GWR Princetown Branch Peek Hill Bridge reinstated

[John Luxton]

Yes this GWR Branch has been closed since 1956, but I was amazed to note that on driving up the B3212 from Yelverton to Princetown for the first time in 6 months the other week that the Peek Hill overbridge has been reinstated! Photos can be found on the link below.

http://www.jhluxton.com/Railways-and-Tramways/Railway-Remains-and-Relics/Princetown-Branch-GWR/

The original bridge had been demolished shortly after the line closed as it restricted headroom on the main road between Yelverton and Princetown, only the abutments remained.

The new bridge is a splendid, impressive structure which looks too good for the cyclists and walkers who will use it. It is unfortunate that it is slightly humped as it looks substantial enough to provide a crossing for a narrow gauge train. Perhaps if there had been some forethought it could have been constructed to allow for the reinstatement of the Princetown Branch at least between Burrator and Princetown where. One could just imagine an SAR Beyer Garrett storming up to Princetown on the “English Highland Railway” !!!

 

[TheKnightWho]

Any reinstatement could modify the bridge by adding slightly raised concrete parapets at the start and end of the bridge to provide a totally level crossing, with slight gradients before and after the bridge.

Not sure this could be anything but a fantasy though.

 

[John Luxton]

Any reinstatement could modify the bridge by adding slightly raised concrete parapets at the start and end of the bridge to provide a totally level crossing, with slight gradients before and after the bridge.

Not sure this could be anything but a fantasy though.

With the entire trackbed between Burrator and Princetown intact as well as other bridges it would make a superb tourist railway opening up areas of Dartmoor to many more people. If there are enough people already walking the trackbed to justify this substantial bridge there must be a market for a railway.

John