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Looe
The Cornwall Main Line

Looe Valley Line

The Looe Valley Line is an 8 3⁄4 miles (14 km) railway from Liskeard to Looe in Cornwall following the valley of the East Looe River for much of its course. It is operated by Great Western Railway formerly First Great Western.

Originally opened as the Liskeard and Caradon Railway in 1860 to replace the Liskeard and Looe Union Canal - it was only joined to the national rail network in 1901 by the construction of a steeply graded link-line from Coombe Junction to a new station located at 90 degrees to the main line station.

In recent years the line has been refurbished and given a heritage look make over. A heritage centre has been created at Liskeard Station - this opened in 2021.

It should be considered to be the Network Rail line that thinks its a heritage railway with its infrastructure well presented and maintained.

This combined with its quirky operation which sees the train reverse directions at Combe Junction makes this line a "must visit" for anyone interested in railways.
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  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Combe Junction Halt is an interesting quirk on the Looe Valley Line. Only two trains each way usually venture up to the halt which is located a couple of hundred yards from Combe Junction. Due ot the location of the halt, fairly close to Liskeard Station it sees little use and has been identified as one of Britain's least used passenger stations. Most trains reverse direction closer to the physical junction with the guard operating the lever frame. Once an manned signal box was provided at Combe Junction.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Combe Junction Halt is an interesting quirk on the Looe Valley Line. Only two trains each way usually venture up to the halt which is located a couple of hundred yards from Combe Junction. Due ot the location of the halt, fairly close to Liskeard Station it sees little use and has been identified as one of Britain's least used passenger stations. Most trains reverse direction closer to the physical junction with the guard operating the lever frame. Once an manned signal box was provided at Combe Junction.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    GWR Class 150 DMU 150239 arriving at Liskeard with a well loaded afternoon train on Saturday April 30.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    GWR Class 150 DMU 150239 arriving at Liskeard with a well loaded afternoon train on Saturday April 30.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    GWR Class 150 DMU 150216 after arrival at Liskeard. Quite an intensive service is operated almost hourly with fast turn arounds at both terminals.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    GWR Class 150 DMU 150216 after arrival at Liskeard. Quite an intensive service is operated almost hourly with fast turn arounds at both terminals.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    GWR Class 150 DMU 150216 after arrival at Liskeard. Quite an intensive service is operated almost hourly with fast turn arounds at both terminals.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    GWR Class 150 DMU 150216 after arrival at Liskeard. Quite an intensive service is operated almost hourly with fast turn arounds at both terminals.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    View towards Terras Bridge across the Looe River taken from the train.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    View towards Terras Bridge across the Looe River taken from the train.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    View from the train across the River Looe north of Looe Station.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    GWR Class 150 DMU 150215 running into Looe Station.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Looe Station viewed from the north end of the platform looking towards the buffers. The line once continued towards the goods yard and quays located near the bridge about one third of a mile away in the distance. With the withdrawal of freight services it is unfortunate that the station was not moved closer to the town centre.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Historical display and traditional GWR Station bench at Looe Station.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Traditional Western Region totem at Looe.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Looe in pebbles. Many stations often had their names picked out in painted pebbles or bricks placed in the station garden. It is good to see the tradition continues at Looe.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Looe Station boasts a modest car park for rail users.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Looe Station viewed from the Globe Inn across the road a real ale hostelry opposite the station.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Great Western Railway Class 150 DMU 150216 at Looe awaiting to return to Liskeard. The terminus at Looe can just accommodate a two coach train. The diminutive terminus does boast a ticket office which operates during the summer season. Otherwise tickets are sold by the conductor guard.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Useful and pointless signage! Passengers can't pass this point as there is a fence. The railway once continued to Looe Quays and goods yard. However, this section was closed and lifted on the withdrawal of freight facilities at Looe. Of course it could have been used to extend the railway about one third of a mile to actually end near the town centre and Looe River Bridge if some foresight had been shown.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Great Western Railway Class 150 DMU 150216 at Looe awaiting to return to Liskeard. The terminus at Looe can just accommodate a two coach train. The diminutive terminus does boast a ticket office which operates during the summer season. Otherwise tickets are sold by the conductor guard.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Improvements at Looe Station - 2018

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Great Western Railway Class 150 DMU 150216 at Looe awaiting to return to Liskeard. The terminus at Looe can just accommodate a two coach train.

  • The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    The Looe Valley Line - April 28, 2022

    Looe Station history display which includes details of the station's appearance in the movies.

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