Over ten years have passed since the Teign Valley drew attention to potential developments at the former terminus, unhelpfully dubbed “Chuley Road.” As the story so far—not, it is hoped, the complete story—is in the course of being written, the scribe insisted that it be accompanied by a branch refresher.
The scout drove the utilicon to Kingsteignton and took Ashburton Road from Newton. This, as the A383, joins the A38 dual carriageway. He had only a mile and a half to go before the next junction, but was dismayed to find that much of the narrow strip behind a solid white line that cyclists can use to keep off the carriageway had become overgrown, as well as being strewn with vehicle detritus.
Before making for the station, the scout drifted around town, noting that it seemed quite busy and prosperous.
Ashburton
Gulwell Tunnel
Dartbridge
Buckfastleigh
How “Ashburton” came to be in the museum is explained in “Signs Come Home.”
The shots from the train that follow were taken when the scout returned the following week for a journey along the remainder of the branch from Totnes. A few was taken in May, when the scout returned from Totnes to Newton via Staverton, after having followed the main line.
The scout once explored the tramway and mine workings with friends but did not revisit the places on this occasion.
Staverton
Mill Crossing
The scout followed the turnpike for a short way and turned by St. Mary’s Church to go along Dartington Hall’s Higher Drive.
On the occasion he travelled from Totnes to Staverton in May, the scout was put in mind of the Teign Valley between Chudleigh Knighton and Chudleigh and so he filmed a short “Beside the River.” He started filming just after the P.-Way slack.
A thirty-second film shows the plant in action.
Totnes Riverside
The station had earlier been called Littlehempston Riverside and Totnes Littlehempston.
Today’s Toller can be seen under “Return to Bridport.”
The Teign Valley’s account of the work done by the Friends of Ashburton Station is in the lengthy process of being brought up to date.
After its closure, the railway was taken over by the Dart Valley Railway Company, whose aim was to create a typical West Country branch line, complete in every respect. The first passenger train ran in 1969 and the line was reopened by Dr. Beeching. The Princetown, Teign Valley, Ashburton and Moretonhampstead branches had all closed before the “Axeman” took up his post at the new B.R.B. in 1961.
Trains at first ran to a runaround loop short of the junction. In the late 1970s, a platform was built but it could only be reached by train.
In 1985, British Rail permitted Dart Valley trains to work through to Totnes. The scout recalls that the annual charge was about £30,000, which covered “piloting” the trains from Ashburton Junction to the station and daily examinations of the coaching stock. B.R. also took 10% of the tickets sold at Totnes Booking Office. After three seasons it was decided that the arrangement was too expensive and it ceased.
A new footbridge was built across the Dart in 1993, which allowed access to and from the main line station and town. It is about three eighths of a mile between the two stations.
Since then, Dairy Crest has closed the factory next to the main line station. The land next to the river would have made an ideal site for a branch platform, close to the main line Up platform. A railway bridge with a foot and cycle path would have satisfied those who have been clamouring for a safe route between Littlehempston and Totnes.
As it is, what is now the South Devon Railway will not give up Totnes Riverside or the privacy and security it enjoys there; the footbridge gates are only open when trains are running.