The Kingsbridge branch line ran from South Brent to Kingsbridge passing through three intermediate stations: Avonwick, Gara Bridge and Loddiswell.
The first act of parliament for its construction was raised in 1863 but monetary problems and the usual issues with contractors meant the first foundation stone was laid on the first bridge 2 miles above Loddiswell in August 1867. Despite this it was not completed until December 1893, at a cost of £180000 and only because the GWR bought out the original shares! As was often the case with these local schemes not many of the original shareholders saw a return on their investment.
The line had regular passenger services with most trains stopping at all stations. The line saw through coaches from Paddington on summer Saturdays.
Freight traffic was also profitable, particularly crab, lobster, milk in churns, livestock and rabbits.
The line also played an important part in both world wars. Many men and horses were sent to the trenches in the First World War. Some of the men and most of the horses never saw Devon again. In the 1939-45 war the areas value as a training ground for the invasion forces who would eventually liberate Europe, combined with the dispersal of key government and military administration staff, saw the line at its busiest. The peak tonnage for goods standing at nearly 40,000 tonnes in 1944-45. Many local people were also moved from their homes for the training area and evacuees were also sent down the branch from Bristol and elsewhere.
The British Railways period saw heavy traffic of goods until 1955, with average passenger receipts still close to pre-war levels. This was in part due to continuing fuel rationing until 1950 but the poor state of many roads in the area, despite the military traffic, kept the railway busier. Sadly as with many other branch lines, even ones in holiday areas, the increase in private car ownership and the poor marketing of freight services, as well as road haulage competition began to hurt the branch. By the time of the Beeching Report traffic had declined to a point deemed "uneconomic" by the standards set down.
The line closed in 1963. There was an attempt to preserve the line but the contract for the demolition was signed just days before the preservationists’ money was ready. The authorities refused to go back on their arrangement with the scrap men so the track was lifted and many smaller structures demolished.
Kingsbridge station underbridge.
This bridge carried the approach pointwork for the station.
Today some parts of the track bed remain open for walking, even the odd bit of metalwork, such as the crossing gate hinge opposite, can be found, stubbornly clinging on in the undergrowth. The station building in Kingsbridge was shamefully demolished in 2009, despite sporadic local action to save it. Structures such as bridges and tunnels also remain, many on private land and some damaged or removed to make way for roads. For more detailed history, local stories and pictures, see the link below to the " Loddiswell Station " site.