Avocet Line

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Avocet Line
Alongside the River Exe near Lympstone
Overview
Status	Open
Owner	Network Rail
Locale	Devon
Termini	Exeter St Davids 50°43′44″N 3°32′37″W / 50.7290°N 3.5436°W / 50.7290; -3.5436 (Exeter St Davids station) Exmouth 50°37′18″N 3°24′54″W / 50.6216°N 3.4150°W / 50.6216; -3.4150 (Exmouth station)
Stations	11
Website	http://www.avocetline.org.uk/
Service
Type	Heavy rail
System	National Rail
Operator(s)	Great Western Railway
Depot(s)	Exeter
Rolling stock	Classes 158, 165, 166 and 150
Ridership	2.629 million (2023)
History
Opened	1861
Technical
Line length	11+1⁄4 miles (18 km)
Number of tracks	1 or 2
Character	Commuter
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Loading gauge	RA6 / W6A
Operating speed	70 mph (110 km/h)
Route map

The Avocet Line is the railway line in Devon, England connecting Exeter with Exmouth. It was originally built by the London and South Western Railway, and was historically known as the Exmouth branch railway. The line follows the Exe Estuary for about half of its route, from just outside Topsham (on the Exmouth end) to Exmouth, giving views of the estuary. The line is named after the pied avocet, which lives in the estuary.