Eggesford railway station

Eggesford railway station is a rural station in Devon, England, serving Eggesford, the town of Chulmleigh and surrounding villages. Despite its name, the station is in the neighbouring civil parish of Chawleigh. It is a passing place on the single track Tarka Line 21.25 miles (34 km) north west of Exeter on the way to Barnstaple.

Eggesford
The station viewed from northbound platform
LocationChawleigh, Mid Devon
England
Coordinates50.8878°N 3.87525°W / 50.8878; -3.87525
Grid referenceSS682114
Managed byGreat Western Railway
Platforms2
Other information
Station codeEGG
ClassificationDfT category F2
History
Original companyNorth Devon Railway
Pre-groupingLondon and South Western Railway
Post-groupingSouthern Railway
Key dates
Opened1854
Passengers
2015/16 29,920
2016/17 28,902
2017/18 31,628
2018/19 29,802
2019/20 32,228
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

History

The station was opened by the North Devon Railway on 1 August 1854.[1] 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. 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. In BR steam days the summer Saturday Atlantic Coast Express, the thirteen coach 11.00 Waterloo to Ilfracombe, made its only stop between Exeter and Barnstaple at Eggesford.[2]

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 conductor/guard is also required to activate the controls of the level crossing at the station. 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.

Services
A train to Exmouth

All trains on the Barnstaple to Exmouth service stop at Eggesford. Trains connect with main line services at Exeter St Davids. There is an hourly service each way for most of the day (Mon-Sat), with most north and south-bound trains scheduled to pass each other here. On Sundays, trains run every two hours in each direction and start/finish at Exeter Central.[3]

Preceding station National Rail Following station
Lapford   Great Western Railway
Tarka Line		   King's Nympton

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
  1. Nicholas, John (1992). The North Devon Line. Sparkford: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0-86093-461-6.
  2. "Atlantic Coast Princess". North Cornwall Railway. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  3. Table 136 National Rail timetable, May 2019
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