PLYMOUTH
 DATA
www.plymouthdata.info

The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History
Click here to return to the Home page      Click here for more information about this website       Click here to go to the A - Z Contents page       Click here to go to the Links page       Click here to go to the Disclaimer page       Click here to link to the Can you help? page


RAILWAYS

SOUTH HAMS RAILWAY

Updated:  12 January 2011 

The South Hams Railway Company planned to construct a line from Plympton through Yealmpton, Modbury and Kingsbridge to Dartmouth.  It would then connect with the Dartmouth & Torbay Railway providing a link back through Paignton and Torquay to Newton Abbot.  The collapse of their bankers, Messrs Overend & Gurney, in May 1866 brought this proposal to an end.  [1]

That railway had been supported by the London & South Western Railway Company and after its failure they persuaded the Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway to build a line from Plymouth to Yealmpton and Modbury.  The LSWR were already constructing their Turnchapel Branch and this required crossing the river Plym by means of a bridge from Laira to Pomphlett.  The bridge was completed in 1887 and as the line to Pomphlett was ready they started to operate goods traffic between Plymouth and Pomphlett on June 25th 1888.  [2]

On June 28th 1888 the Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway (South Hams Extension) Act received the Royal Assent.  [3]

The history continues as the Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway South Hams Extension.

Sources:

[1]  ?

[2]  Kendall, H G, "The Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway", The Oakwood Press, Lingfield, Surrey, 1968.

[3]  "The Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway (South Hams Extension) Act 1888".

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

Any problems viewing this webpage should be notified to the webmaster at plymouthdata dot info