South Devon Railway - Winter Steam Gala - January 2026
The South Devon Railway held a Winter Steam Gala on the 3rd and 4th January 2026, starting the year in the fine style, with cold weather and with snow on the high ground, the steam-heated stock was the best place to keep warm. The Railway featured visiting locomotives Hunslet Works No.1589 ‘Newstead’, appearing at the South Devon Railway courtesy of owner Alex Alder. Newstead was built in 1929 and spent most of its life at a colliery in South Kirkby, before ending up in a convent garden until 2016, after many thought the missing locomotive had been scrapped. Joining Newstead for this steam spectacular was Bagnall 2572 ‘Judy’, courtesy of the Bodmin Railway. This diminutive locomotive was built for moving China Clay wagons at Par docks, meaning it had to be very short to allow for passage under the low bridges there. Alongside these two visiting engines were GWR winter resident 2-8-0 No.2807, as well as home fleet locomotives 5526 and 1369.
GWR 2-8-0 No.2707 passes Dartington on the 3rd January 2026, operating 08:55 Totnes Riverside - Buckfastleigh.
GWR 2-6-2 Small Prairie Tank No.5526 passes Dartington on the 3rd January 2026, operating the 08:55 Buckfastleigh - Totnes Riverisde service.
GWR 2-6-2 Small Prairie Tank No.5526 passes Dartington on 3rd January 2026 operating the 09:45 Totnes Riverside - Buckfastleigh service.
0-6-0ST No.1589 'Newstead' built in 1929 by the Hunslett Engine Company, is pictured passing Dartington on the 3rd January 2026, operating 09:45 Buckfastleigh - Totnes Riverisde.
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0-6-0ST No.1589 'Newstead' built in 1929 by the Hunslett Engine Company, is pictured passing Dartington on the 3rd January 2026, operating 09:45 Buckfastleigh - Totnes Riverisde.
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0-6-0ST No. 1589 'Newstead', built in 1929 by the Hunslet Engine Company, is pictured passing Dartington on the 3rd January 2026, operating the 10:30 from Totnes Riverside - Buckfastleigh.
Great Western Small Prairie Tank No.5526 arrives into Bishops Bridge Loop at Staverton on the 3rd January 2026, operating the 11:30 Buckfastleigh - Totnes service.
0-6-0ST No.1589 'Newstead' built in 1929 by the Hunslett Engine Company is picured passing Dartington on the 3rd Janaury 2026 in Bishops Bridge Loop. The loco was on the rear of the 11:30 Buckfastleigh - Totnes service.
Bagnall No.2572 'Judy', a historic steam locomotive visiting the South Devon Railway (SDR) for their 2026 Winter Steam Gala arrives at Staverton on the 3rd January 2026, operating 11:10 Buckfastleigh - Staverton service.
Giving the Signal a 'Wang' at the South Devon Railway. Issues with the signals and points resulted in a crew member needing to climb the single to move it to allow the signalman to set the route.