A bay platform (terminus) was built (on the west side) yet the branch climbed at 1 in 80 (1.25%) to cross the main line south of the station by a bridge.

The engine shed was demolished to make room for the new branch, but a new coal stage and water tank was built next to the terminus.

January 1963 saw all the lines in the area transferred to the Western Region and this was soon followed by the Reshaping of British Railways report.

On 11 June 1967 the main line was rationalised[1][page needed] – Axminster was now in the middle of a 15.26 miles (24.56 km) single-track section between Chard Junction and Honiton.

The main building was designed by the LSWR's architect Sir William Tite and Edward Clifton in mock gothic style.

[citation needed] Off-peak, all services at Axminster are operated by South Western Railway using Class 158 and 159 DMUs.