Exmouth Junction to Honiton

Exmouth Junction Excl. to Honiton

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

A view extracted courtesy of Google Earth 2003. Exmouth Junction below- we go off on the double track to the right.

33006 and 33047 double head the 13.40 Exeter to Brighton passing Exmouth Junction 23rd August 1980

Just beyond Exmouth Junction

47277 passes Exmouth Junction with a Waterloo service 20th May 1990 Copyright David Tozer

Classes 33106 and 110, power units 8010 and 8026 towards Exeter. Seen at Exmouth Junction 6th May 1989 Copyright David Tozer

47651 heads Plymouth to Brighton on the 6th May 1989 Copyright David Tozer

33039 on 08.58 Brighton to Exeter passes over Beacon Lane just before Exmouth Junction Exeter 16th February 1980. Copyright Paul Barlow. This location is about a quarter of a mile east of Exmouth Junction.

Poltimore Siding made a trailing connection with the up main line

Poltimore Siding with 50047 Swifsure. Copyright Keith Gale.

Dear Roger,

Best wishes for 2021 to you and the Cornwall Railway Society. As is usual at this time of year I often reminiss about photographs I have taken in the past and where we are now. Browsing over your website during the latter end of 2020 I found there were some pictures of Poltimore Siding at Pinhoe. I can tell you a little story about my endeavours to get a photograph of a train in that location. During the mid 1980's I was determined to photograph as many locations around Exeter as I could, being aware that rail freight traffic was being rationalised. One particular location was said Poltimore Siding, where the occasional load of bricks would be sent out by rail, often to the Midlands. As I worked in Exeter at the time I would regulary drive along Chancel Lane to see if there were any wagons in the siding. Of course 90% of the time there was nothing. Then around April 1987 the occasional wagon would appear, get loaded with bricks and then disappear! We didn't have Realtime Trains or any other internet website to guide us and so it was 'pot luck' when this happened. However, I kept a watching brief until one day I happened to see a light engine class 50 pass through Central Station. I took the chance and followed it as best by car as I could. Sure enough it stopped just past Poltimore Siding and reversed. At last I had found my quarry and photographed 50047 picking up its solitary wagon. The use of a 2700 h.p. locomotive for this duty probably explains the economic demise of such operations. This was the only time I saw this working at Pinhoe and the date was 6 May 1987 - exactly six months before the siding connection was removed.

Many Thanks Keith for your Best Wishes to the Cornwall Railway Society for 2021 together with the item for Westbrick at Pinhoe which makes very interesting reading indeed. Roger Winnen

80064 Former Exmouth Junction Class 4 2-6-4 80064 was moved by rail from Buckfastleigh to Poltimore Sidings for onward movement by road to the Bluebell Railway in 1984. Copyright David Tozer

80064 again at Poltimore Sidings in 1984. The bridge from which the general view of the Poltimore area was taken taken is in the background in this shot. Copyright David Tozer

A 4TC Unit passing Westbrick/Grain Silo Siding. Copyright David Tozer

47508 is passing the Ministry of Supply Siding. You can see the old gate to the siding in this view. Copyright Dave Tozer

The weedkiller train headed by 20904 with 20901 on the rear, they are also passing the site of the Ministry of Supply Siding on the 11th June 1989 Copyright David Tozer

Super power as 3 class 33's head an up service towards Pinhoe. Copyright David Tozer

33106 and 33110 pushing sets 8010 and 8028 near Pinhoe 6th May 1989 Copyright David Tozer

Hastings set 1033 leads set 1034 beyond Exmouth Junction on a working to Hastings on the 30th April 1977. Copyright David Tozer

And on the same day, 30th April 1977, from the same position, set 1034 brings up the rear. Copyright David Tozer.

Colas Rail Freight 66848 is pictured waiting to exit the worksite during the Exmouth Junction engineering possession with 6C24 to Westbury 25th October 2020. Copyright Alan Peters

Pinhoe Opened 30th October 1831 Closed 6th March 1966 Re-opened as a trial 16th May 1983 and has stayed open.

