Cattewater Branch & Mount Gould Junction
North Quay, Sutton Harbour, and Cattewater branches. Section of map drawn by Peter Butt
The following pictures are a collection of photographs taken, mostly many years ago by Messrs Winnen and Jenkin but even then the lines had mostly fallen into disuse. The Cattewater branch track layouts changed many times during its lifetime with new sections added and some closed. Most recently all the major sections have closed leaving only a stub serving a large scrapyard. This last section being photographed by Mike Roach.
Our appreciation to Peter Bragg who has put this collection in some order - it is hoped to add his comments and tales as the collection expands. The pictures have been put in some order starting from the extremity of the branch, if those using our website have any more information or pictures this would be much appreciated.
Our appreciation to Peter Bragg who has put this collection in some order - it is hoped to add his comments and tales as the collection expands. The pictures have been put in some order starting from the extremity of the branch, if those using our website have any more information or pictures this would be much appreciated.
4 Cattewater, looking down on the Bitumen Depot. 6Apl75 Copyright Roger Winnen
Note the siding to the left, close by the cliff, protected by a wire "roof" A view into the end of this siding appears in picture 5. On the opposite bank of the River Plym is Turnchapel village.
Looking across to Mount Batten and Drakes Island from the top of the cliff seen in the picture above. The slipway up which Sunderland Flying Boats used to be towed for servicing during WW2 can be seen opposite. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
A view from Breakwater Hill looking west. The distant building is the Civic Centre. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Looking towards the oil and bitumen terminals Copyright Sid Sponheimer
The western end of the Cattewater Tunnel Copyright Sid Sponheimer
The eastern end of the 48yd Cattewater Tunnel Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Hocking's Crossing adjacent to Wellington Welding Supplies Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Passage House Inn Crossing also known by many as Hocking'sCrossing Copyright Sid Sponheimer
The Catterwater Branch Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
Pethick's Quay on the Cattewater Branch Copyright Sid Sponheimer
The scene at Cattewater Wharves in 1963. Turnchapel Wharves lies just across the water. Copyright Mike Roach
Cattewater Wharves 08 394 shunting on the 19th May 1979 Copyright Mike Roach
The scene at Cattewater in June 1977. Copyright Mike Roach
12 Prince Rock Power Stn and New Passage Inn, in the left background. The pub closed about 2012. 23Feb74 Copyright Roger Winnen
The Cattewater branch was built by the L&SWR, and went from Cattewater Junction to Victoria Wharves. Prince Rock Coal-Fired Power station on the right of the picture. When first built coal was delivered by rail. For many decades at the end of electricity production it is believed that 100% of the coal came from the north-east of England by ship to the adjacent wharf. In 1978 both the running line and the siding are pure LSWR track with the chairs cast between 1902 and 1905 Photograph dated 29 May 1978. Copyright Mike Roach
An interesting sign, at the time, 9th May 1981 recently positioned. Prince Rock Power station. Copyright Mike Roach
Where the branch passes under Laira Road Bridge Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Cattewater Branch under the Laira Road Bridge Copyright Sid Sponheimer
A very interesting shot showing Cattewater Junction. The line on the left hand side going towards Cattewater, the line to the right rising to join the Yealmpton branch and straight ahead towards Mount Gold Junction. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Cattewater branch Copyright Sid Sponheimer
The Cattewater Branch alongside the Plym Copyright Sid Sponheimer
More recent pictures of what remains of the Cattewater branch in 2013, it only connects with the scrapyard.
13 Cattewater branch level crossing very near the buffer stops which lie to the right at the current end of the truncated branch line. On the opposite bank of the River Plym are the loading gantries for the export of stone by ship. The stone is brought from Billacombe by lorry. Billacombe had a station on the Yealmpton Branch. 19Mar13 Copyright Mike Roach
Now some older pictures of the Cattewater branch
22 Line to Cattewater Jctn as seen in 1972 Copyright K Jenkin Beyond Laira bridge can be seen the 5 chimneys of Oil Feed Stock to gas conversion plant at Oreston. It is said that the smell from the plant was an odour not enjoyed by local inhabitants.
This most interesting view by Sid Sponheimer shows the LSWR main lines to Friary swinging to the right at Friary Junction with the branch to Sutton Harbour and North Quay proceeding straight ahead under the bridge. The bridge carried the trains to Turnchapel and Yealmpton. The embankment to the left carried track on to Cattewater Junction and served Mount Gould & Tothill Halt. The halt closed 1st February 1918 the track itself closed wef 1st October 1963. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Nearing Mount Gould Junction. The time is 19.38 on 24 June 1970 and the train is the 19.35 Plymouth Friary to Thurso MoD Special, via Plymouth Station, presumably to pick up army personnel. Peak D155 has 8 car flats & 2 coaches in tow. The headcode at the other end of the loco should read 1Z09. Copyright Mike Roach
The train heads on to Mount Gould Jct under clear signals. I wonder what the catering facilities were like on this long journey. Copyright Mike Roach