DEVON TRAINS
DEVONTRAINS is where you'll find everything there is to know about trains in Devon past and present. You can check today's timetables, connect with heritage railways and support groups and you can read the latest news in my blog. There are also galleries and a large video library telling the story of Devon's railways through time. I hope you enjoy your visit to my website.
Narrow gauge quarry and mine railways first appeared in Devon in the 18th century but passenger trains arrived when the broad gauge Bristol and Exeter railway opened in 1844. The line was then extended towards Plymouth using Brunel's Atmospheric system (briefly) and became part of the Great Western Railway. The London and South Western opened a line from Salisbury to Exeter in 1860. Its network expanded to include Ilfracombe, Plymouth, Torrington, Bude and Padstow the following 40 years. The LSWR also built branch lines to Lyme Regis, Seaton, Sidmouth and Exmouth. GWR branches reached Kingswear, Kingsbridge, Ashburton, Tavistock, Brixham, Hemyock, Tiverton, Yealmpton, Moretonhampstead and Barnstaple.
