Barnstaple (Excl) to Bideford, Torrington and Hole (Just before Halwill)

Credits, Many thanks to all contributors - please see a list on the home page.

​USEFUL MAPS         
​Members and general visitors to the CRS site will be interested in visiting http://www.railmaponline.com        From the opening page a full map of the UK can be accessed which can then be enlarged to show every railway line in the UK.     Not just today's network but  lines from the past have been overlaid.     As you zoom in sidings and even tramways become visible.   

A valuable tip from Guy Vincent.

Good afternoon,
Following on from the nostalgic photos taken at Fremington in the 70’s, I’ve found this film on YouTube that may interest you. Barnstaple to Torrington and Watergate halt in the 1960’s. It’s film number 38263. 
Kind regards
Ivor Moorey
Just put Youtube 38263 in your Google search engine.

Fremington

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

A spelling mistake on this label made it rather rare. Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

3rd October 1970 We are approaching Fremington Quay, however in the distance is also something of historical interest. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Zooming in one sees Yelland Power Station. Now a distant memory. Copyright Keith Jenkin

East Yelland Power Station was opened on 21 April 1955 it closed in October 1984. Fuel for the power station was had been  obtained from South Wales Coal mines and was transported to a jetty specially constructed for the power station. The closure of the coal mines led to the closure the power station. It has been demolished.

A picture of Fremington station taken on the 3rd October 1970 from the Exmoor Belle railtour. There is a remarkable similarity between this box and that at Hayle. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Fremington 25 215 arrives. 29th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

25 215 busy in Fremington Yard. 29th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

The former up platform was still served by track. 29th February 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

The former up platform was still served by track. 29th February 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Fremington 25219 passes remains of signal box. 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen Looks like a diving board doesn't it?

Looking back at Fremington Quays having passed over a bridge spanning Fremington Creek. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Instow tunnel

Instow Tunnel 3rd June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Instow

Mike Roach Collection

The above blue labels from the Mike Morant Collection

The Exmore Belle passes through Instow station on the 3rd October 1970. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Instow D6330 Instow June 1970 Copyright David Tozer Davids comment :- I took this shot of a Class 22 at Instow in June 1970 from the front seat on the top deck of a Bristol FLF owned by Southern National working Service 301 Ilfracombe - Westward Ho!.

Instow signalbox on 29th December 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen. Note the box is occupied - the light is on.

Instow signalbox 29th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

A loaded clay train from Meeth area approaches Instow. 29th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

25 215 passes Instow on 29th December 1977 copyright Roger Winnen

The tail end of the train heads over the crossing and on into the tunnel. 29th December 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

Instow box thankfully preserved. Copyright Mike Roach

Instow box and surrounding houses. Copyright Mike Roach

Detail of the box at Instow. Copyright Mike Roach

These rails got little further! Looking from Instow crossing towards the tunnel. Copyright Mike Roach

Bideford

Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

         Bideford Railway Heritage Centre
New Item - June 2019 You said you'd like to put something on your site about it.  That's kind of you.  Below I give links to the North Devon Gazette piece and our own website.  The NDG piece probably gives the key info for you.  I think I used 2 or 3 CRS photos in the end.
https://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/bideford-railway-new-centre-1-6079061  (and/or www.bidefordrailway.co.uk)  

Many thanks, Clive  Fairchild  Many thanks Clive - well worth a visit.

This undated but 1930's view features Stroudley/Maunsell E1/R class 0-6-2T no. 2124 at Bideford. The stock it's hauling is a picture in itself with a pair of ex-LBSCR coaches in the lead augmented by a Maunsell BCK with roofboards showing that it is a Waterloo-Torrington through coach. Barnstaple allocated no. 2124 had been rebuilt from an E1 class 0-6-0T in 1928 and by 1938 would become an Exmouth Junction based loco where it would be rooted until withdrawal in January 1959. Thanks to Mike Morant for this fantastic photograph from his collection and for the very detailed caption. If only this scene could be repeated today. At least the station is still there, with both platforms.

