Tarka Line - Exeter to Barnstaple: services, facilities, incidents and events

[whole diary]

[infoman]

Don't know the lengths of the platforms between Exeter and Barnstaple,
but could a non stop service service be introduced from Exeter to Barntaple?

[grahame]

He added that the mix of college students and workers on the service had led to “alpha” groups pushing their way to the front, creating challenges for station staff.

A standard problem right across the train and bus network is that the seats that are available (when limited) tend to be occupied by those who least need them / are most able to stand.   Sometimes people are polite and thouthful, sometimes they are not ... and sometimes the services are so packed people with limited balance or mobility can't even get to the seats!

Edit to add ...

Tim said Railfuture is working to speed up the deployment of longer trains on the Barnstaple to Exeter line, warning that the three- and four-carriage trains currently in use are “already proving there is a problem”.

More like "campaigning" rather that "working"?  To me, this reads rather as is Railfuture has some sort of direct ability to run longer trains.

[John D]

Don't know the lengths of the platforms between Exeter and Barnstaple,
but could a non stop service service be introduced from Exeter to Barntaple?

Pages 251 - 256

https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/sectional-appendix/Sectional%20Appendix%20full%20PDFs%20September%2025/Western%20&%20Wales%20Sectional%20Appendix%20September%202025.pdf

Newton St Cyres 120m
Crediton down 135m, up 155m
Yeoford 136m
Copplestone 87m
Morchard Road 90m
Lapford 81m
Eggesford down 85m, up 92m
Kings Nympton 90m
Portsmouth Arms 74m
Umberleigh 139m
Chapelton 100m
Barnstaple 142m

Class 150 vehicles are 20m long, 158, 165 are 23m long, class 170 are 24m long, class 800,802 are 26m long.  So some can take 6car trains, some can't even take 4cars

[REVUpminster]

They have enough 175s for a five car or even six if they can get them out of Wolverton at more than one unit a week.
So far two refurbished 2 car units are at Laira and four unrefurbished.

I suspect as soon as as refurbished 3 car comes down a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) diagram will go before being used for Barnstaple.

[grahame]

So far two refurbished 2 car units are at Laira and four unrefurbished.

I suspect as soon as as refurbished 3 car comes down a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) diagram will go before being used for Barnstaple.

That would seem likely ... provided that sufficient crew training has been completed and there is a modicum of fixing skills/experience in place in case one fails with passengers on board.  Top priority has been stated as being to phase out the HSTs ...

[REVUpminster]

So far two refurbished 2 car units are at Laira and four unrefurbished.

I suspect as soon as as refurbished 3 car comes down a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) diagram will go before being used for Barnstaple.

That would seem likely ... provided that sufficient crew training has been completed and there is a modicum of fixing skills/experience in place in case one fails with passengers on board.  Top priority has been stated as being to phase out the HSTs ...

175s have been up and about between Newton Abbot and Penzance for weeks now.
175007 is out and about today.

[GBM]

So far two refurbished 2 car units are at Laira and four unrefurbished.

I suspect as soon as as refurbished 3 car comes down a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) diagram will go before being used for Barnstaple.

That would seem likely ... provided that sufficient crew training has been completed and there is a modicum of fixing skills/experience in place in case one fails with passengers on board.  Top priority has been stated as being to phase out the HSTs ...

175s have been up and about between Newton Abbot and Penzance for weeks now.
175007 is out and about today.

Noting that two units scheduled for training, but again, only one appears in use (shortage of crew!).

[REVUpminster]

So far two refurbished 2 car units are at Laira and four unrefurbished.

I suspect as soon as as refurbished 3 car comes down a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) diagram will go before being used for Barnstaple.

That would seem likely ... provided that sufficient crew training has been completed and there is a modicum of fixing skills/experience in place in case one fails with passengers on board.  Top priority has been stated as being to phase out the HSTs ...

175s have been up and about between Newton Abbot and Penzance for weeks now.
175007 is out and about today.

Noting that two units scheduled for training, but again, only one appears in use (shortage of crew!).

175114 and 175007 out together today (11/11/2025), and currently on 5Z40 0626 Plymouth - Plymouth (via Newton Abbot and Penzance). https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V54518/2025-11-11/detailed

Maybe practising 5 car working?

[grahame]

And now completely closed from Crediton to Barnstaple

Cancellations to services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple
Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple the line is closed.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
Due to flooding we are currently unable to run any trains on the Barnstaple branch line; this affects services between Crediton and Barnstaple (Currently Exeter St Davids to Okehampton services are running).

Network Rails remote monitoring equipment detected water exceeding the threshold for closure at three bridges and viaducts, triggering an automatic closure for the safety of all customers.

The safety of customers is our top priority and Network Rail will need to deploy specialist diving teams to inspect the affected structures once water levels recede before services can safely resume.

We will restore the service as soon as it is safe to do so but with heavy rain expected on Friday the closure could continue for several days. We will provide additional updates as we receive more information.

We would urge customers to only travel if necessary whilst the line is closed, and to check before travelling at GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).com.

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What are my options:

Limited rail replacement road transport is now in place. Coaches and taxis will shuttle between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple until further notice. Please see station staff for more information.

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For any passengers at any intermediate stations, please use the help point and road transport will be arranged.
Please use journey planners to see which trains will call additionally at Newton St Cyres request stop.
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Alternatively, You may use your ticket, at no extra cost, on the following local bus services between Exeter and Barnstaple:
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Stagecoach South West route:

>5B - Exeter (Bus Station, approximately 13 minutes by foot from Exeter Central train station and 24 minutes by foot from Exeter St Davids train station), Crediton (directly opposite train station), Copplestone (approximately 10 minutes by foot from the train station), Morchard Road (approximately 5 minutes by foot from the train station), Barnstaple (directly opposite the train station)

Journey time on bus route 5B between Exeter bus station and Barnstaple is approximately 2 hours, 20 minutes

Bus service 5B runs up to seven times a day
See https://www.stagecoachbus.com/routes/south-west/5/exeter-bus-station-crediton-or-chulmleigh/XDAO005.O for more information.
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We're sorry for the delay to your journey.

We will update this message with more information when we have it.
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
If you require further information please speak to our staff at the station or on the train, use the Customer Help Point, message us on X @GWRHelp or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950.

If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
Last Updated:13/11/2025 07:43

[ChrisB]

And now completely closed from Crediton to Barnstaple

Alternatively, You may use your ticket, at no extra cost, on the following local bus services between Exeter and Barnstaple:

However, the bus fare is a maximum of £3 single so we'd suggest buying your ticket on the bus

[grahame]

And now completely closed from Crediton to Barnstaple

Alternatively, You may use your ticket, at no extra cost, on the following local bus services between Exeter and Barnstaple:

However, the bus fare is a maximum of £3 single so we'd suggest buying your ticket on the bus

Good for local journeys.   For passengers already in possession of tickets such an advance from Ham Street to Eggesford, or Portsmouth Harbour to Portsmouth Arms, it may be best to use the original ticket.

[ChrisB]

Good for any journey whose ticket has not yet been bought. It will be cheaper.

[grahame]

Good for any journey whose ticket has not yet been bought. It will be cheaper.

Not necessarily

Anytime day single Paddington to Copplestone £149.50

Anytime day single Paddington to Exeter St Davids £149.50
Bus fare £3

[grahame]

Cancellations to services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple
 
Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple the line is closed.

Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 02:00 17/11.

Now until next Monday

[infoman]

Could express coach/s be supplied at Tiverton Parkway,with a non stop service to Barnstaple?