News
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
Safety warning issued as train activity to start on Dartmoor Line
Network Rail is asking people to avoid attempting to access the Dartmoor Line as the number of trains travelling along the railway increases starting from this week (20th September onwards). Work to reopen the Dartmoor Line by the end of the year is continuing to progress well with this latest phase of work involving trains travelling the 14 mile stretch of railway to test out the newly laid track. More ➔ “Safety warning issued as train activity to start on Dartmoor Line”Read More
All aboard for 1871 – celebrating 150 years of Okehampton’s railway
As work to reopen the Dartmoor Line between Okehampton and Exeter continues, over the coming weeks, a programme of events and exhibitions will celebrate 150 years since the railway first arrived in Okehampton. They will include an exhibition of historical photos in the town’s Charter Hall, displays in Okehampton shop windows and street banners, flags and bunting leading up to the anniversary weekend itself, Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October. More ➔ “All aboard for 1871 – celebrating 150 years of Okehampton’s railway”Read More
Upgrading Greenslade Bridge
Greenslade Bridge, just east of Sampford Courtenay, is a key asset that needed work as part of preparations for rail services to start between Exeter and Okehampton by the end of this year. Old longitudinal timbers had to be removed using the large crane. More ➔ “Upgrading Greenslade Bridge”Read More
Communication masts
As part of readiness to enable regular passenger services to run by the end of the year, five railway communication masts – also known as GSM-R masts – are being installed along the route. These masts (which are part of a nationwide railway safety system) enable direct and continuous communication between train driver and signaller which considerably improves punctuality, reliability and safety for all passengers. More ➔ “Communication masts”Read More
Date for the diary
Okehampton station upgrades underway
Work has recently begun to upgrade Okehampton station ahead of services resuming later this year. The most visible work is taking place on the platform where the edging stones are being adjusted. This will ensure the gap between the train and the platform is as small as possible and make it easier for passengers to access the train. More ➔ “Okehampton station upgrades underway”Read More
At the Okehampton Show today
Lights, camera, action!
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!”Read More
Dartmoor Line at the Okehampton Show
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”Read More