Mortonhampstead and Teign Valley branch

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

To see an OS 25" map showing the track plan for the period 1892 - 1914 at Moretonhampstead courtesy National Library Of Scotland please click below:-
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=50.6581&lon=-3.7611&layers=168&b=1

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

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

Moretonhampstead revisited 2018 Clive Smith

Driving through Moretonhampstead on 10th October 2018 I decided to have a look around the old station site. Remarkably little has changed since when Keith and Roger visited in 1976 (see the archive for their pictures). Thompson Hauliers are still in business on the site and no buildings appear to have been added. I was fortunate enough to be shown inside the listed engine shed by a kind employee. This is used as one of Thompson's store rooms. The station building is enclosed as part of their warehouses and I was told the station platform inside is still in situ.

Regards, Clive Smith

Moreton Hampstead 1 Goods Shed on the 10th October 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

Moreton Hampstead 2 Engine Shed on the 10th October 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

Moreton Hampstead 3 Engine Shed on the 10th October 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

Roy Hart adds - Although Moretonhamstead lost its passenger service in 1959, the engine shed has been unused since about 1950, so it is quite a survivor. Until it closed in 1962 or so, the signal box was built on to the engine shed.

Near Moretonhampstead

3796 with a rake of vans running down hill near Mortonhampstead - Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Lustleigh 8Mls 66Chs

To see a track plan at Lustleigh station from the 25" OS Map 1892 to 1914 Courtesy National Library of Scotland please click below:-
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18&lat=50.6192&lon=-3.7192&layers=168&b=1

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

History Post - grouping Great Western Railway. Two platforms were provided. Opened 4th July 1886 Closed Passengers 2nd March 1959. Line Closed to goods traffic 1970

To see a track plan of Bovey Tracey station courtesy of the National Library of Scotland for the period 1892 to 1914 please click below :- https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=50.5929&lon=-3.6828&layers=168&b=1

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

Bovey Tracey Revisited 2018 Clive Smith

Bovey Tracey station - now a museum. The station cat is camera shy!! 18th November 2018 . Copyright Clive Smith

A detailed and delightful view of the station at Bovey Tracey 18th November 2018 . Copyright Clive Smith

Bovey Tracey . This 'Toad' breakvan is a major exhibit at the station 18th November 2018 . Copyright Clive Smith

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)

CTo see a track plan at Heathfield station from the 25" OS Map 1892 to 1914 Courtesy National Library of Scotland please click below:-
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=50.5739&lon=-3.6534&layers=168&b=1

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 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. The final Train on 10/10/15 - 'The First Devon & Exeter Explorer' charity HST railtour, powered by 43187 & 43188.

Not quite the
Last Train to Heathfield 21st December 14
See note below by David Mitchell *

Hello

I've been looking through the various Devon galleries for information towards a model railway, very grateful to your contibutors for all the pictures and captions given.
I was interested in the later pictures on the Moretonhampstead line page, especially views of the class 50 on trains in the late 1980s, but noticed the comment on the last picture of a test train at Heathfield on 12th June 2014, where the photographer (Clive) says "I am unsure at to whether up to now this has been the last train to visit Heathfield". Well, there were some Santa specials run but FGW on 21st December 2014 from Newton Abbot which got to Heathfield and which our family 'won' tickets for in a competition.

Unfortunately the train was kept closed & we could not get onto the platform at Heathfield, but I've attached pictures of the special carriage window sticker (which I've got an example of) and a passing view of the old clay loading shed at Heathfield, plus the family by the train back at Newton Abbot.

Having lookedback throught the site, there was some coverage of it in your blog for December 2014.
http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/latest-input--news--old-pictures-etc/archives/12-2014
Best regards & thanks again for a fantastic source of information on past & present railway activity.

Rich Poyner

The Poyner family at Newton Abbot excited about the last train to Heathfield. 21st December 2014. Copyright Richard Poyner.

The grand window sticker provided for the last train on the 21st December 2014. A pity that they weren't even allowed to get out at Heathfield. Copyright Richard Poyner.

