GWR have tweeted today about this service operating as well. Max fare £8
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Reopened Okehampton line - travel experiences
- Thread starter Horizon22
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RailUK Forums
Very good to hear. I might look to pay a visit on the opening weekend.
John Luxton
Established Member
Just rescheduled my November holiday to Dartmoor by a few days to take this in. Intend to be there on November 20. It will be exactly 42 years and 1 month since I first travelled the line on WRC Atlantic Coast Express from Chester - Saturday October 20, 1979.
Trainmiles
Member
It is good that this is opening and definitely going to go and do this.
Does anyone know if it will be added to the Devon day ranger ticket?
It was already included looking at the Devon day ranger's map of validity on GWR's website.
The Devon day ranger can be used on all trains to Barnstaple; will this be the case for Okehampton as well? (And on a slightly unrelated topic, is the Freedom of Severn & Solent / South West valid between Cheltenham and Worcester via Worcestershire Parkway?)
From GWR's website:
Link here - also showing the map of validity under Devon Day Ranger which includes to Okehampton.
http://www.railrover.org/pages/devon-day-ranger.html
I think that I phrased my initial question a bit unclearly; the Devon Day Ranger is valid on all trains to Barnstaple, regardless of peak times, so is there any indication that it will be the same for Okehampton?
That would seem logical, given the other easements listed. You could ask them?
weepingwillowb
Member
'You And Yours,' on BBC Radio 4, today featured the upcoming reopening, followed by an interview with Norman Baker, of the Campaign For Better Transport.
You and Yours - CMA Powers, New Railway and Disabled Pay Gap - BBC Sounds
(between 8' 54" - 17' 23")
You and Yours - CMA Powers, New Railway and Disabled Pay Gap - BBC Sounds
(between 8' 54" - 17' 23")
Class800
Established Member
Thinking about doing the first train to Okehampton - anyone else? I'm not an organiser really but thought would say what I am doing
northernbelle
Member
- Joined
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The 118 bus is being extended to Okehampton station from 20th November and runs to the Town Centre and out to Lydford, Brentor and Tavistock. It will connect well with trains and has a flat fare of £1 to the town and £3 return to Tavistock when you show a valid rail ticket.
In addition, a free park & ride shuttle will be running between Okehampton Fore Street, Mill Street and the station on Sat 20 Nov only to encourage visitors to park away from the station on the first day.
From December, the 118 will include a Sunday journey through to Gunnislake providing an opportunity for a full 'round robin' journey from Exeter - Okehampton - Gunnislake - Plymouth - Exeter.
In addition, a free park & ride shuttle will be running between Okehampton Fore Street, Mill Street and the station on Sat 20 Nov only to encourage visitors to park away from the station on the first day.
From December, the 118 will include a Sunday journey through to Gunnislake providing an opportunity for a full 'round robin' journey from Exeter - Okehampton - Gunnislake - Plymouth - Exeter.
Class800
Established Member
I have my return ticket for Okehampton on Saturday - actually I won't be on the first train to Okehampton, but rather the first through journey from Cranbrook (hopefully), which is the 2nd journey.
davetheguard
Established Member
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Slightly altered timetable on first day now announced - extra morning departure from Okehampton apparently, with slight retimings as a result.
Kite159
Veteran Member
That's good news about the round robin journey making a comeback.
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I might pay a visit on the 28th November depending on the weather
REVUpminster
Established Member
Seems odd to run empty from St David's. Maybe on the day it might change if St David's is packed.
What are the odds a turbo makes the first trip. There seems to be four down here at the moment.
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trainmania100
Established Member
Planning to see the first service at okehampton although can't see how a 7am service can be busier than the afternoon ones, are people really going to be getting up at 5 in the morning to see a 150 that they could see later that day?
Only reason I'm seeing the early one is because I'm travelling from Brighton during the early hours, and want to do some walks on the Moors before heading home.
I've heard DRSA are opening the adjacent platform for drinks, fingers crossed this still goes ahead.
I must emphasise I am not getting there early with intention to buy any dartmoor pony back issues
Only reason I'm seeing the early one is because I'm travelling from Brighton during the early hours, and want to do some walks on the Moors before heading home.
I've heard DRSA are opening the adjacent platform for drinks, fingers crossed this still goes ahead.
I must emphasise I am not getting there early with intention to buy any dartmoor pony back issues
Bishopstone
Established Member
I suspect the idea is to give locals doing the round-trip from the Okehampton end the opportunity of a seat.
Trains starting from Exeter will include a large enthusiast contingent from far and wide, many of whom will stay on board for the return run, which doesn’t release seats.
Sounds like a decent plan to me, and good on GWR for adding to the first day timetable.
Class800
Established Member
Wouldn't most people actually want to get off and see Okehampton?
221129
Established Member
Depends who is doing it. If it's people doing it for the line then no. There isn't really much in Okehampton to see either to be honest.
Class800
Established Member
OK, everyone's different. I personally wouldn't just 'traction bash' without getting off and having a look around, and if there's not much to see, I'd only stay an hour or so, and probably break journey somewhere on the way back.
Bishopstone
Established Member
The timetable requires you to stay for 10 minutes, or 2 hours. This being November, and some enthusiasts being quite elderly, I envisage there will be lots of ‘return on the same train’ traffic.
But, like you, I’ll be taking a 2-hour break when I visit.
irish_rail
On Moderation
I can't understand the hype over this first day stuff. There have been service trains to Okehampton from Exeter for several years in the past decade, its not as if its a brand new line or station.
Its positive that its been reopened during weekdays, personally ill leave it til next year before using the train for the basis of a walk on Dartmoor.
Its positive that its been reopened during weekdays, personally ill leave it til next year before using the train for the basis of a walk on Dartmoor.
I think we’ll be getting the 10:46 train from Exeter hopefully.
Mrs C and myself have actually got to go to Okehampton on Saturday anyway to visit a stove store so it’ll be a journey with a purpose for us (lunch in a pub might come into it too).
Mrs C and myself have actually got to go to Okehampton on Saturday anyway to visit a stove store so it’ll be a journey with a purpose for us (lunch in a pub might come into it too).
REVUpminster
Established Member
Train every hour on Saturday.
Class800
Established Member
must be a late announcement as even yesterday it was 2 hourly on RTT. Makes sense though
I don't see the additional trains on RTT.
If there is a change, it would mean I don't actually end up taking the first available through journey in regular service Cranbrook to Okehampton
I don't see the additional trains on RTT.
If there is a change, it would mean I don't actually end up taking the first available through journey in regular service Cranbrook to Okehampton
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REVUpminster
Established Member
150233/221 has been the first train to Okehampton this morning.
Where has this been confirmed?
Class800
Established Member
I don't think it's the case https://dartmoorline.com/2021/11/opening-day-your-guide/
deltic
Established Member
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I feel sorry for any local who actually wants to use it to go somewhere being swamped by lots of enthusiasts especially as its only a two hourly service