When the train service reopens by the end of 2021, a key part of making it a success will be encouraging visitors to use the line to visit Okehampton, Dartmoor and the Granite Way. To that end, the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership has been taking advantage of the summer weather to get a head start on preparing marketing materials for the line – in particular documenting some of the great day trips that will be possible right from Okehampton station. More ➔ “Lights, camera, action!”
If you’re heading to the Okehampton Show next month (Thursday 12th August), pop in and say hello at the GWR and Network Rail tents to find out more about the reopening of the Dartmoor Line. It’s a great chance to ask any questions you might have about the train service or the improvement work currently underway at Okehampton station. More ➔ “Dartmoor Line at the Okehampton Show”
Another ‘key’ milestone in reopening the Dartmoor Line has been reached with the completion of the purchase of the railway and Okehampton station. Network Rail’s acquisition of this ownership was formally marked yesterday (Thursday 1 July) with the symbolic handing over of keys to the station and the track. More ➔ “Network Rail commences ownership of Dartmoor Line and Okehampton station”
A second special moment yesterday saw Network Rail present Tom and Sue Baxter with a framed picture in recognition of their longstanding support of the reopening of the Dartmoor Line and ongoing volunteering efforts to maintain and refurbish parts of the station, as part of the Dartmoor Railway Association. More ➔ “Volunteers’ contribution recognised”
1972: It was the year the Watergate Scandal broke, Emmerdale Farm first appeared on our TV screens, Mary Peters won pentathlon gold at the Munich Olympics – and the last regular passenger train left Okehampton. On 3 June 49 years ago, guests and enthusiasts gathered at Okehampton station to wave off its final train service – a moment caught on camera by long-serving rail employee Bernard Mills.With More ➔ “49th anniversary of last regular train from Okehampton”
The reopening of the railway line between Okehampton and Exeter is one step closer after Network Rail finished relaying the new track and sleepers this week. Following the confirmation of government funding in March, engineers started immediately and have worked tirelessly upgrading this 14 mile stretch of track between Okehampton and Coleford Junction, where the Dartmoor Line joins the existing railway line to Exeter. More ➔ “On track – Network Rail reaches key milestone on Dartmoor Line”