Piinhoe. The last 47 Working to Waterloo. 47716, 10th July 1993 Copyright Bill Elston

Pinhoe the 47 Working 47716, 10th July 1993 Copyright Bill Elston.

Hi Keith,
.The 'phantom photographer' in the lower picture is is of course your friend and mine, David Tozer.
At that time I was still living in Pinhoe next to the railway line, not far from the station, enabling me to
obtain many shots of 33s, 47s and 50s during the 1980s and 90s.

Best regards, Bill. (well caught!!)

66156 on an up ballast working 26th November 2011 Copyright David Tozer

66095 heads towards the level crossing with an up ballast working 3rd December 2011. Copyright David Tozer

31602 on a Network Rail test train Pinhoe 2nd March 2012 Copyright David Tozer

Pinhoe an up charter train passing through 6th September 2014 Copyright David Tozer

Pinhoe on the 6th April 2009. A class 159 en route for Salisbury and Waterloo at signal EJ2 on the up platform, the barriers are down so the aspect may be green, or on the other hand it may be waiting for a down service to come off the single track in the distance. Copyright Chris Osment

A contrast in liveries. 159003 awaits 159101 to clear the single line section at Pinhoe. Both these services at not booked to stop at Pinhoe. Of interest 159003 has lost the name 'Templecombe' which it acquired in Network South East days with their livery and was also carried whenpainted in Stagecoach livery. 12th February 2018 Copyright David Tozer

43086 43185 1516 Plymouth -Paddington passes Pinhoe 25th February 2019 Copyright Paul Barlow

A view across the crossing at Pinhoe on the 4th April 2009 Copyright Chris Osment

Poltimore Sidings with 80064 in residence. The siding to the right of 80064 terminated short of the building. 80064 is standing on a loop the metals of which passed underneath the canopy to a run round point beyond. There was a further siding turning hard right which served the Poltimore Brickworks until 1961. Copyright David Tozer

Pinhoe level crossing - a view from the back of one of those nice loco hauled trains. 24th April 1976 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Pinhoe Signal Box in 1971/72. This box now sits on Bere Ferrers station. Copyright Chris Osment

The lever frame and instruments - Pinhoe Signal Box. August 1983 Copyright Chris Osment

The track diagram for Pinhoe signal box. August 1983 Copyright Chris Osment

Into 2019 at Pinhoe

9th January 2019 GWR Class 802's 802010 & 802001 made the second appearance of these units on the Salisbury line at Pinhoe, but this time in daylight. Previously a pair of these units had run from Bristol via Westbury, Yeovil Junction and Honiton to Exeter(Central) during the hours of darkness. The train was the 0905 5Z66 Plymouth (Laira) - Axminster from which point they returned as the 1139 5Z67 back to Plymouth.

Pinhoe GW 802 010 & 802 001 seen at 10.56 on the 9th January 2019 Copyright David Tozer

A somewhat unusual visitor to the former LSWR route between Yeovil Junction and Exeter was DBS Class 59/0 59004 Paul A Hammond running light engine as the 0729 Westbury - Exeter (Riverside) via Honiton and 1134 return. Possibly a first ever visit. I understand that this and further proposed runs on Thurday and Friday of this week are route refresher runs, in connection with the forthcoming blockade of the Exeter to Taunton line. Wednesday 16th January 2019. Copyright Dave Tozer

Pinhoe 2023 Mick House

1) Pinhoe looking East. 2nd September 2023. Copyright Mick House.

2) Pinhoe Looking East. 2nd September 2023. Copyright Mick House.

3) Pinhoe Looking West. 2nd September 2023. Copyright Mick House.

Immediately after Pinhoe Level Crossing the former double track has been singled.

