Dartmouth Steam Railway steam trains travel seven miles along the South Devon coast and into the Dart Valley with stations at Goodrington Sands, Churston, Greenway and Kingswear.

• The Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway that is in operation today, is running due to the efforts of the Dart Valley Railway PLC over the past 30 years. It is a commercial company with a board of directors, enthusiast shareholders and the dedicated staff who run and maintain the heritage railway. The company was founded in the 1960’s to acquire and run the Totnes to Buckfastleigh branch railway, which had been closed for some years.
• It opened under the Dart Valley Railway control in 1969. Within a few years the Paignton to Kingswear line was threatened with closure by British Railways. It was then that the Dart Valley Railway acquired this section of line as well and started train services in 1973. The Paignton to Kingswear line is fully up to main line standards and is able to carry the largest and heaviest locomotives in Britain.
• The Kingswear Castle, the UK’s only coal fired paddle steamer, was built in 1924 and as an historic ship she has been lovingly restored to her former glory, she has flush decks and wheelchair friendly gangways but her toilets are below decks and are not DDA compliant.

The Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway opened under the Dart Valley Railway control in 1969. Within a few years the Paignton to Kingswear line was threatened with closure by British Railways. It was then that the Dart Valley Railway acquired this section of line and started train services in 1973. The Paignton to Kingswear line is fully up to main line standards and is able to carry the largest and heaviest locomotives in the UK.

• Since the 1980’s tourist trends have changed dramatically. Due to this the Dart Valley Railway felt that the Totnes to Buckfastleigh line would be better operated independently. Today this line runs as the South Devon Railway, leaving Dart Valley Railway to concentrate on the Paignton to Kingswear line.
• In 1999 the Dart Valley Railway had the opportunity to acquire ‘The Red Cruisers’; we already owned Dart Pleasure Craft so it was a natural progression to buy ‘The Red Cruisers’. The boats were then known as River Link.
• In 2010 the two companies merged to form the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company.

• The paddle steamer Kingswear Castle is the last remaining coal-fired paddle steamer in operation in the UK today. She was built in 1924 at Philip & Son of Dartmouth and plied her trade between Totnes and Dartmouth until 1965 (her engines are even older, dating back to 1904, eight years before the sinking of the Titanic). In her heyday when this impressive ship was the life blood of the river Dart, she could carry almost 500 passengers.

Prices do seem to change every year, so to be sure of the price click here.

A return trip to Dartmouth will cost

• Adults £21, 2023. (£19.60 2021, (£18.25, 2019, (£17.50 2018, £16.75 2017)))
• Child £14.50, 2023. (£11.00 2019, (£10.50 2018, (£10.00 2017)))
• Concession (aged 60 +) £17.75 2019. (£17.00 2018))
• Family Ticket 2 Adults & max 3 children, £65.00. (£50.00 2019 (£48.50 2018, (£45.50 2017)))
• Dogs £2 2019.
• Under 3’s travel free, (this may vary on special event days and on particular services such as Santa Express)

This also includes the passenger ferry Kingswear to Dartmouth. (Not the Car Ferry)

If you have the time the time buy the famous Round Robin tour, it’s the best way to explore! This includes the steam train, river boat and bus visiting the towns of Paignton, Dartmouth and Totnes. Journey times are: steam train (30 minutes), river boat (90 minutes) and bus (30 minutes).

This is an award-winning ticket and a favourite with the locals both young and old. Often used to include all the fun of an ale trail with many interesting pubs along the way.

• The Round Robin runs from April to end of October.
• The Round Robin changes daily due to the tides on the River Dart at Totnes.
• The Paddle Steamer Round Robin is a couple pound more and runs on selected dates until mid September.

Round Robin Prices

• Adult £36.00 2023, (£28.50 2019 (£27.50 2018, (£26.50 2017)))
• Child (3-15) £23.00 2023, (£18.00. (£17.00 2018, (£16.00 2017)))
• Concession (aged 60 +) £27.50 2019. (£26.50 2018, (£25.00 2017)))
• Family Ticket (2 Ad & max 3 children) £105.00 2023 (£75.00 2019, (£74.00 2018, (£71.50 2017)))
• Under 3’s travel free, (this may vary on special event days and on particular services such as Santa Express)

Very easy as all platforms at stations are on the level and they have ramps available for wheelchair users to get on and off the train. If you plan on stopping at Greenway, then they will ask you to be on specific carriages as the train is longer than the small platform there.

• The Kingswear Castle paddle steamer has flush decks and wheelchair friendly gangways but her toilets are below decks and are not DDA compliant. ​Due to the jetty and vessel design, people who use wheelchairs must be able to walk, (assisted if necessary), for just a few steps for access at boarding gates, since crews are not permitted to lift occupied wheel chairs.  Each disabled person should be accompanied by a person who is able to help if there is an emergency on board. If you have concerns please call us on 01803 555872.

Queens Park Station, Torbay Rd, Paignton TQ4 6AF. Directly behind the Paignton Train station.

• You can get discount with groups of 20 or more.
• Dogs are welcome for a £2 fee and are not allowed on seats.
• Under 3’s travel free, (this may vary on special event days and on particular services such as Santa Express).
• Under 12’s must be with an adult at all times.
• For more details check out www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk.