With it's unbeatable views of the Dart Valley and it's authentic sixties feel, the South Devon Railway's "Bubblecar" (otherwise known as a diesel railcar) will be running this coming Half Term. There'll be seven return trips to Staverton from Buckfastleigh every day from Sat 15th until Sunday 23rd February starting at 10:30am. The last train leaves Staverton at 3:45pm.
The Bubblecar number W55000 was built by the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company in 1958. It spent much of the 1960s in the south west where it worked branch line services to Kingsbridge and Bude. It then worked in Scotland and the Midlands before returning to the south west in 1987. W55000 served on the Newquay, Looe and St Ives branch lines before retiring and coming to the South Devon Railway in 1996. Seven other members of the class are in preservation across the UK.
The railway's shop, café and museum will also be open at half term.
Meanwhile volunteers are spending the winter months relaying track between Staverton and Totnes ready for a full steam service which will return on Saturday March 14th.