6th November 1982

British Rail
The Last Train to Torrington

Locos Used 31158 & 31174
Stock used load 15

Route :

Loco(s) Route
31174 & 31158 Bristol Temple Meads - North Somerset Jn - Bristol West Jn - Taunton (goods line)- Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple - Torrington
31174 (1) Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple - Bideford - Torrington
31158 (2) Torrington - Bideford - Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids
31174 & 31158 Exeter St Davids - Taunton - Bristol Temple Meads

Notes :
(1) 31158 on rear.
(2) 31174 on rear.
(3) This fifteen coach train, carrying 'Atlantic Coast Express' headboards was the last train to use the Torrington branch.

Sources : David Hills (compiled from contemporary reports)
& Paul Griffin (on the train throughout)

Photo Review


A view of the train at Torrington (photo : Paul Griffin)


From Clive Barlow's ticket collection


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Paul Griffin & Alan Osborn)

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
Bristol Temple Meads 10.08d 10.08   19.48a 20.29
Bristol East Jn 10/09 ?  
North Somerset Jn 10/11 10/13  
St Philips Marsh 10/14 ?  
Bristol West Jn 10/17 10/19  
Parson Street 10/21 ?   19/45 ?
Nailsea & Blackwell 10/27 ?   19/36 20/20
Yatton 10/30 10/35   19/33 20/17
Worle Jn 10/39 10/40   19/29 ?
Uphill Jn 10/41 10/42   19/27 ?
Highbridge 10/47 10/49   19/22 ?
Bridgwater 10.54a ~ 10.56d 10.55 ~ 10.59   19.13a ~ 19.15d 19.55 ~ 19.57
Cogload Jn 11/05 ?   19/06 ?
Taunton East Jn 11/10 11/13   - ?
Taunton [GL] ?   19.00a ~ 19.02d 19.37 ~ 19.41
Taunton West Jn - ?   [RL] ?
Silkmill Crossing 11/30 11.20 ~ 11.39   - ?
Whiteball Sidings SB 11/40 ?   18/49 ?
Tiverton Junction 11/44 11/59   18/44 ?
Cowley Bridge Jn 11/57 ?   18/32 ?
Exeter St Davids 11.59a ~ 12.13d 12.16 ~ 12.41   18.08a ~ 18.30d 18.25 ~ 18.45
Cowley Bridge Jn 12/16 ?   18/05 ?
Crediton 12t22 ~ 12t23 12.55 ~ 13.13   17t55 ~ 17t56 18/12
Eggesford 12t42 ~ 12t43 13/36   17t33 ~ 17t36 17/51
Barnstaple 13.10a ~ 13.25d 14.04 ~ 14.17   16.53a ~ 17.08d 17.00 ~ 17.17
Fremington 13/35 14/23   16/42 16/51
Instow 13/47 14/34   16/30 16/40
Bideford 13/57 14/42   15.32a ~ 16.20d 16.19 ~ 16.32
Torrington 14.15a 14.53   15.15d 16.07


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