Okehampton - Exeter open a year- success?

[yorksrob]

They definitely need to continue to serve the current station as it is walkable to the town centre.

 

[John Luxton]

They definitely need to continue to serve the current station as it is walkable to the town centre.

For tourists travelling to the area the original station will be the main destination - proximity to the moor, the bike hire facilities, Youth Hostel, direct access to the Granite Way. There has been a lot of investment in the station buildings and the buffet has I note fully reopened since my last visit in early September.

I imagine the residents of Station Road will be delighted by this news as I imagine traffic must have increased considerably in the past year or so. Only thing I could see happening is perhaps the bus links will transfer to the new station which would make sense.

 

[Brush 4]

Moving the buses is logical. Parkway will be close to an A30 junction so, the connecting buses can go directly to/from Bude, Tavistock without getting stuck in the town. As a park'n'ride, it will allow drivers to get their fast along the A30 dual carriageway from outlying villages and towns to catch a train to Exeter and beyond, avoiding the daily snarl-ups trying to get into Exeter and then find parking.

 

[davetheguard]

There has been a lot of investment in the station buildings and the buffet has I note fully reopened since my last visit in early September.

The Okehampton station buffet has indeed re-opened: I enjoyed a rather good "full English" in there this morning.

 

[uglymonkey]

That's great (a new station) but I guess that means journey times will be increased by 2-3 minutes each way to allow for the stop?

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Posted here as other threads closed.

Dartmoor Rly Association reporting that Aggregate Industries have regained control of the former Dartmoor Rly carriage and wagon shed at Meldon, and a new agreement is to be signed to allow DRA to store their stock there (such as it is) and have use of the AI owned 08 shunter. It also includes the yard and running lines there.

Dartmoor Rly

At DRA's Annual General Meeting held on May 24th, chairman Sue Baxter announced the welcome news that Aggregate Industries (AI), the owner of the Meldon quarry site, had just confirmed that they had concluded their negotiations over the former Dartmoor Railway carriage & wagon shed, and that this was now in the ownership of AI. The preparation of the formal documentation to enable DRA to take over the shed along with the small loco shed, the former permanent way shed and the associated yard area and running lines is now being prepared. Crucially this will also include DRA having the use of the AI owned class 08 shunter D4167/08937.

Once the agreement is in place the first task will be to get the 08 running and back in service. This will enable our rolling stock to be moved from the yard into the shed where it will be secure from the ravages of the Dartmoor weather and other unwelcome attention it has suffered from over the last 4.5 years. Once inside we will be able to undertake detailed surveys of the condition of the rolling stock and make informed decisions on its future.

The C&W volunteer team, which will always welcome new volunteers, can now look forward to once again getting down to more rewarding work after months of carrying out only occasional essential maintenance and damage repairs.

 

[zwk500]

Posted here as other threads closed.

Dartmoor Rly Association reporting that Aggregate Industries have regained control of the former Dartmoor Rly carriage and wagon shed at Meldon, and a new agreement is to be signed to allow DRA to store their stock there (such as it is) and have use of the AI owned 08 shunter. It also includes the yard and running lines there.

Dartmoor Rly

An interesting arrangement, but good news for the DRA if they get a shed and a Gronk looked after.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Yes, excellent news, and thanks for posting @Sir Felix Pole.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Am I correct in thinking they are still not allowed to use the down platform at Okehampton?

 

[RPI]

Am I correct in thinking they are still not allowed to use the down platform at Okehampton?

Its not connected anymore, the points were taken out.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Its not connected anymore, the points were taken out.

Shame,I spent days overhauling that ground frame!