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

[whole diary]

[Andy]

The following link is to an article suggesting that the Okehampton service may be at risk.
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=141529&command=displayContent&sourceNode=141513&contentPK=20305597&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

(topic now linked to calendar - Lee Fletcher.)

[Lee]

The following link is to an article suggesting that the Okehampton service may be at risk.
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=141529&command=displayContent&sourceNode=141513&contentPK=20305597&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

Article quote :

Derek Redgwell, of Devon's Campaign for Better Transport, said he was anxious about what any review of ECT's business would mean for the Dartmoor line and, in particular, the summer Sunday service from Exeter and Exmouth to Okehampton.

He said: "I believe ECT believe the Government is keen to keep smaller lines within the main franchises rather than have micro-franchises but we believe there is still a role for ECT here."

Quote from the franchise specification :

H6 EXETER CENTRAL - CREDITON

1 Route Definition
(a) Services shall be provided between Exeter Central and Crediton calling at Exeter St Davids. Services may continue to or start from Okehampton as specified by Devon County Council.

(b) The service is dependent on funding from Devon County Council. If this is stopped the service shall be discontinued

2 Frequency

Sundays (Summer only)

Between 0830 and 2030, five services shall be provided at two-hourly intervals. One interval may be extended to 2 hours 30 minutes.

I think we need to hear from DCC^» (Devon County Council - website) on this.

By the way, if there is a Derek Redgwell out there, please accept my apologies, and do feel free to sign up to the forum and give us your view....

[RichardB]

I can help here Lee - the Sunday Okehampton service will definitely run this year, funded by Devon County Council, but the hope for next year and beyond is/was that the second platform at Yeoford would be brought back into use and a Dartmoor Railway service run to connect with Exeter - Barnstaple FGW^▸ (First Great Western) trains there.

We will have to see what happens now with the sale of ECT Rail. 

[Lee]

I can help here Lee - the Sunday Okehampton service will definitely run this year, funded by Devon County Council, but the hope for next year and beyond is/was that the second platform at Yeoford would be brought back into use and a Dartmoor Railway service run to connect with Exeter - Barnstaple FGW^▸ (First Great Western) trains there.

We will have to see what happens now with the sale of ECT Rail.

Thanks Richard. Would the Yeoford-Okehampton service be year-round, and if not, are there any plans for such a service?

[gaf71]

I can help here Lee - the Sunday Okehampton service will definitely run this year, funded by Devon County Council, but the hope for next year and beyond is/was that the second platform at Yeoford would be brought back into use and a Dartmoor Railway service run to connect with Exeter - Barnstaple FGW^▸ (First Great Western) trains there.

We will have to see what happens now with the sale of ECT Rail.

Thanks Richard. Would the Yeoford-Okehampton service be year-round, and if not, are there any plans for such a service?

I think that was the original plan, but an additional problem is that the summer sunday services are run with units and traincrew provided by First( at some cost I would imagine), and I'm not sure that the Dartmoor Railway would have sufficient stock, or staff to run a full service, though I am only speculating, and don't know staffing and stock levels for them!

[Btline]

This is dreadful.

How can they talk about shutting a line in this day and age?

How can they talk about shutting this line when it is halfway to solving the sea wall debate.

The line should be extended, not axed!

I'm not happy.

[Andy]

Further news and views regarding the situation of the Okehampton line:

http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=141529&command=displayContent&sourceNode=141513&contentPK=20340334&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

[Andy]

.........and another letter arguing for the reinstatement of a second London route from Plymouth via Okehampton.
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144143&command=displayContent&sourceNode=144131&contentPK=20350865&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

[Tinminer]

Further news and views regarding the situation of the Okehampton line:

http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=141529&command=displayContent&sourceNode=141513&contentPK=20340334&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

I have added my comments to this one.

[Tinminer]

Well ECT has pulled the plug on the Dartmoor Railway today.

Alas, it is no more!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7354165.stm

A sad day for SW railways.

Also noticed that Dartmoor Railway's website diverts you to ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies See - here)'s website!

The Friends of Dartmoor Railway' site has yet to be updated with the news.

I think the suddenness of this has taken everyone by surprise.

[Andy]

Let us hope that someone steps in quickly so that the summer doesn't go by with no operations. Waterloo-Okehampton anyone?

[RichardB]

I can help here Lee - the Sunday Okehampton service will definitely run this year, funded by Devon County Council, but the hope for next year and beyond is/was that the second platform at Yeoford would be brought back into use and a Dartmoor Railway service run to connect with Exeter - Barnstaple FGW^▸ (First Great Western) trains there.

We will have to see what happens now with the sale of ECT Rail. 

A sad day indeed.   ECT's move does mean that the Sunday trains are now in jeopardy.  I know urgent discussions are taking place to see if they can still run.

[Tinminer]

Video link here too:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7350000/newsid_7354800/7354854.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&bbcws=1

Lets hope that Devon CC and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) can come to some arrangement regarding Summer Sunday services, but, of course, there would be no station facilities available (cafe, ticket counter) etc.

Does anyone know if any of the other local heritage lines (e.g. West Somerset or Bodmin & Wenford) are interested in running the line?

[devon_metro]

A real shame, I've done the line once and it was very good, despite being very short!

I'm sure Jim will testify that they do a very good breakfast in that caf^!

[Lee]

I can help here Lee - the Sunday Okehampton service will definitely run this year, funded by Devon County Council, but the hope for next year and beyond is/was that the second platform at Yeoford would be brought back into use and a Dartmoor Railway service run to connect with Exeter - Barnstaple FGW^▸ (First Great Western) trains there.

We will have to see what happens now with the sale of ECT Rail. 

A sad day indeed.   ECT's move does mean that the Sunday trains are now in jeopardy.  I know urgent discussions are taking place to see if they can still run.

Thanks for that, Richard. Quote from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) article :

It said that it was confident that the railway, which had more than 20,000 visitors last year, had a "great future".

It said: "We already have a number of parties interested in taking on the challenge and opportunity."

Do you have any idea who these parties might be? I know Tinminer has raised the possibility of a heritage organisation taking over.

I think that it would be ludicrous to lose this line, just as its potential future usefulness is being recognised (link below.)
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=2421.msg18087#msg18087