South Devon Railway Devon hotels:

The South Devon Railway traverses some of Devon's most glorious scenery beside the river Dart. Combine a nostalgic trip behind a steam locomotive, along a branch of the legendary GWR and view inaccessible parts of the countryside. Our Totnes station is close to the mainline station and council car parks. At Buckfastleigh, adjacent to the A38 Devon Expressway, there is free parking. There is also a small museum, children's play area, cafe and shop. On many days summer there is a free vintage bus service around the town. The line opened on 1st May 1872 as the Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway. Due to financial difficulties the original South Devon Railway was subsequently taken over by the Great Western Railway in 1876. The line being converted to Stephenson's Standard Gauge (4ft 8½ inches) along with the rest of the Great Western Railway network, over one weekend in 1892, a massive undertaking involving a large workforce.