Partners receive Community Rail Award on 9th December 2021

Dartmoor Line wins national award

14 December 2021
The Dartmoor Line has been recognised with a national award in the same week that weekend trains began running direct to and from Exeter Central.At the national Community Rail Awards, held in Southampton on Thursday 9th December, the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, GWR and Network Rail won the ‘Best Communications’ category for their work to inform people about the reopening of the Okehampton-Exeter line and to involve the community.Judges More “Dartmoor Line wins national award”
Exeter Central station at Christmas

NEW – Weekend trains direct to Exeter Central AND ‘Rail Link’ bus service now to run on Sundays

09 December 2021
Two great pieces of news – both beginning this Sunday (12th December): Weekend trains direct to Exeter Central Starting this Sunday, most trains on the Dartmoor Line will now call at both Exeter Central and Exeter St David’s seven days a week. More “NEW – Weekend trains direct to Exeter Central AND ‘Rail Link’ bus service now to run on Sundays”
Dartmoor Line from the cab

Footage from the cab

08 December 2021
Filmed in the run-up to the line’s reopening last month, sit back and enjoy a sped up version of a journey on the Dartmoor Line from the former Coleford Junction (where the line splits from the Tarka Line) to Okehampton station.
Okehampton station

Upgrades to the station building underway

25 November 2021
With regular services successfully returned to Okehampton, focus has now turned to upgrading the station building ready for the summer 2022 season. We recognise the role the station building had in bringing together the local community which is why we are excited to be transforming it into an asset that once complete will benefit both local and tourist groups. More “Upgrades to the station building underway”
How we did it - video thumbnail

How we did it

22 November 2021
Get a unique behind-the-scenes look back at how the Dartmoor Line was upgraded (including the laying of 11 miles of new track in record time) to make it fit for trains to run seven-days-a-week, all year round in this fantastic video from Network Rail.

A historic return

21 November 2021
Hear from GWR, Network Rail, Devon County Council and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps about what the reopening of the line means – recorded at last Wednesday’s official launch event at Okehampton station.
Children waving flags at Okehampton station

Opening day – in pictures

20 November 2021
At the end of a brilliant first day on the Dartmoor Line, here are some photo highlights from passengers and staff. Thanks to all who worked, volunteered and travelled on the line today to make it such a tremendous occasion.

A proud day

20 November 2021
GWR’s Matt Barnes (left) and Network Rail’s Christian Irwin (right) reflect on a fantastic first morning for the Dartmoor Line, and the pride that everyone involved in the project should feel on this historic day.

Welcome back to the Dartmoor Line

20 November 2021
Great video from Network Rail celebrating the return of the Dartmoor Line and the partnership working that has made the reopening possible.
First train at Okehampton station

A new era begins

20 November 2021
Today marks the return of regular train services on the Dartmoor Line between Exeter and Okehampton for the first time in almost half a century. The first regular passenger service to Okehampton since 1972 departed this morning at 0632 from Exeter St Davids, arriving into Okehampton at 0710 (pictured). More “A new era begins”