If you would like more information about our events, please contact our Events Officer: events@devongeneral.org.uk
Devon General Remembered at Newton Abbot – 6th September 2026
We are returning to Newton Abbot for our 2026 ‘Devon General Remembered’ running day, on Sunday 6th September.
Based at Highweek Way in the town centre, adjacent to the Asda store, our event will feature preserved Devon General buses running free services to local destinations such as Chudleigh, Sandygate, Teignmouth and Torquay (Lawes Bridge). There will also be trips to Combeinteignhead and Ideford and, weather permitting, an open-top bus town tour.
The Devon General Society sales stand will be present, selling bus books, magazines, photos and memorabilia, and our Membership stand will enable you to find out more about the DGS and to join us if you wish.
A souvenir programme will be available in advance and on the day, giving details of the timetables and the buses operating them – look out for further information about this. Vehicle entries are by invitation only and owners will be contacted soon.
Newton Abbot is easy to reach by public transport, with the main town centre bus stops at Sherborne Road just a short walk from Highweek Way. We will run a free shuttle bus service between Newton Abbot railway station and Highweek Way at the start and end of the event, and the free bus service to Lawes Bridge will provide connections to and from the railway station during the day. There is car parking close to Highweek Way and plenty of cafes and shops in Newton Abbot town centre. Public toilets are available nearby.
Please keep Sunday 6th September 2026 free. We look forward to seeing you for a day of Devon General nostalgia at Newton Abbot!
Posted 17th March 2026
Devon General Remembered at Exmouth – 31st August 2025
Ten Devon General buses and one Exeter City Transport bus brought back memories at Exmouth on Sunday 31st August 2025, at our ‘Devon General Remembered’ running day. The inclusion of an Exeter bus was historically accurate, as the city buses ran on Services 5/85 Crediton – Exeter – Exmouth for many years, under the Joint Services Agreement between Devon General and Exeter Corporation.
Mayor of Exmouth, Councillor Graham Deasy, launches Devon General Remembered at Exmouth
The following vehicles took part:
- ETT 995 AEC ‘Light Six’ rebuild, from 1937/1953
- MTT 640 Leyland Titan, from 1951
- NTT 661 AEC Regent III, from 1952
- VDV 798 AEC Reliance, from 1957
- VDV 817 AEC Regent V, from 1957
- XTA 839, Albion Nimbus, from 1958
- 974 AFJ Guy Arab IV, from 1960 (Exeter City Transport)
- 932 GTA Leyland Atlantean convertible open top, from 1961
- 503 RUO AEC Regent V, from 1964
- CTT 513C AEC Regent V, from 1965
- A686KDV Leyland Olympian, from 1983
The buses provided free trips from Imperial Road – the site of the former Devon General bus depot in Exmouth – on recreated local routes around the town and out to Budleigh Salterton, Clyst St George, Littleham Village, Lympstone and Woodbury. An open topper ran a circular tour around Exmouth. In all, some 1,977 passenger journeys were made on the services, notwithstanding the wet weather for much of the day. We would like to thank all the bus owners who brought their vehicles along, our enthusiatic team of volunteers that made it all happen, and our sponsors – East Devon District Council, Exmouth Town Council, and Stagecoach South West.
Here are some images from the day, provided by Chris Drew, Paul Jenkins, Richard Nardi and Stephen Wren.
ETT 995 Imperial Road Exmouth
MTT 640
NTT 661 The Royal Avenue Exmouth
VDV 798 Nutwell Road Lympstone
VDV 817 Imperial Road Exmouth
XTA 839 Imperial Road Exmouth
974 AFJ Imperial Road Exmouth
932 GTA The Royal Avenue Exmouth
503 RUO
CTT 513C between Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth
A686KDV Coach park Exmouth
Posted 3rd September 2025
DGS members’ trip ‘A Day around Dartmoor’ – 15th June 2025
30 members, family and friends enjoyed the Society’s 2025 summer outing on Sunday 15th June, touring old Devon General routes around Dartmoor. Transport for the day was the Devon General Omnibus Trust’s preserved 1957 AEC Reliance VDV 798, which during its career spent some time based at Moretonhampstead depot.
