Moretonhampstead branch
Credits, Many thanks to all contributors - please see a list on the home page.
A poster which tells it all. A campaign to re-open the branch at least to Heathfield. Picture taken through the coach window of a train calling at Newton Abbot. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Moretonhampstead 12Mls 34Ch
Moretonhampstead station train shed 4Sep76 Copyright Mike Roach
5153 stands at the terminus at Moretonhampstead. A picture courtesy of the Mike Morant collection
Class 55 5557 approaches Moretonhampstead 28th July 1954 Copyright the late John . Wood collection.
Moretonhampstead still in business for freight. The young man who appears in several of Sid Sponheimers pictures is his brother Roger. A picture from the family album. Copyright
Proof that Moretonhampstead was open for freight albeit in a small way, is the van seen to the left. 1961 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Another picture of 'The Phoenix' as passengers pose for pictures in front of the loco. 11th June 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
5153 prepares to leave Moretonhamstead with the 'South Devon Phoenix' on the 11th June 1962. An unusually long train for this station - reportedly over 200 passengers on board. Copyright Sid Sponheimer. N.B. A chocolate and cream rake, bar one.
Pictures from Tony Hill Moretonhampstead April 1965 The last train to reach Moretonhampstead in April 1965; empty open (Hyfit) wagons and an ex LMS Brakevan, almost certainly worked from Hackney Yard by a Newton Abbot based D63xx (cl 22) diesel loco, await loading with scrap materials at the start of the recovery of the line, opened in 1866, back to Bovey Tracey. Moretonhampstead closed to Passengers on 28 Feb 1959 and to Goods on 6 April 1964. Tony Hill
I was then 13 and using an old Box brownie camera, but they are historical !
I was brought up on a farm on edge of Dartmoor Nr Chagford and can remember going to Moreton stn with my father a couple of times ( before Passr trains ended in 1959) to collect a Kerry Hill ram which had come down from Welshpool by passenger trains. Many thanks
I was then 13 and using an old Box brownie camera, but they are historical !
I was brought up on a farm on edge of Dartmoor Nr Chagford and can remember going to Moreton stn with my father a couple of times ( before Passr trains ended in 1959) to collect a Kerry Hill ram which had come down from Welshpool by passenger trains. Many thanks
Demolition at Moretonhampstead April 1965 Copyright Tony Hill
Demolition at Moretonhampstead April 1965 Copyright Tony Hill
Demolition at Moretonhampstead. The loco shed with unusual attached signal box. The loco shed still survives in part of the long established and local Thompsons Road Haulage business based in the old station yard. Their principal traffic is still the tins of Ambrosia Rice pudding from Lifton ; a traffic they 'gained' from BR in the mid 1960's. This picture dated April 1965. Copyright Tony Hill
Near Moretonhampstead
3796 with a rake of vans running down hill near Mortonhampstead - Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Lustleigh 8Mls 66Chs
3796 approaching Lustleigh probably with the vans train seen leaving Mortonhampstead. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Lustleigh station, undated. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Lustleigh at track level - undated. The rural scene captured by Sid Sponheimer, copyright.
The platform at Lustleigh has sees unusual patronage as railtour participants from the 'South Devon Phoenix' step down to view and photograph the scene. 11th June 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Roger and Sid Sponheimer explore the line in 1961. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Between Bovey Tracey and Lustleigh
Between Bovey Tracey and Lustleigh. Undated. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Pullabrook Halt 7Mls 51CHs Opened in 1931 by the Great Western Railway to serve the hamlet of Pullabrook that lies between Bovey Tracey and Lustleigh in West Devon, England. Opened as Hawkmoor Halt after Hawkmoor Hospital, originally known as Hawkmoor County Sanatorium, a specialist hospital founded in 1913 as a pulmonary tuberculosis sanatorium. It was renamed Pullabrook Halt by the British Railways Board in 1955, a few years before closure.
Pullabroook Halt 1961 Copyright Mike Roach
Pullabrook Halt 1961 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Very heavy rain catches a freight train and Mike Roach near Pullabrook Halt - Copyright
Leaving Bovey Tracey heading for Mortonhampstead.
