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.  

Minehead Road Bridge(or Bridge 3) 

  I have driven under this bridge many times over the years and always wondered about what it was and why it was there,so now knowing exactly what it was,I was keen to take a closer look.It seems to me a bit strange that the bridge wasn't removed altogether when the railway was shut,as it causes a bottleneck in the road and there is a height restriction,which must cause a problem for some vehicles.The bridge isn't used by anyone it would seem,so it can only come down to the cost of removing it and a council unwilling to spend any money on it.Not that I am complaining,as it would be a real shame if this lovely bridge was destroyed.

The bridge is in good condition and is built to the same high quality that we have come to expect from the railway and like many of the bridges,is a thing of beauty.If you are brave and trust in the council to maintain things,it is possible to walk on the top.It is very overgrown on the top,but it is possible to get a good look up and down the road and imagine what it was like for the trains steaming across.

 We then set off continuing our journey eastward towards Morebath Junction Halt.At first,just past the Minehead Road Bridge,the line is quite heavily wooded and you do have to adopt a bit of a David Livingstone attitude,but a short while later the vegetation recedes and the walk becomes easier.All along the route there are little reminders of the railway like the fencing etc and if you are someone like me who likes studying maps,you will soon start to notice the embankment as marked on the map,rising up around you.

As the embankment rises the route becomes harder to travel,as there are many fallen trees blocking the way,but we perservered and were finally rewarded by the glorious sight of a lovely bridge appearing before us.I wasn't really sure what to call this bridge,but decided to call it,Bridge 4.

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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.

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- 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!

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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

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