The westbound platform was damaged during an air raid in World War II on 21 October 1942.

A few months earlier, on 14 April 1962, a fire destroyed the main buildings situated on the westbound platform at Totnes.

General goods traffic was withdrawn on 14 June 1965 although coal continued to be handled until 4 December 1967 and milk until 1980, from the dairy that incorporates the building intended for the atmospheric engines.

A footbridge across the River Dart was opened on 30 September 1993 which now allows people to walk to Totnes (Riverside) railway station to join the heritage trains to Buckfastleigh.

[5][page needed] The 1887-built footbridge that spanned the station and gave access to the operating floor of the signal box was destroyed on 18 October 1987 when hit by a crane engaged in track renewals.

On 13 March 1860 the boiler of the locomotive Tornado exploded while standing at Totnes, killing the driver.

[6] On 23 April 1915, 14 men were riding a partly loaded, low-sided wagon which was loose-shunted onto a siding.

[7] The railway approaches from Newton Abbot in the north-east runs south-westerly through the station and then swings to the west on a right-hand curve, which is the start of the steep climb up to Rattery.

The old signal box on the platform used by trains to Newton Abbot serves as the station café.