Bideford. A railtour from Halwill Junction to Torrington and Barnstaple on the occasion of the last day of the Halwill Jct to Torrington section 27th February 1965. Bideford actually closed with effect from the 4th October 1965 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Bideford station converted to Midland Bank 7th June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Bideford station, no longer a bank Copyright Mike Roach

Bideford station looking towards Barnstaple. Copyright Mike Roach

Bideford station, looking towards Torrington Copyright Mike Roach

Bideford station converted to Midland Bank 7th June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

The Exmoor Belle approaches Landcross bridge. 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin

The former railbridge at Landcross, now the Tarka Trail, viewed on 13th May 2014 Copyright Mike Roach

Torrington

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

An undated and distant view of Torrington puts things in perspective. The A386 decends from Torrington town to make that sharp left hand bend to cross the railway. From the Mike Morant collection

A closer view from over the hedge reminds us how fortunate we are that the majority of buildings at the station have survived. The loco we are told is 41316. Note the number of coaches present in the yard. An undated picture from the Mike Morant collecion.

Torrington 6th August 1960 Copyright Mike Roach

Torrington Signalbox 1968/69 Copyright Chris Osment

No. 32095 is a Maunsell 1927 rebuild of Stroudley 0-6-0T No. 2095 and is depicted here at Torrington loco on 19th April 1952 The Mike Morant Collection

BR 32608 at Torrington on the 19th April 1952 No. 32608 is a Maunsell 1928 rebuild of Stroudley 0-6-0T No. 2608 and is depicted here at Torrington. It's a pity that the front end of 32608 is affected by motion blur in this otherwise interesting image. A note with the negative states that the passenger train is the 8:52 to Halwill whilst the freight train is the goods portion of the 08:05 mixed from Petrockstow. From the Mike Morant Collection

SR 250 at Torrington Shed on the 19th April 1952 Mike Morant Collection

West Country 34106 Lydford at Torrington in 1957. Copyright Mick Bramich

It's the 5th September 1962 as 41299 hauling clay trucks passes a passenger train standing in the up platform at Torrington. 34081 '92 Squadron' waits in the sidings maybe to take the up working onwards? Mike Morant collection

41249 pauses at Torrington on the 29th Auguist 64 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

On the last day of public services between Halwill and Torrington 27th February 1965 a charter was organised to run over the line, here its is having its headboard adjusted. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Torrington Station 27th February 1965 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

The Exmoor Belle stands at Torrington on the 3rd October 1970. Copyright Roger Winnen

Torrington 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Roger Geach takes a look at Torrington station forty years on from the previous picture. The station is still there and, thanks to the Tarka Valley Railway, growing once more. The Puffing Billy Pub occupies the station buildings, the lounge of which occupies the up platform under the awning. The rails of the Traka Railway are making progress away in the Bideford direction. Every best wish to this project. Copyright Roger Geach

Torrington station on the 1st April 1975 The slope of Station Hill can be appreciated as it climbs away to the right. Copyright Roger Winnen

Southern National fleet no. 1223, JUO 988, is a 1948 Bristol L6B which originally had a Beadle half-cab coach body. In 1958 the coach body was removed, the chassis lengthened, and it was fitted with the ECW full-front bus body shown in your photo. It was sold in 1969. The photographer has always been adamant that the location is Torrington station but that was disputed because SN service 143 was a Bideford – Abbotsham – Westward Ho! – Bideford circular and wouldn't have gone anywhere near Torrington but was that actually the route at the time that shot wasd taken in 1964? The location conundrum has been definitively solved by member of the Cornwall Railway Society: "The photo is on the A386 at Station Hill, Torrington, EX38 8JD, the cameraman is standing on the bridge over the river Torridge, and to the left of the bus is the approach road to Torrington station now The Puffing Billy Trading Co restaurant (Mick House) Picture by Mike Morants brother.

Torrington Station 16th May 2014 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Torrington station has been saved as a home for the Tarka Valley Railway in addition to the following pictures by Sid Sponheimer the CRS visited the site on the 5th July 2014 meeting with the enthusiastic chairman Rod Garner.  See our report and pictures for that date on the Newspage. You are invited to visit their site using the link below - one hopes you will be sufficiently interested to join the organisation.
http://www.tarkavalleyrailway.co.uk

The station buildings from the main entrance. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Torrington station - looking towards Halwill Junction. 16th May 2014. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Narrow gauge at Torrington. 16th May 2014. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

For a very comprehensive  history of the line between here and Halwill Junction a  highly recommended reading is NORTH  DEVON  CLAY  by Michael Messenger.
More pictures of the line are to be found in our coverage with the Exmoor Ranger steam hauled railtour on the 27th march 1965  and the DMU Railtour the 'Exmoor Belle' on the 3rd October 1970.

