Welcome to Exe Valley Railway.com

The Exe Valley Railway was a branch line in Devon built by the Great Western Railway.It was in constant use from 1884 until the line was closed to passengers on the 7th October 1963.

It ran for almost 25 miles through beautiful Devon countryside and is still a happy memory for those who were lucky enough to travel along this picturesque route.

Although the line has been dismantled,most of the line remains unbuilt on,a tantalising thought that leaves open the possibility,however small,of the track one day being relaid and once again people travelling by train this beautiful route.  

    Much of the old fencing is still there below the raised track bed,although not in very good shape.The line is well concealed by the trees that line it,but there is not much vegetation actually on the track bed and it is easy to walk.The line closely follows the River Barthem and it must have been a really picturesque journey when it was all clear of trees.

The track continues until it meets the garden of a private house.The track bed here has been totally destroyed,no doubt so that the home owner has clear access to the river,which is a shame.It is here that we stopped,not wanting to walk through their garden and returned back home.

We did however on another day,join the line from the other side of the private garden to explore further.There are quite a few embankments down the line here,but some have been filled in with earth and rubble.There are also many water pools along this stretch that made me think of Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake.Whilst walking we found an old post made out of track which was surprisingly heavy.The men who worked the rails must have been very fit and strong to shift these around.

We also found a gradient post covered in ivy,but missing the arms.All in all this section had a rather eerie feel to it and unusually for me when walking the Exe Valley Railway,I was happy when we got to the end.

  

   If you want to continue down the line from here you can carry on by reading,What it Looks Like Today:Bampton to Holmingham Farm and 6 Bridges 

This old postcard shows the line going down to the Exeter Inn.Where the roads from the bottom and the right meet is now a roundabout.

exeinnline

 

You must register to post comments

Sign Up for our Newsletter

You will be notified by email whenever a new article is published.

News From Down the Line

newslogo44Every now and then when I talk to people and they hear of my interest in the Exe Valley Railway,they tell me little bits of information or recall an old memory.It always amazes me how even today,more than 50 years after it's closure,the fondness with which people remember the railway and how fresh the memories seem to be to them.

This little section of the website is to pass on to you these little "titbits" and any other small pieces of information that I have come across.

Dulverton 1intro

- LATEST NEWS-

 

 

24/4/19These interesting pictures of Dulverton Station were sent in by Fred Gillard, who visited in about 1970 to take some pictures for a model railway project that he was building. The station buildings were bought by the Carnarvon Arms (now closed down) and used as staff and overflow guest accommodation,before being converted into residential housing. Thank you very much Fred for taking the time to share your pictures.

READ MORE

 

 

Memories of the EVR

If you have any memories of the Exe Valley Railway that you would like to share with us,please get in contact with me and maybe we could publish them on our website.Likewise,if you have any photographs or film related to the railway that you would like to share,please contact me.   

Exe Valley Railway Quiz

How much do you know about the Exe Valley Railway?Take our quiz and find out!

trainquiz3

Interesting Videos

Select the video you want using the buttons below,then click on the screen to play the video

                                                

Visit Our Picture Gallery

GWR Posters

  • gwrdevon7
  • gwrdevon3
  • gwrdevon6
  • gwrdevon2
  • gwrdevon8
  • gwrdevon4