Princetown Branch

The Princetown Branch

Let's take an excursion on the Princetown branch - the 1954 leaflet.

Copy supplied by Phill Rundle

Also try this link for fascinating footage of a journey from Plymouth North Road to Yelverton and then on the Princetown branch to King Tor Halt. http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/devon/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8473000/8473201.stm

Yelverton Branch station

A last day picture at Yelverton. The 45xx from 2.10pm Plymouth to Tavistock South transfers coaches from its train (on the rht) to the 2.51pm Yelverton to Princetown in the branch platform. Permission and copyright Ian Lane

At the end of the platform, the tapered wooden extension that was put up when the connection with the "main line" was altered can still be seen; it is evident in the photograph above. Colin Burges

Yelverton, the Princetown branch platform. 4542waits to depart. Photograph copyright A. Vicar. The Mike Roach collection

Yelverton early in 1956 Permission and copyright Ian Lane

4406 on loan from Taunton departs Yelverton on the 2.51 to Princetown. Copyright Ian Lane. Mike Roach collection

Yelverton from the Mike Roach Collection

Mike Roach writes :- On Wednesday 25 January 1939 the driver and the fireman of the 4.51pm from Yelverton to Princetown train failed to check the starting signal was at clear before setting off in a snowstorm, drove into the engine release siding and crashed the locomotive through the buffers. The loco was small wheeled prairie tank number 4402 of Laira Shed and it came to a stop at a crazy angle part way down the embankment. The GWR pulled out all the stops and the next train to Princetown ran as normal at 7.00pm that same evening. The signalman contributed to the accident by not resetting the points to the main route as soon as the shunting manoeuvre was completed to allow 4402 to change ends. The appalling weather also contributed to the accident because visibility was poor.
Regards, Mike Many thanks indeed Mike.
PS Delighted to see that Maurice Dart has started to contribute photos to the website. Maurice has a picture of 4402 on its side after the accident on page 24 of his booklet "Great Werstern Small Prairie Tanks" published in 1996

Yelverton From the OS 25 inch map of approx. 1908 Courtesy National Museum of Scotland. Note the main route continuing on through the tunnel towards Horrabridge.

A close up of the station layout at Yelverton. Normal working was for trains from Princetown to push the empty stock back up the branch far enough for the train engine to go into the refuge siding and turn. The empty stock was then gravitated back to the platform and the loce re-attached. After which the points would be switched and the starter signal pulled off.

LAST DAY One of the last trains climbs towards Dousland on that sad day.

From the Mike Roach collection.

Dousland

Dousland in August 1958 - it looks as if it had wooden ramps at the platform ends. Copyright Charles Fennamore

As can be seen Dousland Station is now a very attractive property. This picture taken on 9th August 2014 N.B. The station is PRIVATE PROPERTY, PLEASE RESPECT THE OWNERS PRIVACY. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

Burrator Halt

Burrator Halt 1955 Mike Roach Collection

A look across Burrator reservoir towards Dousland which is behind the hill. The Princetown branch was where one can see a virtually level line of an embankment above the distant shore. Burrator Halt was almost exactly in the middle of the picture. To the right the lIne continued into the trees and then turned left for Lowry Crossing, Peek Hill bridge and Princetown. 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

At the site of the Burrator Halt 21Sep75 . The steps are original. Copyright K. Jenkin

Lowery Level Crossing

Lowery Crossing keepers cottage 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

The line passed a summit shortly after the crossing and then, after Peek hill bridge, the relentless climbing continued almost to Princetown station. Here, after Lowery Crossing the line continus in a forested area to Peek Hill bridge, where, on crossing the main road from Yelverton to Princetown it entered onto Dartmoor proper.

The Forested area, near Peek Hill bridge. 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

Peek Hill bridge

After the closure and demolition of the branch Peek Hill Bridge was removed. However thankfully as much of the Princetown branch has been restored for the use of walkers and bikers the bridge has been re-built. Picture taken on the 14th July 2019. Copyright Roger Winnen.

After Peek bridge but before Ingra Tor - - Near Rotrundle. 4568 & 4583 head across open moor on their way to Princetown with 2.51 pm from Yelverton on Saturday 3rd March 1956 Permission and copyright Ian Lane

Ingra Tor Halt. This halt was famous for it's 'Mind the adders' sign, a warning that in summer months a snake bite was quite a possibility.

