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Title: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on January 02, 2011, 20:23:49 On the 8th and 9th of january the dartmoor railway will be holding a class 31 weekend opperating between meldon and coleford junction with locos 31454 and 31190 for more details phone 01837 55164
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/relex109/5317222568) (http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5317222568_1b189aae29.jpg) Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: bobm on March 29, 2014, 07:32:20 Trains are to run again between Okehampton and Meldon Viaduct at Easter, the two May Bank holidays and into June.
Services were suspended for most of last year following a change of ownership but a page on the Dartmoor Railway Supporters Association's website (http://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/services) says they will resume on Good Friday, 18th April. I have no connection with the railway but it is certainly worth taking a trip on, and Okehampton station is a charming sight. (http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/oke1.jpg) (http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/oke2.jpg) Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: Umberleigh on March 30, 2014, 19:04:36 Good news (if in wrong forum?)
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: bobm on March 30, 2014, 19:17:39 I did think about the best place to put it, but given the Severn Valley, West Somerset and South Devon are all in this section, I went for here.
Should we have a section for hertiage/preserved railways? Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: Umberleigh on March 30, 2014, 19:48:30 Put that way, I see your point!
Anyone know if DCC are funding the Sunday EXD-OKE service again this year? Not heard any rumblings, so hoping yes. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: bobm on March 30, 2014, 20:27:54 Although by no means a guarantee - it does appear in Realtime Trains from the 25th May.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C48242/2014/05/25/advanced (http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C48242/2014/05/25/advanced) Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: TonyK on March 30, 2014, 22:32:08 I took the EXD to OKE 2 years ago, embarking at CRD. Lovely! as is Okehampton station, if a little out of town. BUT the Devon Rover (or is it Dartmoor Rover?) ticket that is the only fare for the EXD-OKE service is also valid on the bus conveniently waiting outside OKE for the centre of town. It also goes to Gunnislake, and the ticket is valid thence to Plymouth, although only by bus to Exeter. The full loop is excellent value for what was last year ^6.00.
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: bobm on March 30, 2014, 22:45:12 I missed you by a year FT,N!
(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/cred3003.jpg) I took advantage of the Dartmoor Sunday Rover last year - and it is excellent value, although a shame you cannot use it on the train back from Plymouth. The current leaflet is here (http://www.journeydevon.info/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2013/09/DSR-Winter-Web-Flyer-2013.pdf) - no doubt it will be updated to include the Okehampton services in due course. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: TonyK on March 30, 2014, 23:50:23 Catch you for a pint next time , I hope!
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 26, 2014, 15:31:10 Should we have a section for hertiage/preserved railways? We have now. ;) :D ;D Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on December 29, 2014, 19:45:06 As this post has now been bumped i would like to update a previous comment with the fact that the dartmoor sunday rover is now valid on all fgw services within devon, but not swt or xc
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 29, 2014, 19:56:54 Thanks for that update, 6 Of 2 - but do you mean 'now' South West Trains or Cross Country, or 'not' South West Trains or Cross Country? I assume the latter?
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on January 01, 2015, 21:16:08 You are correct ... I have amended my post apologies
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: TonyK on January 01, 2015, 21:26:24 That seems an improvement on the previous situation, allowing rail travel between PLY and EXD - the full circle (except Okehampton to Gunnislake, only bus for now) and beyond! Previously, the leg from Plymouth to Exeter could only be done by bus, or reversal of the outbound journey. Is that correct?
Time for a bit of planning if so, and especially of the lunch. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on January 01, 2015, 22:37:20 It's a shame that this is only valid on Sunday's as it is a great product for places like Sidmouth without a rail connection as the weekday alternative is a bus explorer for ^7.50 and Devon day ranger for a tenner
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: TonyK on January 01, 2015, 22:42:28 It's a shame that this is only valid on Sunday's as it is a great product for places like Sidmouth without a rail connection as the weekday alternative is a bus explorer for ^7.50 and Devon day ranger for a tenner I came close to buying a house near Sidmouth at auction in October, and this sort of fare would have come in handy. (I'm glad I didn't BTW, a second viewing without the rose-tinted giglamps being a good idea in any such adventure). Title: Dartmoor Railway welcomes D05 Preservation Post by: Palfers on March 19, 2016, 09:28:05 Found this article on the dartmoor railway website will be nice to have some different traction for the summer.
