GWR Kingsbridge branch line today

[@russbetts1467]

Thanks Ed, for a very informative video about the GWR Kingsbridge branch line. I have recently found a few of your postings and have subscribed. I lived in Plymouth for 21 years and have been fascinated by all the lines which were in operation before I moved there in 1974. Keep up the good works. It's nice to know, that Private owners of old Railway Stations are willing to let you film their properties; especially the internal parts, where they have kept important features. Russ. Havant, Hants.

[@SimonPJohnson]

Another informative video and great that buildings at three of the station sites remain

[@christophernewman5027]

Thank you, Ed, for another cracking vid. 😊

[@rwm2986]

Very interesting, thanks. But one thing missing - a map.

[@barnettiuk]

Congratulations on getting into Gara Bridge station- owners have not generally been amenable. Interesting that a few earthworks remain at Brent. There is a section of permissive path between Avonwick and Gara Bridge, and another from Loddiswell station going north, which I think you found. At Kingsbridge there is a section of embankment intact on the other side of the new Plymouth road, abutting the health centre, still quite thickly ballasted. It went into a cutting which is now filled in and houses the town’s allotments but the parapets of an underbridge are still there. About half of the main platform remains at Kingsbridge station site, having been truncated in the 60s. It was the station building at Kingsbridge, having stood for 46 years since closure, that was demolished in 2009- allegedly so that the owner wouldn’t have to pay business rates on it. Disgraceful. There is a pile of stones and rubble where it stood. In this author’s opinion the Kingsbridge branch was- is- more picturesque than the Ashburton and would have made a superb heritage railway. I enjoy and admire your work.

[@jamesgilbart2672]

Fascinating watch! It's such a shame that this branch had to close and that much of the route today is inaccessible to walkers or cyclists

[@GlynGlynn]

When BR wanted to sell the whole line intact, the price was about £30,000. In today's money that would have been £3 - 5 million! Since there were very few preservation societies in those early days, and the public did not want, or couldn't afford, such a sum, the opportunity of having a fully-functioning railway was squandered. Pity we can't turn the clock back!