Present-Day Tarka Valley Railway
The railway project continues to develop, with tracklaying, station restoration, and rolling stock refurbishment underway. It is closely integrated with the Tarka Trail, named after the famous novel “Tarka the Otter” by Henry Williamson, adding to the area’s cultural significance.
Preservation and Revival
The Tarka Valley Railway Group was formed with the vision of restoring part of the line for heritage rail use. It focuses on rebuilding track at Torrington Station, which now serves as a hub for heritage rail activities. Restoration efforts began in the 2000s, with the aim of laying new track alongside the Tarka Trail, providing educational experiences, and eventually operating heritage train services.
History of the Tarka Valley Railway
The railway was originally part of the North Devon Railway, which opened between Barnstaple and Torrington in 1872, later extended to serve Bideford and further south. Operated by the London and South Western Railway (LSWR), it primarily carried freight, milk from local dairies, and passengers, connecting rural communities to larger markets and cities. The line became part of the Southern Railway in 1923 and later British Railways in 1948. Like many rural lines, it suffered from competition with road transport. Passenger services ended in 1965 following the Beeching Report, though freight operations continued until 1982.