Westward Ho!

[rogerfarnworth]

An independent standard-gauge line with no direct connection into the wider network. ....... The first section of the line was completed in 1901, the full line finished in 1908. All of the track and rolling stock were requisitioned during the war and the railway closed in 1917. The materials never saw active service! ........

 

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/06/04/bideford-westward-ho-and-appledore-railway-part-1-railfile

[CarriageShed]

Not massively far from me actually, but it's highly unlikely I'll get over there without a car, If you do visit and would like to write up a 'railway walk' then I'll be more than happy to publish it on my site:

https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/MainRailwayWalksIndex.htm

[rogerfarnworth]

Hi Carriage Shed

I am unlikely to do the walk but I do plan to follow the full length of the line.

I'll post here and if you are interested in doing so, please do share.

Kind regards

Roger

[rogerfarnworth]

I have been intending to follow up my first article about this line (http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/06/04/bideford-westward-ho-and-appledore-railway-part-1-railfile) with a second one. It has taken me sometime to complete it. This next article covers the line from Bideford to Westward Ho!

 

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/11/30/bideford-westward-ho-and-appledore-railway-part-2

[rogerfarnworth]

A final article from me which covers the remaining length of the line - the length from Westward Ho! to Appledore.

 

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2020/03/21/bideford-westward-ho-and-appledore-railway-part-3

 

Quote

 In my first post I provided a few pictures of the station at Westward Ho! which had not appeared on other links that I had encountered. The second post followed the line from Bideford to Westward Ho! This post covers the remainder of the line from Westward Ho! to Appledore.

Edited March 21, 2020 by rogerfarnworth

[Gwiwer]

I was surprised to find a bridge intact at Westward Ho! a couple of years back.  This would not have seen any rail traffic for nigh on 100 years and we are accustomed to redundant structures either being demolished or collapsing over time.  The former track bed leading away from that town along the low sea cliffs is now a part of the South West Coast Path.  Where the line abruptly turns inland towards Bideford and at the site of the former Cornborough Cliffs Halt the path equally abruptly turns sharply right and changes from a wide level way - obviously a former railway - to the more usual narrow undulating path.  

 

I wasn't able to precisely locate the station in Westward Ho! but there is sufficient evidence of the old railway to make a visit worthwhile if in the area.  

Edited March 21, 2020 by Gwiwer