North Devon lines, pre 1980 Temp

Exeter to Crediton, Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and Hole (Just before Halwill)

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

Newton St Cyres

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Crediton

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

The footbridge at Crediton forms a very handy viewpoint for the station. Here a Bubblecar sets of for either Okehampton or Barnstaple, probably the former. 1971. Copyright Chris Osment

Crediton with Barnstable bound DMU 13th April 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Crediton Station exterior 4thSeptember 1988 Copyright Roger Winnen

31601 & 31452 pass through Crediton en route to Meldon. 16th October 2014 Copyright David Tozer

Crediton in the pink - the LSWR livery.Picture taken 16th October 2014 Copyright David Tozer

The new hump installed on the down platform at Crediton as seen on the 16th October 2014 Copyright David Tozer

Crediton Signal Box on the 3rd August 2010 Chris Osment Copyright

Crediton interior as it was in 1983. Copyright Chris Osment

The interior of Crediton Signal Box as seen on the 3rd August 2010 Copyright Chris Osment

The matching 'Pink Pub' - A non-biased Public house!! Outside Crediton station 4th September 1988 Copyright Roger Winnen

70000 arrives at Crediton on the 6th September 2011 Copyright David Tozer

The class 142 farewell tour calls at Crediton on the 9th September 2012 Copyright David Tozer

Yeoford

Copplestone

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Copplestone in 1971, the station still very nearly complete. Copyright Chris Osment.

Copplestone 30th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Copplestone Exeter bound DMU 30th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Morchard Road

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Morchard Road Set P116 17th April 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen

Lapford

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Lapford 17th March 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen

Lapford with a class 25 in charge of a four coach train. Note the minibus parked in the car park - complete with our headboard - another CRS excursion. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Looking the other side of the bridge we see the class 25 passing the abandoned platform on the passing loop. Copyright Roger Winnen

Eggesford

A Hymeck, once regular on this line calls at Eggesford. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

It's March 1971 and here we see a heritage DMU bound for Exeter making its way across the level crossing. Note the long gone Signalbox, and of course the semaphore signalling. Nowadays the barriers are operated by means of a pull cord by the drivers of trains approaching from Exeter and by means of a button in the token box for trains going towards Exeter March 1971 Copyright Mike Roach

The bridge at Eggesford. March 1971 Copyright Mike Roach

A 1974 view as a three car DMU trundles in from Exeter. Copyright Chris Osment

Running in to Eggesford on the 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Departing Eggesford heading for Barnstaple 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

A view looking forward towards Barnstaple. 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Eggesford in 1974 copyright Chris Osment

Eggesford in 1983, a nice view by Chris Osment

Kings Nympton

Portsmouth Arms

Portsmouth Arms seen here on 30th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Portsmouth Arms 140927e Aries, an elderly first class Pullman coach, alongside the down platform Copyright Roger Winnen

Umberleigh Level Crossing

A charming view of Umberleigh Crossing Ground Frame by Chris Osment Copyright taken in 1971

Umberleigh

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Umberleigh viewed from the road overbridge 30th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

The attractive station buildings and road over bridge viewed from the former up platform. 30th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

The station nameboard on the disused platform, once pained chocolate and cream. 30th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Umberleigh Forecourt. 30th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Umberleigh - the station approach road. 30th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Chapelton

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Chapelton viewed from the down platform 8th June 1985 Copyright Roger Winnen

Chapelton on the 8th June 1985. The only access to this charming property is over this level crossing. Copyright RW

A very recent photograph taken on 5th July 2014 by Roger Winnen. Copyright It looks very smart

Barnstaple Junction

From the Mike Roach ticket collection

What a journey, what a route. From the Mike Morant Collection

Barnstaple Junction 6th August 1960 Copyright Mike Roach

Barnstaple Aug 63 Copyright Mike Roach

Barnstaple Junction - a train for Taunton 10th Aug 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Barnstaple Junction the 7.18PM to Taunton 10th August 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

The up and down lines combine to head for the single track bridge over the river to Barnstaple Town Copyright Roger Winnen

Barnstaple Junction 17th April 1974 Line to Ilfracombe still in situ, to the left. Copyright Roger Winnen

Barnstable Junction 17th April 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen

