On Southern Lines in Devon and Cornwall

The Southern Railway, and later British Railways’ Southern Region extended its reach into Devon and Cornwall, competing with the Great Western Railway. The main line served Exeter and Plymouth and named trains such as the ‘Atlantic Coast Express’ and the ‘Devon Belle’ took holidaymakers to the coastal resorts, including Padstow, Bude and Ilfracombe. In addition, a network of lines served smaller locations in the two counties. Many of these lines were closed in the 1960s, during the Beeching era, and earlier BR’s Western Region had taken over the Southern’s lines in Devon and Cornwall west of Exeter. In this book railway historian Robert Hendry documents in photographs the changing race of the railways on these lines, from the days of the Southern Railway into BR’s ownership. 

Author, railway historian and modeler Robert Hendry was born and brought up in Rugby and was introduced to the railways there from an early age through the interest of his father. He has written a number of books on various aspects of Britain’s railways including signaling, infrastructure, coaches and wagons as well as on transport on the Isle of Man. Robert also produces with his wife Elena the Elro range of card kits of a number of railway and tramway subjects.