Plym Valley Railway
The Plym Valley Railway is a standard-gauge heritage line at Marsh Mills on the eastern outskirts of Plymouth, Devon. The line runs north along the Plym Valley toward Plym Bridge, on the trackbed of the former Great Western Railway branch from Plymouth to Tavistock and Launceston.
The route runs through the wooded river valley adjoining the Plym Valley Trail (a National Cycle Network route on the rest of the closed trackbed), giving the railway a quiet rural character despite its proximity to the city. Operations are entirely volunteer-run.
History
The Plym Valley Railway Association was formed in 1980 to preserve a section of the closed GWR Tavistock branch. After many years of trackbed reclamation and station rebuilding, the line opened to passengers in 2008 to a temporary platform, and now runs from Marsh Mills as far as Plym Bridge.
Original line history
The line was originally the Great Western Railway's broad-gauge branch from Plymouth to Tavistock, opened in 1859 and engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Converted to standard gauge in 1892, it was extended to Launceston, joining a network competing with the LSWR route across north Devon. Passenger services ceased in 1962 and the line closed completely shortly afterward.
Stations and infrastructure
Marsh Mills is the headquarters, with the locomotive shed and workshop. Plym Bridge is the present northern terminus, set in attractive National Trust woodland.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Steam galas, dining trains, photographic charters and Santa Specials form the operating calendar. The line is a popular stop for visitors using the Plym Valley Trail.
Visitor information
Marsh Mills is reached via junction with the A38 (Devon Expressway) at Marsh Mills roundabout. Free parking is available; the railway typically operates on selected weekends from Easter through autumn.