South Devon and Tavistock Railway

Cann Viaduct

The South Devon and Tavistock Railway was a broad gauge railway linking Plymouth with Tavistock in Devon, England. It opened in 1859, was extended by the Launceston and South Devon Railway to Launceston, Cornwall,^[1] in 1865, and was closed in 1962.

Chronology

[v · d · e]Railways between Launceston and Plymouth

Legend miles LSWR to Padstow 35.50 Launceston To Okehampton 30.75 Lifton 27.50 Coryton 26.00 Liddaton Halt To Okehampton 23.25 Lydford Brentor (LSWR) 20.00 Mary Tavy and Blackdown 16.50 Tavistock Tavistock (LSWR) LSWR to Devonport 15.50 Whitchurch Down Platform Grenofen Tunnel Walkham Viaduct Magpie Viaduct 12.50 Horrabridge Yelverton Tunnel 11.00 Yelverton Princetown Railway 10.00 Clearbrook Halt Shaugh Tunnel 8.75 Shaugh Bridge Platform Ham Green Viaduct 7.75 Bickleigh 7.25 Bickleigh Viaduct Riverford Viaduct Cann Viaduct 5.00 Plym Bridge Platform Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway to Lee Moor 4.00 Marsh Mills 3.75 GWR to Exeter Laira TMD Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway to Cattedown To Plymouth Friary and Sutton Harbour Laira Halt Lipson Vale Halt Mutley Tunnel 1.00 Mutley 0.75 Plymouth North Road Cornwall Railway to Truro Devonport (LSWR) LSWR to Tavistock 0.00 Plymouth Millbay

• 1854 South Devon and Tavistock authorised by Act of Parliament
• 1859 SD&T Railway opened from Plymouth to Tavistock
• 1862 Launceston and South Devon Railway authorised by Act of Parliament
• 1865 SD&T amalgamated with the South Devon Railway
• 1865 L&SD Railway opened from Tavistock to Launceston
• 1873 L&SD amalgamated with the South Devon Railway
• 1876 SDR amalgamated with the Great Western Railway
• 1876 London and South Western Railway opens from Okehampton to Lydford, from where they reached Plymouth over the South Devon and Tavistock line, mixed gauge being laid for the purpose
• 1883 Princetown Railway opens from a junction at Yelverton
• 1892 The broad gauge lines converted to standard gauge
• 1948 Great Western Railway nationalised into British Railways
• 1956 Princetown branch closed
• 1962 Railway closed beyond Marsh Mills

History

The Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway, a horse-worked line, had brought rail transport to Plymouth on 26 September 1823. When the South Devon Railway (SDR) brought a main line from Exeter St Davids in 1848, where it linked with a route from London Paddington, schemes to expand into the hinterland were put forward. However rival schemes from London Waterloo were also put forward.^[2]

The South Devon and Tavistock Railway eventually gained an Act of Parliament on 24 July 1854 which enabled them to construct a 7 ft 0 ¹⁄₄ in (2,140 mm) broad gauge railway from Tavistock Junction on the SDR main line to Tavistock. This was opened on 21 June 1859, with trains sharing the South Devon's terminus at Millbay.^[3]

On 30 June 1862 the independent Launceston and South Devon Railway gained its own Act of Parliament to extend the broad gauge line from Tavistock on to Launceston. Construction was completed in time for opening on 1 June 1865. One month later, on 1 July 1865, the Tavistock company amalgamated with the SDR, and the Launceston company was bought out under an Act of Parliament on 24 June 1869. Both lines had been worked from the outset by the SDR so passengers would have noticed little change. The South Devon, in turn, amalgamated with the Great Western Railway (GWR) on 1 February 1876.^[2]

Meanwhile the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) route from Waterloo had reached Lydford station on the Launceston section on 12 October 1874. The South Devon was compelled to carry the 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in (1,435 mm) standard gauge trains over its line to Plymouth and so the line from Lydford to Plymouth was laid with a third rail to allow trains of either gauge to run over it. The first LSWR train reached Plymouth on 17 May 1876.

The upper portion of the old Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway was replaced by a new GWR branch on 11 August 1883. ^[2] This was standard gauge and connected with the Tavistock line just south of Yelverton Tunnel, but no station was able to be provided here until 1 May 1885 so trains continued the short distance to Horrabridge station. The LSWR ceased using the line on 31 May 1890, after which its trains ran over the new Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction Railway instead, which line closely followed the GWR's route from Lydford most of the way to Tavistock. The standard gauge north of Yelverton was little used for the next two years, but on 20 May 1892 the line, along with all the other remaining broad gauge lines, was converted to standard gauge. A different LSWR line reached Launceston on 21 July 1886 which offered the town a more direct route to London.^[4]

