Easter steam and diesel trains are running to and from Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway line this holiday weekend, including ‘auto sandwiches’.
Dick Wood, of the railway, said: ‘So what is an ‘auto sandwich’?
‘Auto trains are push and pull trains that used to operate on branch lines throughout the south west, where the loco would pull the train in one direction and push it back in the other, with the driver controlling the train from a specially built cab in the carriage.
‘With an ‘auto sandwich’ the engine is sandwiched between auto coaches behind and in front of it – it has to be seen to be believed!’
Dick said the steam and diesel trains will be running up and down the scenic line between Buckfastleigh and Totnes Riverside all Easter weekend.
He added: ‘It’s a perfect time to discover the valley of the River Dart as winter gives way to spring and the flora and fauna along the line comes back to life.
‘At Buckfastleigh station there is so much to see - as well as the gardens, the museum, refreshment rooms, gift shop and loco repair workshops, there’s a fascinating display of vintage motor vehicles. A great opportunity to tell the children what we drove “in my day”.’
For more details see www.southdevonrailway.co.uk