Exeter and Crediton Railway

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The Exeter and Crediton Railway was a broad gauge railway that linked Exeter and Crediton, Devon, England.

Although built in 1847, it was not opened until 12 May 1851 due to arguments about the gauge to be used. It was initially operated by the Bristol and Exeter Railway, but eventually became a part of the London and South Western Railway, thus being one of the few broad gauge railways never to become part of the Great Western Railway.

It remains open as part of the scenic Tarka Line from Exeter to Barnstaple.

[edit] Chronology

• 1845 Exeter and Crediton Railway authorised by Act of Parliament
• 1847 Railway built as broad gauge line but opened
• 1848 One of the two broad gauge lines replaced by standard gauge
• 1851 Railway opened using the broad gauge line
• 1854 North Devon Railway opened to Crediton
• 1862 Leased to the London and South Western Railway and converted to mixed gauge

Bristol and Exeter Railway continues to operate a limited broad gauge goods service

• 1892 Broad gauge abandonded
• 1923 London and South Western Railway amalgamted into the Southern Railway
• 1948 Southern Railway nationalised into the British Railways

[edit] Stations

• Exeter St Davids (Bristol and Exeter Railway)
• Cowley Bridge (constructed in 1848 but never opened)
• Newton St Cyres
• Crediton

[edit] References

• MacDermot, ET (1931). History of the Great Western Railway, Vol. 2 1863-1921. London: Great Western Railway. 
• Nicholas, John (1992). The North Devon Line. Sparkford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0-86093-461-6.