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.  

Bridge 1

 Like many of these old rail bridges,on the top is not the best place to be,to see their true fineness,so we climbed down the bank to get a better look.The bridge spans a fast moving stream that is used by the nearby fishery and their equipment is all around,but this only partially detracts from the beauty of the bridge.The bridge itself is well built and still in good condition and looks really picturesque with the ivy growing over it.The arch is covered with years of mineral deposits,but the brickwork is still in really good condition.

The invasive weed Himalayan Balsam is all around the bridge,a problem that we find everywhere we go and seems to be getting worse.Delighted by this first bridge that we'd found,we climbed back up onto the track bed and set off in search of further treasures.We didn't have far to go and soon came to an amazing sight.

Walking across the bridge,it looks as though the line comes to a dead end.The track used by farmers etc. bends off to the left and where the line would be,straight ahead,seems to be overgrown and blocked.If you investigate more thoroughly however and keep walking straight on,you will discover the remains of what I have imaginatively called,Bridge 2.At this point,you will come to a fenced off part.DO NOT be tempted to go past this fence,as there is a sheer drop here and unless you can fly,you will die.

Avoiding this drop we climbed down the bank at the side and were greeted by the remains and amazing sight of The Exe Railway Bridge(or Bridge 2).

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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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