The station at Dawlish Warren still
retains loop lines on both up and down sides, most main line services use
the two middle through lines, while stopping trains use the loop tracks.
Sometimes the loops are used to sideline slow trains while expresses overtake.
The original platform buildings still remain on the up side but are now
a private house. Very limited platform facilities exist on either platform.
Photography is quite possible from both platform; the down platform is better
for light in the morning, while the up platform is better for afternoon
pictures.
From Dawlish Warren station a footpath and narrow roadway pass under the
line, and by turning right the start of the sea wall footpath is soon reached,
this extends through to Dawlish. A few yards west of Dawlish Warren station,
just after the loop tracks finish, a footbridge crosses the line and gives
another good photographic viewpoint of the route. Adjacent to this footbridge
are some camping coaches, former BR Mk 1 and Inspection Saloons which are
operated by a private company offering summer accommodation.
By continuing west (on foot), the famous Langstone Rock is soon reached
and this is the source of a virtually endless selection of viewpoints from
which to see the line. In terms of light, morning views are best (if the
sun is out), with good light to around noon. Many ground level views are
possible as well as elevated ones reached by climbing up the side of the
rock. Some very rough steps do exist to the top, which does provide an amazing
view of the entire area. But be warned these steps are tricky and can be
very dangerous in damp or wet conditions. From Langstone Rock looking west
a superb view of the line towards Dawlish can be obtained and with various
lenses a large selection of different views can be taken. Looking back towards
Dawlish Warren, again different lenses give endless view changes, all of
which will be pleasing. During the summer months, if one becomes in need
of a drink or something light to eat, the Red Rock café is located
at the base of the rock. The owners are very railway friendly and will welcome
your company.
Progressing on towards Dawlish, the sea wall still provides limitless views
of the line, up train views are especially good in this area, while down
trains tend to be a little too close. About mid-way between Dawlish Warren
and Dawlish is a footbridge known as Rockstone Bridge, this obtained its
name from a large public house which once stood adjacent to the bridge where
some luxury flats now stand. The Rockstone Bridge is a favourite with local
photographers and gives one of the best views of an up train on the |
entire sea wall. Down views are also good, but perhaps a little cramped
and a track sign in the foreground does little to enhance the view.
The sea wall walkway continues to Dawlish, with a lower section that often
gets flooded at high tide. From the Rockstone Bridge, access to the main
road is possible and by turning left one can walk into the town. By continuing
along the sea wall another footbridge is found just before the station area,
which provides excellent views of Dawlish station, however, some lineside
clutter does spoil this view. For photography of a down train from this
location a larger lens is needed to get past a lineside building. For those
who need refreshment on reaching this point, The Coastguards Restaurant,
adjacent to the bridge, is of excellent quality and a frequent haunt for
local enthusiasts.
Dawlish station, with its main entrance and buildings on the up side, provides
a good vantage point for watching trains, but please be very careful, fast
trains do pass through with little warning. Photography from the down platform
of trains approaching the station, or passing the remains of the original
GW signal box are good in the morning. After the sun has moved around, the
up platform provides a good vantage point for afternoon views.
West from Dawlish station towards the first of the tunnels it is possible
to walk on either side of the railway, both sides offer good views and at
the right time of the day photography is easy. On the land side just after
the station can be found The Marine Tavern & Hotel, which offers excellent
food and drink as well as accommodation (See the Marine
Tavern & Hotel page) Just before the first of the tunnels
named Kennaway, which is 209 yards long, is a footbridge, this provides
excellent views of the sea wall towards Dawlish Warren from early morning
until early afternoon.
On the right hand side of the tunnel, a footpath climbs up the side of Lea
Mount, and several footpaths that criss-cross this hill provide a wide and
varied selection of views of down trains. By selecting different lenses
and changing the photographic position one could spend several days in this
area alone. From the top of this hill views of the line from both sides
are possible as the light moves around. Views of up trains in this area
are difficult, the best one can do is to either follow the track level footpath
west past the tunnel on the sea side, at the end of this walkway a view
of trains is possible emerging from Coryton Tunnel. If one feels energetic
and |
climbs Lea Mount hill, from the far end of the park area at the top, views
of trains skirting the sandstone hills are possible and with a big lens
the local landmark of The Parson and Clerk can be included.
From this point until the western portal of Parsons Tunnel the line is not
easily accessible. However, by either walking or driving out of Dawlish
towards Teignmouth on the A379 and parking in Old Teignmouth Road, opposite
a road called John Nash Drive, one can gain access via a public footpath
over fields to give a view of trains emerging from Clerk Tunnel. To find
this point, after parking in the dead-end section of Old Teignmouth Road,
walk slightly west until you find a stile on the left side, cross this and
proceed along the footpath until its lowest point, you will then see the
railway on the left, views can be obtained from several spots in this area.
Going further west towards Teignmouth, the next point where access can be
made to the line is from Holcombe, where Smugglers Lane diverges left and
provides entry to the coastal footpath by the western portal of Parsons
Tunnel. The footpath proceeds from here through to Teignmouth and again
provides some uninterrupted views of the line. Where the footpath starts,
views of trains emerging from the 512 yard long Parsons Tunnel are easily
possible, while a look the other way gives a nice panoramic view of the
bay. Mid-way between Parsons Tunnel and Teignmouth a small landmass sticking
out into the sea and known as Sprey Point gives an improved angle to views
of both up and down trains, this is especially good early in the morning,
when up trains are well lit and can include the local St Michael's church
in the picture.
Just before the line curves away from the sea and into Teignmouth station,
some small rocks provide a good viewpoint on which to stand to capture down
trains, while a view standing on the sea wall gives an excellent aspect
of trains rounding the tight curve and passing under a skew bridge.
Teignmouth station is not that photogenic, but is worth a look at. The main
buildings are on the down side and much of the station fabric is of GW origin.
Due to considerable town development some bridges which cross the line just
west of Teignmouth station are now of little use. |