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”
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”