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Kingsbridge branch line AI simulator
(@Kingsbridge branch line_simulator)
Hub AI
Kingsbridge branch line AI simulator
(@Kingsbridge branch line_simulator)
Kingsbridge branch line
Kingsbridge branch line was a single track branch line railway in Devon, England. The railway, which became known as the Primrose Line, opened in 1893 and, despite local opposition, closed in 1963. It left the Exeter to Plymouth line at Brent and ran 12 miles (19 km), following the route of the River Avon, to Kingsbridge. A proposed extension to Salcombe was not constructed.
In 1849, the South Devon Railway reached Plymouth with its broad gauge railway, connecting South Devon to London over friendly associate railways.
People in Kingsbridge and the surrounding district felt cut off from the benefits of railway connection and, in 1854, an ambitious project was put forward at a public meeting: the line was to run from Churston to Kingsbridge. The meeting generated huge enthusiasm, but little money was forthcoming and the scheme went no further.
In January 1864, another meeting took place in Kingsbridge proposing a more modest scheme, from Brent station on the South Devon Railway main line to Salcombe via Kingsbridge. The cost of construction was to be £130,000, and this time tangible support was available.[citation needed] The scheme went to Parliament and was granted the Kingsbridge Railway Act 1864 (27 & 28 Vict. c. cclxxxvii).
That early success was not followed up with much actual money but, two years later, several deviations were required and even more capital needed. The Kingsbridge Railway (Deviations) Act 1866 (29 & 30 Vict. c. cclxiv) of 23 July 1866 authorised additional capital of £60,000. A Mr Chambers was persuaded to be the contractor to the impecunious company and work started a year later, on 24 June 1867. In fact, very little was done and, in 1871, it was proposed to abandon the scheme due to lack of money.
Ten more years went by and a new Kingsbridge and Salcombe Railway was authorised by an act of Parliament, the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Railway Act 1882 (45 & 46 Vict. c. clx) of 24 July 1882. The new company purchased the rights of the earlier line for £3,500, which was to run to Ibberton Head at Salcombe. Capital was to be £160,000 for the 16-mile (26 km) line, and working arrangements were provisionally agreed with the Great Western Railway (GWR) which had, by then, absorbed the South Devon Railway.
Yet again enthusiastic planning was not matched by the raising of finance and, a year later, only £1,500 had been subscribed.
Clearly, nothing could be done in the circumstances, until, on 28 October 1885, discussions took place with the GWR about it taking over the scheme. A figure of £8,000 was tabled, increased to £10,000, which seemed to be acceptable at first. However, ambiguities arose over whether land supposed to have been acquired by the old company was legally owned. Further meetings dragged on at Paddington until, on 21 March 1888, the purchase of the unbuilt line was finally agreed. That was formally confirmed on 13 June 1888.
Kingsbridge branch line
Kingsbridge branch line was a single track branch line railway in Devon, England. The railway, which became known as the Primrose Line, opened in 1893 and, despite local opposition, closed in 1963. It left the Exeter to Plymouth line at Brent and ran 12 miles (19 km), following the route of the River Avon, to Kingsbridge. A proposed extension to Salcombe was not constructed.
In 1849, the South Devon Railway reached Plymouth with its broad gauge railway, connecting South Devon to London over friendly associate railways.
People in Kingsbridge and the surrounding district felt cut off from the benefits of railway connection and, in 1854, an ambitious project was put forward at a public meeting: the line was to run from Churston to Kingsbridge. The meeting generated huge enthusiasm, but little money was forthcoming and the scheme went no further.
In January 1864, another meeting took place in Kingsbridge proposing a more modest scheme, from Brent station on the South Devon Railway main line to Salcombe via Kingsbridge. The cost of construction was to be £130,000, and this time tangible support was available.[citation needed] The scheme went to Parliament and was granted the Kingsbridge Railway Act 1864 (27 & 28 Vict. c. cclxxxvii).
That early success was not followed up with much actual money but, two years later, several deviations were required and even more capital needed. The Kingsbridge Railway (Deviations) Act 1866 (29 & 30 Vict. c. cclxiv) of 23 July 1866 authorised additional capital of £60,000. A Mr Chambers was persuaded to be the contractor to the impecunious company and work started a year later, on 24 June 1867. In fact, very little was done and, in 1871, it was proposed to abandon the scheme due to lack of money.
Ten more years went by and a new Kingsbridge and Salcombe Railway was authorised by an act of Parliament, the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Railway Act 1882 (45 & 46 Vict. c. clx) of 24 July 1882. The new company purchased the rights of the earlier line for £3,500, which was to run to Ibberton Head at Salcombe. Capital was to be £160,000 for the 16-mile (26 km) line, and working arrangements were provisionally agreed with the Great Western Railway (GWR) which had, by then, absorbed the South Devon Railway.
Yet again enthusiastic planning was not matched by the raising of finance and, a year later, only £1,500 had been subscribed.
Clearly, nothing could be done in the circumstances, until, on 28 October 1885, discussions took place with the GWR about it taking over the scheme. A figure of £8,000 was tabled, increased to £10,000, which seemed to be acceptable at first. However, ambiguities arose over whether land supposed to have been acquired by the old company was legally owned. Further meetings dragged on at Paddington until, on 21 March 1888, the purchase of the unbuilt line was finally agreed. That was formally confirmed on 13 June 1888.