Maps of the old Great western Railway anybody?

Question

Does anybody have any links to maps of all the routes of the Old Great Western Railway (prior to Beeching's axe in the 60s)- specifically all the routes that used to run through Devon, and Cornwall? I live in Padstow and have been told that there used to be a direct rail link to North Devon and on to Exeter, but I can't find it on any maps!!!

Answer 1

It went through Lydford and Okehampton to Exeter. An OS map might might still show traces of it. Its fun to trace it yourself, you'll find many clues, eg often there are streets call "Station road", bridges, cuttings, pubs with railway connections.

I have quite a few books on this. eg "Branch Lines of Devon, Plymouth, West and North Devon" by Colin G Maggs. isbn 0-7509-0720-7

It shows a line coming in from the west to Holsworthy, through Halwill Junction to Meldon Junction. This leads on to Okehampton, Yeoford, Crediton, Newton St Cyres, Cowley Bridge and Exeter St davids.

There was also a line from Halwill junction up to Torrington, Bideford, Barnstaple. From there a line comes down to Yeoford again, and another went east via South Molton towards Taunton.

Another line leads west from Lydford through Launceston.

Answer 2

You can buy repro old o/s maps from o/s

Answer 3

I am sorry I dont have these but have just picked up some cracking furniture that have been customized with old maps.  Thye look wicked.  I got then=m from spip so I am helping the world by recycling as well.  sorry about your maps lol

Answer 4

The line you refer to was the old London & South Western later Southern Railway later Southern Region route from London Waterloo via Exeter to Ilfracombe,Torrington, Bude, Padstow and Plymouth. Until the mid-1960s there was a whole tentacle of lines serving north Devon and North Cornwall. There was a regular express from Waterloo each day called The Atlantic Coast Express which was well known as it had carriages for every little resort from Sidmouth to - Padstow! What I suggest you look out for is a  book call LSWR West Country Lines Then and Now by Mac Hawkins. It has photographs and maps of the whole route. I've looked at Amazon UK for you and they have plenty of copies  available. Have a look at this picture of the Camel Trail:- http://www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk/images/c...

that's the line of the old railway.

Answer 5

Here is a link that may help. It will take it a little time to open. but here is the web page with the whole UK:

http://www.joyce.whitchurch.btinternet.c...

Answer 6

I don't know where my grandfather's GWR map is now - he was a GWR inspector. I do recall having seen them and don't recall any lines going that far South. I would have thought pre-Beeching and post grouping that area would have been entirely Southern Railway.