Devonport Dockyard Railway

Founded over three hundred years ago and lying behind a high, three-mile long, stone wall is Devonport Dockyard. Situated on the western boundary of the City of Plymouth, it forms a barrier between the community and the waterfront of the River Tamar. Behind that wall is another community, with its own customs and rules, and its own unique railway system.

This book describes the railway system within the Dockyard. It was the only means of communication between what are, in fact, three separate yards, once only connected by a tunnel under Devonport. From its origins in an early tramway laid down in 1860 to Brunel's broad gauge, the railway was quickly expanded to form a vital link not only in and between the yards but also to the national railway network. At its zenith more than twenty miles of trackwork were in constant use with, at one time or another, up to thirty steam locomotives.

The unique free passenger service served for over seventy years as the only transport through the tunnels for all at work in the dockyard; civilian workmen and service personnel. The extraordinary service ran twenty times a weekday and had six classes of accommodation, from Workmen to Admiral!

Carrying thousands of tons of freight every year, and an untold number of passengers, the complex operation was not without incident and misadventure, but even these can have a humorous angle.

This is the definitive history of a remarkable railway, only now able to be told by unique access to records not previously in the public domain. The story is told from those early years, right up to date, and into the future, for this railway still functions.

The author, Paul Burkhalter, has had a life-long interest in railways. His career in construction management took him to southern Africa for nine years, where he ran a subsidiary of a British contractor. This resulted in an interest in the 3 feet 6 inches Cape Gauge of the region, and as a consequence he now regularly contributes to the South African enthusiasts' magazine 'SA Rail'.

On return to Britain he came to work in Devonport Dockyard, where he became responsible for the Dockyard Railway. Literally taking his work home with him, he spent four years privately researching the history of the railway, obtaining unique access to Dockyard archives. An active member of historical research organisations, the Industrial Railway Society and the Industrial Locomotive Society, he has also served on the committee of the Plymouth Railway Circle.

A second impression of this book has been made possible with the assistance of DML Devonport Royal Dockyard and ensures it continues to be available.

ISBN 978 0 906294 37 6 [ISBN-10: 0 906294 37 1]
160 pages, 200 illustrations. Hard back with full colour dustwrapper. £25.00

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An addendum and up-date is available for this book and can be obtained from us by sending an A5 stamped addressed envelope, or two i.r.c. for overseas.

Reviews:

'A treasure trove of information about the amazingly complex railway system which served Devonport Dockyard . . . wonderfully detailed and lavishly illustrated . . . a real gem' Evening Herald

'This is an excellent example of how it should be done and it will clearly become the definitive work on the subject. ... You will not be disappointed with your purchase.' Industrial Locomotive

'And so we have in-depth primary source research, the author's personal knowledge of the subject, admirable presentation, a good standard of writing, excellent maps and stunning photographs ... it's all top quality stuff.' Railway Bylines