LOCAL rail enthusiasts have been celebrating the third anniversary of the Dartmoor Line.
On November, 20, residents, visitors, and other rail enthusiasts convened at Okehampton Railway Station, to celebrate the third anniversary since the grand reopening of the Dartmoor Line.
Back in 2021, after a lengthy campaign by local group OkeRail, it was announced that the station and line would be reopened for public use. Ever since, its use has outperformed all projections.
As part of the event, members of a number of local rail groups attended the celebratory event, including those form OkeRail, Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and Launceston Railway Circle.
To mark the occasion, a cake was even cut at the station.
Les Whaley, former chairman of Launceston Railway Circle told the Post: ”I was pleased to represent Ivory Davy chairman of Launceston Railway Circle at Okehampton Railway Station for the cutting of the cake of a very successful GWR line from Okehampton to Exeter which was very busy on the morning.
“I was pleased to being able to speak to other interesting parties of Devon and Cornwall hoping to see the opening of the line from Tavistock to Bere Alston-Plymouth ,Okehampton to Tavistock and a Line back into Launceston one day.”
Mayor of Launceston, Cllr Helen Bailey and other mayors from across Devon also paid a visit.
Les continued: “While taking coffee and cake I was able to speak with Cllr Dave Gordon from Launceston Town Council on the council’s campaign to reconnect Launceston to the National Rail Network. The aim is to secure a regular daily service from Launceston to Okehampton on to Exeter and the rest of the UK so North Cornwall will be less reliant on the use of cars, ensuring less pollution and cleaner air, and I think it would good to see some road freight put on the rails at night.
Launceston Railway Circle was founded in October 1963, and supports the aims of Connect Launceston. For more information about its work and details about membership to Connect Launceston contact Launceston Town Council.