This, the first of two volumes covering the railways of Devon, follows
the routes of the two main lines that enter the county from the east.
Firstly, the former Western Region line is examined as it runs from
Whiteball Tunnel in the Blackdown Hills and down along the attractive
Culm and Exe Valleys to the county town of Exeter. It then takes the
reader over the former Southern Region line from Axminster through
rolling countryside to Exeter where the two routes meet. In addition,
the book explores the branch lines that are still open in this part of
the county; firstly, the one to Exmouth, which runs beside the Exe
estuary for half of its length, and then by way of a contrast, the line
to Barnstaple, which penetrates the rural heart of Devon to reach the
county's north coast. Finally, a look is taken at the Okehampton branch,
which has just been acquired by Network Rail and is about to have its
passenger service reinstated. Illustrated with over 180 color
photographs, only a few of which have been published previously, this
volume records many of the changes that have taken place over the last
35 years to both the infrastructure and trains. Coverage is mainly of
service trains, but a number of special workings are also included. It
depicts some of the older locomotive classes in their final days as well
as the traction that provides today's services.
