{"id":590,"date":"2020-12-05T13:00:53","date_gmt":"2020-12-05T13:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/?p=590"},"modified":"2026-04-04T22:54:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T21:54:16","slug":"48-teign-valley-branch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/48-teign-valley-branch\/","title":{"rendered":"48 Teign Valley Branch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Several years before his journey on the Exe Valley train<\/a>, the railway’s friend, Richard Holladay had photographed what were soon to become the ruins of the Teign Valley Branch.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, the scout has gone back, as near as possible, to where Richard had stood to take corresponding shots. These have been supplemented by a large assortment of library photographs which have not been published before and some more present-day views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exeter (St. David’s)<\/p>\n\n\n

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On 27th November, 2011, with the Class 142 D.M.Us. stationed at Exeter about to go “off hire,” a farewell tour<\/a> was organized. Here, the train of three units is seen in No. 6 platform at St. David’s with its “Christow” destination board. +<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Below are tickets issued by the Guard on the Teign Valley train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An “excess” note issued as a full return ticket for two adults and two children between Alphington Halt and Heathfield. +<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Exeter (St. Thomas)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThose were the days – long gone but not forgotten.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An old boy, who lived near Christow Station, well remembered how the trains would wait for passengers who were late and his father even had his own whistle, which he would use to let the train driver know he was coming. It was not unknown for the train to reverse back to the station on occasions to collect a really late arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twenty years after closure, he could still remember the times of the trains at the station. He recalled:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 10.20 p.m. down from Christow on Saturdays left Exeter (St. David\u2019s) at 9.50 and was known as the \u201cBoozer Special.\u201d Anyone visiting the cinema had to see the end of the main film at the earlier showing and leave before the end of the last performance in order to catch the train at St. David\u2019s, whilst the local drinking fraternity would catch it at St. Thomas. It was at this time perhaps that the personal service from porters and guards like Ted Boyles, Frank Pitts and Jack Harvey (a favourite with the children) really came into its own. The view of Cowick Street from the elevated St. Thomas Station was ideal for the guard to watch for the inevitable late reveller to come weaving his happy way down the road to the station. In the days of the blackout, one local character was often to be heard playing his tin whistle as he approached. Even when, on once occasion, he was found by his mates playing to a non-existent audience in a shop window damaged by a bomb blast, the train did not go without him. The guard was always ready to ensure that even the \u201chappiest\u201d passengers were ushered off the train at the correct station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the words of one of the locals: \u201cThose were the days – long gone but not forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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The King\u2019s Arms, the last call in the city for valley drinkers, used to stand where the cars are parked. It was rebuilt in the 1950s in preparation for the widening of Cowick Street.
The landlord used to ring the bell specially for passengers: \u201cCome on, you Teign Valley bays.\u201d
The extended Down platform of the station, cantilevered from the viaduct, can be seen. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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The carriage shelter in front of the station building was demolished long ago, but the steps up to the platform remain.
In the 1930s, some Teign Valley lads could not afford the train fare but could run to the penny charge for leaving their bicycles in the shelter after they\u2019d ridden over the watershed.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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From the platform, where the guard once kept an eye out for stragglers, it can be seen that all the remaining buildings have been demolished in readiness for road widening. The pub is now called The Kings.
Courtesy of Exeter Memories.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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+<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Teign Valley was excluded in 1957, perhaps because it was thought that the line would close in that year. It actually closed at the start of the summer timetable in the following year. +<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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This advertisement, showing the Teign Valley, is displayed in the Temporary Booking Office at Christow.
Was the Teign Valley excluded in 1957 to help the case for closure? +<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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A still of a last-day train at St. Thomas Station taken from an archive film.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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The “Class 142 Farewell” tour, which felt much like a family and friends’ outing, is seen at Exeter Railway Junction, about to join the branch. The scout was on the train, while the railway’s photographer was standing near the buffer stop on the old Down Branch. +<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Exeter Railway Junction<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This junction was always known as City Basin by traffic staff because City Basin Junction was there first and both junctions were controlled from Exeter City Basin Signal Box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alphington Road Good Yard is seen at left. The train is approaching the main line and the Fireman has just dropped the single line staff hoop onto the “horn.”
Copyright: Roger Joanes. Shared under Creative Commons.<\/em> +<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The several junctions<\/a> in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exeter Railway Junction: Freight Train Departure.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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On 17th April, 2010, a CRANKEX <\/em>ran along the branch<\/a>. Here, it has reached the gates of the scrap yard and is permitted to go no further. A parapet of Marsh Barton Bridge, which is seen in the shots below, can be seen.
What has become the train loco is standing on the former Basin Loop Junction, the line from which went beneath the main to join the City Basin Branch. The building occupies part of the former cattle market; its siding and extensive pens followed the wall nearest the train. +
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