Eggesford railway station

Infobox UK station
name = Eggesford


caption = The station building viewed from the northbound platform
locale = Eggesford
borough = North Devon
latitude = 50.8878
longitude = -3.87525
code = EGG
manager = First Great Western
platforms = 2
lowusage0203 = 11,430
lowusage0405 = 14,152
lowusage0506 = 16,009
lowusage0607 = 18,184
original = North Devon Railway
pregroup = London and South Western Railway
postgroup = Southern Railway
years = Opened
events = 1854

Eggesford railway station is a rural station on the serving the village of Eggesford and surrounding villages in Devon, England. The station is a passing place on the single track Tarka Line convert|21.25|mi|km|0 north west of Exeter on the way to Barnstaple.

History

The station was opened by the North Devon Railway on 1 August 1854. [cite book | last = Nicholas | first = John | title = The North Devon Line | publisher = Oxford Publishing Company | date = 1992 | location = Sparkford | id = ISBN 0-86093-461-6 ] The North Devon Railway was required to obtain permission from the landowner, the Earl of Portsmouth, whose country seat was situated within an estate near to the site of the station. It is said that the Earl agreed to the railway being built on his land on the understanding that all trains would stop at the station thus affording easy access to Eggesford House for visiting guests.

To this day, all trains continue to stop although the Earl's family have long become extinct. Though this is possibly more as a result of the station being an exchange point for tokens on the Crediton to Eggesford and Eggesford to Barnstaple Token Block sections.

A signalbox was in existence at Eggesford until 1987, however the line has since been rationalised and the passing loop automated with the use of spring points. Token exchange is now carried out by the driver in an unmanned hut located on each platform. The driver is also required to operate the level crossing at the station as well as this is not automatic. Token release and train signalling is carried out by Crediton signalbox.

In the late 1960s, the down platform and buildings were washed away by the flooded River Taw, following torrential rain. However, a replacement structure was built.

ervices

All trains on the Barnstaple to Exmouth service stop at Eggesford. Trains connect with main line services at Exeter St Davids.
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Community railway

The railway between Exeter and Barnstaple is designated as a community railway and is supported by marketing provided by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership. The line is promoted under the "Tarka Line" name.

The Eggesford Country House Hotel is included in the Tarka Line rail ale trail.

References