Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway
Encyclopedia
The Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway was a gauge horse-worked railway line in Devon
, England. Most of the network had been replaced by conventional railways by 1888. The last surviving section, which continued to operate until 1960, is generally referred to as the Lee Moor Tramway. The company also built a gauge branch line to on behalf of the London and South Western Railway
.
east of Plymouth
, to Princetown
by Sir Thomas Trywhitt
to facilitate the development of Dartmoor
. An Act of Parliament
passed on 2 July 1819 authorised the work, and a second one on 8 July 1820 provided for an extension at the Plymouth end to Sutton Pool. The first section, from Crabtree (at Laira) to King’s Tor (below Princetown), was opened on 26 September 1823. The extension to Sutton Pool was opened towards the end on 1825, and the remainder of the line into Princetown was in use the following year. In 1829 a branch was opened to connect with the Cann Quarry Canal
, and this was extended to both the quarry itself and Plympton
five years later.
Thomas Tyrwhitt died in 1833; by the 1840s the railway was in the hands of John and William Johnson; they sold two parts of it to the South Devon Railway Company
(SDR). Firstly, the section from Plympton to the River Plym
was closed in 1847 to allow it to become part of the new broad gauge
Exeter
to Plymouth
main line. In 1851 the line from Laira to Sutton Pool was also sold, but this time the two gauges shared the route so that trucks on both gauges could run to Sutton Pool. Wharves were also provided at Laira and near the road bridge to Plympton
.
The line was 25+1/2 mi long, even though the termini were only about 13 miles (20.9 km) apart on a map, in order to allow the track to follow the shallowest gradients. One tunnel was required at Leigham near Marsh Mills; this was 620 yards (566.9 m) long and just 9.5 feet (2.9 m) high and 8.5 feet (2.6 m) wide. Rails were carried on granite setts; the initial rails were bolted to cast iron chairs, but later track was spiked directly to the setts. Instead of using iron rails, many sidings were laid with granite rails about 1 feet (30 cm) long.
In 1852 part of the Princetown and Cann Quarry lines were sold to the South Devon and Tavistock Railway
for their proposed route. The SDR closed the Laira to Sutton Pool line in 1856 so that it could be rebuilt for locomotive working (it had been worked solely by horses until then). When it reopened in 1857 the 4 ft 6in gauge had been given its own route alongside the broad gauge line, but only from Laira to Prince Rock and Cattewater; the line to Sutton Pool was now purely broad gauge.
An Act passed on 3 May 1865 reconstituted the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway Company with all the preference shares owned by William Johnson. The new company was sufficiently profitable to be able to pay a 0.25% dividend in 1870. The remaining portion of the original line, from Yelverton
to Princetown, was transferred to the newly authorised Princetown Railway
in 1878. This new gauge line was opened in 1883 and connected with the Tavistock line.
.
Lines ran from Lee Moor to both Wotter and Cholwich Town but these closed in 1900 and 1910 respectively. In the 1940s road transport took over most of the traffic and a pipeline was laid from Lee Moor to Marsh Mills in 1947 to carry china clay in slurry form, thus depriving the tramway of most of its purpose. A very limited traffic was carried until 1961 to maintain the tramway’s rights of way.
and it was under the guise of the P&DR that this company built a branch line from to , on the eastern side of the River Plym
. The Act of Parliament
authorising construction was passed on 2 August 1883 but it was not completed until 1 January 1897. Stations were provided at (from 1905), (opened 1892), and Turnchapel itself. After becoming a part of British Railways on 1 January 1948, passenger trains were withdrawn on 10 September 1951 but goods trains continued to run until 30 October 1961.
ST locomotives were purchased from Peckett and Sons
. An engine shed was provided at Torreycombe; the locomotives only worked between there and the top of the Cann Wood incline. Both have been preserved, but in non-working condition.
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England. Most of the network had been replaced by conventional railways by 1888. The last surviving section, which continued to operate until 1960, is generally referred to as the Lee Moor Tramway. The company also built a gauge branch line to on behalf of the London and South Western Railway
London and South Western Railway
The London and South Western Railway was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Its network extended from London to Plymouth via Salisbury and Exeter, with branches to Ilfracombe and Padstow and via Southampton to Bournemouth and Weymouth. It also had many routes connecting towns in...
.