Following nationalisation on 1 January 1948, steps were taken to consolidate the railways in the area. The GWR station at Launceston was closed on 30 June 1952 and trains used the old LSWR station. The Princetown branch closed entirely on 3 March 1956. The last passenger trains were scheduled to run from Launceston to Plymouth via Tavistock on 29 December 1962, the "closure" taking effect from the following Monday, 31 December. In the event heavy snow falls put an end to any celebrations: the 6:20 train from Plymouth terminated at Tavistock at 12:20 the following morning; the 7:10 Tavistock to Plymouth was stranded at Bickleigh overnight. ^[2]

Freight traffic continued from to Lifton until 1964, after which the train ran to Lifton from Launceston for two years until finally withdrawn on 28 February 1966. A new connection to the branch has been laid at Tavistock Junction to allow trains of china clay to shunt from the yard there to the china clay works at Marsh Mills. A short section of the branch north of there is being restored as a heritage railway by the volunteers of the Plym Valley Railway.

Remains

A short section of the railway beyond Marsh Mills is operated by the Plym Valley Railway as a heritage railway.

Much of the old line is also now used as the Plym Valley Cycle Path (part of the National Cycle Network route 27), almost as far as Clearbrook.

Stations

The Tavistock line opened with just three stations and a further five were constructed by the Launceston company, but by 1938 the line boasted a total of fifteen stations and halts.^[5]

Marsh Mills

The station at Marsh Mills near Plympton was opened to passengers on 15 March 1861. Local people had requested a station on the South Devon Railway's main line, but instead this station was opened just 396 yards (362 m) along the Tavistock line.

Goods traffic has always been important with a flour mill, china clay, and stone traffic. A china clay works is close to the station but closed in 2008/09. Public goods traffic was handled from 1 February 1860, long before passenger facilities were provided, and ceased on 1 June 1964.

The station is now the home to the Plym Valley Railway, a small heritage operation.

Plym Bridge

Plym Bridge Platform was opened by the Great Western Railway on 1 May 1906 and was mainly used by people visiting the nearby countryside. The Plym Valley Railway aim to reopen the line from Marsh Mills to Plym Bridge.

Bickleigh

Remains in 1964 of Bickleigh Station

A station was provided at Bickleigh from the opening of the line and a passing loop was provided so that trains could pass. Goods traffic was handled from 1 February 1860.

Between Plym Bridge and Bickleigh there were three viaducts, all originally built from timber but later rebuilt in masonry. There were Cann Viaduct (6 arches; 127 yards long), Riverford Viaduct (5 arches, 127 yards), and Bickleigh Viaduct (7 arches, 167 yards). A short distance to the north of the station was Ham Green Viaduct (6 arches, 190 yards).

Shaugh Bridge

Another of the Great Western Railway's countryside halts, Shaugh Bridge Platform opened on 21 August 1907 near the village of Shaugh Prior and was convenient for visitors to the picturesque Dewerstone Rock. The platform still stands today.

The Platform was situated a short distance south of Shaugh Tunnel.

Shaugh Tunnel

Clearbrook

This Great Western Railway halt opened on 29 October 1928, much later than others in the area. As well as day visitors to the surrounding countryside, it was convenient for the village of Clearbrook.

Yelverton

Yelverton was the junction for the Princetown Railway that opened on 11 August 1883, however no station could be built as the railway could not secure an access route to the site, and so trains initially continued to Horrabridge. Agreement with the land owner was reached and a station provided at Yelverton from 1 May 1885.

The Tavistock line was provided with two platforms. The Princetown line had a connection facing Tavistock and the platform on this line was sharply curved and a five-sided waiting room was provided between the platforms. A 23 feet 6 inch (7m) turntable was provided at the Princetown end of the platform. As there was no loop on the branch trains were reversed out of the platform after passengers had alighted, the locomotive then ran into the turntable siding and the carriages left to run back into the platform by gravity, after which the locomotive could be attached to the Princetown end for the next journey.

The Princetown line closed on 5 March 1956 but the station was retained until the Tavistock line itself was closed on 31 December 1962.

The 641 yards (586 m) Yelverton Tunnel was just north of the platforms and was the summit of the Tavistock line.

Horrabridge

One of the stations provided for the opening of the line, this served the village of Horrabridge. From 11 August 1883 until the opening of Yelverton station on 1 May 1885 it was the junction station for the Princetown Railway.

The main platform and goods yard was on the side used by trains towards Plymouth, but a loop and second platform was provided for trains towards Tavistock.

Between Horrabridge and Whitchurch Down the line passed over Magpie Viaduct (4 arches, 216 yards) and Walkham Viaduct (15 arches, 367 yards), the longest on the line and rebuilt in 1910 using metal girders. The line then passed through Grenofen Tunnel (374 yards).