A souvenir programme was produced for the participants. You can download it here:
The tour started in Exeter at Sowton Park & Ride, and after further pick-ups in the city centre and St David’s Station, headed out to Moretonhampstead on the old 19 route. After a short break at Moretonhampstead to view the former Devon General depot in Court Street – most recently a motor museum, but now up for sale – SR798 followed the 16 route to Chagford, where a break was taken in the Square.
The tour continued via the 16 route to Okehampton until turning off and heading up to the railway station where a late lunch was taken. The station is the terminus of the line to Exeter that reopened for regular passenger services in November 2021. Members were able to view the Southern Railway-themed buildings and visit the Bulleid Buffet.
For the final leg of the tour SR798 followed the old Service 6 route back to Exeter.
VDV 798 at Sowton Park & Ride
VDV 798 at Moretonhampstead
VDV 798 at Chagford
VDV 798 at Okehampton Station
Thanks to Martin White for the images.
Posted 18th June 2025
Coming by car to Devon General Remembered at Newton Abbot?
It’s convenient to get to our event by public transport on Sunday 3rd September 2023, but if you would prefer to come by car you will find there are several car parks near to our bus stops on Highweek Way.
Coming by train to Devon General Remembered at Newton Abbot?
If you are coming by train to our Devon General Remembered running day at Newton Abbot on Sunday 3rd September 2023, you will be glad to know that we will have free services linking the railway station with Highweek Way.
Devon General Remembered at Newton Abbot 3rd September 2023 – souvenir programme on sale in advance
THIS EVENT HAS NOW TAKEN PLACE, BUT THE SOUVENIR PROGRAMME IS STILL AVAILABLE FROM OUR SALES OFFICER FOR £2.50 INCL. P&P.
*** UPDATE *** The sale of our souvenir programme in advance has now ended. You can obtain the programme at the event.
DGS members enjoy Torbay Trams & Trains Tour – 4th June 2023
Some 48 Devon General Society members and their guests enjoyed a sunny day trip on Sunday 4th June, visiting sites with links to Torbay’s historic trams and trains. Our transport for the day was the Devon General Omnibus Trust’s 1964 AEC Regent V 503 RUO, which was making its debut following the completion of its lengthy restoration. In support was DGOT’s 1952 AEC Regent III, NTT 661.
Devon General Remembered at Newton Abbot – 3rd September 2023
We invite you to join us in Newton Abbot on Sunday 3rd September 2023 for our Devon General Remembered running day, from 1000 to 1600.
Devon General Remembered at Exmouth – 4th September 2022
Ten authentic Devon General buses and coaches brought nostalgic travel to Exmouth on Sunday 4th September at our ‘Devon General Remembered’ running day.
Devon General Remembered at Exmouth 4th September 2022 – souvenir programme on sale in advance
THIS EVENT HAS NOW TAKEN PLACE, BUT THE SOUVENIR PROGRAMME IS STILL AVAILABLE FROM OUR SALES OFFICER FOR £2.50 INCL. P&P.
DGS members tour old Exeter city routes – 26th June 2022
On Sunday 26th June, 25 DGS members and guests enjoyed a tour of a number of the Exeter bus routes operated by Devon General and Exeter City Transport during the 1950s and 1960s. The tour belatedly marked the 50th anniversary of the takeover of ECT by DG in 1970, which brought to an end the 1947 Joint Services Agreement that had governed their operations within a 12 mile radius of Exeter.
Exeter Joint Services route tour for DGS members – Sunday 26th June 2022
In April 1970 the City of Exeter Passenger Transport Department was sold to the National Bus Company. Control of the operation was vested in Devon General, which had been party to a Joint Services Agreement with the council since 1947. 65 ECT buses joined the Devon General fleet, along with 230 staff.
Devon General Remembered, Exmouth – 4th September 2022
Preserved Devon General buses will take to the roads at Exmouth on Sunday 4th September 2022, from 1000 to 1600.
Devon General Remembered, Tiverton – 5th September 2021
Our ‘Devon General Remembered’ Running Day saw classic buses take to the roads in and around Tiverton, recalling the Devon General routes of the 1960s.
Sea Dog 60th Anniversary Route Tour -1st August 2021
2021 saw the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the ‘Sea Dog’ Leyland Atlanteans to the 12A, 12C and 12D routes around Torbay.