Okehampton and Sampford Courtenay

[Iskra]

That’s good to hear, thanks for info.

There was talk pre-virus from politicians of exploring the reopening of closed lines. If they want an easy win to deliver on that promise, then surely this line is it. I’m guessing it’s going at a knock-down rate too.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Its over 20 years since I made that Crediton-Okehampton key. It was only meant to be temporary until a proper staff could be made. Nice to see it again,a collectable of the future!

 

[LUSOwner]

Not sure when the temporary stop block was put in at the boundary? But it wasn’t there in early March. Not sure subsequently where any negotiations are in respect of ownership transfer but expect things will now be delayed with the current virus situation.

From PSUL 2020 :

 

[pdeaves]

Not sure when the temporary stop block was put in at the boundary? But it wasn’t there in early March.

The stop block was noted in place on 6 March. Presumably it was put in just after your walkout.

 

[RichA]

Its over 20 years since I made that Crediton-Okehampton key. It was only meant to be temporary until a proper staff could be made. Nice to see it again,a collectable of the future!

It was well made, while it is a bit battered it is still solid. I noted that it had been plated over, can you recall what was on the original key?

 

[RichA]

From PSUL 2020 :

View attachment 76488

Thanks for that. We were only at that end of the line on the 3rd so, as you say, it must have been very soon afterwards.

 

[fairysdad]

A couple of questions if I may.

Given that the line from Coleford Junction onwards is(/was) - as it appears to be from reading this thread - privately owned by the Dartmoor Railway, what was the arrangement that FGW/GWR had for running from Exeter to Okehampton on it, particularly as the section from Exeter (EXD) to Crediton (CDI) would have had the Barnstaple line trains on it as well; was there a franchise agreement that Exeter to Crediton was a certain frequency (that wasn't required for Barnstaple) and thus GWR were able to extend these services to Okehampton? Would this mean that we may see (Covid-19 notwithstanding!) some EXD-CDI shuttles this summer instead?

I also remember on one of the Channel 5 documentaries on GWR that they used the Okehampton line - beyond Okehampton I believe - for some driver training on slippery rails - naturally, this won't be on the top of people's lists to relocate, but I'm wondering where else on the network they may be able to undertake this training? (In my writing this, I'm now considering that the CDI - Coleford Jn might actually work as a location given that it's now effectively just a very long siding from CDI!)

 

[pdeaves]

Given that the line from Coleford Junction onwards is(/was) - as it appears to be from reading this thread - privately owned by the Dartmoor Railway, what was the arrangement that FGW/GWR had for running from Exeter to Okehampton on it, particularly as the section from Exeter (EXD) to Crediton (CDI) would have had the Barnstaple line trains on it as well; was there a franchise agreement that Exeter to Crediton was a certain frequency (that wasn't required for Barnstaple) and thus GWR were able to extend these services to Okehampton? Would this mean that we may see (Covid-19 notwithstanding!) some EXD-CDI shuttles this summer instead?

The trains were effectively extras chartered by Devon county council - it helped that less stock was needed for franchise services on Sundays. GWR needed a track access agreement with Dartmoor Railway/Aggregates Industries (whichever was actually responsible for line operation).

 

[Ashley Hill]

It was well made, while it is a bit battered it is still solid. I noted that it had been plated over, can you recall what was on the original key?

IIRC it was blank. It was just a large washer attached to the key shaft by a rivet that I added the brass plates to. As I said it was only meant to be temporary. The hole crudely drilled into the brass was not my handywork.
The "skid pan" training finished a few years ago.

 

[Tobbes]

I was part of a Network Rail track walkout from Coleford junction to Okehampton over three days March 3rd - 5th. The purpose of this exercise was to look at infrastructure condition and see what will be needed to reopen the line for regular passenger use and with a view to the line being transferred into NR ownership. There were representatives from Pway, S&T, Level crossings, telecoms, drainage, earthworks, structures and special projects. The infrastructure is in generally good condition, but as you would expect some areas are in need of remedial works. One of the issues is line speed, not just where track/drainage quality is poor but the numerous user worked crossings which are not equipped with any form of warning or telephones, these restrictions have the ability to make journey times uncompetitive. Overall though it was informally agreed that a basic service could be introduced relatively easily. Not sure when the temporary stop block was put in at the boundary? But it wasn’t there in early March. Not sure subsequently where any negotiations are in respect of ownership transfer but expect things will now be delayed with the current virus situation.View attachment 76484View attachment 76485View attachment 76486View attachment 76487

Excellent, thanks very much for this!

 

[RichA]

IIRC it was blank. It was just a large washer attached to the key shaft by a rivet that I added the brass plates to. As I said it was only meant to be temporary. The hole crudely drilled into the brass was not my handywork.
The "skid pan" training finished a few years ago.

I see, thanks for that. As we know temporary on the railway can mean many many years
During the walk we came across a 2 aspect colour light signal (ON12), apparently this was used in connection with adhesion training and was powered by batteries, it is hooded over now and out of use.