This was understood to be the last train into the Heathfield Bay. 21st Dec 2014 Copyright John Ball

* David Mitchell writes :- Last Trains to Heathfield
Re the notes on your excellent website regarding the last trains over the Heathfield branch, I can bring the dates forward to the following (to the best of my knowledge):-

Last Royal Train to be stabled on the branch - 20/3/15.
Last p.w. (ballast) train - 23/3/15, worked by 70804.
Last timber train from Teignbridge - 2/4/15, also worked by 70804.
Final Train on 10/10/15 - 'The First Devon & Exeter Explorer' charity HST railtour, powered by 43187 & 43188. There is actually a photo taken from this train in the Moretonhampstead branch section of your website, but it is not fully dated.

Regards, David Mitchell Many thanks to you David.

Teigngrace 2Mls 28Chs

The 'South Devon Phoenix' calls at Teigngrace. 11th June 2014 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

56113 creates quite a few fumes just ticking over amidst the foliage at Teigngrace on the Newton Abbot - Heathfield branch on the 29th May 2014. The contract to take timber from here to Chirk brought life back to the mothballed freight branch for a number of years. The loading facility was created next to the line just down from the level crossing. My employer's depot relocated to nearby Kingsteignton around this time and a heads-up that the 'logs were running' provided me with this photo opportunity on the morning commute. Not sure I was going to capture it as the shot was only possible from private land where the timber was stored. Thankfully a security guard gave me the nod and the shot was duly taken. Regards Clive Smith

Newton Abbot

The Cornwall Railway Society 'Devon Rambler' prior to its excursion up the branch to Heathfield. 4th August 1988 Copyright Roger Winnen

50 149 up the branch - a feature by Ron Kosys

An early start got me to Teignbridge in time to photograph 50149 on its way to Heathfield.
A check before going to bed for a few hours sleep confirmed that it was booked to work
its regular train, 6C57 0530 St Blazey to Heathfield, which was booked to work Monday to
Friday. Although the consist of 6C57 regularly included traffic for other customers, it’s
staple was a single Tiger for loading at Heathfield. There could be up to three Tigers on
occasions, but this wasn’t very often.

25th April 1988 it was just the single Tiger, and 50149 is seen coming to a halt at Teignbridge,
so the guard could disembark and operate the manual level crossing gates as necessary.

The return, 6C58, was officially due off Heathfield at 1045. It almost without fail left much earlier than that,
especially if there was just the one Tiger. A discussion with the crew confirmed that they would depart as
soon as they were loaded, as they had to call elsewhere on the branch to pick up additional traffic, Boy, it
looked as though my luck really would be in today...

The sunny shots I always wanted were of the return at Teignbridge. Three shots attached.
50149 crawls over the crossing, and then waits as the guard re-opens the crossing gates to road traffic.
Finally, after being reunited with the guard, 6C58 sets off. Next stop Newton Abbot Clays!

28th April 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys

An arrangement with the crew ensured I got into position on the Newton Road bridge in time
to photograph 6C58 as it passed the Newton Abbot Clays siding, where a single sheeted hopper
was waiting collection.
Newton Abbot Clays siding was the railway name for the loading point of the East Gold Clay Works.
Traffic from here was loaded by digger.

Still running well early, 6C58 was normally held to its booked time at Newton Abbot. Not wanting
to waste the weather, I headed for the Par/St Blazey area to see what developed during the
afternoon. Although booked to work the Gloucester Speedlink at 1545, it didn’t always do so.
When that was the case it would work a couple of clay trips as required and leave the Gloucester
to a pair of 37’s.

All in all, a superb mornings work for me!!

37607 on the front and 37610 on the rear of a Network Rail test train prepare to return to Newton Abbot from the far extremeties of the Heathfield branch. The photo was taken at 08.35 on the 12th June 2014. After photographing the incoming train I had to take my life in my hands to cross four lanes of the busy A38 at peak time to obtain the 'buffer shot' here as the train was scheduled to return immediately. I am unsure at to whether up to now this has been the last train to visit Heathfield. If anyone can add further information then please let the site know. Regards, Clive. Many thanks Clive - glad you survived the dash across the road.