The Railway

 

The Act of Parliament that authorised the Devon & Somerset Railway received assent on 29th July 1864. The first section of the line to be opened was between Norton Fitzwarren and Wiveliscombe. This opened in June 1871.

 

The section between Wiveliscombe and Barnstaple opened on 1st November 1873.

Throughout its length the line was single track with passing loops at Wiveliscombe, Dulverton and South Molton. Its total length was 43 miles.

 

Originally the line was broad gauge, 7ft 0 ¾ in. It was converted to standard gauge, 4ft 8 ½ ins in May 1881.

 

It was linked to the London and South Western Railway in Barnstaple in 1887 and thus linked to Ilfracombe. It was absorbed by the Great Western Railway in 1901. During the 1930s, with the increase in people taking holidays, the line carried heavy weekend traffic, including through expresses to Ilfracombe.

 

Cattle traffic stopped in 1963, also the year of the infamous Beeching Report.

 

The line was closed on 3rd October 1966.