Taunton to Barnstaple

Taunton to Barnstaple

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

USEFUL MAPS
Members and general visitors to the CRS site will be interested in visiting http://www.railmaponline.com From the opening page a full map of the UK can be accessed which can then be enlarged to show every railway line in the UK. Not just today's network but lines from the past have been overlaid. As you zoom in sidings and even tramways become visible.

A valuable tip from Guy Vincent.

The Taunton to Barnstaple line - from the air, courtesy of Google

Moving away from the Norton Fitzwarren triangle, I came across a remarkable video (link below) compiled from Google Earth, "flying" over complete Taunton-Barnstaple route. The roundabout on the site of Milverton Station (at which I photographed the Royal Blue coach) appears at 3 mins 34 secs into the video. Note that, between Milverton and Wiveliscombe the video briefly takes a wrong route (from 4 mins 22 secs to 4 mins 40 secs) following the road rather than the course of the railway. What is very noticeable throughout the video is that it would be well-nigh impossible to reinstate this railway due to the large number of locations where it has been built over. The line's remoteness from population centres is also very clear and explains why, even though it would have benefited Barnstaple in providing a more direct route to the GW main line than the present route to Exeter, the passenger traffic potential between Barnstaple and Taunton must have been very small.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNB_STqqh5w
I hope the above information and links might be of some use to you - and perhaps to users of the CRS web site. Any factual errors are mine - and not those of the CRS!
Kind regards,
Derek Buttivant Many thanks Derek

Taunton

At Taunton many long trains from Paddington divided into two portions, half for Barnstaple and half for Minehead. August 1963 Copyright Mike roach

Norton Fitzwarren 165Ml 8Ch

Milverton 169Ml 59Ch

7333 brings the 5.55pm from Taunton to Barnstaple into Milverton on Saturday 13 July 1963. The train provided a connection off the 2.30pm from Paddington, and a connection into a train to Ilfracombe, which would be reached at 9.00pm. Mike caught this train to Dulverton on his way home to Plymouth via the Exe Valley Line. Copyright Mike Roach

Milverton, looking in the Barnstaple direction. July 1963 Copyright Mike Roach.

A study of the signalbox, everything looking nice and tidy. Note the heavily leaden telephone poles, a feature of the railways which was commonplace but no longer seen. July 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Finally a look along the down platform, the elaborate carving on the gable end of the up waiting room is testimony to the care and pride once taken. There was no footbridge here so if delayed getting one's ticket for Taunton it was a quick dash up over the road bridge to catch an up service. July 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Milverton 1966. The flower beds are still there but is the signalman looking after them? Copyright Mike Roach

Milverton 1966 - another study of the signalbox. Copyright Mike Roach

The neat station at Milverton in 1966 complete with the platform trolley sheltering under the eaves. Copyright Mike Roach

Ah, what's this, the modern image creeping in! Milverton 1966 Copyright Mike Roach

Milverton 1966. Look at this, an LSWR lattice signal mast on GWR territory! Copyright Mike Roach

The unusual signal at Milverton worth a second look. 1966 Copyright Mike Roach

Mike Roach Ticket Collection

Milverton in 2021

Milverton - a Royal Blue coach tour at Milverton roundabout - site of Milverton station. Copyright Derek Buttivant. 20th June 2021

Derek Buttivant writes - I was encouraged by a recent posting on the web site to go to the outskirts of Milverton village this morning (21 June) in the hope of seeing some of the Royal Blue coaches on the final day of their west of England tour. As it happened, the vehicles were well spread out, it was raining steadily and I probably didn't see all of them. However, I'm attaching just one picture because although I know that the CRS doesn't normally cover buses, I think there is a special case here: the roundabout being negotiated by this 1960s vintage coach (and the road from which it has just emerged) are on the track-bed of the former GWR Taunton-Minehead branch. Sadly, there is nothing whatever left of Milverton station which was completely obliterated by the roundabout and road but, for reference, the platforms and buildings would have been immediately behind the trees now gracing the centre of the roundabout. The replacement road between Milverton and Wiveliscombe is one I now use frequently - but I would be much happier if the railway was still there! 21st June 2021.