The 'South Devon Phoenix' leaves Bovey Tracey and heads for Mortonhampstead. 11th June 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Bovey Tracey 6 mile and 6 chains
5153 with the 'South Devon Phoenix' at Bovey Tracey. 11th June 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
3796 at Bovey Tracey undated - Copyright Sid Sponheimer
3796shunts the yard at Bovey Tracey, undated, copyright Sid Sponheimer
3796 shunting the yard - note the main train is standing up on the branch. Undated. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Bovey Tracey looking north in 1961. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Bovey Tracey looking south in 1961. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Bovey Tracey 1972 Copyright K. Jenkin
Brimley Halt
Brimley Halt was a railway a single platform station opened in 1928 by the GWR to serve the village of Brimley that lies between Bovey Tracey and Ilsington. Closed 2nd March 1959. Its last known use by a passenger train was on 5th July 1975. The track had been lifted by 8th September 1975
A rare view of Brimley Halt in 1961. Many thanks to Sid Sponheimer. Copyright
Between Heathfield and Bovey Tracey
3796 between Bovey & Heathfield - Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Heathfield 3Mls 70chs (From Newton Abbot)
Heathfield 1961 Copyright Mike Roach. There is a wealth of detail and interest in this picture. The shunter with his pole chats to station staff. The sidings to the left serve Candy Brickworks. The line straight on goes single then continues to Mortonhampstead. The line to the right also singles, this is the Teign Valley line to Exeter via Trusham and Aston. The platform on the left was brought into use along with the passing loop on 24th May 1927.
3796 leaves its train up the branch to do a little light shunting. Heathfield undated - Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Heathfield. 5153 on the 'South Devon Phoenix' railtour. 11th June 1962 - Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Ready to continue its outward journey from Paignton 5153 on the 'South Devon Phoenix' railtour. 11th June 1962 - Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Leaving the road bridge, and taking the station approach road, this is our view in June 1965. The chimney in the trees beyond is that of the Candy brickworks. Copyright Mike Roach
Heathfield station in June 1965 - it had been closed to passengers since 2 March 1959 and subsequently closed to goods with effect from 4th December 1967. Known as Chudleigh Road prior to 1882 when it became a junction. This picture by Mike Roach Copyright,
Heathfield signal box from the front. The platform on the right in this view had been extended in 1927. This picture of June 1965 by Mike Roach Copyright. Note the collection of gullies in the foreground proof that the brickworks production was not limited to bricks.
The back of Heathfield box, it had a nameplate on this side as well for the benefit of passengers on any trains which terminated in the bay in the foreground. In the background can be seen the quite grand building of the Candy Brickworks. June 1965 Copyright Mike Roach
A fine view of the signalbox on a sunny June day. The box was built in bricks from the Candy Brickworks, just over the fence, these bricks were light cream in colour making this box quite distinctive from many others. The clay for the bricks came from a nearby pit. June 1965 Copyright Mike Roach
By June 1965 Heathfield station had closed to passengers for over six years and looks in good condition. This view from the foot of the signalbox shows the station sign lying redundant on the platform. (What a temptation!!) In the distance can be seen a collection of signals showing that the box is still operational. Copyright Mike Roach
And finally a view as seen by drivers of trains from the Mortonhampstead branch or the Teign Valley line. Mike's long shadow indicates the time of day. The Candy bricks would have been glowing in the evening sun. Copyright Mike Roach
3796 returns from a little shunting - viewed from the road over bridge at Heathfield looking towards Newton Abbot. Undated Copyright Sid Sponheimer
The Heathfield line and Ambrosia Traffic Ron Kosys
50149 was a loco for which I had a particular affection.
I was heavily into Class 50’s, and the idea of Class 50’s dedicated to freight work especially appealed.
From a purely personal point of view, it’s a pity the scheme wasn’t proceeded with as planned.
After the planned trials, the modified 50149 was moved into Cornwall to work the clay traffic and associated Speedlink workings based on St Blazey.
This was only ever planned for the short term unfortunately, the loco was converted back to a standard Class 50, renumbered 50049, and repainted into the then latest version of the Network South East scheme.
