Re: Okehampton Posted by TonyK at 14:09, 20th May 2024 |
Re: Okehampton Posted by Noggin at 09:27, 20th May 2024 |
Or before Labour get in and decide no more goodies for "posh southerners"
Have you been to Okehampton?
I have, that's why I used quotation marks
Re: Okehampton Posted by TonyK at 10:43, 15th May 2024 |
Or before Labour get in and decide no more goodies for "posh southerners"
Have you been to Okehampton?
Re: Okehampton Posted by Noggin at 19:51, 14th May 2024 |
Got to spend the money on a party before they can't build it because prices have gone up.
Or before Labour get in and decide no more goodies for "posh southerners"
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 06:54, 14th May 2024 |
Got to spend the money on a party before they can't build it because prices have gone up.
Still waiting on Edginswell, new entrance at Newton Abbot, and lifts at Torquay. Planning permission will/has run out on all three. Also platform 2 at St David's
https://news.gwr.com/news/i-bet-you-didnt-know-the-name-of-the-new-okehampton-station
Re: Okehampton Posted by The Tall Controller at 18:01, 13th May 2024 |
It appears the official name for the new parkway station at Okehampton is now Okehampton Interchange
https://dartmoorline.com/okehampton-interchange/
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 15:36, 15th April 2024 |
I was digging through some papers and found the 1997 Devon County Council press release about Devon's purchase of the station and Meldon Viaduct, the great refurbishment of the station and the new Summer Sunday services. Thought it would be of interest so here it is -
Re: Okehampton Posted by infoman at 19:16, 2nd January 2024 |
a small amount of film footage of the damage shown on Spotlight local news at 18:30pm on Tuesday 2nd January 2024.
LOCAL NEWS AVAILABLE FOR TWENTY FOURS ONLY ON THE CATCH UP THINGY
Re: Okehampton Posted by johnneyw at 14:00, 2nd January 2024 |
The "Railways of Devon and Cornwall" Facebook page has some pictures of Okehampton station where the winds have blown the footbridge roof onto the tracks by the platforms My GWR app also says that services have been cancelled due to parts of a bridge falling onto the track between Crediton and Okehampton. Seems that no one was hurt thankfully.
Re: Okehampton Posted by TonyK at 12:20, 23rd November 2023 |
This is another example of how passenger estimates for new rail services prove to be a lot lower than what actually happens, while the reverse is more often the case for cheaper alternatives. The integrated bus service shows the sort of joined-up thinking we need to see more of. If anyone at Devon County Council is watching, please take this as a plug for a similar initiative between Tiverton and its eponymous Parkway. The town is growing fast, and the current provision means travelling to the station by car is the only sensible option. I am sure other towns would be able to make similar pleas with equal justification.
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 12:57, 22nd November 2023 |
There's more information about the new station to be built at the east end of Okehampton, 2 mins drive from the A30, here https://dartmoorline.com/west-devon-transport-hub/ plus an Autumn update on the project here https://dartmoorline.com/2023/11/autumn-update-west-devon-transport-hub/
The final name for the station is still under discussion, but it won't be "West Devon Transport Hub" which is the project name.
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 17:34, 21st November 2023 |
The Mayor of Okehampton cut a cake in a small ceremony at the town's station yesterday to celebrate the second anniversary of the station and Dartmoor Line fully reopening.
More info here https://dartmoorline.com/2023/11/celebrations-in-okehampton-as-more-than-550000-journeys-made-in-first-two-years-of-dartmoor-line-reopening/
and here https://www.radioexe.co.uk/news-and-features/local-news/happy-birthday-okehampton-line/
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 07:13, 15th September 2023 |
Congratulations to GWR and the Okehampton team on winning "Station of the Year - Small" at last night's National Rail Awards
Re: Okehampton Posted by TonyK at 20:22, 20th January 2023 |
Hopefully they'll build the platforms long enough for some nice 80x's that can run directly to London, or perhaps the good folks at GCHQ Bude might like to chip in a few quid to enable their staff to travel direct via CrossCountry to Cheltenham ;-)
I thought they used the Orient Express.
Re: Okehampton Posted by Noggin at 23:29, 19th January 2023 |
Hopefully they'll build the platforms long enough for some nice 80x's that can run directly to London, or perhaps the good folks at GCHQ Bude might like to chip in a few quid to enable their staff to travel direct via CrossCountry to Cheltenham ;-)
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 17:18, 19th January 2023 |
The parkway station is in among new industrial park and new housing nearby.
Re: Okehampton Posted by Mark A at 15:39, 19th January 2023 |
Thinking that an Okehampton Parkway station should be at Sourton, even if it added a '1' to left hand end of the costings. It'd be a bit mean to suggest meeting half the costs by repurposing the money allocated for the first ever RoRo ferry to, er, Fairisle.
Mark
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 23:03, 18th January 2023 |
Announced today, the Levelling Up Fund bid for West Devon Transport Hub AKA Okehampton Parkway has been successful. £13,455,000.
Re: Okehampton Posted by Mark A at 18:37, 13th January 2023 |
Direct trains to Plymouth Not yet.
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 16:53, 13th January 2023 |
Typo - it's accessible.
I've found the misssing s and corrected the original - if you click on the link it should be right now (and for all other stations too)
Re: Okehampton Posted by ChrisB at 16:37, 13th January 2023 |
Typo - it's accessible.
