memories of Devonport

So it's funny how things go sometimes. Here I am trying to write my memories from 50 years ago down and I suddenly realise that my memories of how Keyham looked and the reality now don't match up. There have been substantial changes. Well, some things haven't changed but I remember a lot of railway infrastructure around that just isn't there now so am having a root around on the internet and this entry is about what I find. Subject to almost constant revision. 

This pic of the Ford viaduct from http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/  taken in 1975 - so only 3 years after I left the area.

Station Road is to the right of this pic - looking roughly to the south here. I have a memory of the station being here. But this picture suggests that it wasn't functional.

Here's a selection of other old photos I found online - all will be properly credited if requested.
 I think they all came from http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/southern-route-devonport-kings-road-to-okehampton.html but weren't all clearly credited. I would emphasise I intend to make no money from this Blog and maybe half a dozen people will ever read it. But you never know, it might cause someone to check the CRS website out, and I really hope so.

I have a memory of this view. And it's one I go back to in my dreams. Is it any wonder that I love city building games these days? Ford viaduct is in the centre, Keyham and Ford station is centre to top right, Devonport Dockyard and the Tamar, Cornwall in the background, off to the top right. I remember this park well and it's probably the next thing i will research.

This is a picture of the actual station I remember. Thanks, Mike Roach for finding a picture.

Ford, Southern Railway. Taken in December 1963 This was on the Devonport to St Budeaux route covered by Mike Roach on the 6th September 1964 Copyright Mike Roach 

There's also an article by Mike Roach about the closures that happened in 1964.

The viaduct was demolished in 1986 after I moved to London.

It has it's own Wikipedia 

I also found this on the Cornwall Railway Society site - with it's original caption so I don't get accused of stealing pictures.

Sid Sponheimer catches a Bullied in the sun - it has just crossed Ford viaduct and is heading for the tunnel en route to Plymouth. Taken from Camperdown Street we 34002 'Salisbury' with the 11.30 Brighton to Plymouth 28th August 1964 S Sponheimer Copyright.

So trains were running through there in 1964, just two years before I was born. All indications are that the line shut for pasengers in the mid to late 60s but the line wasn't closed completely until 1971 so any memories i have of a working railway line running past the end of my road completely supported by available evidence.

as an aside - me and my mum and my Grandmother used t have an annual trip to Calstock on this line. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamar_Valley_Line