Devon County Show to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway

The Devon County Show 2025 is set to mark a major transport milestone - 200 years of the modern railway - with a special collaboration with the South Devon Railway, one of the region’s leading heritage railways. From 15–17 May 2025 at Westpoint, Exeter, visitors will have the chance to step back in time and explore two iconic symbols of British transport: a classic steam locomotive and a vintage London Routemaster bus.

The centrepiece of the railway tribute will be the impressive 6430 steam locomotive, a GWR 64xx 0-6-0 pannier tank engine built in the 1930s. This engine once served across the West Country and Wales, including key locations such as Plymouth and Exmouth Junction. With the decline of steam in the mid-20th century, 6430 was withdrawn from service and sold for scrap in 1964.

Fortunately, the Dart Valley Railway, now known as the South Devon Railway (SDR), saved the engine from destruction. Initially used as a source of spare parts, the locomotive was later restored after being privately purchased in 1989. It triumphantly returned to full operational condition in 2003 and has since featured at heritage railways across the UK. Today, it resides once again at Buckfastleigh, the headquarters of the SDR.

Joining the locomotive on display will be a piece of London transport history - a genuine 1964 Routemaster double-decker bus. This vehicle served iconic routes including 15, 165, and 159, passing major London landmarks like Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and the Tower of London over a 40-year career.

Retired from service in 2004, the bus now enjoys a second life with the South Devon Railway Trust. It will be on show at the Devon County Show, where visitors can climb aboard, relive its glory days, and snap photos inside the historic vehicle.

Visitors to the South Devon Railway stand can enjoy hands-on and interactive experiences, including the opportunity to explore the inside of the Routemaster bus and learn about the region’s rail history. It’s a rare opportunity to get up close with some of Britain’s best-loved transport icons, all while celebrating two centuries since the birth of modern railway travel—a journey that began with George Stephenson's Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.

Event Details and Tickets

The Devon County Show 2025 will run from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 May at Westpoint Arena, Exeter. This annual event celebrates rural life, food, farming, and heritage, and regularly attracts thousands of visitors from across the South West.

Tickets are now on sale at www.devoncountyshow.co.uk