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 16:10, 13th January 2023 |
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 14:37, 13th January 2023 |
Updating our facilities maps / lists for OKEHAMPTON
Here is a data sample ... can someone in the know please fill me in for Okehampton - are these any of these facilities??
Here is a data sample ... can someone in the know please fill me in for Okehampton - are these any of these facilities??
Achnashellach facilities
Ticket Gates No
Ticket Office No
Ticket Machine No
Public Toilet No
Staff Help No
ATM No
Car Park No
Accesible No
Ticket Gates No
Ticket Office No
Ticket Machine No
Public Toilet No
Staff Help No
ATM No
Car Park No
Accesible No
Yes to ticket machine, public toilet (when station buffet is open), car park and yes, it is accessible.
Thank you, Richard.
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 14:20, 13th January 2023 |
Updating our facilities maps / lists for OKEHAMPTON
Here is a data sample ... can someone in the know please fill me in for Okehampton - are these any of these facilities??
Here is a data sample ... can someone in the know please fill me in for Okehampton - are these any of these facilities??
Achnashellach facilities
Ticket Gates No
Ticket Office No
Ticket Machine No
Public Toilet No
Staff Help No
ATM No
Car Park No
Accesible No
Ticket Gates No
Ticket Office No
Ticket Machine No
Public Toilet No
Staff Help No
ATM No
Car Park No
Accesible No
Yes to ticket machine, public toilet (when station buffet is open), car park and yes, it is accessible.
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 13:17, 13th January 2023 |
Updating our facilities maps / lists for OKEHAMPTON
Here is a data sample ... can someone in the know please fill me in for Okehampton - are these any of these facilities??
Achnashellach facilities
Ticket Gates No
Ticket Office No
Ticket Machine No
Public Toilet No
Staff Help No
ATM No
Car Park No
Accesible No
Ticket Gates No
Ticket Office No
Ticket Machine No
Public Toilet No
Staff Help No
ATM No
Car Park No
Accesible No
Re: Okehampton Posted by Red Squirrel at 13:00, 1st January 2023 |
An interesting video looking back on how the Dartmoor Line was achieved, courtesy of Modern Railways via Railfuture:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37IjQWTNGBE
Really impressive, but in some ways it just heightens one's frustration with the speed at which Portishead is crawling along. As an example, the Dartmoor Line went straight to Full Business Case (avoiding the Preliminary and Outline Business Case steps). Preparation of the Full Business Case for Portishead, however, will start this month and will be complete in March 2024...
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 22:15, 25th December 2022 |
Will there ever be a chance that the heritage line to Meldon Viaduct, not that long out of use, could now be reopened as a shuttle from Okehampton?
It's going to depend on whether freight returns to that section of line. There is a plan (which would need funding) to do that section of line up for freight if there is a demand which could be, say, stone coming up from another quarry and being loaded at Meldon or, of course, Meldon itself reopening. Network Rail certainly haven't ruled out the shuttle coming back at that time. I'm afraid I can't see it happening if there is no freight demand though.
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 07:53, 25th December 2022 |
https://www.flickr.com/photos/revupminster/51217492672/in/dateposted-public/
They couldn't have shown a worse picture on that Dartmoor Line website. The platform in June 2021 was in better condition than many in the South West.
Re: Okehampton Posted by IndustryInsider at 15:45, 24th December 2022 |
Will there ever be a chance that the heritage line to Meldon Viaduct, not that long out of use, could now be reopened as a shuttle from Okehampton?
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 13:06, 24th December 2022 |
More information about the station restoration project, including more photos, here -
https://dartmoorline.com/2022/12/ribbon-cutting-to-mark-completion-of-okehampton-station-heritage-restoration-project/
It's been a real privilege and pleasure to work on (as has been everything to do with the Dartmoor Line reopening).
REVUpmister is absolutely right about the heritage group - the Dartmoor Railway Association.
As part of the station project work, they have a new shop in the main station building. I'm very pleased to have organised the funding for the fit out. More info about the shop here -
https://www.dartmoor-railway-association.org/shop
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 10:16, 21st December 2022 |
The heritage group kept that station and platforms in very good condition beforehand.
Re: Okehampton Posted by Pb_devon at 08:04, 21st December 2022 |
News of the completion of the station buildings renovation, featuring RichardB of this parish!
Okehampton train station 1950s renovation project complete https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-64038088
Looks very impressive. Well done all concerned.
Re: Okehampton Posted by IndustryInsider at 14:45, 8th December 2022 |
Not sure if this was posted anywhere, but it should be on here so here it is:
https://news.gwr.com/news/dartmoor-line-passes-250-000-journeys-on-its-first-anniversary-as-rail-minister-visits-to-mark-official-opening-of-station-building
Re: Okehampton Posted by DaveHarries at 22:56, 28th September 2022 |
PS - I got the Period 6 (mid Aug - mid Sept) journey figures on Friday - 23,516 journeys made on the Dartmoor Line in those four weeks. This follows three periods of 18,000+ since the hourly service was introduced in May. All more than double the pre-opening projections.
Stagecoach South West, who operate the buses between Bude, Okehampton and Exeter (Services 6 & 6A) have announced substantial revisions to these routes meaning that there will be fewer journeys on those buses effective 30th October 2022.- Buses from Bude to Exeter will not operate via. Launceston and will be curtailed to Okehampton and will terminate at Okehampton Station for onward travel to Exeter. The number of journeys will be 5 per day in school termtimes (4 during holidays) each way on Mondays to Fridays with only 4 on Saturdays. No Sunday or Bank Holiday service. Journeys to be numbered as Service 6.