Pinhoe singling work 6th December 1987 Copyright David Tozer

S_SR_21C4_Devon_Belle_Pinhoe_1947 Not quite sharp but nonetheless an evocative image of Bulleid original Merchant Navy pacific no. 21C4 Cunard White Star in charge of the Up Devon Belle near Pinhoe in 1947. 21C4 would become 35004 in March 1948, rebuilt by Jarvis in July 1958 and withdrawn at Bournemouth shed in October 1965.
[Mike Morant collection]

Broadclyst Closed passengers 7Mar66 Goods 6Sep65

A fine view of a typical station on this line - taken some eleven years after closure on 13Apl77. Copyright Roger Winnen

780513b Broadclyst with Exeter-Axminster local Copyright Roger Winnen

Cranbrook - New station site

The site of Cranbrook station viewed from a speeding train on 9th August 2014 Copyright David Tozer

Cranbrook - Not many days before opening

Cranbrook - 1 2nd December 2015 Copyright David Tozer

Cranbrook - 2 2nd December 2015 Copyright David Tozer

Cranbrook - 3 2nd December 2015 Copyright David Tozer

Cranbrook welcomes its first train and David Tozer was there.

A first day platform ticket for Cranbrook. 13th December 2015 Copyright David Tozer

Cranbrook awaits its first train. Sunday morning 13th December 2015 Copyright David Tozer

Station signage on both sides of the track - maybe someday double track will be re-installed along here.13th December 2015 Copyright David Tozer

Passengers eager to join the first train to stop at Cranbrook at 09.46 on the 13th December 2015. This was the South West Trains class 159/1 159103 13th December 2015 Copyright David Tozer

Spectators at Cranbrook 13th December 2015 Copyright David Tozer

A wider view of the station entrance. 13th December 2013 Copyright David Tozer

An interesting view from the station area of the rapidly growing township of Cranbrook. 13th December 2015 Copyright David Tozer

An interesting sign at Cranbrook, there are no third rails here - a hope for the future maybe??!! 13th December 2015 Copyright David Tozer.

Whimple

Wimple station 14Apl77. At this time the up line adjacent to the station buildings was already out of use.The Whiteways sidings which can be seen connected to the former up main remained in use until 1989. the former up line and the sidings were removed in 1990. The former up platform was then extended across the up trackbed to meet the only line through the station. The new arrangement was officially commissioned in Feb 1993. Copyright Roger Winnen

Whimple. The east end seen on 14Apl77 from the still extent footbridge. Note the very little used up line, now a siding, and the former yard rusting over. Copyright Roger Winnen

780513a Whimple Station Copyright Roger Winnen

790613f Whimple Station, note the goods yard. Copyright Roger Winnen

Reference the pictures below :- A couple of Whimple taken on 8th July 1990. Prior to this the old up line formed a small loop which could only be accessed by an Annet's Key released from Exmouth Junction Signal Box. Passenger trains only used the old down line which was accessed by a footbrid to the platform. When the Class 159's were introduced the up platform was extended out towards the old down line and the down platform was demolished. The sidings main use was the transport of silica stone from a nearby quarry and to a lesser extent the odd wagon load from Whiteways Cider.

In the latest Western RUS proposals (2014) for the future they are talking about putting in a loop here!!!

Whimple 8th July 1990. Conversion to single track in progress. Copyright David Tozer

Looking east towards Feniton from Pinhoe up platform. 8th July 1990 Copyright David Tozer

Whimple 50018 Resolution on the 15.48 Exeter to Waterloo 12th May 1991. Footbridge to former down platform removed. Copyright Paul Barlow. Platform 84 yards long

The station was opened by the LSWR on 19 July 1860, along with its Exeter Extension from Yeovil Junction to Exeter Queen Street, The station was situated to the east of the village and designed by the architect Sir William Tite. The main building was situated on the up platform and was two-storeys high to provide the station master with accommodation. The goods shed was nearby at the east end of the station, and a signal box was built opposite on the other platform in 1875. In 1892 Henry Whiteway established a cider factory on the north side of the station. This generated much of the goods traffic at the station; in the 1930s it was estimated that the factory was responsible for 30,000 tons of traffic each year.
On 11 June 1967 all passenger trains were diverted to the down platform. The track through the northern platform was retained to serve Whiteway’s factory, but the signal box was closed and the train crew operated the points. Public goods traffic was withdrawn on 4 December 1967 but Whiteways continued to handle rail traffic. The station became unstaffed on 5 October 1970.
The Whiteways factory closed in 1989 and this allowed a redevelopment of the site. The goods shed was demolished in 1991 and houses were then built instead. The following year the original London bound platform was extended across the disused formation of the London bound track to meet the running line and was brought back into use. The other platform and the footbridge were then demolished.
The above courtesy Wikipedia.

