGS

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Hi, I've not been down to Buckfastleigh in the last couple of years and they've built some new buildings recently since they incorporated Pridhams business. Pretty much all the stock is kept at Buckfastleigh although there are a few bits and bobs in other places, there may be a loco in the spare platform at Totnes but probably just stock there, you used to be able to walk around the shed site at Buckfastleigh quite easily and even in the shed if you asked nicely and there was a viewing platform up some stairs by the side entrance. The people down there are friendly and welcoming though and will let you know what's where.

Thanks for this information. We shall be visiting Buckfastleigh in mid-September during a short-break 5-day holiday which includes the heritage railway and a rail journey.
 

bella

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Many thanks. Yes, I'm told the staff there are very helpful.

My friend thought some locos were possibly at Buckfastleigh but nevertheless were not easily accessible to view (perhaps beyond the station, I think he said). I'm not familiar with the full track layout so that's really why I asked.
 

MarkyT

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Many thanks. Yes, I'm told the staff there are very helpful.

My friend thought some locos were possibly at Buckfastleigh but nevertheless were not easily accessible to view (perhaps beyond the station, I think he said). I'm not familiar with the full track layout so that's really why I asked.

Most of what's there can be seen as you can walk right around the site including the top end beyond the station and behind the shed. All the engines are normally kept at Buckfastleigh except for the odd diesel shunter which might be found at Staverton. The Ruston and Hornsby 0-4-0DH is there currently, as seen here in 2011 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_..._Devon_Railway#/media/File:Staverton_MFP4.JPG
 
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