- Launceston to Exeter is also lost but Devon County Council have announced that they have tendered (or are going to) for a new Service 306 between Launceston and Okehampton. No operator has been confirmed for this Service 306 yet although Stagecoach have said it won't be them so I would guess Transport for Cornwall might do this one as I think they have a base at Launceston.
New timetable for Service 6 between Bude and Okehampton:
http://nationaljourneyplanner.travelinesw.com/swe-ttb/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?deleteAssignedStops_ttb=1&command=direct&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&type_ttb=any&language=en&sessionID=0&requestID=0&itdLPxx_template=tableResults&coordOutputFormat=WGS84%5Bdd.ddddd%5D&outputFormat=0&std3_commonMacro=ttb&std3_contractorMacro=&line=swe%3A33006%3A%20%3AH%3Ay10%3A2
New timetable for Service 6A between Exeter and Okehampton:
http://nationaljourneyplanner.travelinesw.com/swe-ttb/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?deleteAssignedStops_ttb=1&command=direct&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&type_ttb=any&language=en&sessionID=0&requestID=0&itdLPxx_template=tableResults&coordOutputFormat=WGS84%5Bdd.ddddd%5D&outputFormat=0&std3_commonMacro=ttb&std3_contractorMacro=&line=swe%3A3306A%3A%20%3AH%3Ay10%3A2
It is worth noting that, despite the info from Stagecoach which states that Okehampton Station will be the terminus of both routes, the stop at the station is not included in the new timetables. The changes to the Okehampton buses are part of a very wide (!) range of changes across Torbay, Exeter and North Devon. The waiting times at Okehampton for changes between buses looks to be about 20 minutes in each direction in the Town Centre.
The info from Stagecoach is now on their website - https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-west/south-west-timetables - although you will have to click "see more" as there are so many changes there which include the severing of all direct bus links between Exeter and Barnstaple although Devon CC have procured contracted services over the withdrawn sections as you will see.
In the meantime I expect that the passenger figures between Okehampton and Exeter may rise further once the bus changes come in.
Dave
Re: Okehampton Posted by bobm at 14:14, 26th September 2022 |
PS - I got the Period 6 (mid Aug - mid Sept) journey figures on Friday - 23,516 journeys made on the Dartmoor Line in those four weeks. This follows three periods of 18,000+ since the hourly service was introduced in May. All more than double the pre-opening projections.
As you can imagine, much delight at these figures.
As you can imagine, much delight at these figures.
Congratulations - and all the more remarkable if that's 20th August (a strike day) to 16th September, so taking in the strike that was planned but cancelled on 15th, and the changes people made to their plans on the passing of The Queen. Do you know how many trains were timetabled, and how many cancelled, during that period?
Thanks Graham. The period started on Sunday 21 August and ran through to Saturday 17 September inclusive. Part of the reason for the increase are students travelling to Exeter College. I don't know the number of trains I'm afraid but of course nothing ran on strike days.
Would also be interesting to know the numbers using the associated shuttle bus.
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 11:22, 26th September 2022 |
There is now a Facebook page for the Bulleid Buffet at Okehampton station. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085965062565
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 17:19, 25th September 2022 |
PS - I got the Period 6 (mid Aug - mid Sept) journey figures on Friday - 23,516 journeys made on the Dartmoor Line in those four weeks. This follows three periods of 18,000+ since the hourly service was introduced in May. All more than double the pre-opening projections.
As you can imagine, much delight at these figures.
As you can imagine, much delight at these figures.
Congratulations - and all the more remarkable if that's 20th August (a strike day) to 16th September, so taking in the strike that was planned but cancelled on 15th, and the changes people made to their plans on the passing of The Queen. Do you know how many trains were timetabled, and how many cancelled, during that period?
Thanks Graham. The period started on Sunday 21 August and ran through to Saturday 17 September inclusive. Part of the reason for the increase are students travelling to Exeter College. I don't know the number of trains I'm afraid but of course nothing ran on strike days.
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 15:24, 25th September 2022 |
PS - I got the Period 6 (mid Aug - mid Sept) journey figures on Friday - 23,516 journeys made on the Dartmoor Line in those four weeks. This follows three periods of 18,000+ since the hourly service was introduced in May. All more than double the pre-opening projections.
As you can imagine, much delight at these figures.
As you can imagine, much delight at these figures.
Congratulations - and all the more remarkable if that's 20th August (a strike day) to 16th September, so taking in the strike that was planned but cancelled on 15th, and the changes people made to their plans on the passing of The Queen. Do you know how many trains were timetabled, and how many cancelled, during that period?
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 13:12, 25th September 2022 |
PS - I got the Period 6 (mid Aug - mid Sept) journey figures on Friday - 23,516 journeys made on the Dartmoor Line in those four weeks. This follows three periods of 18,000+ since the hourly service was introduced in May. All more than double the pre-opening projections.
As you can imagine, much delight at these figures.
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 13:07, 25th September 2022 |
Here's the press story from yesterday's opening of the Dartmoor National Park Information Centre and buffet at Okehampton station yesterday.
The story isn't quite right in that the Dartmoor Railway Association shop, waiting room, booking hall and booking office are still to finish - should be done by the end of October and will certainly be done for the first anniversary of reopening on 20 November
https://www.okehampton-today.co.uk/news/cafe-and-information-centre-opens-at-okehampton-station-565457
Buffet opening hours confirmed - "The cafe will be open from 7am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 4pm on Sundays."
