HST Devon Branch Lines

[simonm]

Just came back from nice day on the Exeter to Barnstaple line. Nice 143 and 150 units today but wondered if any HST units had ever travelled on this line and other branch lines in Devon like Exmouth? Has Barnstaple ever had a HST/Intercity direct train to London before? Has Exmouth?

 

[asylumxl]

There was a recent HST to Exmouth to celebrate the anniversary of the Avocet line.

 

[sonic2009]

Also a HST for a Rugby Special due to a Big Exeter Chiefs Game

 

[Schnellzug]

Has Barnstaple ever had a direct service to London? Before the Southern line to Plymouth was closed, it had through trains to Waterloo, including (a portion of) the Atlantic_Coast_Express. I think it may have had a through service to Paddington at one time as well, via Taunton.

 

[50010 Monarch]

Barnstaple used to have a direct service from Paddington on summer saturdays. I'm not sure when these services ceased but I would guess at around 1980.

I think I've got a carriage window label from a Padd to Barnstaple service amongst my collection somewhere.

 

[Turbostar]

Dunno if they still run today, but IIRC years ago the MoD used to hire a HST a few times a year to transport troops on the Lympstone Commando on the Exmouth Line, for the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre.

 

[DavidBrown]

Aswell as the anniversary train, there was a HST to Exmouth last winter to take crowds to an evening Exeter Chiefs game. There are pictures of a HST at Barnstaple here - http://www.cyber-heritage.co.uk/north_devon_line_okehampton_web_optimised/188%20First%20visit%20of%20HST%20to%20Barnstaple.html. Not sure of the year though.

 

[starrymarkb]

Dunno if they still run today, but IIRC years ago the MoD used to hire a HST a few times a year to transport troops on the Lympstone Commando on the Exmouth Line, for the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre.

That tended to be hauled stock, they were killed off when the branch service went to a clockface 30 min service leaving no room for troop trains

 

[TEW]

HST's to Exmouth for the troops only happened once I beleive. Virgin then ran one there as an HST power car was named there. This made the Exeter Chiefs HST the third ever to run there and the Avocet Line Anniversary HST the fourth ever to run there.