Bere Alston; How far North is track intact?

[charlee]

How far north from Bere Alston is there still intact track? I have seen on google maps that the track still continues further for quite a bit. I was just wondering for how long. And i assume this is the line to Tavistock.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

5 chains according to Quail; and yes it is the former line to Tavistock.

 

[ACE1888]

Looking from the end of the down platform, towards the end of the line, and looking back at the station from the buffer stops.
All to change hopefully in the next 2/3 years with re instatement to Tavistock
Photos taken 12.8.2008

 

[paul1609]

How far north from Bere Alston is there still intact track? I have seen on google maps that the track still continues further for quite a bit. I was just wondering for how long. And i assume this is the line to Tavistock.

The reason that this track survives is that it was the headshunt used to access the Gunislake Branch.
The junction was originally on the North Side of the station.
Plymouth to Gunislake trains that started when the main line to Tavistock closed originally had to call at the station on one side of the island platform draw in to the headshunt then pass back through the other side of the Island platform.
The was altered in 1970 when the "main line" was singled and trains diverted in to the old down line platform and a new junction to the branch provided as the south end of the station.