Barnstaple Class 25 215 29th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Barnstaple Class 25 leaving for the Torrington line 30th March 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen

Barnstaple. The Experimental livery DMU P317 on the 4th April 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

Barnstaple Yard and signalbox 4th April 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

Barnstaple A class 142 on the 14.25 to Exeter on the 22nd August 1986 Note that some signalling still survives Copyright Keith Jenkin

Looking towards Exeter the centre metals look pretty disused, though there is still some polish on those to Fremington, Torrington and Meeth. 22nd August 1986 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Barnstaple Junction to Ilfracombe

Bullied 34011 Tavistock crosses from Barnstaple Town to Barnstaple Junction. September 1962 Copyright Mike Roach Many thanks to Richard Dixon for detail on this.

Barnstaple Town

One of the last views of the signalbox at Barnstaple Town from a train, this was taken on the journey towards Ilfracombe, however, happily the box still survives in 2014. This picture 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin

It's the last day for Barnstaple Town station as a young man watches one of the last duties of the signalman, a tablet exchanged for a staff. Just about three more exchanges to take place before changes to take place before the line dies. 3rd October 2010. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Barnstable Town station Copyright Roger Winnen

The exterior of Barnstaple Town Station. Seen on the 17th October 2012. Copyright David Tozer

Barnstaple Town Station, former track side. Seen on the 17th October 2012. Copyright David Tozer

Luggage with this label would have been routed via Barnstaple Town Station onto the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. Mike Morant Collection

Barnstaple Pottington Swing Bridge

Pottington Swing Bridge. Barnstaple Town station in the distance. 7th June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Wrafton

Wrafton seen on its last day of active service as the Exmoor Belle trundles through. 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Wrafton signal box, this we found to be sadly fire damaged. A young Kevin Jenkin samples the signal ladder 7th June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Braunton

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Braunton seen from the Exmoor Belle Railtour on the last day of the line. The double track has been singled and we are on the former down line but are about to use the clipped crossover to gain the former up line to run into the platform at Braunton. Note the speed limit and the signal which remains in use and is pulled off once the crossing gates have been secured across the road. The stations down buildings have already been demolished. 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Braunton station on the 7th June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Mortehoe and Woolacombe

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Mortehoe & Woolacombe station Sep 62. At this time both lines were in use. Copyright Mike Roach

Its the last day at Mortehoe and Woolacombe as the Exmoor Bell pays a visit and punters stream out onto the platform. 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin

The CRS Minibus party examine Mortehoe and Woolacombe station on the 7th June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

The CRS party samples the up platform at Mortehoe and Woolacombe. 7th June 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

Mortehoe Bank 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

34035 Shaftsbury leaving Mortehoe and Woolacombe and heading for Ilfracombe September 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

A short freight on Mortehoe bank. September 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

Mortehoe bank 34035 Shaftsbury Copyright Mike Roach September 1962.jpg

Mortehoe bank 34013 Okehampton nr Mortehoe

Mortehoe bank 219 Squadron Copyright Mike Roach

Near the summit on Mortehoe bank 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

Ilfracombe

Mike Roach Collection

Ilfracombe 6th August 1960 Copyright Mike Roach

Ilfracombe 10th August 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

A busy scene at Taunton at least one train waiting to depart from the platform, possibly a second one to the right whilst in the yard stand two later services ready to pull out and drop back into the platforms. 10th August 1963. Copyright Mike Roach

A service from Taunton runs into the platform, note a locomotive is being prepared in the shed off to the left. 10th August 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

It is 1968/9 and a service headed by a Warship runs in. It stops short of the train shed in order to leave its train and come forward to access the run round loop points. It will push its train back into the shed once it has run round. Copyright Chris Oment

The Warship heads off along the run round loop towards the signalbox. Copyright Chris Osment

The Warship has gained what will be the front of the train for the return journey and probably pushed the train back so that the rearmost coach is at the buffers in the train shed. Note the absence of any goods vehicles in the extensive sidings. Also note behind the photographer a pair of re-railing ramps, not often seen in pictures. The nearest one of these is inverted, in use they would be dropped over the running rails and the vehicles drawn up over the ramp until the offending wheelset gained its correct position on the metals. Copyright Chris Osment.

