Finch

A mention of the Heathfield branch line in this article on Devon Live:

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/new-garden-village-reopened-railway-1699305

Not sure how much involvement the Council have in trying to move things forward but it certainly seems to be on their agenda and great at least to hear that the line will be protected.

As long as the rails remain in place, these conversations will continue.  We've all seen the deterioration of the remaining stub of this branch over the years, gradually getting worse and worse as nature does its thing!  But its always fun to ponder the prospects no matter how unrealistic.  Its not the SDR with somewhere to go to, more like the Plym Valley or Helston line which seek to do great things with little backing and not really going anywhere; Heathfield is not exactly a tourist destination.   All have to be admired for their dedication but how much easier would it have been if they could have had the branches in their entirety.  Trouble is then it would have been cost prohibitive!

 

Brian

Couldn't agree more.

Sensibility says that there's no real merit in reopening this line which is a mildly picturesque 6 mile trundle to a dead end at a trading estate on the edge of town. Every group that comes and goes that's trying to revive the line seems to fall at various hurdles with gargantuan sums of money being requested by various stakeholders along the way. 

I leave Bovey at 07:00 in the morning, Monday - Friday and even at that time in the morning there are vehicles everywhere around Bovey and Heathfield and the main routes beyond. It'd be prudent to suggest that all of these people could instead be sat on a DMU bound to or from Heathfield and the counties traffic problems would suddenly be alleviated. A train service in this area could help reduce the situation though.

This could be a step in the right direction that compliments the wider Devon Metro plan and money that would otherwise be spent on straightening out some congested A road (A382 widening scheme comes to mind) could be used to take some vehicles off the road for good and safeguard a well positioned rail-head for years to come.

There are already plenty of examples of how short sighted some of the decisions on Britain's railways have been over the years; whatever the future of the Heathfield line, lets hope it doesn't prove to be a another regrettable oversight in the future.

Well, I can't wish them anything but good wishes, but to be honest, they haven't got a hope, unless they have the full political and financial support of Devon CC and the DfT, to say nothing of Network Rail and GWR (the TOC).

 

These don't seem to be the same lunatics that I had to deal with a few years ago, who were intent on reopening the line using Parry People Movers, but who lacked (initially at least) the slightest understanding of the practicalities and the costs involved, especially the need to upgrade Teignbridge Level Crossing.

 

Even after we (patiently) explained to them what was required, there was still scant realism in their ideas and desired timescales.

 

Needless to say, given their unrealistic expectations, complete lack of 'real' funding/funding support and the indifference of the grown-ups in the Western Route of Network Rail, (I didn't count myself as a NR 'grown up', but I was still not convinced by the group anyway, but at least I ensured that they were listened to), I am not in the least surprised that that particular group disappeared without trace.

 

Serious money and politicial support will be needed by these individuals. Holding a raffle and a jumble sale to raise funds just won't cut it any more. There is no space at all for any car parking or even decent station buildings or sidings at the Heathfield end. The need to upgrade Teignbridge LC for passenger operation hasn't gone away. Much work is probably now required on the track (remember, this line is very prone to flooding each winter), and some fairly significant track work is required at the Newton Abbot end, plus a commercial agreement with GWR to use the disused platform 9 area, which will affect the GWR Station Lease with Network Rail.

Have to disagree about there being no space at the Heathfield end. Granted, at the site of Heathfield station space is non existent, although some of the units in Station Park have been up for sale recently. However, a bit further up the line towards Bovey there is a large parcel of empty land next to British Ceramic Tiles which sits right next the line. Clearly that doesn't mean it could be used for the site of a station but it does certainly appear to be an option if anything ever came of this line in the future.

Saw the attached poster in the Co-Op in Bovey Tracey and thought I'd share it.

Seems to be the same chap from the article mentioned earlier in this thread.

Good to see them using various mediums to raise awareness of their cause.

Interesting article in this week's Mid Devon Advertiser:

http://www.middevonadvertiser.co.uk/article.cfm?id=109767&headline=BOVEY%20TRACEY%20%26%20CHUDLEIGH%3A%20All%20abroad%20for%20Heathfield%3F&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2017

Was also mentioned on the Devon Live website:

http://www.devonlive.com/railway-group-want-to-reopen-the-heathfield-branch-line/story-30394003-detail/story.html

It does seem to echo many sentiments in this thread and other revival ideas that have cropped up over the years.

I've emailed my support and ideas to them (without response. I didn't ask for a response to be fair) and will keep an eye on this to see if anything comes of it.

I should have added these photos when I received this letter back in December. It was nice to receive a response and hopefully this will lead to something.

Thanks for the update Captain Kernow.

Although it's sad to hear that the Heathfield line will be mothballed it's great to hear that the line won't be ripped up and houses built across it (yet!).