Ingra Tor Halt on a typical misty day. Copyright Alan Field, Mike Roach collection

Ingra Tor Halt on a slightly clearer day. The platform was wooden but the waiting shelter sat on a concrete base. Mike Roach Collection

A view from Ingra Tor Halt of a distant train, note the check rails necessary due to the sharp curvature. Mike Roach Collection

Ingra Tor Halt 21st September 1975. Looking towards King Tor Halt. Copyright K. Jenkin

Before we move on up the line towards Princetown a true story about a fire at Ingra Tor Halt

A review of a book by Shirley Gray - 'Living with Harold and Hitler’
This not a railway book, it is a 125 page volume well written by Shirley Gray and relates to her childhood days which were spent mainly in wartime Plymouth. It will be of great interest to Plymouthians as it contains many stories of life in that badly bombed and war torn city. True stories of the poverty and ration book living associated with those terrible years. However, as well as her personal memories Shirley tells of the exploits of her brother Harold, a real rascal. Harold on one of his boyhood adventures set out for a days adventure by train getting off at Ingra Tor Halt. Here, after trampling around on the moorland, perhaps, with little concern about the ‘Snakes warning notice’ for which this remote location is famed, Harold and his friends returned to the shelter of the station buildings. Feeling cold they lit a fire using scraps of paper and twigs. The fire quickly got out of control and set alight to the building itself. Very luckily very heavy rain put out the fire and Harold and remains of the roof survived. Harolds subsequent involvement with the police and a rail journey under guard in the brake compartment of the train are detailed.
This book is available from Amazon. Other reviews are available see Google.
I found it a fascinating read. Keith Jenkin.

Princetown, King Tor and Ingra Tor From the 25 inch 1895 - 1905 map. With permission of the National Library of Scotland

Ingra Tor - the appox. site of the Halt is indicated by a dot on the railways cntre screen From the 25 inch 1895 - 1905 map. With permission of the National Library of Scotland

Front cover - Harold on the right.

Rear Cover of the book

A fine view on a fine day of the remaining bridge over the Princetown branch just north of the site of Ingra Tor Halt. A fitting memorial to the branch. 19th April 2014 Copyright David Hibberd

Up into the moorland north of Ingra Tor Halt. Mike Roach collection

Swelltor Sidings and quarry.

Beyond Ingra Tor Halt the line curved firstly east but then made a sharp turn to head west around the flanks of King Tor. Here the line still heading west (behind us) had a connection to Swelltor sidings - a quarry. Leeden Tor lies in the background 21st September 1975 Copyright K. Jenkin

It's bleak up at Swelltor Quarry. Seen here on the 3rd July 2017 Copyright David Hibberd

Swelltor Quarry - remains of wooden sleepers and chair bolts seen on 3rd July 2017. Copyright David Hibberd.

King Tor Halt

King Tor Halt. again all that marks the site of the halt is a concrete base for the hut. In this view the line is still climbing towards us have come around the flanks of King Tor. 21st September 1975 Copyright K. Jenkin

Now looking south from very near King Tor Halt one sees the lifted line in the foreground and again in the background albeit at a much lower level as it proceeds towards Ingra Tor Halt. There is nigh on three miles of trackbed between the two halts. 21st September 1975 Copyright K. Jenkin

A demolition train passes King Tor Halt. Mike Roach Collection

Another view of the demolition train, the demolition contrators crane looms menacingly in the background. Mike Roach collection

Very near Princetown now, this bridge provides an almost permanent reminder of the railway, the Dartmoor ponies add to the attractive scene. 21st September 75. Copyright K. Jenkin

Princetown

A sign warning walkers that the path through the station area is owned by them.

Looking back towards Yelverton from the station throat at Princetown. Copyright Charles Fennamore

Princetown station seen here a few days after closure. April 56 Copyright Charles Fennamore

The goal is reached, literaly - Princetown Jail is but half a mile away. Here we see Princetown station in 1955 It closed on 5th March 1956. Mike Roach collection

A sad sight, Princetown 4568 and the demolition train on the 15th October 56 Copyright Charles Fennamore

Princetown station removal of track is complete. Copyright Charles Fennamore

Princetown station, tracklifting has obviulsy taken place recently. Copyright A. Field, Mike Roach Collection

Note the inscription on the side of the coach - 'Return to Princetown'. This coach was seen at Evercreech Junction in July 62. It would have required road transport to get back by this date, the branch had closed 5th March 56! Copyright Mike Roach

A walk down the branch on the penultimate day of 2016. 99% downhill. Copyright Dave Hibberd