Teign Valley line. This is covered from Heathfield to Exeter, for more views of Heathfield and details of the stations between Mortonhampstead and Newton Abbot see the Mortonhampstead branch.
There is an excellent video on both lines mentioned above - click below
https://youtu.be/M_x3Fg8Yb0I
There is an excellent video on both lines mentioned above - click below
https://youtu.be/M_x3Fg8Yb0I
With the total closure of the only route into west Devon and Cornwall from February to April 2014 following the breach of the sea wall at Dawlish the reopening of this route as an alternative to the sea wall was being looked at. However, from a laymans point of view this seems highly unlikely as large sections of the trackbed have disappeared under road and housing developments. There is another problem with Perridge tunnel which suffered a partial collapse many years ago. The route was also subject to flooding problems which caused the premature closing of the eastern end.
*** The last day on the Teign Valley 7th June 1958. Try clicking below for a superb selection of copyright pictures of this fascinating line taken in black and White by Peter Joanas - these are copyright. Not to be missed. Many thanks to Clive Smith for drawing our attention to this marvellous selection https://www.flickr.com/photos/110691393@N07/12174032874/in/photostream/
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.
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.
Heathfield
There was an Oil Depot here for Gulf and Heltor.
There was an Oil Depot here for Gulf and Heltor.
A class 63 runs into Heatfield from Newton Abbot in 1960. Passenger services here ceased on 2nd March 1959. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Now that the passenger services have ceased the signalman takes a look at a freight train probably destined for the Teign Valley recessed in the bay. 1960 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
The 63 makes a move out of the Teign Valley Bay. Undated Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Heathfield looking north in 1961. A fair number of vans in evidence in the Teign Valley bay. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
Heathfield looking south in 1961. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Chudleigh Knighton Halt 1Ml (From Heathfield)
Chudleigh Knighton - a very basic station seen here in 1960. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Chudleigh Level Crossing in 2018 by Colin Burges
In winter, anyone sharp-eyed enough when travelling south on the A38 dual-carriageway past the site of Chudleigh Knighton crossing and halt may catch a glimpse of a bit of the branch railway's boundary, which became part of the fence of Chudleigh Bypass in 1973.
Pipehouse Lane, which formerly made a level crossing of the railway, now passes beneath the A38 and continues to serve Level Crossing Cottages, whose occupants have to put up with the incessant din of motor traffic.
Pipehouse Lane, which formerly made a level crossing of the railway, now passes beneath the A38 and continues to serve Level Crossing Cottages, whose occupants have to put up with the incessant din of motor traffic.
Chudleigh Knighton crossing 01 Copyright Colin Burges
The formation of the line is much disturbed here but the new road did not actually make an incursion at this point. The spot where I took the composite below from cannot be very far from where the pagoda shelter of the halt once stood.
Chudleigh Knighton crossing 02 Copyright Colin Burges
Re the picture above : - I bet you can't see the join. The end of Level Crossing Cottages is the white at right. The dual carriageway is obvious at left. The crossing keeper's cottage would have been on the edge of the nearest, southbound, lane.
Chudleigh Knighton crossing 03.
Taken from the platform of the halt, a B.R.-blue liveried North British 63 diesel-hydraulic waits at Knighton Crossing in April, 1968. Level Crossing Cottages are just off picture to the right. The picture, from my web pages, is credited to Peter of Teignmouth, who gave me permission to use it. Collin Burges
Both of the pictures below are looking back towards the crossing from the Heathfield direction. The Teign Valley line was just beyond the rotting fence. If you were to wait here long enough, you would see an HST power car or a Mk III trailer pass on a low loader. In fact every every commodity and consumable needed by the railway west of Newton Abbot, short of trackwork and ballast, will pass here in nondescript vans and lorries. And when there is disruption, coaches will carry railway passengers past this spot.
Chudleigh Knighton crossing 04 Copyright Colin Burges
Chudleigh Knighton crossing 05 Copyright Colin Burges
Chudleigh Knighton Crossing 06 Copyright Colin Burges
It seems odd finding half an old crossing timber, still solid, in the fenceline of a modern road. I wonder what was once fixed to it and where it lay.
Chudleigh Knighton Crossing 07. Copyright Colin Burges.
Ref the picture above :- A little further towards Exeter, the cylinders of Knighton Bridge lie in the bed of the Teign beneath the dual carriageway's concrete replacement.
Many thanks to Colin for the above article and pictures.
Chudleigh 2Mls 32Ch
Chudleigh - copyright Sid Sponheimer
Chudleigh September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach
Chudleigh, from a different angle 1961 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
N.B. The 'Disused Stations' on the Web shows a sleeping coach located in the siding occupied by oil tanks in the above two pictures.
Trusham 4Ml 20Ch
Thrusham Jun61 Copyright Mike Roach
Thrusham Jun61 Copyright Mike Roach
A class 63 disturbs the peace at Thrusham in 1961 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
From the shine on the rails it looks as if the 63, pictured above has just left and Sid Sponheimer was able to wander the rails and take a picture for posterity. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
A nice study of the station taken from the Heathfield direction. The catch points in the foreground were to prevent access to the single running line towards Chudleigh. Probably 1960 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
Thrusham, a picture by Sid Sponheimer - there are some vans in the sidings. 1961 Copyright.
