Saturday 5th July 2014
A grand day out in glorious weather on which everything went to plan many thanks to the timetable skills of our outdoor events secretary Roger Winnen.
As usual on these events the party of ten gradually gathered together as the 06.50 from Penzance made its way from Cornwall into Devon. At Exeter we changed on to the 10.30 service to Barnstaple where we arrived on time to catch the service 21 Stagecoach bus to Instow. It must be said that Stagecoach have a grand set of buses, much better than those used to provide First services in Cornwall.
At Instow leaving the bus perhaps a stop too early, we had a pleasant walk along the back of the beach to the signalbox at Instow. Nice to see a permanent reminder of the railways presence in the area. We had ample time to explore the rail route back to Instow tunnel, walk the stations remaining down platform, complete with sign, and see the original up platform building which were easily recognisable when compared with old photographs. It was just possible to see into the interior of the preserved signalbox by climbing to steps towards the foot of which there was a platform from which the signalman would have taken and received the tokens.
A grand day out in glorious weather on which everything went to plan many thanks to the timetable skills of our outdoor events secretary Roger Winnen.
As usual on these events the party of ten gradually gathered together as the 06.50 from Penzance made its way from Cornwall into Devon. At Exeter we changed on to the 10.30 service to Barnstaple where we arrived on time to catch the service 21 Stagecoach bus to Instow. It must be said that Stagecoach have a grand set of buses, much better than those used to provide First services in Cornwall.
At Instow leaving the bus perhaps a stop too early, we had a pleasant walk along the back of the beach to the signalbox at Instow. Nice to see a permanent reminder of the railways presence in the area. We had ample time to explore the rail route back to Instow tunnel, walk the stations remaining down platform, complete with sign, and see the original up platform building which were easily recognisable when compared with old photographs. It was just possible to see into the interior of the preserved signalbox by climbing to steps towards the foot of which there was a platform from which the signalman would have taken and received the tokens.
| Instow station |  140705h The National Heritage Award Plaque for Instow Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen |
140705j The next train must be due! True or False. Copyright Roger Winnen Instow crossing gates looking west towards Torrington. The platform commences shortly after the box.
140705n No train due! The last train ran in January 1983. Copyright Roger Winnen This time looking across the level crossing where the rails have been left in situ - the track first bears left and then right to enter Instow tunnel.
140705c Instow Tunnel now a walkway and cycle way, Copyright Roger Salter Note the illumination in the tunnel roof
140705d Back now west of the crossing looking east. The remaining section of the old up line of the Instow loop & platform at Instow . Copyright Roger Salter
140705e Looking west. A member takes a break on Instow Platform, Copyright Roger Salter
140705jj The station nameboard at Instow. Copyright Roger Winnen
140705m Instows long platform, looking east from the west end. The former up platform has been removed. Copyright Roger Winnen
140705l The former station buildings at Instow. (These were on the up platform) Copyright Roger Winnen
140705i Back now to the restored Instow Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen (Note the platform part way up the access steps presumably used for token exchange.
140705i, A peep inside the signalbox taken with great difficulty - camera held aloft! Copyright Roger Salter An interesting train notice
| Bideford Station |  140705p, Plaque on Bideford Station wall. Copyright Roger Salter |
On by a 21 bus to Bideford where the driver kindly pointed out our way to the station – not a hundred yards from the stop. A broad flight of steps took us up to platform level where we found that the two platforms had been joined at their eastern end forming the station into a two line terminal – the two platform lines joining just beyond the eastern ends of the platforms to form a head shunt. On display were a Hibbert Planet loco, a coach S4489 and a brakevan.
140705o The approach to Bideford Station, up a grand flight of steps. Copyright Roger Winnen
140705k, Bideford Old Station building, at one time used as a bank. Copyright Roger Salter
140705j The above building from the down platform. Copyright Roger Salter
140705p Bideford Station, on the left was the former Midland Bank using the station building. Copyright Roger Winnen The crossing gates are over the double track which immediately afterwords becomes single into the headshunt.
140705k Bideford signal box,copyright Roger Salter
140705u The Planet diesel shunter at Bideford. Copyright Roger Winnen This was parked on the headshunt.
140705s The levers of Bideford Box. Copyright Roger Winnen
140705t Bideford Track Diagram. Copyright Roger Winnen
140705w The continuation of the platforms towards Instow at Bideford station. Copyright Roger Winnen
A pleasant walk now across the wide river Tor – we remembered that many years ago in 1917 when the Bideford and Appledore Railway ceased operations its locomotives travelled to the south side of the river on temporary track laid across this very bridge.
140705x The long bridge connecting north and south of Bideford, Copyright Roger Winnen The Appledore Railway terminated off to the right on the far bank.
140705zl Bideford Bridge from the upper deck of Stagecoach Route 5B - on our return journey. Copyright Roger Winnen
140705zk The former railway bridge at Landcross en route between Bideford and Torrington. Copyright Roger Winnen
Torrington station
To find out more about the Tarka Valley Railway Project use this link - http://www.tarkavalleyrailway.co.uk
We arrived at Torrington station right on time at 14.12 and here we were met by the Chairman of the Tarka Valley Railway Rodney Garner and within minutes he was joined by the former chairman of the Tarka Valley Railway Phil Simpkin. Together these very well informed and genial gentlemen gave us a conducted tour of the site which is based on the grand building on the up platform of Torrington station. This building has until very recently been used as a Public House ‘The Puffing Billy’ of which Phil Simpkin was ‘mine host’.
