Meldon Branch
In September 1991, whilst staying in Torquay, I decided to try to obtain some photographs of
trains on the Meldon Branch. At the time, there were no passenger trains on the line, all traffic being
ballast trains from Meldon Quarry. I had no knowledge of train movements on the line so I drove to the
Quarry and enquired at the office there. Whist at the quarry I noticed a loaded train waiting to depart
so felt confident that I would obtain at least one picture! From the quarry I quickly drove to the nearby
closed station at Oakhampton and, sure enough, within a few minutes 37 098 passed though with the loaded train.
Picture taken
3rd September 1991.
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About 90 minutes later, 37 098 returned with a different set of wagons for the quarry. This picture was taken
between Oakhampton and Meldon.
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The next train on the branch was later that afternoon. After waiting on the disused platform at Oakhampton for
a couple hours, I was so pleased to hear the noise of a train approaching in the distance! At last 33 065 and 33 108 came
into view with another empty train for Meldon.
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This picture was taken three days later on the morning of 6 September 1991. A loaded ballast train headed by 37 372
is seen near Trecott.
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Later that morning, 33 008 heading another loaded train from Meldon Quarry is seen passing through the
disused station at Sampford Courtenay. The train will join the Barnstaple branch at Coleford Junction and then continue
on a seperate running line to Crediton, where the physical connection is made.
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On the previous day, 5 September 1991, A train from Meldon is seen leaving the Barnstaple branch at Cowley Bridge Junction.
The train is hauled by 37 372.
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