Seaton Junction
Station buildings in 1995.
General information
LocationSeaton Junction nr Shute, East Devon
England
Platforms3
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original companyLondon and South Western Railway
Post-groupingSouthern Railway
Southern Region of British Railways
Key dates
19 July 1860[1]Opened as Colyton for Seaton
16 March 1868Renamed Colyton Junction
July 1869[2]Renamed Seaton Junction
7 March 1966Closed to passengers
8 May 1967[3]Goods facilities withdrawn

Seaton Junction is a closed railway station on the West of England Main Line from London Waterloo to Exeter. It was situated 3 miles west of Axminster and 7 miles east of Honiton. It was previously known as Colyton for Seaton and Colyton Junction.

History

Seaton Junction station in August 1964

Originally named "Colyton for Seaton" the station opened on 19 July 1860 on completion of the Exeter Extension of the London and South Western Railway from Yeovil Junction to Exeter Queen Street.

With the opening of the Seaton & Beer Railway on 16 March 1868 the name was changed to "Colyton Junction", before finally becoming "Seaton Junction" on 18 July 1869.

Originally trains arriving from the Seaton branch had to reverse into "down" (westbound) platform, however the station was reconstructed in 1927–8 with two through tracks on the main line and loops to the newly extended platforms. At the same time a new branch line platform was added, set at an angle of 45° to the main line.

The location of the station created a major problem for westbound trains stopping at Seaton Junction since it was situated at the start of a six miles climb at 1 in 80 to the summit of the line at Honiton tunnel.

A British Rail Class 33 in the station in 1979, since the station was closed.

The steady decline in holiday traffic resulting from increased car ownership in the 1960s led to a gradual run down of services and the branch line and junction station closed on 7 March 1966 by the Western Region of British Railways.

Preceding station Historical railways Following station
Axminster
Line and station open		   British Rail
Southern Region
West of England Main Line		   Honiton
Line and station open
Disused railways
Colyton
Line and station closed		   British Rail
Southern Region
Seaton Branch Line		   Terminus

Stationmasters

  • George Evans 1868 - 1879[4] (afterwards station master at Chard)
  • G. Smith ca. 1881
  • James Lock 1882[5] - 1888 (afterwards station master at Torrington)
  • Mr. Geoghan 1888 - ca. 1895 (formerly station master at Lapford)
  • John Hobbs 1898 - 1904[6] (formerly station master at Camelford, afterwards station master at Sidmouth Junction)
  • William J. Brown 1904 - 1909[7] (formerly station master at Whimple, afterwards station master at Chard)
  • William Thomas Smith 1909 - 1912[8] (formerly station master at Bridstowe)
  • Arthur J. Hatyer 1912 - 1926[9] (afterwards station master at Axminster)
  • W.A. Palmer 1926
  • H.R. Evans 1926 - 1933[10] (afterwards station master at Hither Green)
  • A.G. Carter 1933[11] - 1939 (afterwards station master at Petersfield)
  • W.H.W. Beer 1939 - 1945[12]

Present day

The station building is now a private residence. The platform is still visible (albeit overgrown). The footbridge from the island platform still survives today. Trains still pass the site on the West of England Main Line.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations, Patrick Stephens Ltd, Sparkford, ISBN 1-85260-508-1, p. 67.
  2. ↑ "Seaton Junction".
  3. ↑ Clinker, C.R. (October 1978). Clinker's Register of Closed Passenger Stations and Goods Depots in England, Scotland and Wales 1830-1977. Bristol: Avon-AngliA Publications & Services. p. 121. ISBN 0-905466-19-5.
  4. ↑ "District Intelligence". Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser. England. 14 May 1879. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ↑ "Presentation". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Daily Telegraphs. England. 21 November 1882. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ↑ "1839-1920 Clerical Staff". Great Western Railway: 82. 1839. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  7. ↑ "At Seaton Junction". Western Times. England. 28 September 1909. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ↑ "Honiton". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. England. 3 February 1920. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ↑ "46 years' rail service". Western Times. England. 16 March 1934. Retrieved 17 July 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ↑ "Stationmasters' Retirement". Dover Express. England. 23 June 1950. Retrieved 17 July 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ↑ "New Station-master for Seaton Junction". Western Morning News. England. 15 May 1933. Retrieved 17 July 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ↑ "Retirement of Mr. W. Beer". Western Times. England. 21 September 1945. Retrieved 17 July 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  • The Salisbury to Exeter Line by Derek Phillips and George Pryer. Oxford Publishing Company. 1997. ISBN 0-86093-525-6

50°45′47″N 03°03′58″W / 50.76306°N 3.06611°W / 50.76306; -3.06611

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