Totnes railway station
Encyclopedia
Totnes railway station serves the towns of Totnes
and Dartington
in Devon
, England
. It is situated on the Exeter to Plymouth line
and is operated by First Great Western
A second station for the South Devon Railway
heritage railway
is situated to the north east, on the opposite bank of the River Dart
and parallel to the main line. It was opened in the 1990s and was named Totnes (Littlehempston)
. It is accessed by a pedestrian bridge over the river from the main station, adjacent to the railway viaduct over the river, and only open during the very restricted hours the station is open. Prior to this the South Devon steam trains were permitted to use the main station.
Totnes railway station was built by the South Devon Railway Company
and opened on 20 July 1847 when trains started to run on the line from Newton, as Newton Abbot
was known at time time. It was a terminus until 5 May 1848 when trains started to run through to Plymouth
, initially using a temporary terminus at Laira. The line was intended to be operated by atmospheric power
and an engine house
to provide power was built behind the eastbound platform
, although it was never brought into use. The two platform tracks were covered by wooden train shed
s, an engine shed
was built south of the line beyond the westbound platform, and a goods shed
was erected between this platform and the River Dart
which the line crossed on a viaduct
just to the east of the platforms.
Totnes became the junction for the Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway
's line to Ashburton
when it opened on 1 May 1872. The South Devon Railway was amalgamated
with the Great Western Railway
on 1 February 1876 and the Buckfastleigh company was absorbed in 1897. Trains were suspended on 21 and 22 May 1892 while the original broad gauge
tracks were replaced by those of standard gauge
. The engine shed was closed in 1904 although the turntable
was retained for five more years.
There was a freight only branch line which ran down to the quay at Totnes wharf (plains), the bridge which carried this line can still be partially seen adjacent to the footpath which leads from the BR station towards the riverside walk. The line crossed over the main road at the bottom of Bridgetown bridge via a level crossing to access The Plains. Some of the track formation can still be seen on The Plains.
The westbound platform was damaged during an air raid in World War II
on 21 October 1942. The Ashburton branch train was damaged in the attack, two people killed and two more injured.
On 1 January 1948 the Great Western Railway was nationalised to become the Western Region of British Railways
. Passenger services to Ashburton were withdrawn on 3 November 1958 and the line closed entirely on 10 September 1962. A few months earlier, on 14 April 1962, a fire destroyed the main buildings situated on the westbound platform at Totnes. General goods traffic was withdrawn on 14 June 1965 although coal continued to be handled until 4 December 1967 and milk until 1980, from the dairy that incorporates the building intended for the atmospheric engines.
A new station building was opened on 21 October 1983 to replace the temporary buildings that had served the station since the fire in 1962. From 5 April 1985 to 2 September 1987 trains on the Buckfastleigh line, now the South Devon Railway
heritage line
, operated into the station. A footbridge across the River Dart was opened on 30 September 1993 which now allows people to walk to Totnes (Littlehempston) railway station
to join the heritage trains to Buckfastleigh
.
The 1887-built footbridge than spanned the station and gave access to the operating floor of the signal box
was destroyed on 18 October 1987 when hit by a crane enagaged in track renewals, it has been replaced by a new bridge.
at the west end of the westbound platform. This was replaced in 1923 by a brick-built signal box towards the opposite end of the eastbound platform. From 17 December 1973 this was a "fringe box" to the Panel Signal Box at Plymouth railway station
, when the signal boxes at Brent and other intermediate locations were closed. Totnes itself was closed on 9 November 1987 when new multiple-aspect signals were brought into use, controlled from the new signalling centre at Exeter
. The signal box is now used as a café.
exploded while standing at Totnes, killing the driver.
in the north-east, runs south-westerly through the station, and then swings to the west on a right-hand curve which is the start of the steep climb up to Rattery
. There are four tracks through the station with platforms alongside the outer pair.
The modern brick-built station building is on the south-east side of the station, nearest the town. This is the platform for trains to Plymouth
and Penzance
. Trains to Newton Abbot, Exeter
and beyond depart from the opposite platform which can be reached by a footbridge on the north-east side of the entrance to the platform. The footbridge also gives access to the café that is situated in the old signal box on the platform used by trains to Newton Abbot. There is level access to the station from the car park on the south-east side, and also from the area in front of the milk factory on the north-west side which can be reached by the road bridge that spans the tracks just to the south-west of the station.
Buses to Dartmouth
operate from the car park on the south-east side. A footpath from here leads under the viaduct at the north-east end of the station to a footbridge that crosses the River Dart alongside the railway to reach Littlehempston station from where trains run to Buckfastleigh railway station
.
