Next on the line on the Plymouth to Launceston railway, after Bickleigh, was Shaugh Prior.
Shaugh Prior is a very sweet village in Dartmoor, South Devon. Just to the west of the village, was the station, just under the bridge for Hele Lane.
A history of Shaugh Bridge
Shaugh Bridge was originally opened in 1859 by the South Devon and Tavistock Railway. The only building at the station was a typical corrugated iron sheeting ‘pagoda’ shelter, which housed a booking office and waiting room.
The South Devon and Tavistock Railway originally opened Shaugh Bridge in 1859. The station featured only one building: a typical ‘pagoda’ shelter made of corrugated iron sheeting, which housed a booking office and waiting room. This was a general view of Shaugh Bridge Platform, looking south towards Plymouth. Image by L. Crosier
Shaugh Bridge Platform, circa 1907. The newly denuded surroundings were the result of its recent construction. Image courtesy of King Street Curios, Tavistock.
A little further down, again looking south, you can clearly see the bridge for Hele Lane. Image by Lens of Sutton.
This is an unusual photograph showing the approach of 2-6-2T No. 5572 and train to Shaugh Tunnel. The photo was taken by a British Rail employee who had permission to be there. Image by L. Crosier.
Shaugh Platform today
As with most of the stations, there is little left of the station today. You can watch most of the line and Google Maps has some interesting photos.
The old track is a well kept, the platform is over grown and looks nothing like it used too. You can still clearly see the bridge of Hele Lane.
Heading north, on the old track, you pass through Shaugh Tunnel.
Shaugh Platform – Then and Now
I’ve not been able to get up to the track today myself, but Google Maps has some images, that are very close the original photos.
Both of these images are looking south, towards Plymouth.
Not perfect, but here is the same image from Shaugh Tunnel, only one is missing the locomotive.
Up Next
Up next will be Clearbrook Halt, then on into Yelverton. Although, the next blog post will most likely be in the new year, because I need a break from the computer. I would spend all day on it if I could.
As always, thank you to Anthony Kingdom for use of the images from his book The Plymouth Tavistock and Launceston Railway.
I would also like to thank Steve Grigg from Dartmoor Explorations. I asked Steve for use of his images, which I ended up not using, but if you love Dartmoor and the scenery, I suggest you give his site a visit HERE. It is very insightful and some wonderful images.