Princetown, Plympton and Cann Quarry
The gauge line was proposed from Crabtree, on Plym estuaryRiver Plym
The River Plym is a river in Devon, England. Its source is some 450m above sea level on Dartmoor, in an upland marshy area called Plym Head. From the upper reaches which contain antiquities and mining remains the river flows roughly southwest and enters the sea near to the city of Plymouth, where...
east of Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, to Princetown
Princetown
Princetown is a town situated on Dartmoor in the English county of Devon.In 1785, Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, Secretary to the Prince of Wales, leased a large area of moorland from the Duchy of Cornwall estate, hoping to convert it into good farmland. He encouraged people to live in the area and suggested...
by Sir Thomas Trywhitt
Thomas Tyrwhitt (MP)
Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt was Member of Parliament for Okehampton.-Career:Educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford and after serving as private secretary to the Prince of Wales, Tyrwhitt was elected Member of Parliament for Okehampton in 1796...
to facilitate the development of Dartmoor
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is an area of moorland in south Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers .The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The...
. An Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
passed on 2 July 1819 authorised the work, and a second one on 8 July 1820 provided for an extension at the Plymouth end to Sutton Pool. The first section, from Crabtree (at Laira) to King’s Tor (below Princetown), was opened on 26 September 1823. The extension to Sutton Pool was opened towards the end on 1825, and the remainder of the line into Princetown was in use the following year. In 1829 a branch was opened to connect with the Cann Quarry Canal
Cann Quarry Canal
The Cann Quarry canal was a canal in Devon, England which ran for just under from Cann Quarry to the River Plym at Marsh Mills . The canal was first proposed in 1778 but then largely remained in stasis until 1825. The canal was opened as a tub-boat canal on 20 November 1829...
, and this was extended to both the quarry itself and Plympton
Plympton
Plympton, or Plympton Maurice or Plympton St Maurice or Plympton St Mary or Plympton Erle, in south-western Devon, England is an ancient stannary town: an important trading centre in the past for locally mined tin, and a former seaport...
five years later.
Thomas Tyrwhitt died in 1833; by the 1840s the railway was in the hands of John and William Johnson; they sold two parts of it to the South Devon Railway Company
South Devon Railway Company
The South Devon Railway Company built and operated the railway from Exeter to Plymouth and Torquay in Devon, England. It was a broad gauge railway built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel-Chronology:* 1844 South Devon Railway Act passed by parliament...
(SDR). Firstly, the section from Plympton to the River Plym
River Plym
The River Plym is a river in Devon, England. Its source is some 450m above sea level on Dartmoor, in an upland marshy area called Plym Head. From the upper reaches which contain antiquities and mining remains the river flows roughly southwest and enters the sea near to the city of Plymouth, where...
was closed in 1847 to allow it to become part of the new broad gauge
Broad gauge
Broad-gauge railways use a track gauge greater than the standard gauge of .- List :For list see: List of broad gauges, by gauge and country- History :...
Exeter
Exeter St Davids railway station
Exeter St Davids station is the most important of seven National Rail stations in the city of Exeter in southwest England. Today the station is owned by Network Rail and operated by First Great Western.-History:...
to Plymouth
Plymouth Millbay railway station
Plymouth Millbay railway station was the original railway terminus in Plymouth, Devon, England. It was used for passenger trains from 1849 to 1941.- History :...
main line. In 1851 the line from Laira to Sutton Pool was also sold, but this time the two gauges shared the route so that trucks on both gauges could run to Sutton Pool. Wharves were also provided at Laira and near the road bridge to Plympton
Plympton
Plympton, or Plympton Maurice or Plympton St Maurice or Plympton St Mary or Plympton Erle, in south-western Devon, England is an ancient stannary town: an important trading centre in the past for locally mined tin, and a former seaport...
.
The line was 25+1/2 mi long, even though the termini were only about 13 miles (20.9 km) apart on a map, in order to allow the track to follow the shallowest gradients. One tunnel was required at Leigham near Marsh Mills; this was 620 yards (566.9 m) long and just 9.5 feet (2.9 m) high and 8.5 feet (2.6 m) wide. Rails were carried on granite setts; the initial rails were bolted to cast iron chairs, but later track was spiked directly to the setts. Instead of using iron rails, many sidings were laid with granite rails about 1 feet (30 cm) long.
