Plymouth to Launceston GWR
Credits, Many thanks to all contributors - please see a list on the home page.
This branch line suffered a memorable closure on December 31st 1962 with trains not recovered off the branch until early January 63.
Sid Sponheimer travelled the branch on the very last day - to see his pictures click here
Sid Sponheimer travelled the branch on the very last day - to see his pictures click here
Timetable - Plymouth, Tavistock S and Launceston Winter 1962/63
Plymouth
Passing Laira steam shed
From the Lee Moor tramway. Heading east having passed Laira sheds the main line passe under a road overbridge, just before this the Lee Moor tramway crossed the main line to parallel it for some distance as it headed east. This section is now buried under a new roadway Thus the picture below, taken from the tramway is no longer possible, not that it is likely that an Auto Train will come past anyway!
Tavistock Junction
Marsh Mills

Lee Moor Crossing
On route south of Plym Bridge
Plym Bridge Platform 1Ml. 39C

The 2.10pm auto-train from Plymouth to Tavistock South, hauled by 6400, restarts from Plym Bridge Platform. The loco had arrived at Laira from Pontypool Road in April 1959. It had been at Pontypool Road for no less than 24 years. 6400 ended its days at Yeovil Town being withdrawn in April 1964. December 1962 Copyright Mike Roach
Cann Viaduct 2Ml. 18Ch
Cann viaduct 130 yrds long
Cann viaduct 130 yrds long
In the woods somewhere between Bickleigh and Plym Bridge
Riverford Viaduct 2Ml. 68Ch
Riverford viaduct is 117 yards long
Riverford viaduct is 117 yards long
Bickleigh Viaduct 3Ml 61 Ch
Bickleigh Viaduct is 159 yards
Bickleigh Viaduct is 159 yards
Bickleigh 4Ml. 09Ch

A most unusual train - 5569 heads the 10.15am from Launceston into Bickleigh. On Saturdays in the summers of 1961 and 1962 only the train became an (unadvertised) through train to Redruth, and an extra three coaches were added. The only clue in the timetable was that the train was allowed extra time from Marsh Mills to Plymouth to change locomotives en route. Normally a 4-6-0 tender loco would take over for the second leg. However on at least one occasion no larger loco was available, and the 55xx continued all the way to Redruth - an epic 4-hour journey for a small Prairie tank. In the summer of 1962 the train was looped after Saltash (presumably at Wearde) to allow the 7.30am Paddington to Penzance to pass. What happened to the train when it finally reached Redruth at 2.45pm ? Captured by Mike Roach, Copyright.
Ham Green Viaduct 4Ml. 31Ch
171 Yards long
171 Yards long
Shaugh Bridge Platform 4Ml. 79Ch
Shaugh Tunnel
107 Yards long
107 Yards long
Clearbrook Halt 6Ml. 25Ch
Yelverton 7Ml. 37Ch

Looking towards the tunnel from the, by then, disused southbound platform. The footbridge is still open but no longer needed to serve this platform or the platform face just behind the footbridge for trains heading for Princetown. Note the easy access for athletic staff between the platforms by means of the boarded crossing - there was an iron step set into the platform. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Horrabridge 8Ml 77Ch
One of the stations provided for the opening of the line, this served the village of Horrabridge. From 11 August 1883 until the opening of Yelverton station on 1 May 1885 it was the junction station for the Princetown branch line. The Princetown trains thus running an extra one and half miles on each journey.

Horrabridge - It's bitterly cold as the fireman directs the water into the tanks of 5569, the driver waits to turn off the valve. So cold is it that the water column at Tavistock South, where water was normally taken was frozen up right from the start of the long cold winter of 1962-63. 24Dec62 Copyright Mike Roach

Saturday 28th December 1962.
There being no Sunday service this should have been the very last day of trains on the Marsh Mills, Tavistock and Launceston branch. However due to the big freeze and blizzard conditions trains were stranded and the timetable became chaos. Note that 6400 bears a wreath to signify the sad occasion. From the Mike Morant Collection. 160709_W_BR_6400_Horrabridge_29-12-62
Magpie viaduct 9Ml 49Ch
111 yards long
111 yards long
Walkham Viaduct 10 Ml. 21 Ch
367 yards long was demolshed on closure of the line. However the route has been restored by the construction of Gem Bridge. This is at a slightly lower level than the original viaduct.
367 yards long was demolshed on closure of the line. However the route has been restored by the construction of Gem Bridge. This is at a slightly lower level than the original viaduct.
In January 2015 Mike Roach came across the following four pictures taken exactly fifty years ago..
He writes - Came across these pics of Walkham Viaduct while looking through my records. They show the details of the riveted construction and the concrete slab above the battle-deck steel flooring which can still be seen underneath some bridges to this day e.g. by Redruth Station and by Hayle Station. Mike Roach
He writes - Came across these pics of Walkham Viaduct while looking through my records. They show the details of the riveted construction and the concrete slab above the battle-deck steel flooring which can still be seen underneath some bridges to this day e.g. by Redruth Station and by Hayle Station. Mike Roach
The END
Here we have Mikes final pictures of the demolition of this fine structure - what a shame it happened. Thank heavens for Mikes foresight in recording this very sad event.
Grenofen Tunnel 374 yards long
North of Greofen tunnel

North of Grenofen tunnel. This is a train heading south climbing towards the tunnel. To the left you can see the A386 and the village of Whitchurch in the background. Many thanks to Richard Lillicrap for identifying this location. This view can still be obtained to this day using the 'Drakes Trail' opened along this section through the Greofen tunnel. This picture in 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