The industrial complex on the north-west side of the station houses the milk factory; the grey stone building behind the signal box is the atmospheric engine house. The opposite side of the station is dominated by Totnes castle
on the hill.
, including main line services from London Paddington station to Plymouth
and Penzance
. CrossCountry
operate trains through Birmingham to Manchester, the north east of England, and Scotland.
|-
|colspan=5|Interchange with Totnes (Littlehempston)
on the South Devon Railway
Totnes
Totnes is a market town and civil parish at the head of the estuary of the River Dart in Devon, England within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
and Dartington
Dartington
Dartington is a village in Devon, England. Its population is 1,917. It is located west of the River Dart, south of Dartington Hall and about two miles from Totnes...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is situated on the Exeter to Plymouth line
Exeter to Plymouth Line
The Exeter to Plymouth line is a central part of the trunk railway line between London Paddington and Penzance railway stations in the southern United Kingdom. It is a major branch of the Great Western Main Line and runs from Exeter, to Plymouth, from where it continues as the Cornish Main Line...
and is operated by First Great Western
First Great Western
First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
A second station for the South Devon Railway
South Devon Railway Trust
The South Devon Railway Trust is a charitable organisation that operates a heritage railway from Totnes to Buckfastleigh in Devon, alongside the River Dart...
heritage railway
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
is situated to the north east, on the opposite bank of the River Dart
River Dart
The River Dart is a river in Devon, England which rises high on Dartmoor, and releases to the sea at Dartmouth. Its valley and surrounding area is a place of great natural beauty.-Watercourse:...
and parallel to the main line. It was opened in the 1990s and was named Totnes (Littlehempston)
Totnes (Littlehempston) railway station
Totnes station, previously known as Totnes Riverside station and Littlehempston Riverside station, is a railway station situated in Littlehempston in the English county of Devon. It is the southern terminus of the South Devon Railway, a steam operated heritage railway...
. It is accessed by a pedestrian bridge over the river from the main station, adjacent to the railway viaduct over the river, and only open during the very restricted hours the station is open. Prior to this the South Devon steam trains were permitted to use the main station.
History
South Devon Railway Company
The South Devon Railway Company built and operated the railway from Exeter to Plymouth and Torquay in Devon, England. It was a broad gauge railway built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel-Chronology:* 1844 South Devon Railway Act passed by parliament...
and opened on 20 July 1847 when trains started to run on the line from Newton, as Newton Abbot
Newton Abbot railway station
Newton Abbot railway station serves the town of Newton Abbot in Devon, England. It is from London on the Exeter to Plymouth line via the Reading to Taunton line, at the junction for the branch to . For many years it was also the junction for Moretonhampstead and the site of a large locomotive...
was known at time time. It was a terminus until 5 May 1848 when trains started to run through to Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, initially using a temporary terminus at Laira. The line was intended to be operated by atmospheric power
Atmospheric railway
An atmospheric railway uses air pressure to provide power for propulsion. In one plan a pneumatic tube is laid between the rails, with a piston running in it suspended from the train through a sealable slot in the top of the tube. Alternatively, the whole tunnel may be the pneumatic tube with the...
and an engine house
South Devon Railway engine houses
The South Devon Railway engine houses were built in Devon, England, to power the atmospheric trains on the South Devon Railway between Exeter St Davids and Plymouth Millbay railway stations. They contained boilers that provided the power to pumps that created the vacuum to move the trains...
to provide power was built behind the eastbound platform
Railway platform
A railway platform is a section of pathway, alongside rail tracks at a train station, metro station or tram stop, at which passengers may board or alight from trains or trams. Almost all stations for rail transport have some form of platforms, with larger stations having multiple platforms...
, although it was never brought into use. The two platform tracks were covered by wooden train shed
Train shed
A train shed is an adjacent building to a railway station where the tracks and platforms are covered by a roof. It is also known as an overall roof...
s, an engine shed
Engine shed
Engine shed may refer to:* Engine shed, also called a motive power depot or roundhouse, a structure used for the maintenance of railway locomotives.* Engine Shed , a music and entertainment venue on the University of Lincoln's campus....
was built south of the line beyond the westbound platform, and a goods shed
Goods shed
A goods shed is a railway building designed for storing goods before or after carriage in a train.A typical goods shed will have a track running through it to allow goods wagons to be unloaded under cover, although sometimes they were built alongside a track with possibly just a canopy over the door...
was erected between this platform and the River Dart
River Dart
The River Dart is a river in Devon, England which rises high on Dartmoor, and releases to the sea at Dartmouth. Its valley and surrounding area is a place of great natural beauty.-Watercourse:...
which the line crossed on a viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
just to the east of the platforms.
