The changing shape of the rail network in the South West

[whole diary]

[grahame]

"Where do the trains go" - maps or actual, specialised and proposed networks over the years



n - proposals 1837


o - https://maps.nls.uk/view/101105617 - Times Survey Atlas of the World, 1920


f - pre 1925


m - 1949


e - 1961


a - proposal in 1962


c - 1966


I - 1969


h - 1978, Motorail


d - 1982, Intercity


g - planning for a small rail network future


b - proposal for 1984


k


l - circa 2015


I will come back / edit this post add in other details and maps ... sources include
http://www.projectmapping.co.uk/Reviews/historical_train_rail_maps.html
http://www.projectmapping.co.uk/Reviews/greatwesterntrai.html

[bobm]

Interesting looking at D.   Fastest Swindon to London journey is now 49 minutes - the 06:28 from Swansea which runs non stop after Swindon.  Many other journey times longer too.

[eightonedee]

The really telling contrast is the difference between 1961 and 1969. The former is not far off the 1930s, the latter almost where we are now (save for Bridport, Watercress line and a few losses, and some reinstatements such as Oxford - Bicester).

The 1962 map is intriguing - were the dashed lines intended as possible closures (which I see seem to include Bristol - Exeter direct)?

[grahame]

The really telling contrast is the difference between 1961 and 1969. The former is not far off the 1930s, the latter almost where we are now (save for Bridport, Watercress line and a few losses, and some reinstatements such as Oxford - Bicester).

I picked up a number of others that are really sadly missed - makes me wonder if we had had that network left in place rather than further closures, we would have a far more appropriate network for the late 2020s.

The 1962 map is intriguing - were the dashed lines intended as possible closures (which I see seem to include Bristol - Exeter direct)?

Withdrawal of LOCAL services ... kept for long distance

[Andy]

The really telling contrast is the difference between 1961 and 1969. The former is not far off the 1930s, the latter almost where we are now (save for Bridport, Watercress line and a few losses, and some reinstatements such as Oxford - Bicester).

Yes. Looking at the 4 SW counties, the passenger lines closed since 1969 - with the exception of Bridport - have all become heritage railways (Minehead, Swanage, Kingswear) and a regular service to Okehampton is about to be resurrected.

[Red Squirrel]

Pity that the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) didn't build that line from Bath - Wells - Glastonbury - Bridgwater-Taunton...

[grahame]

Yes. Looking at the 4 SW counties, the passenger lines closed since 1969 - with the exception of Bridport - have all become heritage railways (Minehead, Swanage, Kingswear) and a regular service to Okehampton is about to be resurrected.

Sadly, add Ilfracombe to the losses

[grahame]

Added to the sequence above ... a map from the National Library of Scotland - "For online publications, we request that your attribution includes a link to our Map images website. https://maps.nls.uk/index.html ".   It shows the railway network just prior ro its most extensive - missing Halwill to Torrington via Meeth which was not yet completed.

o - https://maps.nls.uk/view/101105617 - Times Survey Atlas of the World, 1920

[Andy]

Yes. Looking at the 4 SW counties, the passenger lines closed since 1969 - with the exception of Bridport - have all become heritage railways (Minehead, Swanage, Kingswear) and a regular service to Okehampton is about to be resurrected.

Sadly, add Ilfracombe to the losses

Well spotted.