http://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/news Quote Dartmoor Railway welcomes D05 Preservation 05/03/2016 D05 Preservation is delighted to announce that following discussions with both Dartmoor Railway CIC and the Supporters' Association, we have been offered a great home for 47828. The facilities and opportunities offered to us by Dartmoor Railway fit in perfectly with our plans to preserve 47828 but not park it. We hope to have it in service on their line as soon as possible. Tiffany Arthurs, General Manager of Dartmoor Railway CIC says "Following the success of our Sulzer weekend and the similar engines in use on our Polar Express trains, 47828 seems like a perfect candidate to support our operation going forward". "This is exciting news for the Dartmoor Railway. Our Volunteers and Association members are there to support the railway and to help in any way they we can. The great turnout of our team for the Sulzer Weekend certainly confirmed our support for such exciting projects and we look forward to working with the D05 Preservation Group when 47828 arrives at the railway" said Philip Wagstaff, Chairman of the Dartmoor Railway Supporters' Association" 47828 will be moved from Longtown to Meldon depot by rail where volunteers from all parties will commence their work on preparing it for service on Dartmoor Railway for this upcoming season. D05 Preservation would like to express our gratitude to friends of the group for their support and advice, and to DRS for their professionalism and assistance during the tender process. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: SandTEngineer on January 05, 2020, 22:22:04 Up for Sale https://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/news
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: johnneyw on January 05, 2020, 22:32:36 Up for Sale https://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/news So, the Weardale Railway as well. I know next to nothing about them. Does anyone have any idea of how financially viable they are or is the parent company looking to shed some assets? Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: trainbuff on January 05, 2020, 22:38:03 Up for Sale https://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/news Reading between the lines....pun intended.....the lease that Dartmoor Railway had from AI was due to expire on 31/12/19. GWR were tasked with getting a regular service to Okey up and going. Potentially a third party having a lease could have been an issue. It may be that the lease now belongs to someone else. I cannot speak about Weardale but DR accounts always showed it making a loss. Their train to Christmas Town revenue went direct to the USA. I assumed it was a tax right off here Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: grahame on January 05, 2020, 23:13:06 I travelled on the Weardale last year ... looking, listening, learning ... but (and what can you expect from a single random trip) don't understand their business model. From the day I was there and looking at the schedules and hearing the folks working there talking about loadings, I didn't see how it added up - something I was missing or don't understand. Odd one - hope it comes out of the changes coming from a sale in a strong and operational position.
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: bradshaw on January 06, 2020, 08:17:22 Some info on turnover here
https://www.walkersingleton.co.uk/machinery-business-asset/railway-operator-rolling-stock-rental-and-rail-maintenance-company/ Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: TonyK on January 06, 2020, 12:25:23 So - anyone fancy chipping in for an extension to the Coffee Shop's core business? ;D
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: welshman on January 06, 2020, 20:46:59 You can find their filed accounts at https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk.
Both DR and the parent company have yet to file their 2018 accounts and the 2017 ones show massive trading losses. It appears that the operations are only kept afloat by funding from the American owner. In fact, both sets of accounts have auditors' statements saying that they can only certify the businesses as going concerns on the basis of subsidy from the ultimate American parent. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: grahame on January 06, 2020, 22:19:06 So - anyone fancy chipping in for an extension to the Coffee Shop's core business? ;D Smiley noted. Serious answer from me personally ... NO. * Campaign drift. * Dilution of interest. * Worrysome business plan (if there is one). * Unlikely to have near-unanimous support here. Modify that - HELL NO! Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: Richard Fairhurst on January 07, 2020, 08:55:28 But maybe when a certain Coffee Shop poster has finished sorting out SWR, he might like a new - smaller - challenge?
Fewer union problems on the Dartmoor Railway, I imagine. DOO not an issue. Maybe a new form of Delay Repay where you only get a refund if the train is less than 15 minutes late. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: TonyK on January 07, 2020, 22:27:35 You can find their filed accounts at https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Both DR and the parent company have yet to file their 2018 accounts and the 2017 ones show massive trading losses. It appears that the operations are only kept afloat by funding from the American owner. In fact, both sets of accounts have auditors' statements saying that they can only certify the businesses as going concerns on the basis of subsidy from the ultimate American parent. This proves that, as with light aviation, you can make a small fortune from owning a heritage railway. You just need to start with a large fortune. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: eightonedee on January 07, 2020, 22:37:21 Is there a Colonel Stephens out there who might buy up all the soon-to-be redundant Pacers and set up a national network of not-really-viable light railways?
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: TonyK on January 08, 2020, 17:04:03 Is there a Colonel Stephens out there who might buy up all the soon-to-be redundant Pacers and set up a national network of not-really-viable light railways? You might do better with Colonel Saunders, if we're looking at a family-sized tub. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: grahame on January 09, 2020, 06:08:51 See also http://www.passenger.chat/21811 for more on the WEARDALE Railway - Northern end of this story.