The Torridge Viaduct

A delightful picture as 41295 and 41291 cross the river Torridge with the 'Exmoor Ranger' on the 27th March 1965 Courtesy the Mike Morant collection

Torridge viaduct, the south end, taken from the rear cab of a special organised over the line on the last day of public services - 27th February 1965. Once off the viaduct the line started to climb towards Watergate. Today this is a cycleway and pedallists will be selecting a low gear for four miles ahead. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Many thanks to Chris Osment for this picture taken in 168/69 we are able to take a detailed look at the two railway underpasses of the main road up the hill to Torrington. To the right is the original tunnel used by the narrow gauge railway which crossed the river Torridge on a timber viaduct. This tunnel is now reserved for the use of bats which have established a colony there. To the left is the bridge which carries the road over the standard gauge alignment. Copyright Chris Osment 1968/9

A closer peek though the standard gauge route bridge reveals a class 63 on a Meeth bound service in connection with the transport of clay away from that location. Additional brake vans have been added to this train for railtour passengers. The telephone wires on a post in this view dropped down to be supported on brackets off the viaduct. Copyright Chris Osment 68/69

 Chis Osment comments :-  The Exeter University Railway Society were on a brake-van trip on the back of a scheduled train to Meeth, so we walked out the viaduct and waited for the train to come for us. If you look at the picture showing the old tunnel, you can just see the D63xx in the station on the left. As you can see from the umbrella at Meeth, it rained a lot that day!

Torridge Viaduct from the south end on a wet day in 1968/69. The rail tour party have ventured onto the viaduct. This viaduct is a replacement for the original narrow gauge timber structure which crossed the valley here on more or less on the same alignment as the current viaduct other than at the far end where the original line continued through a tunnel to emerge into the station area slightly east of the current line. This can be seen in the pictures above. Copyright Chris Osment.

On Chris Osment's Exeter University railtour complete with headboard, the 62 has either stopped or is creeping slowly towards the photographers some of whom wait in the recesses. Note the telephone wire support bracket, and the distant home signal. The steep slope of Station Hill from right to left as it comes down the grade from Torrington to the station can be ascertained.

Torridge viaduct being inspected by many of the participants on the 'Last Atlantic Coast Express' on the 6th November 1982. The river Torridge lies below. Copyright Roger Winnen

A lovely shot from the Mike Morant Collection of the viaduct which carried the line on from Torrington towards Halwill, the next stop was Watergate.

A postscript - A visit to Torrington on the 22nd June 2021  by  Andrew Jones.

Today   (22nd June 2021) I revisited the Meeth to Bideford railway. The last time I was there was on one of the last specials run in the early eighties. I parked at the site of Petrockstowe Station, (known as Petrockstow without the ‘e’ during its railway history).
My previous trip was viewed from the carriage of a BR Mk 1, so the gradient didn’t really influence the comfort of the experience. However my latest visit involved cycling the 27 mile round trip to Bideford.
From Petrockstowe to Yarde Halt I passed the Peters Marland clay works which once contained a busy internal rail system, long gone with little to remind you of its presence. The gradient on this section was slightly up hill and generally follows a plateau. From East Yarde however the gradient steepens downhill until reaching the lengthy Iron Girder viaduct a few yards before entering Torrington station.
Here I stopped for a little light refreshment at the Puffing Billy Trading Co which has taken over the old station buildings.
The Tarka Valley railway group are busy trying to establish a base at Torrington and have laid a short length of track’ including an expensive set of points, laid in new materials, looking hopefully towards Bideford with the aim of re establishing a rail link between Torrington and Bideford. I continued through Landcross Tunnel and decided just short of Bideford that I should turn around and tackle the return journey which now included a stiff uphill climb from Torrington to East Yarde.
Many thanks Andrew.

A section of the Torrington Viaduct from an unusual angle. June 22nd 2021. Copyright Andrew Jones

China Clay Hood at Torrington, just loaded at Peters Marland..i wish! 22nd June 2021. Copyright Andrew Jones.

