Plymstock to Yealmpton and Turnchapel
Exploration of the these branches was undertaken long after the services had been withdrawn.
In the case of the Yealmpton branch it was undertaken on a day forecast to be overcast. We took a bus to Yealmpton and after perusing what we find of the station area started a walk along the trackbed. The weather turned to drizzle as we plodded along the ballast heading for Steer Point. However, barely a quarter of a mile from Steer Point we found that a bridge across a small creek had been removed and a quite fast flowing stream over some slippery rocks blocked our way. Climbing the steep bank of an adjacent cutting we found ourselves in a wood through which we made our way a dam which held back a very large fish pond. Seeing no other way across we walked the dam to a large house which straddled the land at the end of the dam. Not wishing to trespass, well at least be caught at it, we knocked at the door to ask permission to continue. There was no answer. We gingerly crept along the side of the house to find the owner engaged in conversation with a tradesman. Not wishing to interrupt the conversation we hopped over a hedge into an adjacent field and, bent double, sheltering behind the hedge made good speed to the public road. By this time it was steady rain. We inspected what was left of Steer Point station, very little, and then regained the track bed. The walk to Brixton Road was impeded by the removal of another bridge. We slithered down the bank jumping the last four feet into mud. From then on, in steadily increasing rain we inspected Brixton Road followed by Elberton Cross the station here had been buried. We found Billacombe still extent. Now thoroughly soaked we crossed Laira bridge and caught a bus to North Road station. Here, thankfully, a train back to Cornwall was standing, we rushed aboard and stood all the way home, too wet to sit on the seats!
In the case of the Yealmpton branch it was undertaken on a day forecast to be overcast. We took a bus to Yealmpton and after perusing what we find of the station area started a walk along the trackbed. The weather turned to drizzle as we plodded along the ballast heading for Steer Point. However, barely a quarter of a mile from Steer Point we found that a bridge across a small creek had been removed and a quite fast flowing stream over some slippery rocks blocked our way. Climbing the steep bank of an adjacent cutting we found ourselves in a wood through which we made our way a dam which held back a very large fish pond. Seeing no other way across we walked the dam to a large house which straddled the land at the end of the dam. Not wishing to trespass, well at least be caught at it, we knocked at the door to ask permission to continue. There was no answer. We gingerly crept along the side of the house to find the owner engaged in conversation with a tradesman. Not wishing to interrupt the conversation we hopped over a hedge into an adjacent field and, bent double, sheltering behind the hedge made good speed to the public road. By this time it was steady rain. We inspected what was left of Steer Point station, very little, and then regained the track bed. The walk to Brixton Road was impeded by the removal of another bridge. We slithered down the bank jumping the last four feet into mud. From then on, in steadily increasing rain we inspected Brixton Road followed by Elberton Cross the station here had been buried. We found Billacombe still extent. Now thoroughly soaked we crossed Laira bridge and caught a bus to North Road station. Here, thankfully, a train back to Cornwall was standing, we rushed aboard and stood all the way home, too wet to sit on the seats!
If anybody has pictures they would like to contribute to this site we'd be pleased - thank you
Plymstock
Billacombe
Elburton Cross
Brixton Road
Steer Point
Yealmpton
Plymstock (Excl) to Turnchapel
Oreston There was one siding here which lay behind the platform, facing Plymstock.
Turnchapel
Beyond Turnchapel station. Beyond the station the metals continued through a tunnel on to Admiralty Property at Turnchapel Wharf.
