News
The Dartmoor Line Chattanooga Choo Choo
Enjoy this fantastic version of the Chattanooga Choo Choo, performed by local favourites The Hummingbirds at Okehampton station, complete with lyrics celebrating the reopening of the Dartmoor Line. The tremendous trio wowed the crowd at yesterday’s official launch of the line and will be back at the station on Saturday morning to sing the first public train in and out of Okehampton Station (see our guide to opening day train times and shuttle bus services). More ➔ “The Dartmoor Line Chattanooga Choo Choo”Read More
Historical-style newspaper wraps
There are brilliant historical-style wraps on three local newspapers this week to celebrate the reopening of the Dartmoor Line. Grab your copies of the Moorlander, Okehampton Times and Express and Echo this week – they make a great souvenir of the historic occasion! More ➔ “Historical-style newspaper wraps”Read More
Celebrating the return of the Dartmoor Line
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps today dispatched the first passenger train to run on the restored Dartmoor Line, as the line once again becomes part of the UK rail network for passengers (the first public service is this Saturday – read our guide to opening day). More ➔ “Celebrating the return of the Dartmoor Line”Read More
Working through the night to prepare the route
Here’s a great behind-the-scenes video showing some of the work that’s been happening in recent weeks to prepare the line for services to start on Saturday 20th November.As mentioned at the end of the video, all the project partners thank local residents for their patience during this period of night-time working.Read More
Local teenager designs winning entry in Dartmoor Line logo competition
Local teenager Tom Watts is the winner of a Great Western Railway competition to design a logo for The Dartmoor Line, which opens a week on Saturday.The 16-year-old imagined taking part in the Ten Tors Challenge when designing the roundel, which will feature on station signs, posters, timetables and a special train livery.Year-round More ➔ “Local teenager designs winning entry in Dartmoor Line logo competition”Read More
Limited edition prints available
Artists Becky Bettesworth and Andrew Olly Oliver (co-founder of Okehampton gallery Moon & Moor) both have limited edition prints now available celebrating The Dartmoor Line’s past and future. We have been delighted to have been able to use Becky’s fantastic Dartmoor artwork to promote the reopening of the line, including on this website’s homepage. More ➔ “Limited edition prints available”Read More
Preparing the line
Ahead of the 20 November opening of the Dartmoor Line to passengers, Network Rail is continuing with their preparations to make the line safe ahead of opening. Vegetation is being cut back to reduce the risk of trees landing on the track and being struck by a train. More ➔ “Preparing the line”Read More
Government restores the Dartmoor Line as services resume for first time in half a century from 20 November
For the first time in nearly 50 years, regular passenger services will run on the Dartmoor Line, connecting Okehampton to Exeter. Services will launch on Saturday 20 November, marking the first reopening under the Government’s Restoring Your Railway programme which is exploring ways to return old lines and stations to service across the country. More ➔ “Government restores the Dartmoor Line as services resume for first time in half a century from 20 November”Read More
Community celebrates 150 years of Okehampton’s railway
Despite the wet weather, Okehampton’s community turned out in force at the weekend to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first public passenger train arriving at Okehampton station. On Saturday, more than 150 people – many in period costume – enjoyed a Victorian Tea Party at the town’s Charter Hall. More ➔ “Community celebrates 150 years of Okehampton’s railway”Read More
Okehampton celebrates 150 years of the railway as reopening draws nearer
Celebrations are in store this weekend (2-3 October) to mark the 150th anniversary of the first public passenger train arriving at Okehampton station. With work to reopen the Dartmoor Line progressing well, the town will be decorated with ribbons, bunting, Union flags and flower baskets. More ➔ “Okehampton celebrates 150 years of the railway as reopening draws nearer”Read More