Westward Ho!

An independent standard-gauge line with no direct connection into the wider network. ....... The first section of the line was completed in 1901, the full line finished in 1908. All of the track and rolling stock were requisitioned during the war and the railway closed in 1917. The materials never saw active service! ........

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/06/04/bideford-westward-ho-and-appledore-railway-part-1-railfile

 

A fascinating and quaint railway that I always found fascinating - my Grandparents living in Northam so I spend much time in the area. The Bideford Carriage or locoshed (not sure which) still exists opposite Bidefords Morrisons and was a motor coach Garage for many decades.

 

I have just begun to follow the route out of Bideford which is hidden under the main road. Google Earth is really good for this!

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

This might be of interest Roger - https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=51.0228&lon=-4.2250&layers=6&b=1 - you can slide between a current aerial shot and the large scale map.

 

Thank you. Yes, there is quite a variety of different scales of mapping on that site. I make quite a bit of use of them.
Kind regards
Roger

 

The locos always remind me of sawn-off version of the Tralee & Dingle kit ... if rather tubbier!

Legend has it that Col.Stephens expressed an interest in acquiring the redundant carriages on closure*, but that costs of transporting 'out of gauge' stock (they were very wide) put the kybosh on the idea.

*I've often wondered .... if even Col. Stephens didn't see any case for re-opening the BW&A, just how much of a white elephant was it?

 

I have been intending to follow up my first article about this line (http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/06/04/bideford-westward-ho-and-appledore-railway-part-1-railfile) with a second one. It has taken me sometime to complete it. This next article covers the line from Bideford to Westward Ho!

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/11/30/bideford-westward-ho-and-appledore-railway-part-2

 

A final article from me which covers the remaining length of the line - the length from Westward Ho! to Appledore.

http://rogerfarnworth.com/2020/03/21/bideford-westward-ho-and-appledore-railway-part-3