FIFTY years of heritage trains were celebrated at South Devon Railway last Friday.

More than 70 people from the railway and local community, including some present 50 years ago, gathered at the railway’s Buckfastleigh museum. And then events of 50 years previous were recreated, during the founding days of the Dart Valley Light Railway Company.

John Brodribb, South Devon Railway’s museum curator said: ‘The very first train movement of the heritage era on the Ashburton branch was on October 2, 1965, when 4555 brought two auto coaches down the branch to Buckfastleigh, and 3205 brought two more. Last week we recreated the train with 3205, with the help of Ray Lee and 5542 Ltd.

‘There was a small display in the museum to mark the anniversary, and a specially made DVD was playing. The DVD was produced by two local students and features three of the people who were present 50 years ago – Bob Hill, Bryan Gibson and Richard Elliott. All three were present on Friday.

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