SIDMOUTH & EXMOUTH LSWR DISUSED RAILWAYS EXPLORED DVD 2021

Opened in 1874, 1897 and 1903, closed to passengers in 1967 and then thoroughly explored by Dumpman Films in May 2021.

Starting in Exmouth, the extent of the original station was speculated upon, with a quick look at the remaining goods shed, before looking for clues as to where the massive viaduct used to run. 

The battered Raleigh Chopper was then employed to cycle the heavily engineered track bed towards Budleigh Salterton, taking in the remaining station building at Littleham en route and an assortment of impressive bridges. The giant “million brick bridge” was included at the Budleigh end, as was the huge pile of recently uncovered spoil nearby, left by the navvies when they dug the deep cuttings around Knowle Hill.

The station area at Budleigh Salterton was examined, showing the whereabouts of the various structures as they used to be. Hopping back on the bike just east of Budleigh station, the line was cycled round to where the current day B3178 was built across the track bed, severing the link to East Budleigh, before following the track up the River Otter valley.

Clinton Devon Estates kindly allowed accompanied passage along all the estate owned track bed from Budleigh Salterton to Newton Poppleford, with numerous remaining river crossings to be seen and wonderful views across the River Otter. This section included a visit to East Budleigh station and even a special ride on the Otterton & East Budleigh Light Railway along the platform.

The site of Newton Poppleford station was taken in before moving north towards Tipton St John’s. At this point in the film, the journey was restarted at Sidmouth, where a look inside the goods shed was included and exterior views of the station master's house and remaining section of loco shed. Leaving Sidmouth station, the overgrown track bed was followed as closely as possible, seeing the bridge at Greenway Lane at track bed level in a back garden and finding the remains of the old Lyme Road bridge just next to the old road and current A3052. The course of the track was then followed on foot across the A3052 and behind the pub at Bowd, before arriving at the cycle path on the eastern edge of Harpford Forest.

The course of the track through Harpford Forest was then cycled, before arriving on the outskirts of Tipton St John’s and meeting the line from Budleigh. Landowner permission allowed seeing the bridge and 1:45 incline that now runs through the delightful back garden of a house called "Harpford Bank". 

Tipton St John’s station was also visited with permission and the whereabouts of the crossing gates shown before heading into the garden to see the station building and remaining platform. Next, a brief stroll to the north showed the picturesque five arch bridge over the River Otter before closely following the track to Ottery St Mary.

Ottery St Mary station building was seen from various angles and the extent of the station area shown before again moving north. Some very private stretches of track bed were omitted immediately north of Ottery St Mary, but the two level crossing keepers cottages at Cadhay gates and Gosford gates were seen, with crossing gates still intact at Cadhay. 

The track was rejoined at Gosford before heading towards the two road bridges next to the A30. Three roads cross the course of the track here; the current A30, the old A30 and the small road that predated the old A30. The unusual double bridge arrangement was seen, with a bridge carrying the old A30 and the original 1874 bridge carrying the smaller road. 

A short stroll past the noisy current day A30 found a filled in cutting, a buried bridge and a remaining road bridge heralded the arrival at Sidmouth Junction (Feniton).

Sidmouth Junction was seen from various angles, including a splendid vintage station sign that is attached to the modern station building. 

The most thorough and detailed exploration/survey of this line ever undertaken on video ? Undoubtedly.

Includes constant, well-informed commentary, reference to a vintage map and a slide show of stills.

The photos in this listing were taken at the time of filming.

Running time: 3 hours and 40 mins (4 discs). DVD Region 0 (should play on any machine). 

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