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| HER Number: | MDV22537 |
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| Name: | Launceston Branch of the South Devon Railway (Tavistock to Launceston) |
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Summary
Dismantled railway, opened in 1859. Tavistock and Launceston branch of the 19th century South Devon Railway was closed in 1962 (Thomas, 1981).
Location
| Grid Reference: | SX 493 792 |
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| Map Sheet: | SX47NE |
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| Admin Area | Dartmoor National Park |
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| Civil Parish | Brentor |
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| District | West Devon |
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| Ecclesiastical Parish | LAMERTON |
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Protected Status
- SHINE: Earthwork remains of a section of the South Devon Railway and the London and South Western Railway lines at Wortha Mill
- SHINE: Remains of the London and South Western and part of the South Devon Railways south of Mary Tavy Bridge as well as mine shafts from Wheal Friendship
Other References/Statuses
- National Monuments Record: SX38SW23
- National Record of the Historic Environment: 437152
- Old DCC SMR Ref: SX48SE/32
- SHINE Candidate (Yes)
Monument Type(s) and Dates
- RAILWAY (XIX to Mid 20th Century - 1859 AD (Between) to 1962 AD (Between))
Full description
Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.
'Launceston Branch' of the 'G.W.R' or 'Great Western Railway' shown on 19th century map. Map object based on this source.
Thomas, D. St. J., 1966/1973, A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain Volume 1 The West Country, 120-123, 251 (Monograph). SDV363838.
(SX 330850 - SX 520566) A railway to Launceston had been mooted for several years, but following many acrimonious battles through Parliament, at first only the section South of Tavistock was constructed, by the South Devon Company, opening in 1859. It was built as a broad gauge railway, and joined the Plymouth and Exeter main line at Marsh Mills. The extension to Launceston, also broad gauge, was opened in 1865. In 1876 a third rail was added, and narrow gauge trains of the L S W R ran from Okehampton to Plymouth by this route until the opening of the Plymouth, Devonport and South Junction Railway in 1890. From 1883 the line operated from Yelverton to Princetown (the Princetown Railway, formerly Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway, SX56SW29), was replaced by narrow gauge track, and in effect became a branch of the Launceston line. Lydford to Launceston (North) closed in 1966, and the railway is now dismantled along its entire length. (See extent diagram).
Thomas, D. St. J., 1981, A Regional History of Railways of Great Britain, 120-1, 125 (Monograph). SDV168.
The Tavistock and Launceston branch of the South Devon Railway. Opened to Launceston on 1st June 1865. Closed 31st December 1962.
National Trust, 1984, Lydford Gorge, 6 (Report - Survey). SDV336885.
The National Trust owns a section of the old railway line at Westford Wood. The line was built by the South Devon and Tavistock company. This broad guage line between Plymouth and Tavistock was completed in 1859 and was later extended to Launceston through Mary Tavy and Lydford.trust).
Ordnance Survey, 2013, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV350786.
'Dismantled Railway' shown on modern mapping along most of the former railway line. Map object based on this source.
Sources / Further Reading
| SDV168 | Monograph: Thomas, D. St. J.. 1981. A Regional History of Railways of Great Britain. A Regional History of Railways of Great Britain. 1. Unknown. 120-1, 125. |
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| SDV336179 | Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital). |
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| SDV336885 | Report - Survey: National Trust. 1984. Lydford Gorge. National Trust Archaeological Survey Report. A4 Stapled + Digital. 6. |
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| SDV350786 | Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2013. MasterMap. Ordnance Survey Digital Mapping. Digital. |
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| SDV363838 | Monograph: Thomas, D. St. J.. 1966/1973. A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain Volume 1 The West Country. A Regional History of Railways of Great Britain. 1. Unknown. 120-123, 251. |
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Associated Monuments
| MDV57362 | Parent of: Lydford Station (Monument) |
| MDV130939 | Parent of: Mary Tavy and Blackdown Station (Monument) |
| MDV41312 | Parent of: SIGNAL POST in the Parish of Brentor (Monument) |
| MDV41313 | Parent of: SIGNAL POST in the Parish of Brentor (Monument) |
| MDV41314 | Parent of: SIGNAL POST in the Parish of Brentor (Monument) |
| MDV41315 | Parent of: SIGNAL POST in the Parish of Brentor (Monument) |
| MDV41316 | Parent of: SIGNAL POST in the Parish of Brentor (Monument) |
| MDV41317 | Parent of: SIGNAL POST in the Parish of Brentor (Monument) |
| MDV41318 | Parent of: SIGNAL POST in the Parish of Brentor (Monument) |
| MDV41319 | Parent of: SIGNAL POST in the Parish of Brentor (Monument) |
| MDV107333 | Related to: Burnford farmstead, Mary Tavy (Monument) |
| MDV113196 | Related to: Grendon Farm, Mary Tavy (Monument) |
| MDV22581 | Related to: London and South Western Railway (Dartmoor Section) (Monument) |
| MDV41308 | Related to: Milepost 160 metres north of Wortha Mill, Brentor (Monument) |
| MDV41310 | Related to: MILEPOST in the Parish of Brentor (Monument) |
| MDV41311 | Related to: MILEPOST in the Parish of Brentor (Monument) |
| MDV134163 | Related to: Rifle range near Half Bridge, Peter Tavy (Monument) |
| MDV102920 | Related to: Sluice at Head of Leat to Wortha Mill (Monument) |
| MDV22574 | Related to: Tavistock branch of the South Devon Railway (Tavistock to Yelverton) (Monument) |
| MDV102824 | Related to: Weir on River Burn to south of Wringworthy Farm, Mary Tavy (Monument) |
| MDV41305 | Related to: Wortha Mill leat (Monument) |
Associated Finds: none recorded
Associated Events
- EDV7141 - Watching brief at Grenofen Viaduct, Buckland Monachorum (Ref: 7122)
| Date Last Edited: | Aug 14 2023 11:50AM |
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