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How could Okehampton patronage be increased (including bus links/through fares)?

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michael74

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Barny trains used to run to Exmouth but when things went Pete Tong you often ended up loosing a whole service as they are only hourly, at least having the Paignton trains running to Exmouth better options for recovery.

I was told that the old Yeoford platform and land is in private hands and the owner has no interest in selling.
 
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Xavi

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A feasibility study for reinstating a second platform at Barnstaple has recently been commissioned, and relocating Crediton crossovers to Colebrooke when due for renewal is supported by Mark Hopwood. The current Okehampton track between Colebrooke and Crediton will be increased to 75mph when renewed.

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I was told that the old Yeoford platform and land is in private hands and the owner has no interest in selling.
If that is the case, compulsory purchase would be an option. Alternatively, there’s ample space for a down platform on railway land west of the road bridge.
 

alf

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A feasibility study for reinstating a second platform at Barnstaple has recently been commissioned, and relocating Crediton crossovers to Colebrooke when due for renewal is supported by Mark Hopwood. The current Okehampton track between Colebrooke and Crediton will be increased to 75mph when renewed.

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Good news if these plans are acted on.
But is this study & the Colebrooke Crediton speed increase official or just a pressure group or country council plan?
 

Meerkat

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It's about capacity, with only one passing loop at Eggesford you can't increase frequency, you can get a 3 car unit in every platform (except Newton St Cyers) and a 4 car except St Cyres, Portsmouth Arms and one other I forget and one platform (which escapes me) is really really tight with a 4 car.
I assume Eggesford LC means a platform extension on one side or other would be needed to be able to run a longer train with front (or back) two for Barnstaple/Exeter only?
Exeter PB will be taking over a lot of Cornwall in the new year. Yeoford needs it's platform reinstated because of the housing potential and the roads there are diabolical.
If it has diabolical roads there is no housing potential.
 

michael74

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I assume Eggesford LC means a platform extension on one side or other would be needed to be able to run a longer train with front (or back) two for Barnstaple/Exeter only?
No as in capacity of the line. With the time taken to travel between Barnstaple and Eggesford (30 minutes) a second platform at Barny is pointless because by the time a unit travels up to Eggesford and the unit comes down from Eggesford you have had a unit sitting in Barnstaple for an hour, hence the need for a loop halfway between.
 
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Meerkat

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No as in capacity of the line. With the time taken to travel between Barnstaple and Eggesford (30 minutes) a second platform at Barny is pointless because by the time a unit travels up to Eggesford and the unit comes down from Eggesford you have had a unit sitting in Barnstaple for an hour, hence the need for a loop halfway between.
Sorry, I was changing the angle a bit. Rather than more trains i Was pondering running longer ones, with front (or back) coaches assigned just for passengers going the full length (to avoid intermediate platform issues), but thinking the LC at Eggesford means you can’t hang over that end and would have to extend one of the platforms (which one depending whether you had the front or back as ‘through only’)
 

Xavi

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Good news if these plans are acted on.
But is this study & the Colebrooke Crediton speed increase official or just a pressure group or country council plan?
The study commenced earlier in 2023.

The speed increase is a certainty when the very old bullhead track is renewed though when is anyone’s guess with the reduced renewals budget.

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No as in capacity of the line. With the time taken to travel between Barnstaple and Eggesford (30 minutes) a second platform at Barny is pointless because by the time a unit travels up to Eggesford and the unit comes down from Eggesford you have had a unit sitting in Barnstaple for an hour, hence the need for a loop halfway between.
I’m not aware of the scope of the Barnstaple study, though it may have included possible provision of a loop elsewhere. In conjunction with crossovers at Colebrooke, there would then be a lot of flexibility.
 
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REVUpminster

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I thought the renewed platform at Barnstaple was for tour trains to stop and layover. Possibly a better solution would be something like Penryn where trains use the same platform for arrival and departure by having a loop in the platform.
 

Xavi

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Could you enlighten us, please, then? Extension to Bideford, perhaps?
From recollection, the scope of study is for increased capacity to cater for growth but with no mention of charter services.
 
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