DMU Operations: Western Region
Axminster - Lyme Regis
DMUs seem to have been began appearing on this 6¾mile service by June 1961, although the official date of takeover from steam seems to be 4 November 1963.[1]
Single cars allocated to Laira were normally used, of both GRC&W and Pressed Steel types. Occassionaly two or three-car suburban sets would be used.
The branch closed on Monday 29 November 1965, the last trains running two days before on Saturday 27th.
Images
1960s
Passengers disembark from a Derby suburban set at Lyme Regis in the 1960s. Steve Davies Collection.
28th July 1965
28th of July 1965 and a view of Lyme Regis Station with a single car GRC&W DMU present. The KDH Archive.
September 1965
A Gloucester single car DMU in the Lyme Regis Branch platform at Axminster in September 1965. David Russon.
20th November 1965
A Pressed Steel single car has passed under Uplyme Road bridge just after leaving the Lyme Regis terminus on the 20th November 1965. Steve Davies Collection.
20th November 1965
A Class 121 at Lyme Regis on the 20th November 1965. Steve Davies Collection.
20th November 1965
A Class 121 in Axminster station on the 20th November 1965. Steve Davies Collection.
27th November 1965
Seen at Combpyne (best spelling for a UK Station?) this DMU is on the 14.xx Axminster to Lyme Regis service on the 27th of November 1965. The KDH Archive.
27th November 1965
The 14.40 service from Lyme Regis to Axminster is crossing Cannington Viaduct on the 27th of November 1965. It's not easy to tell what unit type it is from the image, but guesses are it's a Class 118. The KDH Archive.
27th November 1965
A DMU approaches (or has left) Lyme Regis Station on one of the last days of services the 27th of November 1965. The KDH Archive.
27th November 1965
One of the last days of the Lyme Regis service on the 27th of November 1965 and this DMU seen at Axminster is the 16.32 extra from Lyme Regis. The KDH Archive.
References
- ⋏ Lyme Regis, Disused Station website, accessed 5 October 2025