The line from Totnes to Ashburton was opened in 1872 linking the towns of Ashburton and Buckfastleigh to the GWR main line at Totnes. Initially the line was run by an independent company, The Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway. By 1897 the GWR had taken over the running of the line. Passenger services carried on until 1958 with freight hanging on for a further 3 years.
Closure was not the end of the story for this line. In 1969 the Dart Valley railway took over the running of the line. In 1971 the development of the A38 meant that the line from Ashburton to Buckfastleigh was lost but the remaining line is still operational and going from strength to strength. This line is now operated by the South Devon Railway as a tourist steam line. http://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/
Closure was not the end of the story for this line. In 1969 the Dart Valley railway took over the running of the line. In 1971 the development of the A38 meant that the line from Ashburton to Buckfastleigh was lost but the remaining line is still operational and going from strength to strength. This line is now operated by the South Devon Railway as a tourist steam line. http://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/
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