All Aboard! Celebrate Modern Railway Milestone at Devon County Show

The Devon County Show looks forward to celebrating 200 years of the Modern Railway with South Devon Railway at the 2025 Show in May.

A key attraction will be the magnificent 6430 steam locomotive which in its heyday was in service all over the West Country and Wales, including Plymouth and Exmouth Junction. As a result of the demise of steam engines in the 1930s, the locomotive was eventually put up for sale for scrap in 1964.

It was purchased by the newly formed Dart Valley Railway at Buckfastleigh, now known as the South Devon Railway. Here it sat for many years as a source of spares for the other preserved locomotives, until it was purchased privately in 1989.

It returned to operational use in 2003 and has been seen at many heritage railways across the country, but it now calls Buckfastleigh it’s home once again.

Adding to the excitement, an original London double-decker will also be showcased.  The bus is an iconic Routemaster from 1964 and worked various routes in London including as numbers 15, 165 and 159, regularly passing landmarks such as Tower of London, Trafalgar Square and Picadilly Circus.

The bus was withdrawn from use in 2004, having given 40 years continuous service to the capital city. After being purchased by the South Devon Railway Trust, it is now enjoying retirement and a well-earned calmer pace of life in Devon.

Visitors to Devon County Show can explore these historic icons of travel at the South Devon Railway stand.  They will also have the unique opportunity to step inside the iconic Routemaster London bus, an interactive experience which will offer fantastic photo opportunities throughout the Show. 

Devon County Show 2025 runs from 15-17 May at Westpoint, Exeter. Discounted tickets are available now at www.devoncountyshow.co.uk