TO celebrate the nationwide Heritage Open Days event, South Devon Railway will be allowing special ‘Behind the Scenes’ access to visitors.

September 14 and 15 offers a fantastic opportunity to see what is required to keep a heritage railway running; a fascinating day out for anyone with an interest in railways and engineering or those who just like to know how things work.

Take a tour of the engineering workshops and hear about the vital heritage skills being kept alive. Step inside Buckfastleigh’s old Signal Box and learn what it was like to be a signalman.

Enjoy the classic cars on display and relive the road transport from yesteryear.

Viewing of the engineering workshops is by organised tours; tour start times and booking information will be published at the Booking Office on the day.

Explore the engine shed where locomotives are prepared for their day’s work and the team perform general maintenance.

At Staverton, visit the Permanent Way maintenance yard, and see up close some of the machines and equipment used to keep the track safe and give a comfortable ride.

Plus there’s free heritage bus rides and a steam traction engine at Buckfastleigh.

The multi-award-winning South Devon Railway is one of Devon’s and the West Country’s best loved tourist attractions and is the longest established steam railway in the south west, celebrating over 50 years in preservation.

The SDR is a seven-mile former Great Western Railway branch line, built in 1872, which runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes.

For more information on South Devon Railway, and to book, click here.