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Topsham
Old Photographs
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The LSWR left its mark on the branch in the form of its architect's
Gothic style, Sir William Tite's work surviving at other locations
in the district notably Axminster and Crewkerne. The stone quoins
and ornamental ridge tiles help to give distinction to the edifice.
Lens of Sutton
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Traffic handled by the staff included raspberries, plums, cherries,
orchids and salmon. Topsham has a population of around 3000 when
its railmotor service to Exeter started in 1908.
Lens of Sutton
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The station looking north.
Lens of Sutton
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Mr Jack Richards, Signalman, in Topsham Signal Box in the 1930's.
Note the telephone with two pieces and the hand tools neatly arranged
near the gate wheel.
Topsham Museum Society
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Prize Winning length. In 1949 Mr R A Hamnett, Divisional Engineer,
presented a cheque to ganger, Mr Peter Bater, and his team for the
best kept length of rail track. Shown are Inspector Pullen, Mr Frank
Stone (sub ganger), Mr W Pope (Patrolman), Mr Hamnett, Mr Peter
Bater (Ganger), Mr E Palmer (Lengthman), Mr Fred Tucker, Mr Johnny
Fewings, Mr Bill Clark, Mr John Heard and Mr Bill Ford.
Topsham Museum Society
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The 1325 from Exeter Central ran only as far as Topsham. Class
3MT No. 82010 is in the process of running round se No. 178 prior
to the return working on 12 August 1960. In the background an LSWR
coach body can just be seen.
Terry Gough
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An Exeter bound train with Class 3MT No. 82025 approaching Topsham.
The short branch to the quay ran from this end of the station. This
was closed in 1957, but the track bed can still be seen on the right
beyond the buffer stop.
Terry Gough
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Track plan showing the revised arrangement after about 1911, I can't
remember the exact date. Previously there was a direct connection
from the down line to the quay branch. |
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The old port of Topsham on the Exe estuary, with it's Dutch style
house, is served by this splendid station. The Signal Box which
once controlled the crossing gates is the distance closed in 1988
when control was transferred to a panel at Exmouth Junction and
it became an office. This was a postcard sent from Topsham, in
September 1909.
Osborne, Topsham
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The station building today is no longer used by the railway. Its
canopy has gone, it's brick rendered and it has been cut off from
the platform by a fence - but at least it is still there. This was
a postcard, sent from the town in April 1910, and shows a typical
busy scene. Lucky Topsham station is now busier then ever.
Hopewell, Topsham
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Further Reading:
- Devon and Cornwall Railways in old photographs
Kevin Robertson
ISBN 0 86299 667 8
Sutton Publishing Limited
Includes plan of station re modelling and a photo of platforms, station
building and signal box looking up the line. Pages 93-95.
- 'Yesterday's Devon' Series No.3 Devon Railway Stations (Southern Railway)
on old picture postcards
Andrew Swift
ISBN 1 900138 60 3
Reflections of a Bygone Age
Two photographs of the station building and platforms (one each way).
Images 45 and 46.
- Around Topsham on Old Photographs
Topsham Museum Society
ISBN 0 86299 717 8
Alan Sutton Publishing
Two previously published photos of the station. Signal box interior
in the 1930s. 1949 best kept length of track presentation. Pages 132-134
- Southern Railway Reflections - Branch Lines Recalled
Terry Gough
ISBN 1 85784 126 8
Silver Link
Two fabulous 1960s photographs, terminated down train running round
and up siding buffer stops train arriving plus foot crossing. Pages
31 and 32.
- Branch Lines to Exmouth
Vic Mitchell and Kevin Smith
ISBN 1 873793 00 6
Middleton Press
Brief history of the line. Timetables. Map of area. Gradient Chart.
Local map, lots of photographs from a variety of eras. Images 59 to
70.
- The Exeter and Exmouth Railway
Colin Maggs
ISBN 0 85361 430 X
Oakwood Press
Complete history of the line. Plenty of photographs, good shot of the
goods shed.
Links
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Bristol East Signal Box 