Wiveliscombe 172Ml 45Ch

6327 runs into Wiveliscombe with the 4.25pm from Taunton to Barnstaple on Saturday 13 July 1963. Mike caught this train to Venn Cross, before backtracking to Milverton to take the pictures seen above. Copyright Mike Roach

This picture July 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Wiveliscombe 1966 Copyright Mike Roach

Wiveliscombe Signalbox 1966 Copyright Mike Roach

An interesting study at Wiveliscombe 1966 Copyright Mike Roach Gas lighting, the water column and the fire devil - the fire within to keep the water column from freezing up.

The 4.25pm from Taunton to Barnstaple approaches Wiveliscombe Station. This is the same train as seen in the next large image above taken on the same day and from the same spot on the platform, leaning over the fence at the back of the platform. Copyright Mike Roach

Venn Cross or Waterrow viaduct 159 yds. 176 Ml

A three coach train headed by a mogul crosses the 159 yard Venn Viaduct over the river Tone. Jul64. Copyright Mike Roach

After closure, this is what Venn Cross Viaduct looked like in September 1969 Copyright Mike Roach

And now Venn Cross viaduct at track level - it looks so pristine and clean, ready for new track, but sadly that was not to be. September 1969 Copyright Mike Roach

Another view from the valley floor September 1969. Copyright Mike Roach

Venn Cross 177Ml 25Ch
The site of Venn Cross Station lies on the County Boundary of Devon and Somerset.

Please note that the owner of the current buildings on the Venn Cross station site has asked that no visits are made to the site without specific permission. Please respect their wishes and privacy.

Earlier photographs of Venn Cross when operational etc

Again looking towards Taunton but this time right through the 246 yard tunnel. It can be seen that there was quite a climb up to the station continuing through the tunnel (1 in 54) Copyright Mike Roach July 1963

GWR Mogul 7337 emerges from Venn Cross tunnel 264 yds and runs into Venn Cross station with a train for Barnstaple. July 64 Copyright Mike Roach

6327 pulls away from Venn Cross at 5.00pm with the 4.25pm Taunton to Barnstaple Saturday 13 July 1963. Mike had just alighted from the train, having travelled from Wiveliscombe, 10 minutes for 4.75 miles. Later he would travel back to Milverton behind 7304 with 5 coaches. Copyright Mike Roach

63XX seems to be ambling along quite happliy on nicely fettled track - somewhere on the line between Taunton and Barnstaple. July 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Morebath 180Ml 75Ch

The scene at Morebath after the loop was taken out - March 1964. Copyright Mike Roach

Morebath Jct Halt 192Ml 37Ch

Note East Anstey in brackets. This ticket was presumably issued at East Anstey because Yeo Mill was an unstaffed halt with no booking office and no staff. Most unusual.

5700 class 0-6-0 PT no 3794 in charge of the 12.30 Dulverton - Exeter approaching Morebath Junction on the 3rd March 1963. Courtesy the Mike Morant collection

3794 departs Morebath Junction Halt on the 29th May 1963. Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

Dulverton 184Ml 18 Ch

Dulverton 6th August 1960 5.30 pm to Exeter Copyright Mike Roach

Dulverton on the 6th August 1960 Copyright Mike Roach

Dulverton 1963 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.

1471 rests between duties - it has probably come up the Exe Valley line. 1963 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Dulverton an up train rolls in. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Venn Cross - remnants of concrete extension to up platform. Almost all signs of the platform have been covered up but here is a section of concrete uprights of the platform face. .. Copyright Derek Buttivant

The Exe Valley train runs in. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Dulverton - the Exe Valley service Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Dulverton - the Exe Valley service departs. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

The driver of 6372 relaxes with the 1.05pm Taunton to Ilfracombe service. The coaches had left Wolverhampton at 8.00am and the train also included a portion for Minehead. Ilfracombe would be reached at 4.00pm. Meantime 7333 rolls in with the 12.25pm Ilfracombe to Taunton. Dulverton was 40 miles by rail from Ilfracombe. Mike caught this train to Milverton. The time is 2.15pm on Saturday 13 July 1963. Copyright Mike Roach

Mike has now dashed over the footbridge to witness the Barnstaple train departing, the driver looking back to double check the signal and smile for the camera! July 1963. Copyright Mike Roach

