Tomorrow the last passenger train

will make its way from Torrington to Halwill, closing the book on the West Country’s youngest branch line.

The last train leaving Torrington on the route will be at 3.55pm returning from Halwill at 6.20, to reach Torrington at 7.30. 

As early as 1831 (writes a railway enthusiast) people around here were thinking of railways, but it was nearly 100 years before they could take a ride on the North Devon and Cornwall Junction Light Railway.

Passengers were only an afterthought, as the main reason for the railway was to carry clay, and many years ago one of the mining companies had built their own narrow gauge tramway to take it to Torrington. From there the main line trains could carry the clay to the docks at Freminton, Fowey or Avonmouth.

The men, who came from all over the country, often could not find lodgings, so they slept rough. Some had been on the dole for many years, and did not like this enforced hard work. Thinking trouble makers would be dismissed and sent home, they drank away most of their pay at Hatherleigh one Saturday and started a scuffle which resulted in the near slaughter of a policeman. Fortunately the townsfolk rallied round and the culprits were duly dealt with, but the local constabulary must have breathed a sigh of relief when the railway was finally completed.

Here is a link to a report on the last trip - Closure in style

Gazette article dated 26 February 1965