Halwill
Halwill village, is positioned in a romantic setting a just few miles from the Halwill Junction to Launceston railway line, which ran through to Padstow.
Built in 1905 by the London and South Western Railway company, the branch was intended to support the company`s plans to extend into mid Devon. The population had steadily increased necessitating a railway line into Halwill. The branch line was constructed on the north west approach, spurring off the line from Halwill Junction to Launceston. The village, as it was in this period, had anticipated growth in farming with an associated population increase.
Upon completion in 1908 the one and a half miles of single track was celebrated by the local inhabitants, who had voted with their local MP for the line to be built. Despite money being scarce and construction slow, the first train ran on the 6th June 1908, coming from Halwill Junction and taking twenty-five minutes to travel the line into Halwill. The two-coach train carried thirty people including the local MP, Sir James Topwhistle, together with the newly appointed Mayor of Halwill Junction, a Mr. George Devonshire-Smyth. The local brass band played to entertain the arriving ensemble.
According to the 1920 census, the population was increasing. Plans were made in 1925 to extend the line beyond Halwill. A wooden road crossing was designed and placed across the end of the platform, to allow any road vehicles to gain access to the trains. But the plans were thwarted, by the lack of funding to buy the land necessary to extend. The line was severed and the buffer stops were moved, to just after the road crossing. Unfortunately, that ended the plans to extend further into the villages of mid Devon. However, throughout this time the goods yard was used for cattle, coal delivery and miscellaneous items that passed through the stone-built goods shed. A steady flow of goods and passengers continued in the following years.
By the early 1960's the decline in number of passengers who used the frequent service to Halwill Junction meant that the running of the branch could no longer be justified. The increase in road transport and of holidays by car, assisted in bringing about the unforeseen closure of this once sought after single railway line. The branch line remained in place until the demise of the main line to Padstow, eventually closing in October 1966. By 1970 all traces of the railway had gone and the village returned to how things were much before the railway came.
Built in 1905 by the London and South Western Railway company, the branch was intended to support the company`s plans to extend into mid Devon. The population had steadily increased necessitating a railway line into Halwill. The branch line was constructed on the north west approach, spurring off the line from Halwill Junction to Launceston. The village, as it was in this period, had anticipated growth in farming with an associated population increase.
Upon completion in 1908 the one and a half miles of single track was celebrated by the local inhabitants, who had voted with their local MP for the line to be built. Despite money being scarce and construction slow, the first train ran on the 6th June 1908, coming from Halwill Junction and taking twenty-five minutes to travel the line into Halwill. The two-coach train carried thirty people including the local MP, Sir James Topwhistle, together with the newly appointed Mayor of Halwill Junction, a Mr. George Devonshire-Smyth. The local brass band played to entertain the arriving ensemble.
According to the 1920 census, the population was increasing. Plans were made in 1925 to extend the line beyond Halwill. A wooden road crossing was designed and placed across the end of the platform, to allow any road vehicles to gain access to the trains. But the plans were thwarted, by the lack of funding to buy the land necessary to extend. The line was severed and the buffer stops were moved, to just after the road crossing. Unfortunately, that ended the plans to extend further into the villages of mid Devon. However, throughout this time the goods yard was used for cattle, coal delivery and miscellaneous items that passed through the stone-built goods shed. A steady flow of goods and passengers continued in the following years.
By the early 1960's the decline in number of passengers who used the frequent service to Halwill Junction meant that the running of the branch could no longer be justified. The increase in road transport and of holidays by car, assisted in bringing about the unforeseen closure of this once sought after single railway line. The branch line remained in place until the demise of the main line to Padstow, eventually closing in October 1966. By 1970 all traces of the railway had gone and the village returned to how things were much before the railway came.
Information for Exhibition Managers:
Layout: Halwill BR(S)
Gauge/Scale: OO / 4mm
Space required: 17' x 6'
Layout size: 15' x 2'
Operators: 3 to 4
Number of power points: 1
If you would like to book this layout for your show, please contact the secretary by clicking here.
Layout: Halwill BR(S)
Gauge/Scale: OO / 4mm
Space required: 17' x 6'
Layout size: 15' x 2'
Operators: 3 to 4
Number of power points: 1
If you would like to book this layout for your show, please contact the secretary by clicking here.
