As the train left Plymouth, on it’s way to Launceston, it would pass Marsh Mills and then head to Plym Bridge Halt. It was a beautiful little spot just outside of Plymouth.
The green line was the main branch line to Tavistock and on to Launceston. The white line was the Lee Moor tramway.
Photos of Plym Bridge Halt
Sadly, I don’t have made images of the halt to share, but there is a small movie clip of the halt.
A very early view, taken in the 1900s, shows the original timber construction of Plym Bridge Halt. In the distance is an approaching steam rail motor. Image by LGRP.
The concrete structure of Plym Bridge Platform was added in in 1949. Image by Lens of Sutton.
The original timber platform opened on 1st May 1906, and walkers and picknickers used it heavily on weekends. They later rebuilt the platform in concrete, though they made it a little shorter. The railway company did not schedule early morning or late evening trains to stop there because of the lack of lighting. Image by R. M. Casserley coll.
Not the best of images, however, these two studies show Plym Bridge halt, taken from the Plym Bridge itself, during the last year of operation, 1962. Images by Anthony Kingdom.
Movie Footage
It’s a precious few second, but dad and I found some movie footage of Plym Bridge Platform. In the full video, Plymouth to Launceston, dad’s narration talks about the stop and also Lee Moor Tram way. When we first made the video, he mentions the idea of the track being extended.
Plym Bridge Today
Today, the old track bed makes a beautiful walkway, heading from the end of the Plym Bridge Railway, to the start of the walk towards the moors.
This is the now end of the Plym Valley Railway line. There’s a simple shelter on the platform. Just behind here, is a car park for day trippers, if you didn’t get the train to the stop.
Looking in the other direction, you can see the end of the line, and then it continues as a walkway, heading towards Dartmoor. Just beyond this point is the bridge itself, which is still a very popular spot for picnics.
Then and Now
The bottom image is from Google Maps, still showing the platform and a lovely little shelter. Yes, steam still runs on the line, but it stops here now. It doesnt’ carry on into Tavistock and on to Launceston in Cornwall.
Up Next
Next on the Plymouth to Launceston line, going back the correct order, was Coryton. Only two stops left and we’re finally getting into Launceston.
After that, I am working on a remaster of Plymouth to Exeter, The Southernway. I have new movie footage, new images and new music. It’s taken me about a month, on and off, so far, but it’s worth it. I plan to get to Exeter and do some filming soon as well.
As always, thank you to Anthony Kingdom and Middleton Press for the use of their images, from their books about the history of the Launceston branch line.
Remember, you can see the full journey of the Plymouth to Launceston line on my YouTube Channel.