The Launceston to Tavistock Junction freight, including Conflat wagons carrying containers conveying tins of rice pudding from the Ambrosia factory at Lifton. Ambrosia was founded in the village of Lifton in 1917, and it is believed that rice pudding is still made there in 2015. September 1962 Copyright Mike Roach
Whitchurch Down Platform
Tavistock South 12Ml 71Ch

6430 on 4.30pm auto-train from Tavistock South to Plymouth 24Dec62. 6430 had only arrived at Laira in May of 1962. After the closure of this line 6430 would go on to be shedded at Tondu, Exmouth Junction and Yeovil Town; and would later be preserved. It was withdrawn by BR in November 1963. Copyright Mike Roach
A fellow railway enthusiast and myself decided to catch the next to last timetabled passenger train, 29th December 1962, as far as Tavistock South and to return on the last train to Plymouth. As it turned our train was the last. We stayed in Tavistock North station for what was left of the night and wandered over to Tavistock South where I took the attached photograph on the 30th December 1962. Regards Ian
The last passenger trains were scheduled to run from Launceston to Plymouth via Tavistock on 29 December 1962, the "closure" taking effect from the following Monday, 31 December. In the event heavy snow falls put an end to any celebrations: the 18:20 train from Plymouth reached Tavistock after midnight, and the 19:10 Tavistock to Plymouth was stranded at Bickleigh overnight.
Goods traffic continued to and from Lifton until 1964, serving a dairy there; trains reached Lifton via the LSWR line as far as Lydford. After 1964 Lifton was served by a trip from Launceston; it was finally withdrawn on 28 February 1966
From Wilkipedia.
Goods traffic continued to and from Lifton until 1964, serving a dairy there; trains reached Lifton via the LSWR line as far as Lydford. After 1964 Lifton was served by a trip from Launceston; it was finally withdrawn on 28 February 1966
From Wilkipedia.
North of Tavistock South lies Kelly College
Mary Tavy & Blackdown 16Ml 24 Ch
Lydford 19 Ml 43Ch
Many more of Lydford pictures on the Plymouth to Okehampton SR section.
Many more of Lydford pictures on the Plymouth to Okehampton SR section.
Liddaton Halt 22Ml. 35Ch.
Coryton 23Ml. 76Ch.
Lifton 27Ml. 14Ch.
Lifton was a calling point on the 'Launceston Branch Centenary' railtour on 5th September 1965. You are recommended to take a look pictures of this train in the Steam Railtours section.
Lifton was a calling point on the 'Launceston Branch Centenary' railtour on 5th September 1965. You are recommended to take a look pictures of this train in the Steam Railtours section.

Focusing in on the gangers trolley it is many thanks to Geoff Harrison who tells us that his Father-in-Law Jack Wickett is the second of the gangers (left to right), he has just stepped onto the platform and is partly hidden. Also Geoff's Brother-in-Law John Wickett is the one on the right having just stepped onto the platform. A nice personal rouch. Note the back of the trolley is protected by the traditional red lamp. Copyright Geoffrey Harrison
As a matter of interest back in those days wooden pallets, much larger and heavier than the standard 4-way pallet of today were just coming into use, but the company would not risk losing these in transit so gangs of men unloaded goods whether it was milk powder or cases of milk puddings and these were 'handballed' onto the decks of lorries. From notes by Geoffrey Harrison. (Geoff worked for Ambrosia for a while and very much regrets that he crossed over the level crossing many times but never had a camera with him).

A lovely view of Lifton from the Tinhay Tramway bridge. Note the provision of a hut for the crossing keeper. The point roding for the adjacent loop point can be seen heading away towards the distant signalbox at the other end of the station. Presumably the cottage seen to the extreme left was provided for the crossing keeper. This picture from the Geoffrey Harrison Collection. Copyright.

This picture courtesy of Sid Sponheimer shows the arch looking almost fragile which carried the Tinhay Tramway across the GWR. Note also the two crossings, one serving the platforms, the other for road traffic to and from the Ambrosia Factory. Note also to the right the vans which would have carried the Ambrosia product away. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

A charming picture taken somewhere near Lifton. Does anyone recognise exactly where? The solution came from Roger Pyke - see below. The gentleman outside the thatched bungalow pauses to watch 5511 glide past with 2 coaches on the 6.20pm Plymouth to Launceston. The date was Saturday 20 May 1961. 5511 had been at Laira 3 years when it was withdrawn 6 months later, but this is the only picture Mike got of this particular loco. Copyright Mike Roach
Hi, I was perusing your wonderful site especially the Plymouth to Launceston line and noticed that you had one photo from near Plymouth 0f 5511 and you were asking if anyone knew exactly where this was. Well its where the line went past Leat Cottage, Lifton just as it headed for Launceston from Lifton Station. Hope that helps. Regards Roger Pyke Many thanks Roger.
Launceston 31Ml 67 Ch.
We're in Cornwall now but only just - the GWR line crossed the river Tamar a short time before arriving at Launceston.
We're in Cornwall now but only just - the GWR line crossed the river Tamar a short time before arriving at Launceston.

The preserved 45 4555 comes off its train from Plymouth and makes its way out to run round. Plenty of interesting detail in this picture - the curious humped footbridge, the southern bridge number (43), fire devil used to stop the water crane from freezing and in the background the essential water tower. Both the SR and GWR had water towers at Launceston. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

An overall view of the Southern goods yard 27th Dec 1962. Note in the foreground the turntable and 4574 busy doing a little shunting. Beyond the water tower are the GWR metals leading to its yard and station - the station had closed to passengers on 30th June 1952 but both yards remained until officially closing on 28th February 1966. Copyright Mike Roach
Timetable - Plymouth, Tavistock S and Launceston Winter 1962/63