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 18:59, 16th September 2022 |
Will it be open seven days a week, and what are the planned opening and closing times?
They are currently operating from the booking hall, serving in the doorway to the platform, and open seven days a week, 7AM - 5PM, so I'd guess it will be the same in the Buffet itself.
Here's their Facebook page for further info https://www.facebook.com/amazingbrowniebakers
Re: Okehampton Posted by infoman at 18:38, 16th September 2022 |
Will it be open seven days a week, and what are the planned opening and closing times?
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 11:28, 16th September 2022 |
Another milestone approaching, the station buffet and toilets will reopen on Saturday 24 September
https://www.okehampton-today.co.uk/news/okehampton-station-confirms-cafe-will-open-this-month-562756?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3vi1qqH8-JrzdN7CUGR1anhEJBWHlO5_ji1UYtZ8lD4bWTKg2wKZm360Q#Echobox=1663221945
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 07:27, 12th September 2022 |
https://www.bloodandcustard.com/BR-CoachingSetsOkehamptonCarCarrier.html
The Okehampton Car Carrier service was introduced by British Railways on 18th June 1960 with the first train being hauled from Surbiton to Exeter by rebuilt Merchant Navy 35029 ‘Ellerman Lines’ with West Country 34023 ‘Blackmore Vale’ undertaking the return section to /from Okehampton. The passenger rolling stock was Green-liveried BR standard Mk 1 3-Cor set 564 (BSK + CK + BSK) attached to the rear of seven lined-maroon GUV vehicles.
On this day - 12th September 1964 - this service ceased
Re: Okehampton Posted by johnneyw at 22:56, 1st September 2022 |
The number of passengers using a reopened rail service in Devon, which had been shut for nearly 50 years, is about double what was expected, according to train operator GWR.
Excellent - though of course it depends on who's expectations we're talking about. For many, this great success was fully anticipated - and saying that is not to lessen the achievement.
Yes definitely and this reminds me that it has often been found that usage prediction models used by those involved in assessing a railway's viability still tend to underestimate (sometimes seriously) the actual take up.
I'm not aware of any resource that records and quantifies these discrepancies or if there is now an admission that these predictive models need looking at again but perhaps I'm a bit behind where the current best practices actually are these days.
Re: Okehampton Posted by Mark A at 18:06, 1st September 2022 |
Apologies that that post unintentionally came across as more than a little 'DfT in Trowbridge' mode - I fess up to having the regular counts of 30ish passengers per carriage on the Waterloos.
Okehampton's return to the network is really good news as is achieving those figures in the opening year: it'll be good to see an in-depth and informative analysis of who is travelling, to and from where, and also e.g. how people travel to Okehampton's suboptimally-situated station. Looking forward to the UK finding its feet on the benefits of through routes more generally, and this one in particular.
Mark
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 16:43, 1st September 2022 |
120000 journeys, 300 days, 30 services per day - roughly 13 passengers per service?
Mark
Mark
Didn't it start at two-hourly so half that number of services, and wasn't there a significant closure even when it had been opened? I suspect numbers are more like double your estimate ... which as an average is not bad; there are going to be a couple of contraflow lemons like the early morning train off Exeter and that last one in at night. No passengers realise the lemons exist, exactly because there are no passengers there to realise!
Re: Okehampton Posted by Mark A at 16:09, 1st September 2022 |
120000 journeys, 300 days, 30 services per day - roughly 13 passengers per service?
Mark
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 11:20, 1st September 2022 |
The number of passengers using a reopened rail service in Devon, which had been shut for nearly 50 years, is about double what was expected, according to train operator GWR.
Excellent - though of course it depends on who's expectations we're talking about. For many, this great success was fully anticipated - and saying that is not to lessen the achievement.
Re: Okehampton Posted by Pb_devon at 08:02, 1st September 2022 |
From the BBC Devon news today:
The number of passengers using a reopened rail service in Devon, which had been shut for nearly 50 years, is about double what was expected, according to train operator GWR.
The Dartmoor Line between Okehampton and Exeter reopened in November 2021 with regular services for the first time in 49 years.
GWR said more than 120,000 journeys had been made……….
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-62736152
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 10:06, 15th May 2022 |
Hourly service launched today - my colleague Mike, who lives not far from Okehampton, popped down to the station to film the first train arriving.
Reasonable number of people waiting for it.
https://fb.watch/d0uM4bkOUL/
Government minister at Okehampton Posted by infoman at 06:46, 13th May 2022 |
Rail Minister Wendy Morton was at Okehampton on Thursday,featured on BBC spotlight local news for the South West.
Re: Okehampton Posted by TonyK at 18:57, 2nd May 2022 |
Awkward that track laid in 2021 has had to be lifted and relayed just a year later.
I thought this was always the plan. I don't know why it wasn't all done at once, but someone will.
Re: Okehampton Posted by Mark A at 12:22, 2nd May 2022 |
https://twitter.com/networkrailwest
Puzzle?? Renewing track and drainage in the Fatherford area; I thought this had been done in the recent record breaking track renewal.
Puzzle?? Renewing track and drainage in the Fatherford area; I thought this had been done in the recent record breaking track renewal.
Awkward that track laid in 2021 has had to be lifted and relayed just a year later.
