Kingsbridge branch line

[1] It left the Exeter to Plymouth line at Brent and ran 12 miles (19 km), following the route of the River Avon, to Kingsbridge.

A Mr Chambers was persuaded to be the contractor to the impecunious company and work started a year later, on 24 June 1867.

[dubious – discuss] The new company purchased the rights of the earlier line for £3,500, which was to run to Ibberton Head at Salcombe.

Further meetings dragged on at Paddington until, on 21 March 1888, the purchase of the unbuilt line was finally agreed.

[3][4] Field Marshal Montgomery used the line twice during World War II, firstly to review American troops training in the area and secondly, in 1944, during Exercise Tiger.

[5] After the war, increasing use of road transport for goods and personal travel resulted in declining use of the branch line.

The line closed to goods from 9 September 1963, and was intended to have closed completely on that date, but the change from summer to winter time tables of the Western National Omnibus Company, which was to provide the replacement service, was occurring the following weekend, so the closure of the line was delayed until then.