The two companies kept separate stations for many years but on 22 September 1943 a connection was established between the two lines to give flexibility should the railway lines around Plymouth be damaged by World War II bombing. Other connections were installed at Lydford railway station and at St Budeaux. Trains continued to use their own company's platforms but on 18 June 1951, about three years after nationalisation and the formation of British Railways, the former GWR station became "Launceston North" and the former LSWR station became "Launceston South". These names did not stay in use for long as from 30 June 1952 the passenger trains from Plymouth were routed into the LSWR platforms.