920606a Class 47 at Wimple. Copyright Roger Winnen

Making a nice outline against a heavy sky. Whimple station on the 16th April 2009 Copyright Chris Osment

Whimple, looking towards Salisbury - the sidings that once served the station long gone. A pity in a way that the platform was extended out thus making the provision of a double track, should it prove necessary difficult. 16th April 2009 Copyright Chris Osment

A very pleasing picture, a smart station situated in a very pleasant area. 16th April 2009 Copyright Chris Osment

Mike Morant Collection

Sidmouth Jct Closed 6th March 1967 Re-opened as Feniton 3rd May 1971

For more views of Feniton in January 2014 look at Latest News for that month

Sidmouth Junction 30025 & 30024 at Sidmouth Junction with the Southern Counties Touring Society 'South Western Limited' railtour on the 2nd September 1962 Mike Morant collection.

34048 Crediton stands at Sidmouth Junction with the up train to Waterloo 18th May 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Another view of the same train from further back. 18th May 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

The same train sets off for Waterloo. a nice shot including the signal box and in the distance a bridge carrying a minor road which had already passed over the Sidmouth/Exmouth branch off the picture to the right. 18th May 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

80067 prepares to leave for Exeter over the crossing, note the crossing keepers hut, no longer needed these days. 18th May 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

In the bay waits the 16.12 service to Tipton St Johns then Exmouth. 18th May 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

This is the former down platform of Sidmouth Jct. Branch trains for Sidmouth and Exmouth usually ran from a bay at the end of this platform. The branch turned off sharp right before the bridge, it closed 6th Mar 1967, This picture 14th April 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Standing at the level crossing looking across from the redundant up platform at the functional but not grand station buildings on the down platform. The area behind the fencing on the down platform was formerly occupied by the bay platform. 6th April 2009 Copy right Chris Osment.

Feniton Looking along the former down platform on the 6th April 2009. Fortunately, should doubling ever be required here it would very simple to engineer. Copyright Chris Osment

47581 powers the 12.28 Exeter-Waterloo Seen here just east of Feniton station. 28th June 1992. Copyright Paul Barlow.

The former Sidmouth Junction was 159 1/2 miles from Waterloo so this must be the scene where the Sidmouth branch left the main line.
Feniton railway station serves the village of Feniton in Devon , England. It was opened by the LSWR in 1860 but is now operated by South Western Railway which provides services on the West of Englan main line. It is 159 miles 24 chains (256.4 km) down the line from London Waterloo.
It has been known by several different names, but from 1874 to 1967 it was Sidmouth Junction while it was the junction for the branch lines to Sidmouth and through Budleigh Salterton to Exmouth. The above courtesy of Wikipedia.

Thought to be near Honiton 34003 'Plymouth' Jul64Copyright Mike Roach

Honiton

Honiton Aug 1976. Copyright Doug Nicholls.

Honiton signalbox
The box fringed with Exmouth Junction and Chard Junction and was the last of the closures in 2012, together with Feniton crossing. Short handle lever 12 was the release for the ground frame which allowed access to the engineers' siding which was recovered a few months before the box closed. The structure was demolished within weeks and is now a vacant space, albeit neatly ballasted over. Since re-control, trains from Exeter may if necessary, terminate in the up platform and start back toward Exeter with a newly installed signal. The Down Main line, furthest from the box is bi-directional.
Martin Duff Operations Manager responsible for the resignalling the area

Honiton signalbox, now sadly raised to the ground. Copyright David Tozer

Signalbox lever frame. Summer 2010 Copyright Martin Duff. (View from west end of the frame)

50023 ' Howe' and 50018 'Resolution' Copyright John Cornelius

Honiton with 159011 leaving for Exeter. Taken from the site of the signalbox 2nd March 2012 Copyright David Tozer

37688 at Honiton on a Network Rail Test Train on the 2nd March 2012 Copyright David Tozer

See Honiton to Salisbury in the Taunton & Honiton and beyond section for pictures beyond Honiton