In Part One of this article (37/9) I outlined the background, building, opening and operation of the branches from Newton Abbot to Moretonhampstead and to Exeter via Heathfield, looked at the traffic the lines saw, the locomotives used and took a makebelieve journey to Moretonhampstead. In Part
Two I shall continue our imaginary journey on the Teign Valley line from Heathfield to Exeter (see map in Part One), examine the decline and closure of the lines, and comment on what remains and what might yet be.
Returning to Heathfield to continue our imaginary 1952 journey, we take an up train to Exeter following a sinuous course initially along the Teign Valley hugging the bank of the Teign River. First stop is Chudleigh Knighton Halt opened 9th June 1924 south of the small village of the same name. The first station here was constructed at a cost £300 and consisted of a timber platform with a small corrugated iron pagoda shelter and a simple nameboard. We see the replacement concrete platform which was provided after World War II. A level crossing is located at the platform end.
The next stop, Chudleigh, was opened with high expectations on 9th October 1882 to serve the town of Chudleigh situated over a mile away up the hill. The station, which is often flooded, features a single platform with a wooden building situated on the village side of the line with the River Teign close by on the other side. There is a goods siding next to the station which also used to host a camping coach. At the time of our visit, consideration is being given to reinstating that facility. The station is apparently busy at peak hours, with commuters using it to travel to Exeter – although we see no evidence of that.
Trusham station, next on the line, serves the villages of Trusham and Hennock. It originally only had a single platform on the west side of the line. A short passing loop and signal box were added in 1911 and this facility was much extended in July 1943 to facilitate the use of the line as a diversionary route if the South Devon
