Great Western Coffee Shop

Moderator Note: This post and subsequent discussion has been split from this thread (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=12250.msg130016#msg130016) as the discussion was drifting from the original topic. bignosemac

The use of Lympstone Commando is limited to passengers who have business with the adjoining Royal Marines training base, so its use will be dependent entirely on the use of the base.

Although anyone can buy a ticket to Lympstone Commando and alight there. You have to remain on the platform, which is Network Rail property, if you have no business at the Commando Training Centre. And it is advisable to contact the CTC Guard Room if you plan to alight and take photographs of the station and trains. Photography of the base itself is probably best avoided!

The above according to a reply given by the Royal Navy to a FoI request (https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/116642/response/287570/attach/html/3/Final%20reply%20to%2015%2005%202012%20125455%20007.pdf.html) in June 2012.

It is a little silly nowadays that members of the public can't use the station as it is actually now situated on a new cyclepath, which you have to cross to enter the base. Exton station is very nearby though.

https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/36192307 shows it quite nicely.

I wasn't aware of the the Exe Estuary Trail. That rather changes my opinion that you can only stay on the platform. Looks like you can now alight and take to the path if you wish. Both are accessible to the public and you don't appear to trespass on MoD property to get between them. Looking at the planning consent it appears that the cycle path/footway is constructed on Network Rail land.

Is the station gate locked though, I believe it used to be, so you may not actually be able to get off the platform.

Good point. Hopping over, or lumping a bike over, said gate may not endear yourself to the gun-toting grunt on stag.  ;D

Lympstone Commando is still very much a private station, even though the cyclepath goes behind the platform.


Moderate note. Edited to fix quote. bignosemac

As I mentioned up thread, a Freedom of Information response from the Royal Navy stated that the station is owned by Network Rail and members of the public can access it, although it is recommended they contact the CTC Guard Room if they are planning on alighting and don't have business at the camp.

That still makes it private property, but then nearly all stations are. But they are private property to which the public has an implied right of access.

Quite interesting that you have a station which the Royal Navy say the public can use as it is Network Rail property and an adjacent public footpath, but the gate between the two is controlled by the sentry of the Commando Training Centre.

Fair point, BNM, personally I wouldn't chance the Guard Room knowing about the FOI answer.

I'll see if any Avocet Line Rail Users' Group members are willing to give it a go.

It certainly is locked during the Summer months when the marines are on their holidays.

Video footage, from the BBC (via YouTube) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4POpHJmwSYI) - just the first minute or so!  ::) ;D

I am walking along said footpath at the moment.  The station gate is locked with a sign stating "no unauthorised access".

As a keen recreational cyclist, I use this part of the Exe Estuary Trail at least twice a week. I am pretty certain the gates on either side of the foot/cyclepath are kept locked unless CTC personnel are joining, or alighting from, train services.

By which I presume you don't mean this CTC (http://ctc.org.uk)...

I asked FGW about this on Facebook.  Their response:Considering it has a help point and a shelter, I cannot understand why it has to remain closed.  Exactly the same facilities as Exton, one stop along the line.

I wonder if it has more facilities then Pilning does.

I thinks it's possible that Facebook have passed on an incorrect reason ...


... and so I would guess it's not so much about what's there, but who pays for the upkeep / wear and tear / vandalism / insurance / CCTV surveylance ...

I don't know the Exmouth line ... would there be seriously useful numbers of non-military users?

Minimal usage.  Maybe some walkers, like myself, or cyclists.

In any case, I've asked FGW if they could include information on the printed and online timetables to explain the station isn't open to the public.  Although I doubt this will ever happen.

Exton station is very close, so most people who could use Lympstone Commando could also easily use Exton. I do know Exton has a very large step up to the train though, I wonder if Lympstone Commando would be better for anybody who struggles with the gap at Exton.

For the benefit of anybody who is interested, and hasn't already looked it up, CTC = Commando Training Centre.

In terms of potential passengers, there is one farm and one private house which are closer to Lympstone Commando (LYC) than to Lympstone Village (LYM) and nothing in the Exton (EXN) direction, so non-military traffic would very definitely be limited to users of the Exe Estuary Trail, which does though get extremely busy at times. The distance between LYC & EXN is 0.4 miles, and 1.1 miles LYM<>LYC - not exactly a yomp. Both LYM & EXN have vehicular access, for those that want it, and are very close to nice pubs which can double-up nicely as waiting rooms! I suggest that opening LYC to public use would be a complete waste of time. 

Exton now has a Harrington Hump so no problem whatsoever boarding! Alighting can still be tricky as you have to play 'guess where the hump will be' and I say that as a Guard myself!

Gosh, I didn't realise they moved around.  :D

That's good news. I had seen that some stations were gaining them, didn't realise Exton had. Has Exeter St Thomas gained one of the down platform? That's another large gap.

Here is a photograph of Exton's Harrington Hump.  TBH, it didn't really make a huge amount of difference.  The gap was still rather large.
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa98/bruce-47/84781a95-48d8-4754-beea-2ece797c89e7.jpg)

I did not see anything at Exeter St Thomas.  Although considering there are a considerable number of steps from the platform to the street, I am not sure how much use such a hump would actually serve.

I think the hump at Exton really does make a difference. I was a bit cynical about the idea but the first time I worked a train there after it was installed there was an elderly couple with suitcases who would have struggled in the past. They had no problem whatsoever with the new hump.

As far as St Thomas is concerned I believe the slate platform surface has caused problems with installation.

The problem with the hump at Exton is that nobody seems to want to use it, when the train arrives everybody is waiting at either side of it!!!

And St Thomas apparently now is going ahead, they had some kind of green light and is happening.  No idea of when, though!

Crediton and Portsmouth Arms still waiting, too.