Okehampton-Tavistock. Discussion on reopening and potential use as a diversionary route

[whole diary]

[smokey]

I understand that Meldon Quarry has now closed. 

When BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) sold off Meldon Quarry, there was a Legal Problem, this being that Meldon Quarrry has to be operated by a Railway Company.

So to get round this the Coleford to Meldon Line was sold as part of the Quarry package..

Is there anywhere else that BR sold off a line?

[grahame]

Is there anywhere else that BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) sold off a line?

Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge?

And how about some that weren't carrying trains at the time ...

Paignton to Kingswear
Norton Fitzwarren to Minehead
etc

[smokey]

I'd forgot about the VoR line.

When I said "is there anywhere else that BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) sold off a line" I meant lines that weren't closed or closing, as is the case for most if not all Private Steam lines.

[devon_metro]

Is there anywhere else that BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) sold off a line?

Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge?

And how about some that weren't carrying trains at the time ...

Paignton to Kingswear

BR sold off the Paignton - Kingswear line whilst they were still operating services over it. As I understand it BR (W) provided some of the services for the Dart Valley Railway shortly after purchase in 1972 as the initial aim was to operate a year round service. The DVR soon realised that this wasn't going to be profitable and ran it as a peak season steam railway, as it stands today.

[The SprinterMeister]

I think devon & cornwall railways are still waiting for a passenger licence.

After that they have to get the rolling stock and make sure staff are trained etc.

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for any of that to happen...

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

I think devon & cornwall railways are still waiting for a passenger licence.

After that they have to get the rolling stock and make sure staff are trained etc.

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for any of that to happen...

have to admit ive not been over to okehampton properly in a while i know the freight licence has been granted some time ago have not been keeping upto date on the proposed services

[FlyingDutchman]

On the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) One local News tonight the Conservative Councilor mentioned about the Okehampton rail service as possible way of moving froward

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/4-5million-bid-transform-Dartmoor-Exmoor/story-13539869-detail/story.html

[anthony215]

What was the frequency proposed for the Okehampton - Exeter service anyway?

I am sure I heard it mentioned  that it was 1 train every 90 minutes or something.

Main problem I think is the cost especially since they are planning to use a class 31 & DBSO^▸ (Driving Brake Standard Open (carriage)) with 2 mk2 carriages, Mind you I think the enthusiasts will be happy.

[The SprinterMeister]

Main problem I think is the cost especially since they are planning to use a class 31 & DBSO^▸ (Driving Brake Standard Open (carriage)) with 2 mk2 carriages, Mind you I think the enthusiasts will be happy.

Until such time the enthusiasts have cleared the 31 for 1000 miles after which they will dissapear again, being the fickle things that they are. Preserved railways can plan a buisness case on that sort of thing, a buisness for attracting and moving commuters cannot do so.

I would have thought the NIR 450 class DEMU^▸ (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) stock currently being sold off by Translink (if fitted with UK^▸ (United Kingdom) gauge B5T / MK6 bogies) might be more suitable for that operation, particularly as its already OTMR^▸ (On Train Monitoring Recorder) and TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System) fitted.

[Zoe]

I would have thought the NIR 450 class DEMU^▸ (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) stock currently being sold off by Translink (if fitted with UK^▸ (United Kingdom) gauge B5T / MK6 bogies) might be more suitable for that operation, particularly as its already OTMR^▸ (On Train Monitoring Recorder) and TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System) fitted.

Wouldn't the gauge conversion be quite expensive?

[The SprinterMeister]

I would have thought the NIR 450 class DEMU^▸ (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) stock currently being sold off by Translink (if fitted with UK^▸ (United Kingdom) gauge B5T / MK6 bogies) might be more suitable for that operation, particularly as its already OTMR^▸ (On Train Monitoring Recorder) and TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System) fitted.

Wouldn't the gauge conversion be quite expensive?

Not really because the units are built to UK loading gauge, being basically 455 EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) upper parts mounted on Mk1 underframes. Powered by EE / GEC 4SRKT engines and EE538 traction motors recovered from earlier units. And there are no side buffers to move / remount. If you can find some Mk1 EMU Mk6 (resusing motors and gearssets from existing power bogies) and B5T bogies, remount and shorten the footboards that's about the size of it. It may even be possible to modify the existing bogies, nothing that Pullman Rail Cardiff  or Knights Rail at Eastleigh couldn't reasonably do, and probably cheaper to operate than a 31 and hauled stock.

[Zoe]

Not really because the units are built to UK^▸ (United Kingdom) loading gauge, being basically 455 EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) upper parts mounted on Mk1 underframes. Powered by EE / GEC 4SRKT engines and EE538 traction motors recovered from earlier units. And there are no side buffers to move / remount. If you can find some Mk1 EMU Mk6 (resusing motors and gearssets from existing power bogies) and B5T bogies, remount and shorten the footboards that's about the size of it. It may even be possible to modify the existing bogies, nothing that Pullman Rail Cardiff  or Knights Rail at Eastleigh couldn't reasonably do, and probably cheaper to operate than a 31 and hauled stock.

I was referring to the track gauge not the loading gauge which is different in Northern Ireland.  As for loading gauge, you say the units were built to UK loading gauge but if this gauge officially exists then it would also have to be the loading gauge for Northern Ireland as Northern Ireland is part of the UK.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

i like turtles........

[Maxwell P]

Not really because the units are built to UK^▸ (United Kingdom) loading gauge, being basically 455 EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) upper parts mounted on Mk1 underframes. Powered by EE / GEC 4SRKT engines and EE538 traction motors recovered from earlier units. And there are no side buffers to move / remount. If you can find some Mk1 EMU Mk6 (resusing motors and gearssets from existing power bogies) and B5T bogies, remount and shorten the footboards that's about the size of it. It may even be possible to modify the existing bogies, nothing that Pullman Rail Cardiff  or Knights Rail at Eastleigh couldn't reasonably do, and probably cheaper to operate than a 31 and hauled stock.

I was referring to the track gauge not the loading gauge which is different in Northern Ireland.  As for loading gauge, you say the units were built to UK loading gauge but if this gauge officially exists then it would also have to be the loading gauge for Northern Ireland as Northern Ireland is part of the UK.

AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know)

The Loading Gauge in Ireland was constrained by the pioneer Dublin and Kingstown Railway built in 1834 and laid to the Stephenson track gauge of 4' 8 1/2".

This meant that the rolling stock was constructed to the then standard British loading gauge. As the DKR was built through the populated part of the City, subsequent widening to 5' 3" was unable to take advantage of the broader tracks, loading gauge wise, as the line's structure could not be altered without immense cost and disruption.  This resulted in the use of vehicles that meet the BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) loading gauge, albeit with wider bogies.

I am though, unsure as to the dimensions of the newer DART and IE stock.