In 1852 part of the Princetown and Cann Quarry lines were sold to the South Devon and Tavistock Railway
South Devon and Tavistock Railway
The South Devon and Tavistock Railway was a broad gauge railway linking Plymouth with Tavistock in Devon, England. It opened in 1859, was extended by the Launceston and South Devon Railway to Launceston, Cornwall, in 1865, and was closed in 1962....
for their proposed route. The SDR closed the Laira to Sutton Pool line in 1856 so that it could be rebuilt for locomotive working (it had been worked solely by horses until then). When it reopened in 1857 the 4 ft 6in gauge had been given its own route alongside the broad gauge line, but only from Laira to Prince Rock and Cattewater; the line to Sutton Pool was now purely broad gauge.
An Act passed on 3 May 1865 reconstituted the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway Company with all the preference shares owned by William Johnson. The new company was sufficiently profitable to be able to pay a 0.25% dividend in 1870. The remaining portion of the original line, from Yelverton
Yelverton, Devon
Yelverton is a large village on the south-western edge of Dartmoor, Devon, in England.When the village's railway station opened in the 19th century, the village became a popular residence for Plymouth commuters...
to Princetown, was transferred to the newly authorised Princetown Railway
Princetown Railway
The Princetown Railway was a 10.5 mile long Great Western Railway built single track branch railway line in Devon, England, that ran from and later from , both on the South Devon and Tavistock line, to via four intermediate stations, , , and .-History:...
in 1878. This new gauge line was opened in 1883 and connected with the Tavistock line.
Lee Moor Tramway
A new line from Marsh Mills to Lee Moor was opened in 1856, in part to replace the old Plympton branch of the Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway. Two inclines were worked by stationary engines. The lower one, at Cann Wood, was worked by the descending wagons hauling up the ones travelling in the opposite direction, while the upper incline, at Torreycombe, was provided with water tanks that could be used to counterbalance heavy wagons being taken up the slope. The tramway crossed the Tavistock line on a level crossing near Marsh Mills and trains then continued to Plymouth along the old Cann Quarry line and original Plymouth and Dartmoor track. This entailed another level crossing of the South Devon main line between the Embankment Road and Laira engine shedsLaira TMD
Laira TMD is a railway Traction Maintenance Depot situated in Plymouth, Devon, England. The depot is operated by First Great Western and is mainly concerned with the overhaul and daily servicing of their fleet of High Speed Trains and also the DMUs used on local services...
.
Lines ran from Lee Moor to both Wotter and Cholwich Town but these closed in 1900 and 1910 respectively. In the 1940s road transport took over most of the traffic and a pipeline was laid from Lee Moor to Marsh Mills in 1947 to carry china clay in slurry form, thus depriving the tramway of most of its purpose. A very limited traffic was carried until 1961 to maintain the tramway’s rights of way.
Turnchapel branch
The legal entity of the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway was bought by the London and South Western RailwayLondon and South Western Railway
The London and South Western Railway was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Its network extended from London to Plymouth via Salisbury and Exeter, with branches to Ilfracombe and Padstow and via Southampton to Bournemouth and Weymouth. It also had many routes connecting towns in...
and it was under the guise of the P&DR that this company built a branch line from to , on the eastern side of the River Plym
River Plym
The River Plym is a river in Devon, England. Its source is some 450m above sea level on Dartmoor, in an upland marshy area called Plym Head. From the upper reaches which contain antiquities and mining remains the river flows roughly southwest and enters the sea near to the city of Plymouth, where...
. The Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
authorising construction was passed on 2 August 1883 but it was not completed until 1 January 1897. Stations were provided at (from 1905), (opened 1892), and Turnchapel itself. After becoming a part of British Railways on 1 January 1948, passenger trains were withdrawn on 10 September 1951 but goods trains continued to run until 30 October 1961.
Operation
Haulage was initially by horses except for the steeper inclines which were operated using stationary winding engines. In 1899 two 0-4-00-4-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-0 represents one of the simplest possible types, that with two axles and four coupled wheels, all of which are driven...
ST locomotives were purchased from Peckett and Sons
Peckett and Sons
Peckett and Sons was a locomotive manufacturer at the Atlas Works in St. George, Bristol, England.-Fox, Walker and Company:The company began trading in 1864 at the Atlas Engine Works, St. George, Bristol, as Fox, Walker and Company, building four and six-coupled saddle tank engines for industrial use...
. An engine shed was provided at Torreycombe; the locomotives only worked between there and the top of the Cann Wood incline. Both have been preserved, but in non-working condition.