Round-up video

Round-up video

11 June 2021
If you’ve missed any of the rapid progress so far to get the Dartmoor Line up to scratch, then this is the video for you. It shows how Network Rail have replaced more than 11 miles of track to get the line ready for regular passenger services to begin by the end of this year.
Last train from Okehampton in 1972

49th anniversary of last regular train from Okehampton

03 June 2021
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”
Working night and day

Working night and day

28 May 2021
Work has been continuing around the clock to get the Dartmoor Line up to scratch for regular passenger services by the end of the year. Our latest behind-the-scenes footage from Network Rail shows two important parts of the process: stone dropping and tamping.
On track – Network Rail reaches key milestone on Dartmoor Line

On track – Network Rail reaches key milestone on Dartmoor Line

14 May 2021
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”
Tamper

Record breakers!

12 May 2021
We are really pleased to announce that Network Rail’s Wales and Western route has set a new record for our region and installed around 11 miles of new track in just under 4 weeks on the Dartmoor Line as part of the Government’s Restoring your Railway initiative.
New Track Construction train

New Track Construction train

07 May 2021
Another great video from Network Rail – this one shows off the New Track Construction train by Balfour Beatty as it lays new track on the Dartmoor Line. Watch and marvel at this fantastic piece of kit!
Round-up of the week

Round-up of the week

30 April 2021
Big progress has been made this week towards getting the line to Okehampton ready for regular passenger services to begin by the end of 2021. 5km of new track has been installed just this week as we reach the midpoint of a four-week drive to replace old track. More “Round-up of the week”
Dartmoor Line roundel design competition graphic

Dartmoor Line logo – send us your ideas

23 April 2021
Later this year, we will be bringing daily trains back to Okehampton for the first time in nearly 50 years. Just like our other community branch lines on the Great Western Network, we’ll be giving the Dartmoor Line its own logo, and we are asking for the local community and schools to share their ideas of what Dartmoor, Okehampton and the local area means to them. More “Dartmoor Line logo – send us your ideas”
…And in with the new

…And in with the new

22 April 2021
This amazing bit of kit is the track laying machine – watch the video all the way through to see it in action. It’s a kind of wheeled “factory”. Here’s how it works: The sleepers are pushed from behind on wagons behind the train. More “…And in with the new”
Out with the old…

Out with the old…

21 April 2021
A big part of getting the Dartmoor Line ready for regular passenger services is renewing old sections of track. A cropper machine is used on longer sections of track where the track is being scrapped. The machine is quicker than burning or cutting sections of track. More “Out with the old…”