Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway
© Thomas Dumelow
- Overview
- How to get there?
- Route
- Visitors
- Photographs
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The Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway that is in operation today, is running due to the efforts of the Dart Valley Railway PLC over the past 30 years. It is a commercial company with a board of directors, enthusiast shareholders and the dedicated staff who run and maintain this heritage railway. The company was founded in the 1960’s to acquire and run the Totnes to Buckfastleigh branch railway, which had been closed for some years.
It opened under the Dart Valley Railway control in 1969. Within a few years the Paignton to Kingswear line was threatened with closure by British Railways. It was then that the Dart Valley Railway acquired this section of line as well and started train services in 1973. The Paignton to Kingswear line is fully up to main line standards and is able to carry the largest and heaviest locomotives in Britain.
Since the 1980’s tourist trends have changed dramatically. Due to this the Dart Valley Railway felt that the Totnes to Buckfastleigh line would be better operated independently by an enthusiast group. Today this line runs as the South Devon Railway, leaving Dart Valley Railway to concentrate on the Paignton to Kingswear line.
In 1999 the Dart Valley Railway had the opportunity to acquire 'The Red Cruisers'; we already owned Dart Pleasure Craft so it was a natural progression to buy 'The Red Cruisers'. The boats were then known as River Link. The two companies merged in 2010 to form the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company.
| Directions by Road | From the North
Being situated on the South Devon Riviera coastline Paignton is accessed via the M5 motorway. As the M5 finishes at J31, proceed onto the A38, then join the A380. Follow the A380 to Tweenaways Cross junction and turn left onto the A3022 towards the Town centre.
From the South
From Plymouth and Cornwall, head north on the A38 towards South Brent and soon after join the A385 to Totnes and through to Paignton. At Tweenaways Cross junction and continue straignt on joining the A3022 towards the Town centre.
NOTE:- The railway does not have dedicated parking. Parking is available in the area, these car parks are operated by the local council and are charged at the appropriate rates.
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| Directions by Public Transport | By Train
Paignton is served by mainline services at the adjacent platforms. For full train timetable information please use the National Rail website.
By Bus
For Local/National bus service information please use the Travel Line website.
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| Loco | Arrived | Status |
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| 37275 | 05/10/2018 | Available |
| 37703 | 17/10/2023 | Available |
Note - Locos that show as resident may be based here but loaned to other sites, click on 'Loco' to view the most recent location
| Loco | Arrived | Departed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37672 | 21/06/1992 | 21/06/1992 | Guest Loco |
| 37674 | 19/06/1993 | 19/06/1993 | Guest Loco |
| 37092 | 20/06/1993 | 20/06/1993 | Visiting railtour |
| 37207 | 28/05/1994 | 30/05/1994 | Guest Loco |
| 37074 | 25/05/1996 | 26/05/1996 | Guest Loco |
| 37197 | 08/05/2004 | 08/05/2004 | Visiting railtour |
| 37197 | 10/05/2004 | 10/05/2004 | Visiting railtour |
| 37410 | 31/08/2007 | 31/08/2007 | Visiting railtour |
| 37417 | 31/08/2007 | 31/08/2007 | Visiting railtour |
| 37410 | 02/09/2007 | 02/09/2007 | Visiting railtour |
| 37417 | 02/09/2007 | 02/09/2007 | Visiting railtour |
| 37612 | 31/08/2012 | 31/08/2012 | Visiting railtour |
| 37601 | 29/08/2014 | 29/08/2014 | Railtour |
| 37603 | 29/08/2014 | 29/08/2014 | Railtour |
| 37668 | 10/06/2018 | 10/06/2018 | Railtour |
| 37688 | 06/04/2021 | 07/04/2021 | Railtour |
| 37667 | 06/04/2021 | 07/04/2021 | Railtour |
Click on Thumbnails below to see a larger image.
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