Totnes became the junction for the Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway
Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway
The Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway built the broad gauge railway line from Totnes to Buckfastleigh and Ashburton in Devon, England.-History:...
's line to Ashburton
Ashburton railway station
Ashburton railway station is a closed railway station situated in the town of Ashburton in Devon, England. It was the terminus of a branch line from Totnes. -History:...
when it opened on 1 May 1872. The South Devon Railway was amalgamated
Consolidation (business)
Consolidation or amalgamation is the act of merging many things into one. In business, it often refers to the mergers and acquisitions of many smaller companies into much larger ones. In the context of financial accounting, consolidation refers to the aggregation of financial statements of a group...
with the Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
on 1 February 1876 and the Buckfastleigh company was absorbed in 1897. Trains were suspended on 21 and 22 May 1892 while the original broad gauge
Broad gauge
Broad-gauge railways use a track gauge greater than the standard gauge of .- List :For list see: List of broad gauges, by gauge and country- History :...
tracks were replaced by those of standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
. The engine shed was closed in 1904 although the turntable
Turntable (railroad)
A railway turntable is a device for turning railroad rolling stock. When steam locomotives were still in wide use, many railroads needed a way to turn the locomotives around for return trips as their controls were often not configured for extended periods of running in reverse and in many...
was retained for five more years.
There was a freight only branch line which ran down to the quay at Totnes wharf (plains), the bridge which carried this line can still be partially seen adjacent to the footpath which leads from the BR station towards the riverside walk. The line crossed over the main road at the bottom of Bridgetown bridge via a level crossing to access The Plains. Some of the track formation can still be seen on The Plains.
The westbound platform was damaged during an air raid in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
on 21 October 1942. The Ashburton branch train was damaged in the attack, two people killed and two more injured.
Western Region of British Railways
The Western Region was a region of British Railways from 1948. The region ceased to be an operating unit in its own right in the 1980s and was wound up at the end of 1992...
. Passenger services to Ashburton were withdrawn on 3 November 1958 and the line closed entirely on 10 September 1962. A few months earlier, on 14 April 1962, a fire destroyed the main buildings situated on the westbound platform at Totnes. General goods traffic was withdrawn on 14 June 1965 although coal continued to be handled until 4 December 1967 and milk until 1980, from the dairy that incorporates the building intended for the atmospheric engines.
A new station building was opened on 21 October 1983 to replace the temporary buildings that had served the station since the fire in 1962. From 5 April 1985 to 2 September 1987 trains on the Buckfastleigh line, now the South Devon Railway
South Devon Railway Trust
The South Devon Railway Trust is a charitable organisation that operates a heritage railway from Totnes to Buckfastleigh in Devon, alongside the River Dart...
heritage line
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
, operated into the station. A footbridge across the River Dart was opened on 30 September 1993 which now allows people to walk to Totnes (Littlehempston) railway station
Totnes (Littlehempston) railway station
Totnes station, previously known as Totnes Riverside station and Littlehempston Riverside station, is a railway station situated in Littlehempston in the English county of Devon. It is the southern terminus of the South Devon Railway, a steam operated heritage railway...
to join the heritage trains to Buckfastleigh
Buckfastleigh railway station
Buckfastleigh railway station is situated on the South Devon Railway, a heritage railway in Devon, England. It serves the town of Buckfastleigh.-History:The station was opened by the Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway on 1 May 1872...
.
The 1887-built footbridge than spanned the station and gave access to the operating floor of the signal box
Signal box
On a rail transport system, signalling control is the process by which control is exercised over train movements by way of railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, over the correct route and to the proper timetable...
was destroyed on 18 October 1987 when hit by a crane enagaged in track renewals, it has been replaced by a new bridge.
Signalling
The signals were initially controlled by "policemen" who walked to each signal to change it, but from 1894 they were controlled from a wooden signal boxSignal box
On a rail transport system, signalling control is the process by which control is exercised over train movements by way of railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, over the correct route and to the proper timetable...
at the west end of the westbound platform. This was replaced in 1923 by a brick-built signal box towards the opposite end of the eastbound platform. From 17 December 1973 this was a "fringe box" to the Panel Signal Box at Plymouth railway station
Plymouth railway station
Plymouth railway station serves the city of Plymouth, Devon, England. It is situated on the northern edge of the city centre close to the North Cross roundabout...
