Welcome
Aims
The South Devon Garden Railway Group was formed with the aim of building and operating a permanent outdoor layout within the grounds of Buckfastleigh Station on the South Devon Railway.This has now been achieved and regular meetings are held at our layout "Dartbridge" for the benefit of both ourselves and also members of the general public who are visiting the site. Meetings are held on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year, unless the weather is really bad. We also run on all days of any weekend when there is a gala event on the "big railway" details of which can be found on the meeting dates page of this website .
Layout
The layout is a raised timber structure, providing four separate oval running lines of over 60m each, with a large number of loops and sidings for loco and stock storage. There is a double track standard gauge mainline laid with 45mm Gauge One track, two narrow gauge circuits, one of 32mm track gauge and one of dual 32mm and 45mm gauges. Live steam, battery and clockwork locos can be accomodated but there is no facility for track powered locomotives. There are two dedicated steam raising areas, a facility to "drop" the fire from coal fired locos and an undercover "refuge" to protect us from the elements.Membership
We are a friendly bunch with a current membership of about 80 who have a wide variety of prototype interests. This is reflected in the models which they bring along and operate, some of which can be seen on the photos page of this site. New members are always welcome - just come along and have a chat to a committee member on any of our running days.Visitors
Guests are very welcome and members of the Association of 16 mm modellers, the G Scale Society or G1MRA may run a locomotive but please remember to bring an up to date Certificate of Annual Inspection and Steam Test with you. Let us know you are coming, by contacting in advance a member of the committee (details on the Contacts page)and make yourself known on arrival.How to find us
Our layout is located in the grounds of Buckfastleigh station on the South Devon Railway (follow the brown tourist signs from the A38). It is in the 'garden' section, beside the main locomotive running shed. Free parking is available close to the layout area. There is a miniature railway, a good restaurant and a model railway shop on the site.Our hosts
The South Devon Railway is the host and home for the South Devon Garden Railway Group and provides an ideal location to run steam trains. For more details on this picturesque Great Western branch line please click the image.