Whitchurch Down

The Great Western Railway opened Whitchurch Down Platform on 1 September 1906 to serve the village of Whitchurch. The platform was on the right for trains going northwards to Tavistock.

Tavistock South

Not to be confused with Tavistock North railway station.

As befitting the terminus of the South Devon and Tavistock Railway, the station (50°32′50″N 4°08′39″W / 50.5471°N 4.1442°W / 50.5471; -4.1442 (Tavistock South railway station)) at Tavistock was provided with a large train shed that spanned the two platforms and three tracks. The station was situated on the hillside close to the town centre. The original buildings were of wood but these burnt down in 1887 and were replaced by a stone structure.

The main buildings were on the side used by trains going towards Plymouth. A footbridge was eventually provided at the north end of the station beyond the train shed. A small engine shed was provided at the other end of the station but this was no longer needed once the Launceston and South Devon Railway opened on 1 July 1865.

On 26 September 1949 the station was renamed "Tavistock South" to distinguish it from the Southern Region station on the Plymouth to London Waterloo route, which was then named "Tavistock North". Passenger services were withdrawn on 31 December 1962 but goods traffic continued until 7 September 1964. Passengers could still travel by train from Tavistock North until it closed in 1968.

Mary Tavy and Blackdown

This station was situated about half a mile from both Mary Tavy and Blackdown, and was originally known as just "Mary Tavy". It was renamed "Mary Tavy and Blackdown" in 1907. A loop was provided to allow two trains to pass each other but this was removed in 1892, leaving in use just the platform on the right of trains going towards Launceston. Goods traffic was only handled until 11 August 1941.

Lydford

Main article Lydford railway station

The station at Lydford was the junction with the London and South Western Railway's London Waterloo to Plymouth route, indeed from 17 May 1876 it was a junction that allowed the LSWR trains to reach Plymouth over the Great Western Railway's route. This arrangement lasted until 31 May 1890, after which the Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction Railway's line allowed LSWR trains an independent route to Devonport and Plymouth.

The station was known as "Lidford" until 3 June 1897.

Liddaton

The halt at Liddaton was opened much later than the other stations on the line, on 4 April 1938. It was a simple wooden platform with a small waiting hut, also constructed from wood.

Coryton

For the station in Cardiff, Wales, see Coryton railway station (Cardiff).

The opening of the line on 1 June 1865 saw the opening of a station to serve Coryton. The platform was on the right of trains going towards Launceston. It was unstaffed from 14 September 1959 but was retained until the closure of the line on 31 December 1962. The station master's house survives, as does the main office although this has been extended since closure.

Lifton

The station at Lifton was opened with the railway on 1 June 1865. The main building was on the platform used by trains towards Plymouth but there was a loop and second platform to allow trains to pass. There was a level crossing at the west end of the station.

The goods yard was on the same side as the buildings but a private siding was opened in 1894 to serve a corn mill, and a factory was opened in the goods yard in 1917 that handled milk and made rice pudding. Passenger trains and public goods traffic ceased on 31 December 1962 but the line to Lydford was retained to carry the trains from the milk factory. When the LSWR line to Lydford was itself closed on 7 September 1964 it was necessary to reopen the line from Lifton to Launceston instead, but this also closed on 28 February 1966.

Launceston

Main article Launceston railway station

The terminus became a junction station with the LSWR with the opening of its North Cornwall Railway. The two companies kept separate stations for many years but on 22 September 1943 a connection was established between the two lines to give flexibility, and from 30 June 1952 all trains used the former LSWR platforms. The station remained open to serve trains on the North Cornwall route until 3 October 1966.

References

1. ^ W. Philip Conolly. (1976). Pre-grouping Atlas and Gazetteer. Shepperton: Ian Allan Limited. ISBN 0-71100-320-3. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Anthony, GH; revised by SC Jenkins (1997). The Launceston Branch. Oxford: Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-491-1. 
3. ^ MacDermot, E T (1931). History of the Great Western Railway, volume II 1863-1921. London: Great Western Railway. 
4. ^ Thrower, David (January 2008). "The North Cornwall Line". BackTrack (Pendragon Publishing) 22 (1): 4–13. 
5. ^ Oakley, Mike (2007). Devon Railway Stations. Wimbourne: The Dovecote Press. ISBN 978-1-904-34955-6. 

Further reading

• Anthony, GH; Jenkins, SC (1997). The Launceston Branch. Headington: Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-491-1. 
• Beck, Keith; Copsey, John (1990). The Great Western in South Devon. Didcot: Wild Swan Publication. ISBN 0-90686-790-8. 
• Mosley, Brian. "South Devon and Tavistock Railway". Encyclopedia of Plymouth History. Plymouth Data. http://www.plymouthdata.info/RAIL-South%20Devon%20&%20Tavistock.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-22. ^{[dead link]}

External links

• BBC archive films: Plymouth to Dartmoor train