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: RichardB on January 16, 2020, 17:19:56 More information on the sale of Dartmoor Railway from the Okehampton Times
http://www.okehampton-today.co.uk/article.cfm?id=437982&headline=Dartmoor%20Railway%20is%20put%20up%20for%20sale§ionIs=news&searchyear=2020 Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: LiskeardRich on February 07, 2020, 16:02:28 Appears to have entered administration today.
Screenshot from Percy the station cats Facebook page. Can’t find anything more formal as yet. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: johnneyw on February 07, 2020, 17:21:26 Sad news, I've had some entertaining visits there, once bordering upon the surreal. I hope the situation can be satisfactorily salvaged.
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: RichardB on February 07, 2020, 23:12:43 Appears to have entered administration today. Screenshot from Percy the station cats Facebook page. Can’t find anything more formal as yet. Sorry for those who have lost their jobs. Hope for much brighter news re Okehampton very soon and hope too that at least the buffet will reopen in time. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: Umberleigh on February 08, 2020, 19:25:37 It is a massive shame for all those involved.
BARS always struck me as a bit ‘odd’ in that all the heritage operations had to be supported financially by the freight operation, and that always looked a long shot. Perhaps it’s for the best that they didn’t get permission to run the Open Access service between Okehampton and Exeter as I fear the class 31s might have proven both too expensive to operate and too unreliable. The scheme failing might have then sapped the political will for any future GWR timetabled daily services. A final note: a glance at the DR website saw them wanting to charge £150 for a family of four (or £200 for four adults) to have Sunday lunch on this line. Sorry, but that is extortionate and not at all sound business thinking. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: johnneyw on February 09, 2020, 11:19:19 I fear the class 31s might have proven both too expensive to operate and too unreliable. Indeed. On one of our visits, the loco gave up about 1/2 mile short of Okehampton on the return leg from the Sampford Courtenay direction. After a while the driver and guard decided everyone had to abandon the train and walk back to the station. Cue a mass disembarkation from the front carriage down the steps to the trackbed. It must have been a fairly comic scene for everybody waiting on the platform to see a substantial column of passengers appear on the trackbed and make their way back to the station. All the passengers involved were offered free cake in the cafe as compensation but we declined the offer as both of us considered that the whole episode was already sufficiently unique and hugely entertaining. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: grahame on February 09, 2020, 12:31:10 A final note: a glance at the DR website saw them wanting to charge £150 for a family of four (or £200 for four adults) to have Sunday lunch on this line. Sorry, but that is extortionate and not at all sound business thinking. Very interestingly ... on the Weardale last summer, the bubble car I was travelling in with a handful of others on a public service passed a top 'n tailed class 31 train running one of these "afternoon tea specials", and it had a goodly number of people on board. Speaking with staff at the top of the line - Stanhope - where such trains start and end, they do good business even if the price per head is breathtaking. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: broadgage on February 09, 2020, 13:36:45 £50 a head for Sunday lunch, including a first class return trip on a heritage railway, is not bad IMO, presuming that the lunch is of good quality.
Lunch would cost about £50 on the GWR Pullman in addition to the fare. Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: Umberleigh on February 10, 2020, 12:34:02 £50 for the Bluebell Railway Sussex Belle lunch. But then that’s a steam-hauled train and they have a lot of experience in getting these things right.
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: bradshaw on March 16, 2020, 13:17:53 Weardale Railway (County Durham) has just been bought by the local @aucklandproject, which is connected to philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer. Intended plan is to work with a TOC and @DurhamCouncil to re-open it again to trains from Darlington. (@MrTimDunn on Twitter) https://www.aucklandproject.org/news/future-secured-for-weardales-heritage-railway/ Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: Umberleigh on March 19, 2020, 10:39:55 How was the historic Stockton and Darlington railway allowed to partiality close? Just seems such neglect of a national heritage asset
Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: bradshaw on March 19, 2020, 12:47:57 The line from Shildon to Darlington is on the route of the Stockton and Darlington. The original route crossed the ECML north of the station, once marked by a sign. It rejoined the route to the east of the station, where the old sleeper depot used to be, and followed the current line, but to one side to the Tees at Stockton.
North of Shildon the line traversed two inclines, steam powered stationary engines, to the colliery. The line toward Weardale is a later construction and absorbed by the S&Dn The 200th anniversary of the opening is in 2025 as plans are already being drawn up for uts celebration. However an argument has started regarding Hackworth’s Locomotion No1. The NRM want to relocate it to Shildon from Darlington where it has been based for decades. I remember seeing it at Darlington Bank Top station in the 1960s, Title: Re: Dartmoor Railway - Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Post by: grahame on March 02, 2021, 18:54:38 I am getting lost in the complexity of organisations ... but lots of rolling stock including two thumpers up for sale.
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