Off-topic: the Borders Railway. Here's a Google Streetview from 2011, south through Tynehead cutting, on the final few miles of the climb to the summit at Falahill. The trackbed then, a lake or a swamp - in both directions. A current view would show that the out-of-use old bridge is now gone, having been replaced with a new structure on the alignment of the embankment that then held water in that pond in the cutting. Down on the trackbed, the railway is back, and is double track at this point as it's within one of the line's dynamic loops - which ends on the far side of the bridge in the far distance, which is at the site of Tynehead Station in the far distance.
https://www.google.com/maps/@55.8276166,-2.9733668,3a,75y,139.89h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sMzbk6jeUNG3qRSUDr2iM-Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DMzbk6jeUNG3qRSUDr2iM-Q%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D154.67532%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 09:25, 2nd May 2022 |
https://twitter.com/networkrailwest
Puzzle?? Renewing track and drainage in the Fatherford area; I thought this had been done in the recent record breaking track renewal.
This answers my own question.
https://www.dartmoor-railway-association.org/comingsgoings
Don't think this will be ever double track again.
Re: Okehampton Posted by infoman at 06:47, 21st April 2022 |
Small item at the end of the local news on the works, on BBC spotlight news at 06:25am on Thursday.
Re: Okehampton Posted by ellendune at 14:38, 20th April 2022 |
Why couldn't this have been done before the line was opened?
Because then it might never have reopened?
Re: Okehampton Posted by GBM at 14:13, 20th April 2022 |
Why couldn't this have been done before the line was opened?
Re: Okehampton Posted by stuving at 12:31, 20th April 2022 |
A press release from Network Rail:
Dartmoor Line set for upgrade work in preparation for start of hourly services
Network Rail is set to begin 15 days of engineering upgrades on the Dartmoor Line in preparation for the introduction of hourly services.
Next week, from Monday 25 April until the early hours of Tuesday 10 May, Network Rail engineers will be upgrading parts of the 14-mile stretch of Dartmoor Line which currently carries two-hourly Great Western Railway (GWR) passenger services between Okehampton and Exeter.
Along the Dartmoor Line, at Fatherford and Coleford, engineers will be further improving the drainage and track bed to enable faster line speeds ready for the increase to hourly services from mid-May.
These latest upgrades form part of the second stage of the Dartmoor Line reopening, building upon the reintroduction of regular passenger services last year to now delivering an hourly service.
While this engineering work is ongoing, a reduced train service will continue to operate between Exeter and Crediton with a rail replacement bus service in operation between Crediton and Okehampton. Trains services on the Tarka Line between Exeter and Barnstaple will continue to run as usual. Two-hourly train services to Okehampton will resume from Tuesday 10 May, with hourly services starting from Sunday 15 May...
Network Rail is set to begin 15 days of engineering upgrades on the Dartmoor Line in preparation for the introduction of hourly services.
Next week, from Monday 25 April until the early hours of Tuesday 10 May, Network Rail engineers will be upgrading parts of the 14-mile stretch of Dartmoor Line which currently carries two-hourly Great Western Railway (GWR) passenger services between Okehampton and Exeter.
Along the Dartmoor Line, at Fatherford and Coleford, engineers will be further improving the drainage and track bed to enable faster line speeds ready for the increase to hourly services from mid-May.
These latest upgrades form part of the second stage of the Dartmoor Line reopening, building upon the reintroduction of regular passenger services last year to now delivering an hourly service.
While this engineering work is ongoing, a reduced train service will continue to operate between Exeter and Crediton with a rail replacement bus service in operation between Crediton and Okehampton. Trains services on the Tarka Line between Exeter and Barnstaple will continue to run as usual. Two-hourly train services to Okehampton will resume from Tuesday 10 May, with hourly services starting from Sunday 15 May...
Re: Okehampton Posted by RailCornwall at 14:55, 18th April 2022 |
For clarification I presume the 'passing loop' will be at Crediton Station then, albeit hardly central to the route length.
Re: Okehampton Posted by TonyK at 11:26, 18th April 2022 |
Are there really enough trains needing to cross sides to justify that? Hardly - even Paddington has made do without a flyover so far. There, a couple of extra lines from Ladbroke Grove inwards allow for paths to be plaited. So for Exeter one extra line should suffice, and as you say that exists in New Yard with a bit of rejigging.
I thought a bit of rejigging would suffice to avoid inbound trains having to wait for outbounds to clear the stretch of line. It would cost money and I don't know how big an issue it is, although I have noticed a tendency for the train I am waiting for at Tiverton Parkway to lose time at Exeter, having kept bang on time from Plymouth.
Re: Okehampton Posted by stuving at 12:13, 17th April 2022 |
The only way out of that is to build a local flyover. There is space using New Yard and the long shunt line that nearly reaches Cowley Bridge to take a track over the main line. It would be very expensive. Getting rid of Red Cow level crossing might be cheaper to increase line speeds.
Are there really enough trains needing to cross sides to justify that? Hardly - even Paddington has made do without a flyover so far. There, a couple of extra lines from Ladbroke Grove inwards allow for paths to be plaited. So for Exeter one extra line should suffice, and as you say that exists in New Yard with a bit of rejigging.
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 07:12, 17th April 2022 |
Lovely! I hadn't realised there was such a restricted way out from that side of EXD.
All the through platforms are bi-directional so all movements are possible. the train was leaving platform 3 which is in effect the northbound local. Platforms 1 and 3 can also hold two separate trains ie The platforms could have a SWR train and the Paignton-Exmouth local could still reverse.
It wasn't that, but the way the outbound train seemed to hold up the inbound that struck me as a bit limiting.