My first attempt to photograph 50149 was on the dull, wet and horrible morning of 19th January 1988. Attempting railway photography not long after dawn using Kodachrome 64 is questionable in the first place.
Arrangements had been made for me to visit Heathfield on this morning, as not only was I after phots of 50149, but I was keen to photograph the Ambrosia traffic that was being railed from Heathfield for a trial period.
The train crew were very accommodating to say the least. It’s a pity the weather wasn’t......
Anyhow, two appalling shots of the four loaded Ambrosia vans being collected from the oil depot at Heathfield. This would be later be moved via the Speedlink network from Tavistock Junction and St Blazey.
The Tiger that had been dropped at the English China Clays loading point at Heathfield for loading before collecting the Ambrosia traffic, was by now loaded. The clay traffic NORMALLY ran five days per week, but clearly not always...
This meant on this day there were five loaded wagons from Heathfield, a traffic level that was unfortunately very uncommon. The Ambrosia traffic sadly was not to last.
The crew practically stopped the well-early train for me to photograph from the platform that remained at Teigngrace. Boy was it dark. Not too many shots appear from here and had the sun been out it would have been wrong side anyway.
Although the light did improve as the morning went on, it still wasn’t very bright as 50149 headed 6C58, 1045 from Heathfield through Newton Abbot en route to Tavistock Junction and onwards to St Blazey.
And so began my association with 50149.
Many thanks for this article and pictures Ron.
50149 was a loco for which I had a particular affection.
I was heavily into Class 50’s, and the idea of Class 50’s dedicated to freight work especially appealed.
From a purely personal point of view, it’s a pity the scheme wasn’t proceeded with as planned.
After the planned trials, the modified 50149 was moved into Cornwall to work the clay traffic and associated Speedlink workings based on St Blazey.
This was only ever planned for the short term unfortunately, the loco was converted back to a standard Class 50, renumbered 50049, and repainted into the then latest version of the Network South East scheme.
My first attempt to photograph 50149 was on the dull, wet and horrible morning of 19th January 1988. Attempting railway photography not long after dawn using Kodachrome 64 is questionable in the first place.
Arrangements had been made for me to visit Heathfield on this morning, as not only was I after phots of 50149, but I was keen to photograph the Ambrosia traffic that was being railed from Heathfield for a trial period.
The train crew were very accommodating to say the least. It’s a pity the weather wasn’t......
Anyhow, two appalling shots of the four loaded Ambrosia vans being collected from the oil depot at Heathfield. This would be later be moved via the Speedlink network from Tavistock Junction and St Blazey.
The Tiger that had been dropped at the English China Clays loading point at Heathfield for loading before collecting the Ambrosia traffic, was by now loaded. The clay traffic NORMALLY ran five days per week, but clearly not always...
This meant on this day there were five loaded wagons from Heathfield, a traffic level that was unfortunately very uncommon. The Ambrosia traffic sadly was not to last.
The crew practically stopped the well-early train for me to photograph from the platform that remained at Teigngrace. Boy was it dark. Not too many shots appear from here and had the sun been out it would have been wrong side anyway.
Although the light did improve as the morning went on, it still wasn’t very bright as 50149 headed 6C58, 1045 from Heathfield through Newton Abbot en route to Tavistock Junction and onwards to St Blazey.
And so began my association with 50149.
Many thanks for this article and pictures Ron.
50149 Heathfield 19th January 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys
50149 Heathfield 19th January 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys
50149 Teigngrace 19th January 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys
50149 Newton Abbot A very interesting view as the yard is torn apart and the engine shed isolated. 19th January 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys
On Saturday 10th October an HST in the newly painted GWR colours departs Heathfield for Newton Abbot and Buckfastleigh. Copyright Jon Morley
Teigngrace 2Mls 28Chs
The 'South Devon Phoenix' calls at Teigngrace. 11th June 2014 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Possibly at Teigngrace 11th June 2014 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Newton Abbot
The Cornwall Railway Society 'Devon Rambler' prior to its excursion up the branch to Heathfield. 4Aug88 Copyright Roger Winnen