PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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SUTTON HARBOUR (WESTERN REGION) BRANCH
The railway line from Laira (Crabtree) to Sutton Harbour was originally laid by the Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway and was, of course, to their gauge of 4 feet 6 inches. During the 1850s the line between Laira and the Harbour was acquired by the South Devon Railway and converted for operation with steam locomotives. The Branch opened for goods traffic on October 1st 1857. As from February 1st 1876 it became the Great Western Railway Sutton Harbour Branch. On January 1st 1948 the railways were nationalised and the Branch then became the British Railways (Western Region) Sutton Harbour Branch. There was also a British Railways (Southern Region) Sutton Harbour Branch that ran to Sutton Harbour from Friary Station. The regular branch engine in 1951 was 0-6-0PT 2148, although it was withdrawn in early 1952. It was reported in March 1953 that the Sutton Harbour Branch was now been worked by loco number 1608. It had previously been worked by engines of the 2021 class. [1] During the winter period from September 16th 1957 to June 8th 1958, only two trains were scheduled to run down the branch. The first was timed to leave Laira Junction at 7.45am, pass Friary Junction at 7.49 and after stopping if required at Northey's Siding to set down wagons and adjust the braking on the wagons, it was due to arrive at Sutton Harbour Goods Station at 7.55am. This service ran every day except Sundays. That engine then serviced any traffic for North Quay and the Gas Siding before returning from the Harbour at 2pm. It again called at Northey's Siding if required before passing Friary Junction at 2.06 and arriving back at Laira Junction at 2.10pm. The actual times would probably have varied according to the length of time the train spent at Northey's Siding. On Mondays to Fridays only the there was another service timed to leave Laira Junction at 2.30pm, pass Friary Junction at 2.34, repeat the call at Northey's Siding and/or stop to adjust the brakes, and with any luck arrive at Sutton Harbour at 2.40. After spending the afternoon doing whatever was necessary around the Harbour, it was timed to depart at 5.30pm for Laira Junction. On Mondays to Fridays only, the engine would also do a Transfer Freight run from Laira Junction to Tavistock Junction down side at 7.30pm, which took twelve minutes, and leaving there at 8.25pm to go back to Laira. To cut out unnecessary duplication, the the British Railways (Southern Region) Sutton Harbour Branch was closed. The rails were removed in 1957, leaving this line as the only one to access the quays around Sutton Harbour. [2] The Branch was officially closed to traffic on December 31st 1973. [3] Sources:
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