RAILSCOT | Holsworthy Branch (London and South Western Railway)

Introduction

This London and South Western Railway branch ran from Meldon Junction (Devon and Cornwall Railway) north west to Holsworthy. It was opened in 1879.

Originally the Devon and Cornwall Railway had powers, from 1865, to build the line but allowed it to lapse.

In 1886 it was met by the North Cornwall Railway from Launceston [LSW] and Wadebridge [2nd]. The branch was further extended from Holsworthy to the coast at Bude in 1898. In 1925 it was met by the North Devon and Cornwall Junction Railway from Torrington at Halwill.

The line closed to passengers and altogether in 1966.

Dates

/ /1865	Devon and Cornwall Railway Powers granted for a branch to Holsworthy. These were allowed to lapse. The London and South Western Railway later, in 1879, built the line as the Holsworthy Branch (London and South Western Railway).
/ /1879	Holsworthy Branch (London and South Western Railway) Opened from Meldon Junction to Holsworthy. Stations opened at Ashbury, Halwill and Beaworthy, Dunsland Cross and Holsworthy.
/ /1886	North Cornwall Railway Line opened from Halwill and Beaworthy (Holsworthy Branch (London and South Western Railway)) to Launceston [LSWR]. Stations opened at Ashwater, Tower Hill [LSWR], Launceston [LSWR].
/ /1887	Holsworthy Branch (London and South Western Railway) Halwill and Beaworthy renamed Halwill Junction.
/ /1923	Holsworthy Branch (London and South Western Railway) Halwill Junction renamed Halwill.
/ /1925	North Devon and Cornwall Junction Light Railway Opened from Torrington (Torrington Extension (London and South Western Railway)) to Halwill Junction (Holsworthy Branch (London and South Western Railway)). Much of the Torrington and Marland Light Railway was used, having been converted into a standard gauge railway. Stations opened at Dunsbear Halt, Petrockstow, Meeth Halt, Hatherleigh, Hole. The Marland Clay Works lines remained 3ft and in use.
/ /1926	Holsworthy Branch (London and South Western Railway) Maddaford Moor Halt opened.
/ /1966	Holsworthy Branch (London and South Western Railway) Bude Branch (London and South Western Railway) Meldon Junction to Holsworthy and Bude closed to passengers and completely. Stations closed Bude, Whitstone and Bridgerule, Holsworthy, Dunsland Cross, Halwill, Ashbury and Maddaford Moor Halt.

Portions of line and locations

This line is divided into a number of portions.

Meldon to Holsworthy

Meldon Junction

More details

See also
Devon and Cornwall Railway

Just on the Quarry side of Meldon Junction, on the South side of the trackbed, lies the milepost showing 200 miles from Waterloo by the Withered Arm ...
Ken Strachan 06/04/2023

For once, the wooden artwork is useful - you can sit on it - and representative of past glories, in that the diverging benches represent the former ...
Ken Strachan 06/04/2023

Devon panorama: Meldon Junction is 200 miles by the Withered Arm from London Waterloo (there was a milepost to the right of the trackbed). A stone ...
Ken Strachan 06/04/2023

3 of 3 images.

Holsworthy Branch (London and South Western Railway)

Introduction

Dates

Portions of line and locations

Meldon to Holsworthy

Meldon Junction

Maddaford Moor Halt

Ashbury

Halwill

Dunsland Cross

Holsworthy

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