Eggesford railway station

Eggesford
The station building viewed from the northbound platform
Location
Place	Chawleigh
Local authority	Mid Devon
Coordinates	50.8878°N 3.87525°W / 50.8878; -3.87525
Operations
Station code	EGG
Managed by	First Great Western
Number of platforms	2
Live arrivals/departures and station information from National Rail Enquiries
Annual rail passenger usage
2002/03 *	11,430
2004/05 *	14,152
2005/06 *	16,009
2006/07 *	18,184
2007/08 *	18,658
2008/09 *	21,298
2009/10 *	22,858
History
Original company	North Devon Railway
Pre-grouping	London and South Western Railway
Post-grouping	Southern Railway
Opened	1854
National Rail - UK railway stations
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
* Annual estimated passenger usage based on sales of tickets in stated financial year(s) which end or originate at Eggesford from Office of Rail Regulation statistics. Please note: methodology may vary year on year.

Eggesford railway station is a rural station on the serving the village of Eggesford and surrounding villages in Devon, England. Despite its name, the station is actually in the neighbouring civil parish of Chawleigh. It is a passing place on the single track Tarka Line 21.25 miles (34 km) north west of Exeter on the way to Barnstaple.

History

The station was opened by the North Devon Railway on 1 August 1854. The North Devon Railway was required to obtain permission from the landowner, the Earl of Portsmouth, whose country seat was situated within an estate near to the site of the station. It is said that the Earl agreed to the railway being built on his land on the understanding that all trains would stop at the station thus affording easy access to Eggesford House for visiting guests.

To this day, all trains continue to stop although the Earl's family have long become extinct. This is possibly more as a result of the station being an exchange point for tokens on the Crediton to Eggesford and Eggesford to Barnstaple Token Block sections, but it has been suggested that the passing loop is here and not elsewhere because of this agreement with the Earl. Whether it had any bearing on the Earldom or not, it is a fact that in BR steam days the summer Saturday 'Atlantic Coast Express, the thirteen coach 11.00 Waterloo to Ilfracombe, made its only stop between Exeter and Barnstaple at Eggesford.^{[citation needed]}

A signalbox was in existence at Eggesford until 1987, however the line has since been rationalised and the passing loop automated with the use of spring points. Token exchange is now carried out by the driver in an unmanned hut located on each platform. The conductor/guard is also required to operate the level crossing at the station as well as this is not automatic. Token release and train signalling is carried out by Crediton signalbox.

In the late 1960s, the down platform and buildings were washed away by the flooded River Taw, following torrential rain. However, a replacement structure was built.

Services

All trains on the Barnstaple to Exmouth service stop at Eggesford. Trains connect with main line services at Exeter St Davids.

Preceding station	National Rail			Following station
Lapford		First Great Western Tarka Line		Kings Nympton

Community railway

The railway between Exeter and Barnstaple is designated as a community railway and is supported by marketing provided by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership. The line is promoted under the "Tarka Line" name.

The Eggesford Country House Hotel is included in the Tarka Line rail ale trail.