Ashton 6Ml 16Ch
Ashton October 1961 Copyright Mike Roach
Ashton, looking towards Exeter in 1961. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Trespassers on the railway near Ashton Station, The location is Blatchford Farm. It looks like after closure, certainly the daily passenger service wasn't running. Probably 1961, Ashton station can be seen in the background. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Christow 8Mls 8Ch
Until 1943 Christow was the only passing place on the Teign Valley railway. The red brick station building was on the up platform. The down platform had a waiting shelter and at the far end of the platform was a raised timber built signal box. Originally Christow the terminus of the line from Heathfield, then called Teign House and during this time an extension existed for loading stone, known as Teign House Siding. Luckily we gained permission to walk around the station yard now a creditable collection of railwayana though unfortunately the roads in the area prohibit the delivery of any large stock such as coaches etc. Nowadays 1/4 mile train rides are possible at this site - for further details see 'Disused stations' site on Google.
14.51 stands at Christow with an Exeter bound service while a Prarie brings in a train bound for Heathfield and Newton Abbot. Copyright Charles Fennamore Estate.
The quite complicated sidings and run round facilities can be seen in the trackwork beyond the end of the platforms. Note also the water tank to the left at the rear of the main station buildings and the timber signalbox to the right. it is understood that this station was very popular in the Springtime when bluebells grew in adundance. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
Christow still looks pretty complete in this 1961 view of the station from the overbridge. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
A neglected Christow station looking towards Heathfield in 1961. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
A rather time worn and rusty sign pronounces the site as Christow, the young man holds the hook used, presumably, to haul the platform light up the pole. 1961 Copyright Sid Sponheimer (It is assumed that the pole is the one seen towards the end of the Heathfield platform in the pictures above)
By summer 1963 the track had gone but otherwise the station is complete. Copyright Mike Roach
Christow Copyright Roger Winnen
Christow in better days. Picture sent in by Cameron Allen. Copyright
Another picture of Christow courtesy Cameron Allen.
Part on the collection at the Teign Valley Eailway, Christow. As seen in 1998.
Established in the former goods yard at Christow is a unique collection of rail vehicles and trackwork both standard and narrow gauge assembled by expert and enthusiast Colin Burges. On the 3rd June 2017 the Cornwall Railway Society visited this, known as the 'Exeter and Teign Valley Railway at Doddiscombsleigh'. To see details of the site and a report on our visit please click here.
Perseus Reserrected By Colin Burges
Western Fuels' diesel shunter, photographed by Ron Kosys in 1988, is Drewry No. 2269, one of two built in 1949 for William Cory & Son, Ltd., Gallions Jetty, Essex. It was named "Perseus".
In 1964 it was registered to work over British Transport Commission metals.
It was transferred to Messrs. Renwick, Wilton & Dobson at the new Exmouth Junction Coal Concentration Depot in 1967.
In latter years it was driven by an ex Southern - or Southern Region - driver called Joe, who painted the loco blue and dubbed it "Thomas."
After cessation of rail traffic in 1993, the loco was moved to Christow where it is now undergoing a rather protracted overhaul.
In 1964 it was registered to work over British Transport Commission metals.
It was transferred to Messrs. Renwick, Wilton & Dobson at the new Exmouth Junction Coal Concentration Depot in 1967.
In latter years it was driven by an ex Southern - or Southern Region - driver called Joe, who painted the loco blue and dubbed it "Thomas."
After cessation of rail traffic in 1993, the loco was moved to Christow where it is now undergoing a rather protracted overhaul.
Exmouth Jn Coal Concentration 3 Drewry 3056 of 1964 12th September 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys
Christow Railway Centre 'Perseus' under restoration. 27th July 2017 Copyright Colin Burges
Christow Railway Centre. A section of the cab of Perseus fully restored. 27th July 2017 Copyright Colin Burges
Dunsford 6Ml 1Ch (From Exeter City Basin Jct)
Dunsford - seen here in 1961 after removal of the track. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
At the date of our visit 14Feb98 Dunsford Halt had completely disappeared.
All we found was this bridge nearby.
All we found was this bridge nearby.
Longdowns 4Ml 51Ch
Longdown - a photograph from the Charles Fennamore Collection. Copyright The Charles Fennamore Eastate.
A note from Edward Hooper Nephew of Charles Fennamore. Thank you Edward.
Charles Fennamore sadly passed away a year ago on 09 Nov 2018, a day after his 78th birthday.
