Lapford railway station
Encyclopedia
Lapford railway station is a rural station on the Tarka Line
in Devon
, England
, serving the village of Lapford
. It is served by trains between Barnstaple
and Exeter
.
The station was opened by the North Devon Railway
on 1 August 1854. In its outset, it only had the one platform, and goods sidings including the Ambrosia factory. After a time, a second (northbound) platform was added, but due to space constraints was sited on the other side of the A377
road bridge. A small booking office was located on the platform, but was only occupied during the few minutes prior to a train's arrival. Although this platform has been removed, the loop is still in place but is disused.
A bridge over a river to the south of the station shows that many structures were built for dual lines, but between Copplestone
and Umberleigh
the line has always been single track and these structures have never been used.
to Exmouth
. However it is a request stop – meaning that passengers alighting here must tell the conductor that they wish to do so, and those waiting to join must signal clearly to the driver as the train approaches. Trains connect with main line services at Exeter St Davids
.
. The line is promoted under the "Tarka Line
" name.
A pub at Lapford has been included in the Tarka Line rail ale trail
.
Tarka Line
The Tarka Line is a railway line from Exeter to Barnstaple in Devon, England. The line follows the River Creedy, River Yeo and River Taw for some of its route...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, serving the village of Lapford
Lapford
Lapford is a village and civil parish in Mid Devon in the English county of Devon. It has a population of 993.-Pubs:There is one pub in the village...
. It is served by trains between Barnstaple
Barnstaple railway station
Barnstaple railway station is the terminus of a long branch line, known as the Tarka Line, north west of Exeter St Davids, in Devon.It was known as Barnstaple Junction from 1874 to 1970 as it was the junction between lines to , , and Exeter-History:...
and Exeter
Exeter St Davids railway station
Exeter St Davids station is the most important of seven National Rail stations in the city of Exeter in southwest England. Today the station is owned by Network Rail and operated by First Great Western.-History:...
.
History
North Devon Railway
The North Devon Railway was a British railway company which operated a line from Cowley Bridge Junction, near Exeter, to Bideford in Devon, later becoming part of the London and South Western Railway's system...
on 1 August 1854. In its outset, it only had the one platform, and goods sidings including the Ambrosia factory. After a time, a second (northbound) platform was added, but due to space constraints was sited on the other side of the A377
A roads in Zone 3 of the Great Britain numbering scheme
List of A roads in zone 3 in Great Britain starting west of the A3 and south of the A4 .-Single- and double-digit roads:-Triple-digit roads:-Four-digit roads :-Four-digit roads :...
road bridge. A small booking office was located on the platform, but was only occupied during the few minutes prior to a train's arrival. Although this platform has been removed, the loop is still in place but is disused.
A bridge over a river to the south of the station shows that many structures were built for dual lines, but between Copplestone
Copplestone railway station
Copplestone railway station is on the Tarka Line serving the village of Copplestone in Devon, England. It is operated by First Great Western.-Description:...
and Umberleigh
Umberleigh railway station
Umberleigh railway station serves the village of Umberleigh in Devon, England. It is on the Tarka Line north west of Exeter St David's station on the way to Barnstaple.-Services:...
the line has always been single track and these structures have never been used.
Services
Four trains a day in each direction stop at Lapford on the BarnstapleBarnstaple railway station
Barnstaple railway station is the terminus of a long branch line, known as the Tarka Line, north west of Exeter St Davids, in Devon.It was known as Barnstaple Junction from 1874 to 1970 as it was the junction between lines to , , and Exeter-History:...
to Exmouth
Exmouth railway station
Exmouth station serves the town of Exmouth in Devon, England and is south east of -History:The railway to Exmouth was opened on 1 May 1861. New docks designed by Eugenius Birch were opened in 1868 and a short branch was laid to connect them to the goods yard.A branch line with a junction...
. However it is a request stop – meaning that passengers alighting here must tell the conductor that they wish to do so, and those waiting to join must signal clearly to the driver as the train approaches. Trains connect with main line services at Exeter St Davids
Exeter St Davids railway station
Exeter St Davids station is the most important of seven National Rail stations in the city of Exeter in southwest England. Today the station is owned by Network Rail and operated by First Great Western.-History:...
.
Community railway
The railway between Exeter and Barnstaple is designated as a community railway and is supported by marketing provided by the Devon and Cornwall Rail PartnershipDevon and Cornwall Rail Partnership
The Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership is the largest Community Rail Partnership in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1991 to promote the use of, and improvements to, rural railways in Devon and Cornwall, and also to promote the places served in order to improve the local economy.The...
. The line is promoted under the "Tarka Line
Tarka Line
The Tarka Line is a railway line from Exeter to Barnstaple in Devon, England. The line follows the River Creedy, River Yeo and River Taw for some of its route...
" name.
A pub at Lapford has been included in the Tarka Line rail ale trail
Rail ale trail
A rail ale trail is a marketing exercise in the United Kingdom that is designed to promote tourism to a rural area, by encouraging people to visit a series of pubs that are close to railway stations along a railway line. Participants are rewarded for visiting the pubs by train. In doing this they...
.