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Collett auto tank returns to Buckfastleigh 26 years on

A special service will be in operation on all four days, with extra trains running between Buckfastleigh and Staverton to connect into the Real Ale festival being held at this idyllic former Great Western Railway country branch line station. There will also be late trains running on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings to ferry visitors to and from the festival.

On the rails, the highlight will be the special guest visit of Great Western Railway tank locomotive No 1450. Previously based at Buckfastleigh during the 1970s and 1980s, the loco last ran over the scenic seven mile line to Totnes in November 1984. 

No 1450 is typical of the locomotives that used to work on the line prior to closure to passenger services by British Railways in 1958. It is equipped with special 'auto gear' equipment that allows it to be used with special coaches. This allows the driver to control the locomotive from a special cab at the leading end of the coach whilst the locomotive remains at the rear of the train and pushes. Known as auto trains, the name 'Bulliver' was given by local residents to such services that used to operate on the line.

'Bulliver' will return to the line on each of the four days when No 1450 works with former Great Western Auto Trailer No 178.

Another of locomotive fitted for auto working is the South Devon Railway's own No 5526. It will be working some auto services on the Saturday evening, and being of a later build, will provide visitors with the unique chance to see both Great Western and British Railways Western Region style auto trains running alongside each other.

On the Sunday and Monday mornings, another very rare treat will be the first three-car auto train to operate in 40 years, No 1450 being positioned in the middle of the train and pushing in both directions.

The Saturday also sees the last public runs on the line of the Devon Diesel Society's Class 37 diesel electric locomotive No 6737. Shortly after the event No 6737 is to visit Norfolk to participate in a special gala event to celebrate 50 years of the class. It is expected then to visit other railways before returning back to South Devon in around 12-18 months time.

Staverton, a typical example of an idyllic Great Western country branch line station, is expected to be busier than ever over the four days as it will be the venue for the Real Ale Festival. Run by the Devon Diesel Society, together with the Staverton Preservation Group, the festival will be the eighth and largest so far run at the station. The main bar will be located in the old goods shed adjacent to the main platform, with additional seating provided in a coach stabled in the former dock platform.

Due to popular demand there will be 40 different ales and ciders on offer during the event. The festival will help generate funds for the overhaul of the Devon Diesel Society's 117-ton Class 50 locomotive D402. Work is well under way returning this locomotive to operational condition and during the festival one ale of particular note will be 'Superb'. Brewed by Isca Brewery, Superb, the same name once carried by D402, will be on sale to help generate funds towards returning its namesake to service.

The Devon Diesel Society's third locomotive Class 04 No.D2246 will be on show at Staverton during the event, alongside the South Devon Railway's own diesel shunter MFP No 4. This small diesel shunter, which is fitted with a Maclaren engine, has a top speed of just 8mph and has just been repainted by the society back into its original colours.

With a wide selection of ales and ciders on offer, there will be variety of tastes, flavours and strengths available with a drink to suit most palates. Some of the local brews will be well known, however others have come from much farther afield and are rare in the South West. In keeping with tradition, many of the ales have more unusual names such as Rogers and Hamersteigned, Barebones, or Ansome. Visitors to the bar will also be to order a pint of Cock and Bull, this dark amber beer coming from the Concrete Cow Brewery in Milton Keynes.

The festival opening times are as follows:
            *          Friday 27 August        11.00 until 23.00
            *          Saturday 28 August    11.00 until 23.00
            *          Sunday 29 August      11.00 until 23.00
            *          Monday 30 August     11.00 until 18.00

With very limited parking at Staverton, visitors to the Real Ale Festival are being advised to use the frequent train services from both Totnes (good mainline connections) or Buckfastleigh (large free car park). A range of snacks and other light refreshments will be available, and the Station Group will also have a variety of hot pasties on sale.

In addition to the above attractions, the newly refurbished museum at Buckfastleigh will be open, as will the main workshop viewing gallery, whilst in the grounds at Buckfastleigh the miniature railway will also be operating. The heritage bus service linking Buckfastleigh station with Buckfast Abbey and Buckfastleigh Town will also be running.