It was rebuilt in brick and concrete in the 1920s by the Southern Railway (SR, which had taken over the LSWR in 1923), and at its peak in the period between 1930 and 1960 it typically had an allocation of over 120 locomotives, as well as being responsible for engines at other depots in the south west.

In the 1990s the area was used as a depot for railway maintenance machines and one of the small sheds refurbished by regarding and installation of underframe inspection pits and a refuelling point.

The building is still in use, but the levers were replaced by a modern panel on 15 February 1988 when it took over control of the level crossing and signals at Pinhoe, where the two tracks merge into a single line towards Honiton.

[3] The panel also supervises all movements on the Exmouth branch, including the passing loop and CCTV level crossing at Topsham.

A 55 feet (17 m) turntable was situated behind the shed to turn locomotives, and a range of other facilities were provided including a dormitory for engine crews and a wagon repair workshop.

[3] Exmouth Junction was the main marshalling yard for sorting goods traffic between SR stations in Devon and Cornwall, and points further east.

[4] Also opened on 26 January 1906, this station was placed where the line towards Honiton crossed over Summer Lane at 50°44′09″N 3°29′32″W / 50.7357°N 3.4922°W / 50.7357; -3.4922, 0.65 miles (1.05 km) from Exmouth Junction.

[4] 0.43 miles (0.7 km) along the Exmouth branch, this station was opened on 1 June 1908 where the line crosses over the Pinhoe Road at 50°43′52″N 3°30′06″W / 50.7312°N 3.5016°W / 50.7312; -3.5016.

The wooden platforms were situated on top of an embankment but were replaced by concrete ones cast at Exmouth Junction in 1927.