Wow its nearly 50 years since I travelled that line, a mere lad of 17 and working as a labourer for two floor layers on barnstable hospital . Watching this I must do it one more time . Lovely rural line and old stations.
In fact, although one branch did commence at Ilfracombe, the other went way beyond Bideford and on out through Torrington to Halwill Junction and thence on to Bude. As a boy in Bideford in the late 50's, I clearly remember the track as still being double right through to Torrington, beyond which freight still continued through to Halwill. In those days the Atlantic Express started at three locations - the Ilfracombe and Torrington sections joined at Barnstaple Junction, then continued on to Yeoford where the Plymouth section joined having travelled via Tavistock and Okehampton. The whole train then journeyed through Exeter St David's and Central, on through Yeovil Junction and Salisbury to London Waterloo.
Wow its nearly 50 years since I travelled that line, a mere lad of 17 and working as a labourer for two floor layers on barnstable hospital . Watching this I must do it one more time . Lovely rural line and old stations.
I never get tired of riding thru england's beautiful countryside.
Neither do I
In fact, although one branch did commence at Ilfracombe, the other went way beyond Bideford and on out through Torrington to Halwill Junction and thence on to Bude. As a boy in Bideford in the late 50's, I clearly remember the track as still being double right through to Torrington, beyond which freight still continued through to Halwill. In those days the Atlantic Express started at three locations - the Ilfracombe and Torrington sections joined at Barnstaple Junction, then continued on to Yeoford where the Plymouth section joined having travelled via Tavistock and Okehampton. The whole train then journeyed through Exeter St David's and Central, on through Yeovil Junction and Salisbury to London Waterloo.
I open two YT pages watching this on one and playing train soundtrack on the other.
Great video... do you have more to upload to complete the journey to Exeter?
Just released.
What a state the ceases are in compared with BR standards. Suppose to be a safe walking area for staff and contractors not a overgrown mess
Looks like it's been a long time since this line was double tracked. Little sine it ever was in places.
Yep
What a pity that this line does not start again from Ilfracombe
Since this video was made, the old and very bumpy class 150 trains have been replaced with the class 158, making the journey much more comfortable.
far better units.
No cess for safe walking by staff or contractors anymore