It's the 7th September 1963 as 7304 on a runs into Dulverton on a Barnstable service. Copyright Mike Roach

Crossing over to the up platform for this shot as 7304 having stopped sizzles while at rest. Note a number of cattle trucks resident in the goods yard. 7th September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

7304 makes a fine sight as it departs steam obscuring part of the footbridge, The departure is witnessed by Mike Roach and a member of staff on the up platform. 7th September 1963

The Exe Valley service has arrived at Dulverton. March 1961 Copyright Mike Roach

Possibly having delivered some passengers and waiting to collect more the country bus service waits in the forecourt as two trains pass at Dulverton. March 1963 Copyrtight Mike Roach

The bus has gone and the Barnstaple service pulls away. March 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

6327 running into Dulverton with a consist including two milk tankers. March 1963. Copyright Mike Roach

7337 running towards Dulverton station - from Barnstaple. March 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Dulverton the branch platform September 1963. Copyright Mike Roach

Intense activity at Dulverton, three trains in -the connecting service for the Exe Valley waits passengers. September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Dulverton September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Dulverton 6372 September 1963 Copyright Mike roach

Dulverton September 63 Copyright Mike Roach

Dulverton signalbox seen after closure January 1968 Copyright Doug Nicholls

Dulverton 23Dec77 . Compare this with the top picture, the signalbox lay just beyond the good shed. Copyright Roger Winnen

Nightcote tunnel

Nightcote tunnel at 44 yards was just long enough to qualify as a tunnel. March 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

7333 emerges from the Nightcote tunnel. March 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

East Anstey 188 Ml

Courtesy Wikipedia :- The station at East Anstey in Devon was built with just a single platform on the south side of the line. A passing loop and second platform were brought into use in 1876 and extended in 1910 and again in 1937. It is the highest point of the D&SR line, nearly 800 feet (240 m) above sea level. The goods shed and small goods yard were at the west end of the platform. A crossing loop was installed with a second platform in 1876, the signal box being built on the original platform.

East Anstey in September 1963. Copyright Mike Roach

East Anstey There was a long loop here of 51 chains. Copyright Doug Nichols.

East Anstey The signalbox here was on the down side. Copyright Doug Nichols.

East Anstey1 Camping Coach holiday at East Anstey (just W from Dulverton) in August 1952. Copyright John Thorn

East Anstey Camping Coach holiday. Only 5 at the time but I remember a violent storm - the same one that washed out Lynmouth. The yard wastill in use at the time August 1952. Copyright John Thorn. A fascinating study of the camping coach interior.

Yoe Mill Halt 189 Ml 50 Ch

6326 calls at Yeo Mill Halt Jul64 Copyright Mike Roach -

Yeo Mill Halt, a train coasts in - were there any passengers? July 1964 Copyright Mike Roach

Bishops Nympton and Molland Road 193 Ml 2 Ch

A smashing picture of Bishops Nympton station in 1966 just prior to closure. Copyright Doug Nicholls

South Molton 197Ml 30 Ch

From a bridge very near South Molton 5369 approaches 3rd April 61 - Copyright Mike Roach

From the same bridge near South Molton with 6390 approaching 3rd April 1961 Copyright Mike Roach

South Molton 10th August 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

A camping coach - thought to be at South Molton 3rd April 1961 Copyright Mike Roach

Out in the country - we're not quite sure where these are - can anyone help?

(1) Out in the country. March 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

(2) Out in the country. March 63 Copyright Mike Roach

(3) Nicely framed by the overbridge a 'Southern' 'N' class travels the line. March 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

(4) March 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

(5) March 1963 Copyright Mike Roach

Filleigh 200 Ml 53 Ch

Filleigh 6327 restarts its four coach train off towards Barnstaple Sep62 Copyright Mike Roach

Swimbridge 204 Ml 4 Ch

7333 enters Swimbridge Sep62 Copyright Mike Roach

Barnstaple Victoria Road 207Ml 70Ch

Barnstable Victoria Road lavishly decorated for a visit by the Queen and Prince Phillip in May 1956. Presumably the cattle trucks would have been removed prior to the visit.