Sidmouth railway station

Sidmouth

Station House (formerly station)
Location
Place Sidmouth
Area East Devon
Operations
Original company London and South Western Railway
Post-grouping Southern Railway
Platforms 2
History
6 July 1874 Station opens
6 March 1967 Station closes to passengers
Disused railway stations in the United Kingdom
Closed railway stations in Britain
A B C D–F G H–J K–L M–O P–R S T–V W–Z
UK Railways portal

Sidmouth railway station was a fully operational station located in Sidmouth, Devon, England until its closure in 1967. The station is now a privately owned property at the top of Alexandria Road, Sidmouth. The line was part of the Southern Railway, a branch off the Salisbury to Exeter route.

Its railway heritage is still clear, as can be seen from the photograph of the front of the building. Round the back there is still some platform and canopy, in use by a builders' merchant.

History

The station opened on 6 July 1874, built and operated by the Sidmouth Railway Company to satisfy the needs of visitors to the resort. Initially there were seven trains per day, but this increased to 24 in the 1930s. Passenger numbers remained viable well into the 1950s, but rail service rationalisation in the 1960s significantly reduced the frequency of train services. The consequent reduction in passenger numbers led inevitably to closure of the branch line; passenger services ceased on 6 March 1967 and freight services continued up to the line closure on 8 May 1967. The railway track was lifted shortly after this.

There were two platforms: one could hold five coaches, and the other seven. Occasionally a longer train would arrive, and would need to be split between the platforms.[1]

Preceding station Disused railways Following station
Tipton St Johns
Line and station closed		   British Rail
Southern Region
Sidmouth Railway		   Terminus

References

  1. ↑ Maggs, Colin G. (1996). The Sidmouth & Budleigh Salterton Branches. Locomotion Papers. Headington: Oakwood Press. p. 35. ISBN 0-85361-483-0. LP193.

External links

Coordinates: 50°41′23″N 3°14′44″W / 50.6897°N 3.2455°W