Editing Looe Valley Line (section)

==Route==
{{Looe Valley Line}}

===Descending to Coombe===
The line is [[single track (rail)|single track]] for the whole of its length and is worked by just a single train set each day. Trains leave [[Liskeard railway station]] from a platform at right angles to the main line platforms, initially running northeast away from Looe.  Beyond the platform the line takes a long right-hand curve, passing the connection through the goods yard to the main line, and diving underneath the [[A38 road]] twice.  It then descends steeply, now heading generally southwest, and passes under the [[Cornwall Railway viaducts#Liskeard|Liskeard viaduct]] carrying the [[Cornish Main Line]] 150 feet (46m) above.

Curving right once more, the train joins the main branch line from Looe at Coombe Junction, and comes to a stand on a small [[level crossing]].  Most trains change direction here, the train's guard operating the [[Railroad switch|points]] using the ground frame ''[[#Signalling|(see Signalling below)]]'', but a few in each direction continue a few yards further to call at [[Coombe Junction Halt railway station|Coombe Junction Halt]] at [[Lamellion]].  Beyond the platform the line still continues to [[Moorswater railway station|Moorswater]], passing under the main line again beneath the [[Cornwall Railway viaducts#Moorswater|Moorswater viaduct]], but this section is no longer used.

===Along the valley===
With the driver and guard having now swapped ends, the train recommences its southerly journey, now running alongside the old [[Liskeard and Looe Union Canal]] and East Looe River.  Another level crossing is passed at Lodge, and then a short journey brings the train to [[St Keyne Wishing Well Halt railway station|St Keyne Wishing Well Halt]], adjacent to the "Magnificent Music Machines" museum of fairground organs and similar instruments.  The holy well of [[St Keyne]] is near the village which is a ten-minute walk from the station.

South of St Keyne the canal swaps to the west side of the line for a while, but as the valley closes in it disappears altogether for a distance where the railway was built on top of the redundant canal.  One of the old canal's locks can be seen at [[Causeland railway station]].  This is the oldest station on the line as it was opened in 1879 when passenger trains first started operating.  In common with most of the stations it has been rebuilt in recent years, a smart brick shelter having replaced the original wooden hut.

===Beside the estuary===
[[File:Terras–crossing.jpg|thumb|right|Causeway approach to Terras Crossing]]
After passing [[Sandplace railway station]] the railway follows the east side of the river, which is now a tidal estuary that the line follows to its terminus. The line passes over one more level crossing, the unusual Terras Crossing, where the road approaches the crossing over a causeway that is liable to flooding at high tide, so the footpath is raised on boards alongside. The ruin of the final lock of the canal is on the east of the line here.

After running further alongside the tidal estuary the line finally arrives at [[Looe railway station]], opposite the point at which the West Looe River flows into the East Looe River to form the tidal Looe harbour.  The town centre is a five-minute walk further alongside the river and buses to [[Polperro]] stop on the road near the station.

All distances along the line are measured from the point near the seven-span road bridge across the river where the Liskeard and Looe Railway connected with the private sidings on Buller Quay.  The original station, now the site of the Police Station, was 14 [[Chain (unit)|chains]] (308 yards or 282m) north of this point, but the simple station of 1968 construction is forty yards north of this:  thus the mile post marking ¼ mile from the  original end of the line is in fact opposite the current platform, just 20 yards from the present southern end of the line.