It is the very last day and the 'Exmoor Belle' railtour runs in to a very sad looking Ilfracombe, only the metals to the remaining platform are still there. On hopes that the gentleman standing on the roof of a shed got down okay. 3rd October 1970. Copyright Keith Jenkin

The Exmoor Belle stands at the platform and photographers rush to get that last photograph. There is little time before we are off again - no time to visit the sea just visible to the left of the train. 3rd October 1970. Copyright Keith Jenkin

The railtour looks almost lost down in the trainshed. 3rd October 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin

This is the last train on the last day. Captured by Chris Osment 3rd October 1970. Looking at the oil lamp on the buffer I wonder if somebody 'borrowed this and it is safe somewhere? Copyright Chris Osment

The Barnstaple end of the last train framed by the stations cast nameboard, one also wonders what happened to that? 3rd October 1970. Copyright Chris Osment.

Ilfracombe - the nameboard and goods shed. In the distance the signalbox at the commencement of the long climb to Mortehoe. 7th June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Ilfracombe remains 7th June 1975. A member wanders out towards the signalbox. On the left opposite the signalbox lay the loco shed. Copyright Roger Winnen

Ilfracombe station, the train shed. Len Baker contemplates. 7th June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Courtesty Mike Morant Collection

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Barnstaple Junction to Torrington, Meeth and Hole

Fremington

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Instow tunnel

Instow

Mike Roach Collection

Instow box thankfully preserved. Copyright Mike Roach

Instow box and surrounding houses. Copyright Mike Roach

Detail of the box at Instow. Copyright Mike Roach

These rails got little further! Looking from Instow crossing towards the tunnel. Copyright Mike Roach

Bideford

Bideford. A railtour from Halwill Junction to Torrington and Barnstaple on the occasion of the last day of the Halwill Jct to Torrington section 27th February 1965. Bideford actually closed with effect from the 4th October 1965 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Bideford station converted to Midland Bank 7th June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

Bideford station, no longer a bank Copyright Mike Roach

Bideford station looking towards Barnstaple. Copyright Mike Roach

Bideford station, looking towards Torrington Copyright Mike Roach

The former railbridge at Landcross, now the Tarka Trail, viewed on 13th May 2014 Copyright Mike Roach

Torrington

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Torrington 6th August 1960 Copyright Mike Roach

41249 pauses at Torrington on the 29th Auguist 64 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

On the last day of public services between Halwill and Torrington 27th February 1965 a charter was organised to run over the line, here its is having its headboard adjusted. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Torrington Station 27th February 1965 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Torrington station has been saved as a home for the Tarka Valley Railway in addition to the following pictures by Sid Sponheimer the CRS visited the site on the 5th July 2014 meeting with the enthusiastic chairman Rod Garner. See our report and pictures for that date on the Newspage. You are invited to visit their site using the link below - one hopes you will be sufficiently interested to join the organisation.
http://www.tarkavalleyrailway.co.uk

Torrington station - looking towards Halwill Junction. 16th May 2014. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Torrington viaduct taken from the rear cab of a special organised over the line on the last day of public services - 27th February 1965. Once off the viaduct the line started to climb towards Watergate. Today this is a cycleway and pedallists will be selecting a low gear for miles ahead. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Quite a gem this one - a printed ticket from Torrington to Watergate Halt. Mike Roach Ticket Collection.

Watergate

Watergate probably. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Yarde
There was a level crossing here from which the left hand picture was taken.

Dunsbear Halt
A road level crossing provided platform access in the foreground of the left hand picture.

Petrockstowe

Meeth Halt
There was a road level crossing from which the left hand picture was taken.

Taken from a train chartered to run over the line on its last day of public service. Note the sad faces of those left on the platform. Also note interesting, now vintage cars waiting to cross the line. 27th February 1965 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.

Hatherleigh Closed passengers 1st March 65

Hatherleigh 6th August 1960 Copyright Mike Roach

41283 at Hatherleigh with a 'long train' for Torrington, It looks as if the fireman is descending from the engine to attend to quenching the locos thirst. This picture by Sid Sponheimer is undated.

Hole

Hole station February 1964. A service bound for Torrington pulls away. Copyright Mike Roach