It's rather bizarre that the line has been withdrawn from use for passenger excursions. Is this to say that when I, with many others, traversed the line on the GWR HST last year that our lives were in some sort of immediate danger? How about the many laden freight trains that have trundled along that curve over the years, were they also at risk from derailing in to the path of an oncoming HST? I can't imagine a check rail would cost the earth. Who knows, perhaps the revenue could be generated by a passenger excursion?...

Here's hoping that someone, other than us enthusiasts, will realise the potential of this line and bring it in to full time service and away from the clutches of eternal mothballed limbo.

Remains of west country branches are dear to my heart from the small PVR to the more ambitious B & W and SDR.  There are not a lot left that are still in NRs jurisdiction, Cattewater and this one; all the rest are taken. There are the builders; Helston, PVR and those direct from the railway; SDR, B & W and the Torbay line.  A lot would have to be done with the Heathfield line in clean up particularly around Heathfield station which would need some rehab should it become the terminus.  Unlike the others, its not a really scenic line which is almost mandatory.  Don't \know what the track is like but it did have an HST visit recently.  Whether NR would like the use of the branch platform at Newton is an unknown but at least there's a main line connection still.

 

It would be nice to see this one go somewhere so  hopefully the aforementioned enthusiastic councillor has connections.!

 

Brian.

Well, I did email the councillor (he was looking for feedback from the community) and got a response that unfortunately didn't elaborate further on any of the potential proposals; how far along it was, what the likelihood of the proposal progressing was etc. I'll keep you informed if I hear any more news, although I'm sure Captain Kernow will be well ahead of anything I am likely to read in Cottage Magazine!

It's an interesting point with the current Heathfield station as it appears to be quite restricted from an access point of view as a result of the British Ceramic Tile (BCT) building on one side and the Dainton Storage depot on the other side. If money was no object and there was a real push to reopen the line etc., etc., I would see that the best solution would be to build a new station (platforms and all) a touch further up the line on a vacant parcel of land that sits directly to the North West of the BCT depot. I have seen on the Teignbridge website that there were plans to build ~60 homes on this land a few years ago but the planning got nowhere. You could envisage a Park & Ride car park with a new station building for commuters to use, plus, a siding and loading bay for freight traffic that could serve the thriving Heathfield Industrial estate (BCT, Heltor & IMERYS to name a few) as an option to load traffic on to the trains and off the road.

Anyway (back to reality), it's just nice to know that the branch line is still there after all these years and hopefully as time moves on, the line moves closer to the next chapter in it's colourful life.

All quiet at the moment, I'm afraid. There was some flood damage a few weeks ago, but the timber traffic is now well established in Exeter Riverside Yard.

Thanks for the info. Hope they manage to sort the flood damage.

I've heard of two different schemes that want to see the Heathfield branch back in to life.

One was using a tram system to operate as an hourly shuttle between Heathfield and Newton Abbot. The other was to open the line as a heritage/commuter line; this was mentioned by a local councillor in a local magazine.

Here's hoping at least one of these proposals will come to fruition.

Any news on any traffic movements on this line?

A HST has also run down to Exmouth before.

Well what a fantastic experience it was on Saturday 10th October riding the green GWR livery HST down to Heathfield from Buckfastleigh.

It was great to see so many people there to enjoy the occasion with seemingly every over bridge, gateway and vantage point along the route occupied by at least a handful of people.

Thanks to those that made the day possible. Unfortunately I didn't take a single photo on the day but lots of others did which can be seen on Facebook, Flickr, Twiter and there are a few videos on YouTube.

Here's hoping that there will be another exscursion down the line soon!

Hi Brian,

This photo is looking North West (towards Moretonhampstead) and was taken from the cycle path at the side of the Exeter bound A38 looking down at what's left of Heathfield station. Shame to see it so overgrown but great to see a train on the tracks.

Managed to get this photo of the Sprinter before it headed back to Newton Abbot.

Thanks Captain Kernow!

Be nice to think that one day there could be a daily sprinter service from Heathfield to Newton Abbot/Exeter/Torbay running commuters, locals and tourists back and forth.

Thanks Captain Kernow. Any idea what time the sprinter will be arriving at Heathfield on Friday 2nd October please? Thanks.

Hi all,

There's going to be a HST running down the Heathfield branch from Buckfastleigh on 10th October.

More info can be found here: http://www.branchline.org.uk/events.php

Finally I will get to travel down the Heathfield branch line

Hi all, (very) long time lurker here.

Having followed this thread since it's inception its such a shame to learn that this branch is likely to again become mothballed.

I remember following the course of the line from Jetty Marsh to Teignbridge siding with school back in 1999 and Ive had a keen interest in it ever since. I really hope this doesnt signal the end of the Heathfield Branch; it seems that it has a lot to offer local people and local businesses but it rarely seems to get considered.

Think I might pop down to Teignbridge this evening for one (final?!) look at a train on this line. Thanks everyone for all the info and pictures I'm sure there's life still left in the line!