New pointwork Torrington Station 22nd June 2021. Copyright Andrew Jones.

Ruston &Hornsby 0-4-0DE built in 1969 seen at Torrington 22nd June 2021. Copyright Andrew Jones.

Torrington Cavalier receiving attention 22nd June 2021. Copyright Andrew Jones.

Landcross Tunnel, not for the faint hearted! 22nd June 2021. Copyright Andrew Jones.

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Quite a gem this one - a printed ticket from Torrington to Watergate Halt. Mike Roach Ticket Collection.

Watergate 3rd October 1970, a view from the train. Copyright Keith Jenkin. For the older folk the name was particularly significant as it was the time of President Nixons problems.

Watergate on the 3rd October 1970. The Exmoor Belle Railtour has stopped out on the 'common' and we've bailed out to look at the halt, and notice. There was siding out on the 'common', it joined the running line by means of a trailing point, the buffer stop being by the road. Copyright Keith Jenkin

A CRS minibus outing stops at Watergate on 1st April 1975 and the party takes a look around. Copyright Roger Winnen

Watergate on the 8th July 1973 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Watergate on the 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Watergate lay just beyond the road crossing - this view looking towards Torrington, 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

This is probably Watergate. Taken some time after track lifting but before there was any hint of the current use of the route as a walkway/cyclepath. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Watergate Halt. Picture taken on Tuesday 22nd September 2015 Copyright Roger Geach

The first summit of the line was about a quarter of a mile the Watergate side of Yarde, prior to this there had been a climb virtually continuously from the west end of Torrington 24M (78')   at about one in 40. There was a level stretch at Watergate for about a quarter of a mile the climb then resumed to Yarde. From Yarde 131M  (430') the line fell to Dunsbear. It then undulated to a low at Hatherleigh 65M (213')  then a steady climb to Hole where it levelled off before climbing again to Halwill 187M (613').

Yarde
There was a level crossing here from which the middle picture was taken.

Yarde Halt - this served the collection of houses on the left. 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Yarde Halt 30th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Yarde Halt 30th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Roger Geach takes a look at Yarde in 2015

Yarde Halt on Tue 22nd September 2015. The cottages are still there and so is the platform. However its over 50 years since the last scheduled passenger service called here on the 27th February 1965 Copyright Roger Geach

The site of the un-gated level crossing at Yarde as seen on the 22nd September 2015 The halt to the left. Copyright Roger Geach.

Dunsbear Halt

Dunsbear Halt 28th June 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen

Dunsbear Halt 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Dunsbear Halt Tarka trail 22nd September 2015 Copyright Roger Geach

Just beyond Dunsbear Halt lay a siding which passed behind the platform. 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Dunsbear Halt on the Tarka trail 22nd September 2015 Copyright Roger Geach

Marland Works

The Marland Works was connected to the main running line by means of a facing point from the Torrington direction. The branch, over a mile long, ran from the loop here to the works. The diesel, one of three, stands on the inward road of the loop. Picture taken in 1968/9 by Chris Osment Copyright.

Petrockstowe

41283 near Petrockstowe. March 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

41283 approaching Petrockstowe. March 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

The Exmoor Belle pauses at Petrockstowe 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Petrockstowe had a passing loop and two sidings which lay to the right behind the platform.

The Exmoor Belle leaves Petrokstowe 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Exmoor Belle at Petrockstowe 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Petrockstow station on the Tarka Trail on the 22nd September 2015 Copyright Roger Geach. Petrockstowe boasted longer platforms than the other passing places, these being of 200 feet in length. The station building was on the right hand platform and accommodated a Gents Toilet, a Goods Store and Office.

Meeth Clay Co's siding.
This siding in the form of a loop lay about a mile before Meeth Halt.  After closure of the line between here and Halwill Junction about of a quarter of a mile of track remained as a head shunt.

The Exeter University Railtour visit.

The Exeter University Brake Van trip has reached Meeth Loop. It looks like the attendant shunter standing by with his pole watching the party who are enjoying exploring the location. Copyright Chris Osment 1968/69

Remains of the Meeth Tramway at Meeth Works 1968/9 Copyright Chris Osment. The tramway ceased operation in 1970 and was scrapped. We are very grateful to Chris Osment for this picture. Copyright.

