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.  

 

After examining the platform,we then went and visited the nearby Cove bridge.This lovely stone bridge was built in 1791 and is well worth a look,along with the "picture post card" cottage that is next to it.From here you also get a good view back to the halt,as well as a view up to Holmingham quarry face.Whilst looking at this,I couldn't help but wonder why the quarry decided to put all it's freight on the road and not use the nearby siding to ship their stone.

Maybe if they had used the railway,it wouldn't have been closed.

Since first visiting Cove Halt we have been back many times to collect manure for our allottment,that Sarah has kindly allowed us to take,so it has actually become our most visited location.Each visit throws up new information and thoughts,so it has been very interesting,so again I thank Sarah for all her help and for allowing us to visit her property.

A map of Cove Halt from 1905

covemap2

 

Useable Google Map 

These two pictures are very interesting in the history of Cove Halt.The first one shows the opening day of Cove Halt in 1923.Notice that the pagoda is not there. When the halt was first opened,there was no proper platform and people just stood on what was called a "low platform",which was quite simply just the ballast.The standard 109 feet long raised platform was added after a report of 1926 decided that due to the success of the halt,that improvements should be made.

This second picture shows the anniversary of the halt and you will notice that the pagoda has now been added.

Thanks to my brother Lewis who took these pictures of Cove Pagoda when we visited Doniford Halt on the West Somerset Railway

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

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