SHAUGH BRIDGE STATION

COMPILED BY GRAHAM EAGLE, DISTRICT COMMISSIONER FOR PLYMOUTH SCOUTS,  FROM MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES

SHAUGH BRIDGE STATION

The South Devon and Tavistock Railway (SDTR) Company made a successful bid to build the railway in 1854, the bid being supported by the then Earl of Morley. The line was opened on 21^st June 1859. Isambard Kingdom Brunel was engaged during the construction of the line to succeed the deceased presiding engineer. Viaducts along the line were timbers on granite piers, but these were replaced by stone structures between 1893 and 1910. The line was extended to Lydford and Launceston in 1865. The Great Western Railway (GWR) Company absorbed the SDTR in 1878. It was converted from broad to standard gauge in 1892. It was closed as uneconomic in 1962 as part of the “Beaching Cuts”, the last official day being 29^th December of that year. The track was lifted in 1964.

The length of line between Bickleigh and Clearbrook is the one of particular interest to this history, so this section is described below in more detail and traces a journey along the line, travelling north.

·        The gate at Bickleigh opens upon the old Bickleigh Coal Yard.

·        Ham Green Viaduct. The original piers of Brunel's wooden viaduct can be seen besides the present valley crossing. Granite replacement built in 1899. The viaduct is 190 yards (174m) long and 91ft (28m) high,

·        Ham Green plantation

·        Hele Lane Bridge

·        Shaugh Platform. Here was a siding for loading iron ore from the NO EMIE Mine at Shaugh Bridge. Initially there was no provision for passengers and this aspect was not opened until 19^th August 1907.

·        Grenoven Wood. Just before the line enters the southern end of the tunnel, a tubular iron aqueduct can be seen crossing the line on stone piers. This was erected in the mid 19^th century and serves a leat carrying water from Hoo Meavy weir to Wheal Lopes.

·        The tunnel (known locally to the Scouts as “Smokies”) is 308 yards (282m) long and bends slightly so that one cannot see one end from the other. About two thirds of the distance through the tunnel, there is an adit branching off to the right. This was first called Bickleigh Vale Phoenix and later Tunnel Mine. It comes to a dead end some 50 yards into the hillside

·        A short walk after reaching the end of the tunnel and you will notice a leat crossing under the track. This is the same Wheal Lopes Leat we saw in the aqueduct at the other end. It too navigates through a tunnel, which should not be entered without proper safety precautions.

·        Goodameavy Bridge is the next landmark, where the road from Goodameavy Manor goes under the line and up “Market Hill” towards Roborough Down.

·        The line continues then to Clearbrook Halt, which operated between 1828 and 1962. This part of the line is not open right through because the land at the Clearbrook end is privately owned. However a path has been created up the hill to reach the village opposite the Millennium hall

The railway track is now a cycle route from Laira in Plymouth to Clearbrook and forms part of National Cycle Route 27.

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