Plymstock Station, in Plymouth, Devon, is a special place to me, as I grew up in Plymstock. I moved to Hooe when I was 2 years old, but I went to Plymstock school and have fond memories of the area. Well, apart from the Cross Country Run that would go along Billacombe Road.
Before the closure of closure of most of branch lines in the 1960s, Plymstock had a busy station. It ran from through to Tunchapel and Yeampton, as seen on this map below. The line ran out to the right toward Elburton, Brixton and Yealmpton.
It was just over Laira Bridge, and across from the road of where supermarket and fast food place is.
Plymstock Station Images
Two image of Plymstock’s original LSWR station, taken around 1910. Both are looking east, they show the line of Billacombe whilst only the lower shows the platform and the line to Turnchapel and Oreston. Images by L G R P & Lens of Sutton
The R.C.T.S. special at the station on the 2nd May 1959. Image by C. Fineamore
On the 11th of April 1959, The Devon Rambler, an R.E.C. special., the only diesel multiple unit to traverse the line, made a visit to Turnchapel, passing through Plymstock, in the image above. Image by C. Fineamore
The Plymouth Railway Circle ‘last run’ over the branch line form Plymouth to Turnchapel, on the 30th of September 1961.
The Staff
Against the background of No. 11227, are the crew and members of Plymstock staff. (From left to right): Sig. J. Thomas, Driver D. Monk, Light Porter L. Summers, Goods Guard L. Jones and Relief Signalman T. Easton. Taken on the 20th of October 1961. Image by W. E. Stevens
The interior of the signal box, in 1961. Signalman J. Thomas is on duty. Image by W. E. Stevens
The Area Around Plymstock
The departure of Bayly’s siding at Bridge No 7, with it’s two lever ground frame controlled by Annetts key from Plymstock Signal Box. Image by W. E. Stevens.
This was the view from the Plymouth Railway Circle’s last run along the branch on 27th February 1960. The train of 9 brake vans is going over the Plym, just next to Laira Bridge, heading towards Plymstock. Image by R. C. Sambourne
Three studies of BR diesel No. 4158 working trains at Plymstock on the 12 of December 1973. The first image is shows it arriving with twelve liquid petroleum gas wagons. The second image is shunting cement wagons to clear the sidings. The last shows the empty petroleum gas wagons back. Images by Anthony Kingdom
Last full goods train from Bayly’s on the 17th of October 1961 crosses the bridge of Billacombe Road as it approaches the station. Image by W. E. Stevens
BR diesel No. 11228 crosses Billacombe Road bridge with a C. M. & E. Dept train carrying the chairing machine from Bayly’s on the 26th of October 1961.
Here is an updated video about the history of the Plymouth to Turnchapel & Cattewater Railway.
I will post more about Plymstock Station, with images after the closure and what it looks like today. Make sure you subscribe for more of this station, and other stations from around the South West.
Thank you to Anthony Kingdom for letting me use the images from his book; The Turnchapel Branch including The Cattewater Goods Branch.