The only way out of that is to build a local flyover. There is space using New Yard and the long shunt line that nearly reaches Cowley Bridge to take a track over the main line. It would be very expensive. Getting rid of Red Cow level crossing might be cheaper to increase line speeds.
Re: Okehampton Posted by TonyK at 16:12, 16th April 2022 |
Lovely! I hadn't realised there was such a restricted way out from that side of EXD.
All the through platforms are bi-directional so all movements are possible. the train was leaving platform 3 which is in effect the northbound local. Platforms 1 and 3 can also hold two separate trains ie The platforms could have a SWR train and the Paignton-Exmouth local could still reverse.
It wasn't that, but the way the outbound train seemed to hold up the inbound that struck me as a bit limiting.
Re: Okehampton Posted by Red Squirrel at 12:27, 16th April 2022 |
HOURLY TIMETABLE START CONFIRMED
The hourly service on The Dartmoor Line will commence Sunday 15th May.
The service, despite being 2 hourly to begin with, has been a big success with usage far exceeding expectations. The hourly service will give customers a better choice for their journeys. The belief is, this will give another boost to the usage of the service.
Before the hourly service commences, there will be essential maintenance on the line resulting in the line closing for two weeks. Bus replacement to Crediton will be available during this time. We will post a reminder nearer the time.
Source: OkerailThe hourly service on The Dartmoor Line will commence Sunday 15th May.
The service, despite being 2 hourly to begin with, has been a big success with usage far exceeding expectations. The hourly service will give customers a better choice for their journeys. The belief is, this will give another boost to the usage of the service.
Before the hourly service commences, there will be essential maintenance on the line resulting in the line closing for two weeks. Bus replacement to Crediton will be available during this time. We will post a reminder nearer the time.
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 21:03, 15th April 2022 |
Did we ever identify what track changes are being done to enable the hourly each direction service? I think we had lots of best guesses but nothing definite
No track changes. Just upgrading the linespeed and looking at that cab ride it needs it between Crediton and Coleford.
In an ideal world the points at Crediton would be moved to Coleford to make a double track section.
Again from that cab ride double tracking other sections would cost a fortune.
Re: Okehampton Posted by RailCornwall at 20:42, 15th April 2022 |
Did we ever identify what track changes are being done to enable the hourly each direction service? I think we had lots of best guesses but nothing definite
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 10:33, 15th April 2022 |
Crisp real-time cab view, Exeter to Okehampton, tweeted by the Rail Delivery Group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP8UsYGNFR4
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP8UsYGNFR4
Mark
Quite a crowd getting on at Crediton.
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 22:59, 14th April 2022 |
Crisp real-time cab view, Exeter to Okehampton, tweeted by the Rail Delivery Group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP8UsYGNFR4
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP8UsYGNFR4
Mark
Lovely! I hadn't realised there was such a restricted way out from that side of EXD.
All the through platforms are bi-directional so all movements are possible. the train was leaving platform 3 which is in effect the northbound local. Platforms 1 and 3 can also hold two separate trains ie The platforms could have a SWR train and the Paignton-Exmouth local could still reverse.
Re: Okehampton Posted by TonyK at 15:26, 14th April 2022 |
Crisp real-time cab view, Exeter to Okehampton, tweeted by the Rail Delivery Group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP8UsYGNFR4
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP8UsYGNFR4
Mark
Lovely! I hadn't realised there was such a restricted way out from that side of EXD.
Re: Okehampton Posted by Mark A at 13:24, 14th April 2022 |
Crisp real-time cab view, Exeter to Okehampton, tweeted by the Rail Delivery Group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP8UsYGNFR4
Mark
Re: Okehampton Posted by TonyK at 15:55, 3rd April 2022 |
I do have a basic flkr account and the pictures did display before but I must be doing something wrong.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/revupminster/
Worth trying with one of your excellent pictures. Click on the photo, then on the right-facing arrow next to the star at the bottom right of the page. The share dialogue should appear - click the BB Code tab, then choose a size - I usually opt for Medium (800 x 533). Highlight and copy the text that appears in the box above, then paste that into your post. That will show your details below the picture when you post it. If you delete everything before the [img.. and after the /img], it will just show the picture.
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 06:41, 2nd April 2022 |
As an aside I can't upload photos without using flkr.
Flickr is free for a basic account, which lets you host photos and show them here. It isn't too complicated, and requires nothing more than an email address. You can go down the route of using it to share photos with friends and the like, but I don't. I used to use Photobucket, which went subscription. Other hosting sites are available.
There may be some guidance on how to use it to post pictures here - if not, and if there's a need, I'll draft something. Otherwise, I'm happy to post other folks' pictures, but I'm not always around.
I do have a basic flkr account and the pictures did display before but I must be doing something wrong.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/revupminster/
Re: Okehampton Posted by TonyK at 20:23, 1st April 2022 |
As an aside I can't upload photos without using flkr.
Flickr is free for a basic account, which lets you host photos and show them here. It isn't too complicated, and requires nothing more than an email address. You can go down the route of using it to share photos with friends and the like, but I don't. I used to use Photobucket, which went subscription. Other hosting sites are available.
There may be some guidance on how to use it to post pictures here - if not, and if there's a need, I'll draft something. Otherwise, I'm happy to post other folks' pictures, but I'm not always around.
