Great Western Coffee Shop

Thought I was going to miss the 16:30 EXC-WAT (as far as Woking) because the Exeter-bound service from Digby & Sowton was running c. 7 minutes late. Asked the FGW guard if it would be possible to hold the Waterloo train, and received a pretty blunt negative response (but that is another story), but having dashed from Platform 2 to 3 at Exeter Central it just stayed where it was until 16:35. It then moved to what I assume is the LOS signal towards St. James' Park at which point we were advised over the PA that somebody had deposited a car on the line at Feniton. I assume it had just been dumped foul of the level crossing, although I haven't been able to find any local news reports. The SWT service was then driven into EXC Platform 1 and we remained there until 17:35.

By this time 1L64 had morphed into 1L68 (the 17:25 from EXD) and we incurred a further 15 minute delay at Pinhoe waiting for the late running Exeter-bound service to clear the single line. The train then ran all the way to Waterloo with a 75-80 minute (or 15-20 minute, depending on your perception!) delay.

Does it really take an hour to move an abandoned vehicle from an LC?

On Real Time Trains this incident is shown as a trespass. I would be very interested to know what exactly happened, if any board members have information that can be made public.
   

Believe the incident actually was  at Crannaford AHB rather than Feniton. BT Police etc called to remove car and (so I hear) the occupant. Possibly a fortunate escape for you.

I was on the train coming the other way which you passed at Pinhoe. The incident was definitely at Crannaford, not Feniton. We were cautioned over the crossing and there was a Network Rail van parked alongside.

Thanks for the info. I would love to know how Feniton got added to the mix - Crannaford AHB just happens to be on one of my favourite cycling routes and last time I looked it was a little way east of Cranbrook / Broadclyst.