Above is one of his photos of Longdown on the Teign valley Line. I would be grateful if you could share it on 9th November. (This was done)
Charles would have been the first to admit that it wouldn't win any prizes, but his memories of the line make for interesting reading:
"A lovely line, and easy on our pockets, because you could get a day return Ply to Exeter, and they'd let you come back via the Teign Valley. I went on the last train, which was a very sad occasion......the 55XX labouring away up to Longdown with 5 or 6 coaches. On our first trip, it was a 14XX plus 2 car auto, with the loco in the rear, and the driver in the front vestibule left his door open so that we could see the line ahead. Longdown a very spooky place between the tunnels, and crowded in by the woods.....never any passengers, but staffed by a porter signalman. When I worked on the Relief at Newton Abbot, a colleague was Dave Bright, who had worked at Longdown occasionally. He used to travel on his motor-bike from Paignton, and often did a late followed by an early, and slept in the booking office. One night he was phoned by the Exeter supervisor who told him that an escapee was believed to be in the area, and could be walking the line. Dave said that was the end of his doss....he got on his motor bike and legged it off home."
Photo copyright Charles Fennamore estate
With best regards,
Ed Hooper
Nephew of CBF
Charles Fennamore sadly passed away a year ago on 09 Nov 2018, a day after his 78th birthday.
Above is one of his photos of Longdown on the Teign valley Line. I would be grateful if you could share it on 9th November. (This was done)
Charles would have been the first to admit that it wouldn't win any prizes, but his memories of the line make for interesting reading:
"A lovely line, and easy on our pockets, because you could get a day return Ply to Exeter, and they'd let you come back via the Teign Valley. I went on the last train, which was a very sad occasion......the 55XX labouring away up to Longdown with 5 or 6 coaches. On our first trip, it was a 14XX plus 2 car auto, with the loco in the rear, and the driver in the front vestibule left his door open so that we could see the line ahead. Longdown a very spooky place between the tunnels, and crowded in by the woods.....never any passengers, but staffed by a porter signalman. When I worked on the Relief at Newton Abbot, a colleague was Dave Bright, who had worked at Longdown occasionally. He used to travel on his motor-bike from Paignton, and often did a late followed by an early, and slept in the booking office. One night he was phoned by the Exeter supervisor who told him that an escapee was believed to be in the area, and could be walking the line. Dave said that was the end of his doss....he got on his motor bike and legged it off home."
Photo copyright Charles Fennamore estate
With best regards,
Ed Hooper
Nephew of CBF
In 1961, soon after track removal, looking towards Perridge tunnel and Exeter. Roof damage is evident. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Looking away from the Perridge tunnel in 1961. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Looking from Longdowns station towards Perridge tunnel, A headless ghost of a suicide in this tunnel is reputed to occupy it. Should this route ever be used as a by-pass following the two month closure of the Dawlish line (Feb - early April 2014) a significant problem in addition to the ghost will be the repair of the tunnel which it is understood has collapsed at one point. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Longdowns in September 1963 (The roof is still in need of repair) Copyright Mike Roach
On the 14th February 1998 the Cornwall Railway Society hired a minibus and toured the area. On getting to the Longdowns station site we found the gate shut and the usual notice 'Keep Out'. Now wishing to keep the reputation of the CRS good we visited the owner of the station site at the very grand Culver House. A maid answered the door and soon a very well spoken lady came to see me. Our request was met with "Yes certainly, but don't enter Perridge tunnel". We therefore visited the site and found the station locked in a time warp.
We did not enter the 836 yard Perridge tunnel at all but as the trackbed through the 246 yard Culver tunnel was being used by vehicles we drove through this and turned. We believe that Perridge tunnel was being used to grow mushrooms though it is rumoured to be haunted by a ghost of somebody who was killed in the tunnel.
We did not enter the 836 yard Perridge tunnel at all but as the trackbed through the 246 yard Culver tunnel was being used by vehicles we drove through this and turned. We believe that Perridge tunnel was being used to grow mushrooms though it is rumoured to be haunted by a ghost of somebody who was killed in the tunnel.
Longdown Station as seen on 14th February 1998 (It is good to see that the roof damage noticed in 1961 & 1963 has been repaired) Copyright Roger Winnen.
Some of the pictures below are in portrait format - use your mouse wheel to scroll up and down.
Ide 2Mls
1451 stands at Ide Halt. The guard possibly waiting for fellow railwayman Charles Fennamore to rejoin the train. Copyright Charles Fennamore Estate.
Ide Halt, so named after its demotion from being a station in 1956 following the closure of two sidings.
This platform saw quite a bit of traffic being conveniently close to the village from whence people commuted to Exeter. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
Alphington 62Ch
And on to Exeter City Basin where the Teign Valley joined the Great Western Main line.
The Teign Valley - steam on the last day of operation. Peter Joanas
*** The last day on the Teign Valley 7th June 1958. Try clicking below for a superb selection of copyright pictures of this fascinating line taken in black and White by Peter Joanas - these are copyright. Not to be missed. Many thanks to Clive Smith for drawing our attention to this marvellous selection https://www.flickr.com/photos/110691393@N07/12174032874/in/photostream/
*** The last day on the Teign Valley 7th June 1958. Try clicking below for a superb selection of copyright pictures of this fascinating line taken in black and White by Peter Joanas - these are copyright. Not to be missed. Many thanks to Clive Smith for drawing our attention to this marvellous selection https://www.flickr.com/photos/110691393@N07/12174032874/in/photostream/