Re: Okehampton Posted by rogerw at 11:53, 28th March 2022 |
Also comment on the unnecessary and juvenile hooliganism of load shouting/ bellowing by a few UKR ‘Customers’ in the rear of the train as it left Okehampton; which has been recorded on a posted YouTube, and was much to the disapproval of the many locals and supporters of the very successful reopening of the line to regular trains, who were at Okehampton station to welcome this train.
If you could forward the YouTube link to info@ukrailtours.com they may be able to identify the culprits and take appropriate action as the individuals may well be in breach of the strict rules laid down for railtours
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 11:25, 28th March 2022 |
Link looks the same and it is the one. I have posted another with the train clearing the station.
I will spare you the three minute video of the traffic and pedestrians clearing the level crossing once the train moved down toward the sidings
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 11:05, 28th March 2022 |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6EaDi5Az2g
Charter train arriving at Paignton Saturday, fouling the level crossing which took about 15 minutes to clear..
Link not working for me, but is this the one?Charter train arriving at Paignton Saturday, fouling the level crossing which took about 15 minutes to clear..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6EaDi5Az2g
Link looks the same and it is the one. I have posted another with the train clearing the station.
Re: Okehampton Posted by AMLAG at 10:55, 28th March 2022 |
Can any passengers on this UKR Special train please gives some details of the speeds attained between Coleford Jn and Okehampton, as a spirited run was noted by onlookers.
Also comment on the unnecessary and juvenile hooliganism of load shouting/ bellowing by a few UKR ‘Customers’ in the rear of the train as it left Okehampton; which has been recorded on a posted YouTube, and was much to the disapproval of the many locals and supporters of the very successful reopening of the line to regular trains, who were at Okehampton station to welcome this train.
Re: Okehampton Posted by GBM at 10:27, 28th March 2022 |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6EaDi5Az2g
Charter train arriving at Paignton Saturday, fouling the level crossing which took about 15 minutes to clear..
Link not working for me, but is this the one?Charter train arriving at Paignton Saturday, fouling the level crossing which took about 15 minutes to clear..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6EaDi5Az2g
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 10:21, 28th March 2022 |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6EaDi5Az2g
Charter train arriving at Paignton Saturday, fouling the level crossing which took about 15 minutes to clear..
Re: Okehampton Posted by GBM at 09:34, 27th March 2022 |
..............
As an aside I can't upload photos without using flkr.
As an aside I can't upload photos without using flkr.
I don't have flkr either, so had ask TonyK to upload my Bristol ones!
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 07:34, 27th March 2022 |
Paignton is my station and I watched it's arrival. Two locos at front and 12 coaches. Fouled the points for 15 minutes with 1 and 1/2 coaches until all the persons got off and it could proceed into Goodrington Coach sidings.
Went back at 1400hrs and one engine had run round to top and tail for the trip to Okehampton.
The service train 150232/158762 in the picture had to use platform 1 and shunt back wrong line to wait for the charter train to leave platform 2, meanwhile late running (30mins) Paddington-Paignton stood at Torquay waiting for the local to shunt to platform 2 before it could get into platform 1.
The shunt move takes place 2/3 times a day with even a cross country voyager doing it.
As an aside I can't upload photos without using flkr.
Re: Okehampton Posted by trainbuff at 23:19, 26th March 2022 |
looks like both the special and the service train were there at the same time, thought it was worked as one train at a time?
I think that photo is taken at Paignton. I believe the buildings behind are the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 23:11, 26th March 2022 |
looks like both the special and the service train were there at the same time, thought it was worked as one train at a time?
We went to Paignton too (just over 2 hours there) where the picture was taken. We stopped for ten minutes at Okehampton - just time to get off the train before we had to get back on by the time we had walked through to the platform.
Here is the picture I took at Okehampton - didn't get up to the loco
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 23:05, 26th March 2022 |
looks like both the special and the service train were there at the same time, thought it was worked as one train at a time?
We went to Paignton too (just over 2 hours there) where the picture was taken. We stopped for ten minutes at Okehampton - just time to get off the train before we had to get back on by the time we had walked through to the platform.
Re: Okehampton Posted by MVR S&T at 22:47, 26th March 2022 |
looks like both the special and the service train were there at the same time, thought it was worked as one train at a time?
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 22:39, 26th March 2022 |
First pictures ...
Pretty impossible to get them person-free. Here's Hercules Smith with Hercules Class50
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 22:08, 26th March 2022 |
It may be of interest to some that UKRailtours are running a trip to Okehampton (and Paignton) on Saturday 26th March, picking up at Paddington, Slough, Reading and Swindon. Out via Bristol and return via Westbury and TransWilts Full details on their web site
Not sure what happened on the way back. Delayed at Exeter St David’s for 45 mins and 75 down by Chippenham.
It had been hauled by two locos at the front London to Paignton, then top and tail from there to Okehampton and back to Exeter. Where both were to go back on the front. Unfortunately there was a problem with ono the locos coupling electronics to link the two locos in tandem, so they had to take what should have been the train loco off, put what should have been the pilot on first, bring back the train loco and test it.
Then an engineer's train was ahead of us from Fairwater yard to Westbury, we had to wait for the single line through Melksham which should be redoubled and then we had to wait to get off the single line and sit behind a London express as it did its business at Chippenham.
Re: Okehampton Posted by bobm at 21:41, 26th March 2022 |
It may be of interest to some that UKRailtours are running a trip to Okehampton (and Paignton) on Saturday 26th March, picking up at Paddington, Slough, Reading and Swindon. Out via Bristol and return via Westbury and TransWilts Full details on their web site
Not sure what happened on the way back. Delayed at Exeter St David’s for 45 mins and 75 down by Chippenham.
