Launceston And South Devon Branch Railway |
| Hob Uid: 437152 | |
Location :
Devon
South Hams, West Devon
City of Plymouth, Cornwall
Milton Abbot, Buckland Monachorum, Horrabridge, Lifton, Tavistock, Bickleigh, Brentor, Launceston, St. Stephens By Launceston Rural, Lawhitton Rural, Marystow, Meavy, Coryton, Mary Tavy, Whitchurch, Sparkwell
Non Civil Parish
|
| Grid Ref : SX3300085000 |
| Summary : Dismantled railway, opened in 1859 and closed between 1966 and 1968. |
| More information : (SX 330850 - SX 520566) A railway to Launceston had been mooted for several years, but following many acrimonious battles through Parliament, at first only the section South of Tavistock was constructed, by the South Devon Company, opening in 1859. It was built as a broad gauge railway, and joined the Plymouth and Exeter main line at Marsh Mills. The extension to Launceston, also broad gauge, was opened in 1865. In 1876 a third rail was added, and narrow gauge trains of the L S W R ran from Okehampton to Plymouth by this route until the opening of the Plymouth, Devonport and South Junction Railway in 1890. From 1883 the line operated from Yelverton to Princetown (the Princetown Railway, formerly Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway, SX56SW29), was replaced by narrow gauge track, and in effect became a branch of the Launceston line. Lydford to Launceston (North) closed in 1966, and the railway is now dismantled along its entire length. (See extent diagram). (1) |