Princetown, nestled in Devon, South West England, boasts a population of approximately 1,500 inhabitants. Perched at an elevation of roughly 1,400 feet within Dartmoor National Park, this quaint village owes its origins to Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, who established it in 1785 while serving as Secretary to the Prince of Wales. Named in honour of the Prince, Princetown stands as the highest settlement on Dartmoor and is among the loftiest in the United Kingdom.
Renowned as the site of Dartmoor Prison, accommodating around 650 individuals, Princetown also has historical ties to transportation endeavours. The Princetown Railway, a 10¼ mile single-track line, once connected the village to Yelverton, facilitating travel between Plymouth and Tavistock. Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, known for his philanthropy and entrepreneurial spirit, championed various infrastructure projects to enhance the region’s agricultural and extractive industries.
In the early nineteenth century, Tyrwhitt proposed a horse-drawn tramway to serve Dartmoor’s granite quarries, aiming to link Princetown with Plymouth. Although primarily intended for transporting farm produce, peat, and granite, only the latter proved economically viable. Undeterred, Tyrwhitt later advocated for a railway linking Princetown to Plymouth, resulting in the formation of the Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway (P&DR) in 1819.
Despite initial setbacks and revisions to the plan, the railway commenced operations in 1823. Operating on a gauge of 4 feet 6 inches, it adopted the ‘Dartmoor’ gauge and facilitated the transportation of goods via horse-drawn wagons. While the railway did not cater to passengers, its success prompted the establishment of several short branches in subsequent years.
In 1852, proposals surfaced for the South Devon & Tavistock Railway (SD&TR), aiming to connect Tavistock with the South Devon Railway (SDR) near Plymouth. Although considerations included a branch line to Princetown and Dartmoor Prison, these plans failed to materialise due to insufficient support and funding.
At the half-yearly meeting of the Great Western Railway on March 6th, 1877, the Princetown proposal resurfaced for discussion. This time, the plan involved government participation, utilising convict labour from Dartmoor Prison to construct the initial three miles out of Princetown. The Great Western Railway (GWR) was expected to complete the remainder of the line for £52,000. Despite these discussions, tangible progress remained elusive, leading the GWR to retract their proposal and instead opt to purchase the existing Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway.
However, on November 30th, 1877, plans for the Princetown Railway (PR) were deposited in Parliament. This standard gauge line was slated to extend from Yelverton Siding, just south of Horrabridge on the Plymouth to Tavistock line, to the south end of the Roborough Down Tunnel. Stretching 10 1/4 miles, it would replace part of the Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway’s route, serving Princetown and various quarries along the way. Some adjustments to alignment were necessary, particularly where sharp tramway curves required smoothing for locomotive operation. Additionally, a new section of route was proposed to ascend from Yelverton Junction, passing east of Yennadon Down.
The PR secured working arrangements with the South Devon & Tavistock Railway and the Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway, paying £22,000 to utilise the latter’s track bed. Subscription backing contributed towards its authorised capital of £60,000, with borrowing powers of £20,000.
With the Great Western Railway now in control of the South Devon & Tavistock Railway, the proposed Princetown branch received Royal Assent on August 13th, 1878. Although sponsored by the GWR, the line was to adhere to the standard gauge (4ft 8½in, 1,435 mm), diverging from the broad gauge (7ft 1¼in, 2,140mm) used by the South Devon & Tavistock Railway through Yelverton. This mixed gauge arrangement accommodated both standard gauge trains and those of the London & South Western Railway between Lydford and Plymouth.
During the board meeting held on June 24th, 1880, the seventeen tenders submitted for the construction of the Princetown Railway were carefully reviewed. The board approved the lowest bid, amounting to £21,800, offered by Mr. W. T. Mousley of London. However, due to sluggish progress, when the board finally green lit the commencement of works on March 17th, 1881, Mr. Mousley reneged on his tender price. Consequently, Mr John Mackay’s tender of £22,190 8s 6d was accepted instead. It was noted during the board meeting on July 7th, 1881, that Mr. Mackay had signed the contract as per the agreement. Subsequently, at the following board meeting on September 29th, the Engineer reported that approximately one mile of railway had been constructed at the Princetown terminus.
Construction faced numerous challenges, leading to delays and setbacks. The Western Morning News highlighted on November 4th, 1881, that progress was impeded by adverse weather conditions. Tragically, on August 12th, 1882, two fatalities occurred due to an embankment collapse, exacerbated by the dry weather conditions which had hardened the soil, making it susceptible to collapse. In December 1882, the Tavistock Gasette documented a significant disturbance involving the labourers employed in the railway’s construction. Factors such as holiday season and inclement weather on the moor led to idleness among the workers, who sought refuge in public houses.
As the evening descended, a considerable number of labourers gathered in Princetown, becoming unruly and disruptive. Order was eventually restored by police and prison warders after numerous arrests and injuries.