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 09:22, 11th February 2022 |
The hourly service needs to work with the potential for an Okehampton Parkway stop and, yes, the work is essential to make it all stack up.
I am delighted to see your service being stepped up to hourly in a few months. It confirms that your decision makers are totally aware of the need for / benefit of an hourly service on a line with a 45 minute end to end running time.
I am jealous - I must confess - as an hourly service would also be appropriate to my local line from Westbury to Swindon - just 2 trains each way per day ten years ago, up to a service every 2 to 2.5 hours by five years ago, but stuck in the doldrums of frequency improvement ever since (thought they had to give us longer trains)
I am encouraged by your success, and congratulate everyone involved. We will continue to encourage our CRP, LTA, TOC and MPs to work together and follow your example. The nature of this sort of improvement is that it takes years of seemingly-little, then has a giant leap forward.
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 00:36, 11th February 2022 |
https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/planned-engineering/2022/rail-improvement-work-crediton-february-2022.pdf?la=en
Crediton-Okehampton services replaced by buses 19-27/02/2022 & 25/04-09/05/2022 due to engineering work.
Crediton-Okehampton services replaced by buses 19-27/02/2022 & 25/04-09/05/2022 due to engineering work.
This work is essential to allow the hourly service to come in from (all being well) the May timetable change.
The hourly service needs to work with the potential for an Okehampton Parkway stop and, yes, the work is essential to make it all stack up.
Re: Okehampton Posted by REVUpminster at 22:06, 10th February 2022 |
https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/planned-engineering/2022/rail-improvement-work-crediton-february-2022.pdf?la=en
Crediton-Okehampton services replaced by buses 19-27/02/2022 & 25/04-09/05/2022 due to engineering work.
Crediton-Okehampton services replaced by buses 19-27/02/2022 & 25/04-09/05/2022 due to engineering work.
This work is essential to allow the hourly service to come in from (all being well) the May timetable change.
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 17:08, 10th February 2022 |
https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/planned-engineering/2022/rail-improvement-work-crediton-february-2022.pdf?la=en
Crediton-Okehampton services replaced by buses 19-27/02/2022 & 25/04-09/05/2022 due to engineering work.
Crediton-Okehampton services replaced by buses 19-27/02/2022 & 25/04-09/05/2022 due to engineering work.
This work is essential to allow the hourly service to come in from (all being well) the May timetable change.
Re: Okehampton Posted by Bob_Blakey at 13:18, 10th February 2022 |
https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/planned-engineering/2022/rail-improvement-work-crediton-february-2022.pdf?la=en
Crediton-Okehampton services replaced by buses 19-27/02/2022 & 25/04-09/05/2022 due to engineering work.
Re: Okehampton Posted by DaveHarries at 00:15, 10th February 2022 |
Current planned timetables for the summer are now online - I have seen them on 2 separate sites and both agree on the information - and indicate an hourly service between Exeter Central and Okehampton 7 days per week which is good to see.
Mondays to Fridays: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:OKE/2022-05-16/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
Saturdays: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:OKE/2022-05-21/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
Sundays: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:OKE/2022-05-22/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
Dave
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 16:57, 21st January 2022 |
It may be of interest to some that UKRailtours are running a trip to Okehampton (and Paignton) on Saturday 26th March, picking up at Paddington, Slough, Reading and Swindon. Out via Bristol and return via Westbury and TransWilts Full details on their web site
Tempting
https://www.ukrailtours.com/product/springtime-hoovering-in-devon/
Now fully booked!
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 21:15, 18th January 2022 |
The bus down to Okehampton centre is a necessity, more so the return to the station, the walk would be quite a schlep. ...
For those of us who have not yet been there, how does it compare to Liskeard to Coombe Junction?
Funnily enough, I have walked up to Okehampton station from the town - three times in the last year, once in a downpour! - but I've not walked Coombe Jn - Liskeard. Okehampton is a steep, fairly unrelenting walk but not all that long - I've done it in 12 mins. The 118 is very welcome. There's talk of a new very local operator providing an additional town bus too in the near future.
Re: Okehampton Posted by RichardB at 21:14, 18th January 2022 |
The bus down to Okehampton centre is a necessity, more so the return to the station, the walk would be quite a schlep. ...
For those of us who have not yet been there, how does it compare to Liskeard to Coombe Junction?
Funnily enough, I have walked up to Okehampton station from the town - three times in the last year, once in a downpour! - but I've not walked Coombe Jn - Liskeard. Okehampton is a steep, fairly unrelenting walk but not all that long - I've done it in 12 mins. The 118 is very welcome. There's talk of a new very local operator providing an additional town bus too in the near future.
Re: Okehampton Posted by grahame at 21:02, 18th January 2022 |
The bus down to Okehampton centre is a necessity, more so the return to the station, the walk would be quite a schlep. ...
For those of us who have not yet been there, how does it compare to Liskeard to Coombe Junction?
Re: Okehampton Posted by RailCornwall at 20:16, 18th January 2022 |
Excellent trip albeit with a slight delay at Exeter on the return. Impressed with the ride quality on the Dartmoor Line which really couldn't be better. The bus down to Okehampton centre is a necessity, more so the return to the station, the walk would be quite a schlep. I was surprised to see that some work was done on Sampford Courtney platform even though the station is no longer served. It'll be interesting to monitor usage going forwards.