ABANDONED KINGSBRIDGE RAILWAY STATION VANISHED

This short film takes a nostalgic look back at Kingsbridge Railway Station which was demolished and lost back in 2009.
Sixty years ago steam traction was disappearing from the railways of Devon and Cornwall under the onslaught of dieselisation and line closures. Some lines closed without ever seeing a diesel but others were dieselised but still closed within a short time. One such line was the Kingsbridge Branch which witnessed its last steam trains in September 1961 and closed completely just two years later in September 1963.
The limit for a small prairie was 200 tons in both directions but 6 coaches would probably have weighed just over 200 tons. The up train faced an 8 mile climb from milepost 8½ just north of Loddiswell to the junction at Brent but the small prairies were very capable little engines.
After the War, increasing use of road transport for goods and personal travel resulted in declining use of the branch line. Losses were stated to be £37,759 annually. The line closed to goods from 9th September 1963, and was intended to have closed completely on that date, but the change from summer to winter time tables of the Western National Omnibus Company, which was to provide the replacement service, was occurring the following weekend, so the closure of the line was delayed until then. The last train ran on 14th September 1963.
With thanks to Aarchive Films, Cookworthy Museum, and Ken Williams and Dermot Reynolds their book The Kingsbridge Branch has been a welcome source of fact checking.
• ABANDONED KINGSBRIDGE ...

[@AarchiveRailways]

Excellent work about a beautiful station, at the end of the Primrose Line.

[@GULLPERCHFLYER]

Thanks Phil appreciate you kind feedback. Chris.

[@johndavey72]

Hello Chris . Another informative programme with fantastic footage . It always baffles me that Dr. Beeching didn't order the tracks to remain ....... thankyou Chris.

[@GULLPERCHFLYER]

There are some interesting books on the line The Kingsbridge Branch by Ken Williams and Dermot Reynolds is a good one. Chris.

[@MalacdenValleyModels]

Fantastic production, very informative and full of history. The old photos and film footage clearly show what was, such a shame it’s no longer with us. Thank you for sharing. 😊👍

[@GULLPERCHFLYER]

Glad you enjoyed it please consider subscribing I have many more train films on my channel. Chris. kzbin.info/door/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ

[@archieasworthhowell3665]

Lovely memories thank you very much. 😊

[@GULLPERCHFLYER]

Thanks Archie appreciate your feedback. Chris.

[@migalito1955]

I live thousands of miles to your West in the Catskills of NY, but I found the film quite intetesting. I'll have to check out the most recent film too.

[@GULLPERCHFLYER]

Thanks Michael I have several films on that line on my channel. Chris.

[@stuartbroome1258]

A classic branch line station, very sad it was not preserved, I believe it was still in original condition inside. 😢

[@GULLPERCHFLYER]

Many thanks Stuart it was a sad day when I watched as it was demolished too late to save it, maybe one day some wealthy person may have it re built. Chris. Please have a subscribe to my channel. kzbin.info/door/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ

[@David_Walker16-3-51]

We like to spend our summers in the South Hams and last year, Kingsbridge Station became a bit of a project for me. You have given me a lot of detail I hadn’t found for myself, thank you. We will be back this year and I promise to visit Bolt Head. Love your work.

[@GULLPERCHFLYER]

Thanks David please feel free to use any of the images. Do have a subscribe it will be much appreciated. Chris. kzbin.info/door/Oh3lzlK4b9UtMzHagk7SaQ

[@ianbell5611]

Thank you. Another great video

[@GULLPERCHFLYER]

Glad you enjoyed it Ian. Chris.

[@kenh3344]

What beautiful settings, the film and photos show . Magnificent buildings and track layout, How on earth has all the hard work of the builders and architecture. Of the railway, and its hard workers of the railway just gone . A way of life just disappears. Into dust.. called progress. They say . Mmm I say dissgusting .. what a loss . Chris thank you again for the memories. Of what once was ... to be no more.

[@GULLPERCHFLYER]

Thanks Ken appreciate your kind feedback. Chris.

[@kenh3344]

​@@GULLPERCHFLYERwell it's like this chris . You put in all the hard work in digging out the content. All I do is look at it . And comment. I have many intrests on many subjects . You just happen to put up what I like. In most cases good job you dont want to be on the other end of my comments on certain things on you tube. Like rain bow cars and flags 😮 😊😊

[@salcombebunker1800]

Sad so very sad.

[@GULLPERCHFLYER]

Yes I agree. Chris. 🙁