, when the signal boxes at Brent and other intermediate locations were closed. Totnes itself was closed on 9 November 1987 when new multiple-aspect signals were brought into use, controlled from the new signalling centre at Exeter
Exeter St Davids railway station
Exeter St Davids station is the most important of seven National Rail stations in the city of Exeter in southwest England. Today the station is owned by Network Rail and operated by First Great Western.-History:...
. The signal box is now used as a café.
Accident
On 13 March 1860 the boiler of the locomotive TornadoSouth Devon Railway Tornado class
The four Tornado class locomotives were 0-6-0 saddle tank broad gauge locomotives operated on the South Devon Railway and associated railways. They were designed for goods trains but were also used on passenger trains when required....
exploded while standing at Totnes, killing the driver.
Description
The railway approaches from Newton AbbotNewton Abbot railway station
Newton Abbot railway station serves the town of Newton Abbot in Devon, England. It is from London on the Exeter to Plymouth line via the Reading to Taunton line, at the junction for the branch to . For many years it was also the junction for Moretonhampstead and the site of a large locomotive...
in the north-east, runs south-westerly through the station, and then swings to the west on a right-hand curve which is the start of the steep climb up to Rattery
South Devon Banks
The South Devon Banks are a series of steep inclines on the ex-GWR railway line linking Exeter and Plymouth in Devon, England. These two major towns are separated by the rocky uplands of Dartmoor forcing the early railway surveyors to propose that the line skirt the difficult terrain of the...
. There are four tracks through the station with platforms alongside the outer pair.
The modern brick-built station building is on the south-east side of the station, nearest the town. This is the platform for trains to Plymouth
Plymouth railway station
Plymouth railway station serves the city of Plymouth, Devon, England. It is situated on the northern edge of the city centre close to the North Cross roundabout...
and Penzance
Penzance railway station
Penzance railway station serves the town of Penzance, Cornwall, UK. The station is the western terminus of the Cornish Main Line from London Paddington station. The current journey time to or from London is about five hours....
. Trains to Newton Abbot, Exeter
Exeter St Davids railway station
Exeter St Davids station is the most important of seven National Rail stations in the city of Exeter in southwest England. Today the station is owned by Network Rail and operated by First Great Western.-History:...
and beyond depart from the opposite platform which can be reached by a footbridge on the north-east side of the entrance to the platform. The footbridge also gives access to the café that is situated in the old signal box on the platform used by trains to Newton Abbot. There is level access to the station from the car park on the south-east side, and also from the area in front of the milk factory on the north-west side which can be reached by the road bridge that spans the tracks just to the south-west of the station.
Buses to Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Devon
Dartmouth is a town and civil parish in the English county of Devon. It is a tourist destination set on the banks of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a long narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes...
operate from the car park on the south-east side. A footpath from here leads under the viaduct at the north-east end of the station to a footbridge that crosses the River Dart alongside the railway to reach Littlehempston station from where trains run to Buckfastleigh railway station
Buckfastleigh railway station
Buckfastleigh railway station is situated on the South Devon Railway, a heritage railway in Devon, England. It serves the town of Buckfastleigh.-History:The station was opened by the Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway on 1 May 1872...
.
The industrial complex on the north-west side of the station houses the milk factory; the grey stone building behind the signal box is the atmospheric engine house. The opposite side of the station is dominated by Totnes castle
Totnes Castle
Totnes Castle is one of the best preserved examples of a Norman motte and bailey castle in England. It is situated in the town of Totnes on the River Dart in Devon...
on the hill.
Services
About half of the services are operated by First Great WesternFirst Great Western
First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
, including main line services from London Paddington station to Plymouth
Plymouth railway station
Plymouth railway station serves the city of Plymouth, Devon, England. It is situated on the northern edge of the city centre close to the North Cross roundabout...
and Penzance
Penzance railway station
Penzance railway station serves the town of Penzance, Cornwall, UK. The station is the western terminus of the Cornish Main Line from London Paddington station. The current journey time to or from London is about five hours....
. CrossCountry
CrossCountry
CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
operate trains through Birmingham to Manchester, the north east of England, and Scotland.
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|colspan=5|Interchange with Totnes (Littlehempston)
Totnes (Littlehempston) railway station
Totnes station, previously known as Totnes Riverside station and Littlehempston Riverside station, is a railway station situated in Littlehempston in the English county of Devon. It is the southern terminus of the South Devon Railway, a steam operated heritage railway...
on the South Devon Railway
South Devon Railway Trust
The South Devon Railway Trust is a charitable organisation that operates a heritage railway from Totnes to Buckfastleigh in Devon, alongside the River Dart...