After the last Mince Pie special train ran on New Year’s Eve, the SDR had clocked up its best ever operating results, beating the two previous best season’s figures in 2007 and 2009.  For many UK businesses 2010 was a grim year, but the South Devon Railway carried nearly 112,000 passengers for the first time in its 19-year history.  In December alone, some 10,000 passengers rode on the line’s Santa, Carols and Mince Pie trains setting a new record for Winter traffic.

When the year’s final passenger figures were totalled, they showed that 101,168 adults and children, plus another 10,821 children aged under five, rode the line in 2010 bringing the total carried to a whopping 111,989.  This represents a 3.7% increase on the previous record of 107,895 set last year.

Achieving over 100,000 passengers for the third time in four years is a major milestone for the largely volunteer run line, which was sold off by the Dart Valley Railway company in 1991 as being ‘uneconomic’.  With increasing numbers every year the South Devon has now chalked up a grand total of 1,655,943 passengers since it took over the line 19 years ago. These impressive figures show that the former Great Western Railway branch line is going from strength to strength as one of Britain’s oldest heritage steam railways, having first opened over 40 years ago in 1969.

South Devon Railway Trust General Manager Dick Wood said: “Naturally, we’re all very proud of achieving our best ever results with a record number of passengers carried in 2010 and some major milestones passed in the last 12 months.

“We finally secured the freehold of the railway in February and significantly expanded our impressive range of engineering services to the heritage railway sector in August with the acquisition of Roger Pridham’s boiler repair business from Tavistock, including building a new boiler shop here at Buckfastleigh.

“We know that our visitors come back again and again to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of steam in the Devon countryside and to soak up this nostalgic and most relaxing form of transport.

No price could really be put on a day that brings about the fulfilment of a boyhood dream: no price can be put on a day where we are actively encouraged to remember the sacrifices made by others so that our dreams could come true. For David Worsnop, his 60th birthday treat not only gave him memories that he would always treasure, but benefited the Royal British Legion.  David was able to exchange his occupation as a stocktaker to take stock of the simply wonderful experience of being able to drive a steam train. As very keen steam train enthusiasts, it was the first time that David and his wife Carrie had ever been on the footplate: previously, they had ‘always done’ the trains as passengers, but today gave them a new perspective on things.

Under the careful, patient, expert teaching of Driver Bob Vaughton, and his equally capable Fireman, Chris Bowden, both David and Carrie shared the excitement and thrill of driving 3205 out of Buckfastleigh station to Caddaford and back. After David’s turn, his grin was simply enormous. ‘Tremendous!’ was his comment on the experience. Carrie took to the controls also as one born to drive; her grin also did not leave her face for an instant.

For Carrie’s 60th, she had been treated to a balloon flight, and David had accompanied her. Carrie felt it only right that she also should accompany David on his 60th treat. A decision was reached though long before they left the footplate, that as soon as circumstances permitted, they wanted to have a go at the SDR’s Footplate Experience, such was the sheer enjoyment they derived from the day.