At the Halwill Junction end of the platform lie a brakevan and clay hood. Access to the remaining stock on our visit was around the station buildings via the gardens. Here we came across the gleaming B.R. Mark one coach and the diminutive diesel locomotive appropriately named ‘Progress’ . From alongside ‘Progress’ we looked along the track which today ends in a buffer stop but soon, it is hoped will, in phase 2 be extended sufficiently to form a headshunt to a point to provide access to a reconstruction of the goods yard on the up side. The eventual plan is to extend to Bideford, and then in ‘due course’ to Waterloo though perhaps the latter is a ‘pipe dream’.
Having seen everything available outside we were then taken on a very privileged view of the extensive collection of railwayanna inside now closed Public House. The current owner of the Pub, but for not much longer Phil Simpkin explained that although he will be taking some of the extensive collection with him the building has been sold to Torrington Trust. Although he could have obtained a better price for the building on the open market he has chosen to sell it to the Trust to ensure that the station remains always in good hands and that the Tarka Valley Railway will be able to continue to grow towards Bideford an extremely generous gift towards the furtherance of railways in the area.
Before leaving we took a stroll across the former railway viaduct, now part of the ‘Traka Trail’, high above the river, we could see the line ahead starting to make a steady climb up towards the former halt at Watergate.
To find out more about the Tarka Valley Railway Project use this link - http://www.tarkavalleyrailway.co.uk
We arrived at Torrington station right on time at 14.12 and here we were met by the Chairman of the Tarka Valley Railway Rodney Garner and within minutes he was joined by the former chairman of the Tarka Valley Railway Phil Simpkin. Together these very well informed and genial gentlemen gave us a conducted tour of the site which is based on the grand building on the up platform of Torrington station. This building has until very recently been used as a Public House ‘The Puffing Billy’ of which Phil Simpkin was ‘mine host’.
At the Halwill Junction end of the platform lie a brakevan and clay hood. Access to the remaining stock on our visit was around the station buildings via the gardens. Here we came across the gleaming B.R. Mark one coach and the diminutive diesel locomotive appropriately named ‘Progress’ . From alongside ‘Progress’ we looked along the track which today ends in a buffer stop but soon, it is hoped will, in phase 2 be extended sufficiently to form a headshunt to a point to provide access to a reconstruction of the goods yard on the up side. The eventual plan is to extend to Bideford, and then in ‘due course’ to Waterloo though perhaps the latter is a ‘pipe dream’.
Having seen everything available outside we were then taken on a very privileged view of the extensive collection of railwayanna inside now closed Public House. The current owner of the Pub, but for not much longer Phil Simpkin explained that although he will be taking some of the extensive collection with him the building has been sold to Torrington Trust. Although he could have obtained a better price for the building on the open market he has chosen to sell it to the Trust to ensure that the station remains always in good hands and that the Tarka Valley Railway will be able to continue to grow towards Bideford an extremely generous gift towards the furtherance of railways in the area.
Before leaving we took a stroll across the former railway viaduct, now part of the ‘Traka Trail’, high above the river, we could see the line ahead starting to make a steady climb up towards the former halt at Watergate.
Puffing Bily Copyright Roger Winnen 
140705z Torrington Railway Station, up platform building Attractively maintained as 'The Puffing Billy'. Copyright Roger Winnen The line to Halwill passed under the road bridge to the right and then over the river Tor by means of a viaduct. Access to the platform via a Beer Garden to the left.
140705za Preserved clay hood stands at the west end of the up platform . Copyright Roger Winnen
140705v, Towards the east end of the up platform stood this former Southern Region Coach. Beyond this stands the very appropriately named loco 'Progress'. Copyright Roger Salter
140705zb Looking back towards the station building. 'Progress', a Fowler Diesel stands at the platform. This engine came from Peters Marland Clay Works and was for a while on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Copyright Roger Winnen
140705zc Relaxation at the Puffing Billy. Included in this view , standing by the locomotive, in a light blue shirt is Phil Simpkin, former Chairman of the Tarka Valley Railway and the departing owner of 'The Puffing Billy'. Phil has played a very major part in project. Copyright Roger Winnen
140705u, Inside the Puffing Billy, under the station canopy and on the up platform, this very attractive and comfortable seating area has been created, Copyright Roger Salter
140705ze Under the station canopy there are many relics on display including lengths of rail from the original pre 1925 narrow gauge and the Bideford, Westward Ho Railway. Copyright Roger Winnen
140705zi A general view along the track, the former station to the left with its fenced off section of rail, the cycle track and further right a cycle hire business and refreshment facilities. Copyright Roger Winnen
Flashback to the 6th November 1982 - a picture of Torrington station taken by Roger Marsh on a dull and dismal day on a dull and dismal occasion. The mayor of Torrington stands in front of the very last train off the main line system. Just look at the length of it. Lets hope the Tarka Valley Railway soon gets beyond the distant bridge. Copyright
140705zh The viaduct west of the station over the Tor. Was a rebuild in 1925 when the line between Torrington and Meeth was converted from narrow gauge to the standard gauge. Now part of the Tarka Trail. This view looking towards Torrington station. Copyright Roger Winnen
140705w,Looking downstream from the railway viaduct. The new road bridges with the old one in the distance. Copyright Roger Salter
From outside Torrington station a bus on route 5 took us directly to Barnstable station, the view for on top of the double decker bus was, on such a glorious day quite incredible. We took the ‘high route’ over the new bridge and from there could look both up the wide estuary towards Bideford and down the ever widening waters towards the distant hills of Exmoor.
140705zm Looking towards Bideford from the High Level Bridge. Copyright Roger Winnen