 

[Kite159]

A couple of questions if I may.

Given that the line from Coleford Junction onwards is(/was) - as it appears to be from reading this thread - privately owned by the Dartmoor Railway, what was the arrangement that FGW/GWR had for running from Exeter to Okehampton on it, particularly as the section from Exeter (EXD) to Crediton (CDI) would have had the Barnstaple line trains on it as well; was there a franchise agreement that Exeter to Crediton was a certain frequency (that wasn't required for Barnstaple) and thus GWR were able to extend these services to Okehampton? Would this mean that we may see (Covid-19 notwithstanding!) some EXD-CDI shuttles this summer instead?

I also remember on one of the Channel 5 documentaries on GWR that they used the Okehampton line - beyond Okehampton I believe - for some driver training on slippery rails - naturally, this won't be on the top of people's lists to relocate, but I'm wondering where else on the network they may be able to undertake this training? (In my writing this, I'm now considering that the CDI - Coleford Jn might actually work as a location given that it's now effectively just a very long siding from CDI!)

Although remember that the Barnstaple line is now hourly on Sundays whereas before December it was only 2 hourly, so there is probably no need to run Crediton shuttles.

 

[Amlag]

Theank you RichA for your post...very interesting, encouraging and generally consistent with local and wider understandings and objectives.
I realise the 3—5 Mch track walk etc by NR staff from Coleford was to Okehampton Stn inclusive. Was any mention made of whether Okehampton to Meldon would remain with Aggregate Industries OR also transfer
to NR ownership ?

 

[RichA]

Theank you RichA for your post...very interesting, encouraging and generally consistent with local and wider understandings and objectives.
I realise the 3—5 Mch track walk etc by NR staff from Coleford was to Okehampton Stn inclusive. Was any mention made of whether Okehampton to Meldon would remain with Aggregate Industries OR also transfer
to NR ownership ?

We were not tasked with looking beyond Okehampton towards Meldon and no mention was made regarding it, however that's not to say it wouldn't transfer, especially if it was required for future use, but at this stage the focus was on what was needed to start up a passenger service.

 

[yorksrob]

Well, it certainly sounds like encouraging progress - thanks for the update !

 

[Amlag]

Well, it certainly sounds like encouraging progress - thanks for the update !

Things seem certainly to be moving ahead, with the whole line (not least for the sake of convenience) now expected to transfer to NR.
The Govt (and its voters) desperately needs to actually see something in reality achieved under its Beeching Reversal banner and something rail wise that is not HS2.

 

[yorksrob]

Well, it makes sense really.

The quarry has no more use for the line and the Government has an ambition to have the passenger service.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Well, it makes sense really.

The quarry has no more use for the line and the Government has an ambition to have the passenger service.

Whilst NR have no wish to go beyond Okehampton it would make sense to either A. at least bring it into NR ownership or B. do the Dartmoor Railway intend to carry on and perhaps purchase or be gifted the line to Meldon. My biggest fear would be the cycling lobby getting hold of Okehampton-Meldon as it would never see a train again.

 

[yorksrob]

Whilst NR have no wish to go beyond Okehampton it would make sense to either A. at least bring it into NR ownership or B. do the Dartmoor Railway intend to carry on and perhaps purchase or be gifted the line to Meldon. My biggest fear would be the cycling lobby getting hold of Okehampton-Meldon as it would never see a train again.

This is true. I would rather the preserved railway as custodians.

 

[Amlag]

The Darmoor Rly CIC ( a subsidiary of a US Rail outfit) has (fortunately) gone into administration, hence why the Govt scheme (tasked to GWR) to introduce a regular service between Okehampton and Exeter can now proceed.
There has been a cycle track between Okehampton and Meldon (and onwards) for several years using part of the formation of this former double line.

 

[Roast Veg]

On the "cycling lobby" point, many sustrans routes are preserved in so far as that they can be returned to railway use in the future. Better them than housebuilders!

 

[davetheguard]

Can anyone recommend a website with photographs of the stations and infrastructure? Google wasn’t being particularly helpful. Thanks

I walked from Yeoford station to the village of Coleford yesterday (as in the former Coleford Junction where the Barnstaple & Okehampton lines diverge) to have lunch in the New Inn pub.

On the way, it was only a very short diversion to take these pictures of the sleeper chained across the Okehampton line. They are taken from Penstone footpath crossing and are looking towards Yeoford & Exeter.

 

[pompeyfan]

I walked from Yeoford station to the village of Coleford yesterday (as in the former Coleford Junction where the Barnstaple & Okehampton lines diverge) to have lunch in the New Inn pub.

On the way, it was only a very short diversion to take these pictures of the sleeper chained across the Okehampton line. They are taken from Penstone footpath crossing and are looking towards Yeoford & Exeter.View attachment 82576View attachment 82577

Brilliant, thank you