Now back to the railtour - it has stopped at the Meeth Loop.

Meeth siding - this was the official end of the railtour. However, participants were keen to find out where the line actually ended and many, including the old, abandoned the train, and started walking. 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin.

We walked on to the very end of the metals - about a quarter of a mile. By this time the driver of the DMU and probably the inspector in charge were worried about time keeping and sounded the horn quite a few times. 3rd October 1970. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Eventually it was decided that if the passengers were in no hurry to return then the train had better continue beyond its limits to collect the passengers - and here it is on the way down - with yet more passengers exploring. 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith jenkin

The railtour ends in brilliant sunshine - this is as far as it went. 3rd October 1970. The Meeth Works tramway ran away from the standard gauge line for about a mile south west to a pit at Wooladon. It also extended for several hundred yards beyond the loop in a north west direction. Copyright Keith Jenkin

A modern 2015 picture of Meeth Clay Works by Roger Geach. Not quite sure where this building is with reference to the previous pictures? Copyright Roger Geach

Meeth Halt was a little further on than Meeth Siding.

Meeth Halt May 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

Meeth Halt May 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

Taken from a train chartered to run over the line on its last day of public service. Note the sad faces of those left on the platform. Also note interesting, now vintage cars waiting to cross the line. 27th February 1965 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.

Meeth Haly 30th December 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen - Jokingly entitled - 'Connecting services'!!

Meeth Halt 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Meeth Halt 14th May 2014 Copyright Mike Bojko

No doubt about where this is!! Meeth Halt 14th May 2014 Copyright Mike Bojko

Meeth Halt 14th May 2014 Copyright Mike Bojko

18 month later on the 22nd September 2015 little has changed. A recent picture by Roger Geach Copyright

Hatherleigh  Closed passengers 1st March 65

From the Mike Morant Collection

Hatherleigh 6th August 1960 Copyright Mike Roach

41283 at Hatherleigh with a 'long train' for Torrington, It looks as if the fireman is descending from the engine to attend to quenching the locos thirst. This picture by Sid Sponheimer is undated.

Hatherleigh in private occupation.

Hatherleigh on the 1st April 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Even by 1st April 1975 Hatherleigh station looked pretty well hidden. By 2014 there is absolutely no view from this bridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

​Hole

Who would have thought that tiny little Hole would have deserved a luggage label, but here it is. From the Mike Morant Collection

A lovely one from the Mike Morant Collection as E1R S BR 32608 leaves Hole heading for Torrington on the 19th April 1952. It is obviously an occasion when enthusiasts were possibly touring the line by bus as the CRS did many years later. (After the trains had finished) Mike Morant would like to know if anybody can remember that trip?

Hole station February 1964. A service bound for Torrington pulls away. Quite a few vans in the siding. Copyright Mike Roach

The service bound for Hatherleigh and eventually Torrington pulls away under the road bridge. February 1964. Copyright Mike Roach

Little station, big name - the running in board presumably taken from a train. The date 28th August 1963 From the Mike Morant Collection

28th August 1963 Hole station from a train bound for Halwill Junction. Picture from the Mike Morant Collection The station had a seven lever frame, the loop here could take 22 wagons. In addition there were two sidings. The station buildings here were of a standard design for the line each having a mens lavatory, good store and a waiting room. The platforms were 167 feet long. Information from Mike Messengers book the 'North Devon & Cornwall Junction Light Railway.

It may have been a little station but it still deserved to be named, on the lamp as well. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Hole station on the 1st April 1975. The late Alan Milburn walks towards the up platform. Halwill Junction is in the direction this picture is taken in so whether it is the up or down platform is a contentious point. Does one go to London or Exeter via Torrington or Okehampton? Copyright Roger Winnen

The second of two very similar views of Hole station. 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Hole station still exists - it's the name given to a Camp Site at the old station location.  Perhaps unusually, but also a good idea for those who want a peaceful holiday it is an 'Adults only' site - no children allowed. Looking at the area on Google Earth one can see that during the summer months the campsite provides perhaps the largest population ever near the station - what a pity the trains don't call there anymore!