Eggesford railway station
Eggesford  | |
|---|---|
|
The station viewed from northbound platform | |
| Location | |
| Place | Chawleigh |
| Local authority | Mid Devon |
| Coordinates | 50°53′16″N 3°52′31″W / 50.8878°N 3.87525°WCoordinates: 50°53′16″N 3°52′31″W / 50.8878°N 3.87525°W |
| Grid reference | SS682114 |
| Operations | |
| Station code | EGG |
| Managed by | Great Western Railway |
| Number of platforms | 2 |
| DfT category | F2 |
|
Live arrivals/departures, station information and onward connections from National Rail Enquiries | |
| Annual rail passenger usage* | |
| 2011/12 |
 26,902 |
| 2012/13 |
30,062 |
| 2013/14 |
 26,160 |
| 2014/15 |
29,106 |
| 2015/16 |
29,920 |
| History | |
| Original company | North Devon Railway |
| Pre-grouping | London and South Western Railway |
| Post-grouping | Southern Railway |
| Opened | 1854 |
| National Rail – UK railway stations | |
| * Annual estimated passenger usage based on sales of tickets in stated financial year(s) which end or originate at Eggesford from Office of Rail and Road statistics. Methodology may vary year on year. | |
 UK Railways portal | |
Eggesford railway station is a rural station in Devon, England, serving Eggesford, the town of Chulmleigh and surrounding villages. Despite its name, the station is in the neighbouring civil parish of Chawleigh. It is a passing place on the single track Tarka Line 21.25 miles (34 km) north west of Exeter on the way to Barnstaple.
History
The station was opened by the North Devon Railway on 1 August 1854.[1] The North Devon Railway was required to obtain permission from the landowner, the Earl of Portsmouth, whose country seat was situated within an estate near to the site of the station. It is said that the Earl agreed to the railway being built on his land on the understanding that all trains would stop at the station thus affording easy access to Eggesford House for visiting guests.
To this day, all trains continue to stop although the Earl's family have long become extinct. This is possibly more as a result of the station being an exchange point for tokens on the Crediton to Eggesford and Eggesford to Barnstaple Token Block sections. In BR steam days the summer Saturday Atlantic Coast Express, the thirteen coach 11.00 Waterloo to Ilfracombe, made its only stop between Exeter and Barnstaple at Eggesford.[2]
A signalbox was in existence at Eggesford until 1987, however the line has since been rationalised and the passing loop automated with the use of spring points. Token exchange is now carried out by the driver in an unmanned hut located on each platform. The conductor/guard is also required to operate the level crossing at the station as well as this is not automatic. Token release and train signalling is carried out by Crediton signalbox.
In the late 1960s, the down platform and buildings were washed away by the flooded River Taw, following torrential rain. However, a replacement structure was built.
Services
All trains on the Barnstaple to Exmouth service stop at Eggesford. Trains connect with main line services at Exeter St Davids. In the current timetable (NRT Table 136, May 2013) there is an hourly service each way for most of the day (Mon-Sat), with most north- and south-bound trains scheduled to pass each other here. On Sundays, trains run every two hours in each direction.
| Preceding station | National Rail |
Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapford | Great Western Railway Tarka Line |
King's Nympton | ||
Community railway
The railway between Exeter and Barnstaple is designated as a community railway and is supported by marketing provided by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership. The line is promoted under the "Tarka Line" name.
The Eggesford Country House Hotel is included in the Tarka Line rail ale trail.
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eggesford railway station. |
- ↑ Nicholas, John (1992). The North Devon Line. Sparkford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0-86093-461-6.
- ↑ "Atlantic Coast Princess". North Cornwall Railway. Retrieved 10 March 2016.